Updates from the 2024-25 GGMCA Board
As allowed by the GGMCA bylaws, the board voted to appoint volunteer and GGMCA member Lindsay Sali to the GGMCA board for an interim period until the next AGM. At the October 2024 meeting, the following roles were established, and volunteers are still welcome to support Events, Membership, Thumper, ‘Naturally, Glendale’, and more!
• President: Myles Trawick
• Vice President: Amanda Saigeon
• Second Vice President: Lindsay Sali
• Treasurer: Shane Duthie
• Secretary: Laura Nixon
• Members At Large: Monika Smith (Naturally, Glendale), Aaron Shannon (Website, Courts), Veronika Duska, Jessica Pedlow (Social), Kent Viccars (Rink), Daryl Drainville, and John Mar.
At our October 2024 board meeting, James Durant, GGMCA’s Hall Coordinator, provided the board with an update on rentals. James reported that we are hosting a lot of different user groups: Guides, Pathfinders, church groups, sportball, weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, etc. Everyone loves the hall, and we are receiving great feedback on how beautiful it is. We have also actioned a few opportunities to provide better posted instructions for tech and facility use for renters. Jim Kelley, GGMCA’s Maintenance lead, provided an update also, including plans to upgrade the netting on the rink, tune up the rink maintenance equipment before winter, and protect and repair the walls in the hall.
We’d also like to remind everyone to keep the hall in mind for your holiday parties! See https://myglendale.ca/hall-rentals/.
Aurora over Glendale
What a special time 2024 has been to gaze skyward. In early October, the solar storm intensities were strong enough that beautiful aurora were visible in the evenings right within Glendale. On some nights, the phenomenon was visible with the naked eye (digital cameras have also enhanced viewing experiences), even around street, commercial, and field lighting. Artificial lights normally block the view and require skygazers to head out of town for a chance to see the dance! Glendaliens could also check out the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet at sundown in the western horizon (on non-cloudy nights) from the Thanksgiving weekend through to about October 20. Thanks to Laurie Odnokon for sending in this aurora photo from October 7, looking west down 25 Avenue near Glendale School.
Wildlife in Glendale
A few neighbours have mentioned surprise at seeing a skunk wandering by from time to time. According to https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/skunks-fall-pests-1.7345204, skunks semi-hibernate, meaning that Calgarians will still likely see skunks around during milder winter days when they are out foraging. Also, in the current season, this year’s young are out to find their own dens and are often curious and not be smart enough to stay away from people! But they won’t spray unless provoked. Try to admire that racing stripe from afar and take steps to protect your structures and yard from being an ideal burrow spot.
City of Calgary Updates
On September 9, 2024, the Ward Boundary Commission approved its final report on the review of the effectiveness of the 14-ward system with no changes to the number of Councillors.
The City wants to thank residents, community associations, and community organizations for supporting the water restrictions in June, August, and September. They are incredibly grateful for your commitment, creativity, and resilience throughout this period and encourage you to consider continuing with these water saving practices, where you can.
Olympic Plaza is being closed at the end of 2024 for a wonderful transformation. Calgarians are invited to commemorate the Olympic bricks by locating their inscription using The City of Calgary’s Olympic Brick Finder and visiting Olympic Plaza until the end of December.
Calgary Parks and Open Spaces is creating a 20-year plan on how Calgary develops, redevelops, and manages parks to connect Calgarians. This work is in Phase 3, which means the Draft Parks Plan is available online, following previous engagement phases: https://engage.calgary.ca/parksplan. The City is also reimagining how public recreation is delivered in Calgary. Visit https://engage.calgary.ca/gameplan for updates on GamePLAN, a long-term vision and strategy to shape inclusive, accessible, and sustainable recreation service delivery for the next ten to 30 years.
Updates regarding revisions to the Zoning Bylaw, including outcomes from recent engagement phases can be found at https://engage.calgary.ca/citybuilding/cbpphase4.
Upcoming Events
Most events are free, and we ask that all participants have an active community association membership. Watch myglendale.ca/events for the following fun activities and to register.
• November 2, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – Glendale Craft Show and Sale at the hall.
• November 12, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm – Glendale Book Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at the hall from 10:00 am until noon. Check https://myglendale.ca/book-club/ for the upcoming titles or contact Manibh at [email protected].
• December 1, 1:00 to 5:00 pm – Christmas ornament painting at the hall with Paint Ur Art Out. Free for GGMCA members (use code memberxmas)! $10 for non-members. Check https://myglendale.ca/paint for more information and register at https://www.painturartout.com/scheduling-1 by selecting the December 1 event.
• December 10, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm – Glendale Book Club. December’s title is Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand.
• December 24, Morning – Christmas Eve Skate! Stay tuned for more information. Come down to the rink and skate track on Christmas Eve morning for some fresh air and friendly neighbourhood socializing.
Click here to the Glendale Community News home page for the latest Glendale community updates.
