August, 2006

I was ecstatic when I read in the Calgary Herald in mid-July that the 103-unit affordable housing project in Inglewood, as proposed by Horizon Housing Society, was approved by the city’s planning commission, despite opposition from some members of the Inglewood community.

The Planning Commission expressed concerns about the multi-family development facing an industrial park and recommended that the city look at landscaping the boulevard in front of the storage unit to minimize the view. As this project still has to be approved by council, Horizon couldn’t predict when construction on the project would begin.

Some members of our community that attend the meetings seem to feel it is okay to approve large condo developments that put 500-1,000 residents and vehicles in already crowded areas. They approve 16 storey buildings without giving much thought to the ramifications of Inglewood becoming a high-rise community. They also approve the occasional million dollar home. They do not, however, approve something that is so desperately needed by so many people in Calgary. I know that there are many residents of Inglewood who approve of the proposed project but as usual, the naysayers have the loudest voice.

We all like living in Inglewood because of the history and the small-town feel. Has this community lost its heart? Has greed totally replaced need?

I hope that council approves this project and it is built in record time so that the low-income seniors, low-income families, brain-injured and mentally ill adults can come in from the cold and have some dignity in their lives thanks to the good people at Horizon Housing. Bring it on!
- Jackie Hamilton
August 9, 2006

 

Not a day goes by that I don’t appreciate the fact that I live Inglewood. Now that we live across from the Wildlands, I have come to truly appreciate country living in the heart of the city. What a privilege! If only my view wasn’t blighted by the yellow and white “WARNING!” signs that scar our neighborhoods. Don’t get me wrong- it’s not what I can see that bothers me; it’s what I can’t see that is so worrisome. It’s the fact that these signs are warnings to Calgarians that the area has been treated with pesticides.

At the June Inglewood Community Association meeting, the Nellie Breen Playground Committee (of which I am a participant) announced that with the ICA support the committee would apply to the City of Calgary to have the Nellie Breen playground become one of the five “fee-free pesticide parks in the city”. That is, the City of Calgary is allowing five parks in Calgary to avoid paying a fee to have the park designated pesticide-free. All other parks outside these five will have to get their respective community associations to pay a yearly fee so that pesticides are not applied (am I the only one who is baffled by this?)! At any rate, a motion was passed by the ICA in support of applying to be one of the Chosen Five, and the concept of Inglewood as a pesticide-free community was introduced.

However, before we jump head first into this issue it is crucial to find out what the motivation to go pesticide-free is. The types of pesticides most commonly used in Calgary are a variety of herbicides, such as various combinations of 2, 4-D, Killex being the most common. Transline is also used for weeds. Various glyphosate combinations round out the arsenal, such as Vantage, for annihilation of all living plants. These chemicals are used to treat a spectrum of unwanted species, both plant and animal. The dandelion, despised yet ironically medicinal, is the most commonly targeted “weed” in Calgary.

The problem with the application of these, and other pesticides, is that they are poisons and have proven negative effects on human and animal health, as well as the environment. According to a 1989 Environment Canada report: Exposure to pesticides has been linked to neurological problems, brain and lung cancer, immune suppression, leukemia, Parkinson’s disease, kidney damage, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption, low sperm count and sterility. It is hardly surprising that doctors from across the country, including the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment are opposed to the cosmetic application of pesticides.

Of particular interest to our river-protective community, pesticides make their way into our rivers and streams. A portion of the pesticide applied is washed into storm drains after a heavy rain or after watering your lawn and will eventually end up in our waterways. When pesticides are sprayed, they travel in the air. If you can smell it you are breathing it. Pesticides can be found far from the application sight. Fertilizers are also washed into rivers. (http://www.pesiticidefreeyards.org/).

The good news is that many municipalities across Canada (over 100 at last count) still have beautiful lawns and gardens- and are pesticide free. The leaders in this progressive movement are Halifax, Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. The entire province of Quebec has also implemented a pesticide by-law to protect its citizens. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), where I moved from last September, has glided into pesticide-free status with relatively few hiccups (except of course from the loud and angry protestations of the industry, who like cigarette companies, are threatened by this kind of movement). It is impressive how HRM citizens have accepted the bylaw, and some of those who were most unhappy initially are now strong supporters.

