CHATTER - Redwood · PDF filePic-a-Pix Puzzle 22 ... Deputy Mayor Paul Sawler and Townsite...

inside this issue

Babysitters List 27

BCCA News 8

Calendar 5

Classifieds 2

Council Update 3

Environmental Ideas 18

Kids’ Crafts 11

Little Schoolhouse News 26

Pic-a-Pix Puzzle 22

Right To Play 14

It seems that just as the school year winds

down, other activities ramp up, so it’s no

surprise how much is going on this month.

On Saturday, June 18, join your friends at

the annual Ride for Will in Redwood

Meadows. (See page 15 to register.)

Celebrate National Aboriginal Day on June

21 at Redwood House with a potluck

dinner and guest speaker. (see page 4).

June is the time to get your kids organized

for the summer. Sign them up for fire cadet

camp (page 19), girls’ grass volleyball

(page 25) or one of the many camps

offered by the BCCA (page 9).

For an update on lease talks, come to the

next lease café at Redwood House on June

20 from 7 to 9 pm.

The RMCA is still looking for volunteers

to help with our Canada Day celebration so

jump in to help if you can.

Happy, busy June to one and all!

[email protected]

CHATTERCHATTERCHATTER ----IN THE WOODSIN THE WOODSIN THE WOODSIN THE WOODS----

Read the online version of the CHATTER @ www.redwoodmeadows.ab.ca

Follow Redwood Meadows on FACEBOOK and TWITTER!

Vol. 23, Issue 6 June 2016 A monthly volunteer-driven newsletter for Redwood Meadows and surrounding areas

RMES Barbecue Raises Funds for Fort McMurray Firefighters

Volunteers from

Redwood Meadows