For those who are interested in hearing more about pesticides as well as get some answers, Barbara Kinney of the Sierra Club will be speaking at the September 11th ICA meeting.
- Rebecca O’Brien
July 21, 2006

 

How Prevalent Are B&E’s in Inglewood?
You will recall Saturday June 24th clearly, Sunfest! My boyfriend and I were heading out of town to enjoy the weather and do some camping in the mountains. Upon our return home, we were horrified to find our house broken into, burglared and ransacked. We had assumed that it happened Saturday evening, but after talking to our next door neighbour, we found out it in-fact happened on Saturday, during Sunfest. She was out of her house between1:30 & 3:30 (we left around 1) and also returned to a burglared home. We believe that the burglars preyed upon the fact that most of Inglewood would be at the festival and the streets would be quiet enough for them to cause their mischief.So I am asking: was anyone else victimized during this time? Who has had a B&E in their home, garage or car in Inglewood recently? How prevalent is this behaviour in our community?And, what do we do going forward? I know that we have spoken with our neighbours and watch each other’s homes more frequently than we did a few weeks ago. Is it possible to get a community watch going and deter criminals from our homes? Is anyone else interested in a community watch?Thank you,
- Michelle Puzzuoli
August 3, 2006

 

Inglewood Remembers William F. Burdett

Inglewood this summer lost one of its favourite sons with the death on July 14 of William F. Burdett at the age of 96. Bill, also known to his firemen coworkers as Birdie, leaves his daughter Betty McLennan (Sandy), three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Florence his wife of 71 years died before him, as did his son William D. Bill and Florence lived in Inglewood all their married life. Bill worked thirty-six years for the Calgary Fire Department, most of his career in Firehouse No. 3 at 9th Avenue and 11th Street, until that station closed in 1952. Bill was a captain in the fire department for the second half of his working life.

 

At his funeral there were two fire engines, a modern one and one from Bill’s first days in the CFD. His pallbearers wore CFD uniforms from today and from yesteryear. The remains were carried to the gravesite by the 1934 fire engine, Birdie’s helmet alongside the urn.

In the Inglewood community Bill was active in sports, coaching both the CFD hockey team and several Inglewood youth teams. He could always be counted on to see that the ice rinks got flooded. He remained a hockey fan all his life. A genial and lovable neighbour, Bill Burdett will be missed.
- JD

 

Anglican Church Welcomes New Minister
Inglewood & Ramsay Residents Invited to a Free Barbecue.
After two years without a Parish Priest, the Church of St. John the Evangelist (Anglican), which celebrated it’s 100th Anniversary last year, welcomes Fr. Michael Hiedt as the new Rector. Michael, who is originally from England and his wife, Rebecca, a Canadian, will be moving into the Rectory beside the Church on 8 Ave. with their three children in late August. Most recently, Fr. Michael has been ministering at an Episcopal Church just outside Philadelphia, Penn.

To welcome Fr. Michael and his family to Calgary, a barbecue will be held on Sunday September 10, 2006, on the lawn in front of Cross Memorial Hall, immediately after the 10:30 Mass. The barbecue will run from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. All residents of Inglewood and Ramsay are welcome to attend the barbecue, at no charge, to welcome this new family to the community.St. Johns Church is located at 1423 – 8 Ave. S.E. 

 

Soccer Thrives In Inglewood
Inglewood Community Soccer continues on the field beside the ice rink right through till October 15. All soccer enthusiasts are invited to join other kickers every Sunday evening at 7:00. Children under the age of 13 years should be accompanied by a parent. “It’s a great run,” says one of the organizers, Phil Brouwer. “It’s also a good way to meet people in the community.”

 

Community Music And Arts School Begins This Month

Inglewood’s Music and Arts School concluded the year recently with a recital where over 50 people enjoyed the music of some 20 students.

 

“It was a great year,” said one of the parents of the participants. “The recital was charming with all those kids eager to share what they had learned.”The new fall sessions held at the Lantern Community Church will begin starting September 14.

Plans are in progress and teachers, both new and former, are getting ready to teach guitar, piano, drums, drawing, sewing, voice, painting, music appreciation and dance classes. “We are looking forward to the start of our best session yet, with more variety to offer,” says school director Corrin Brouwer. “I am especially excited about the music appreciation class for the younger ages that we have previously been turning away.”

Registration for all classes will be at the Lantern on Friday Sept 8, 4-7pm.For information or details contact Corrin at 234-9116 or music@thelanterncommunitychurch.com.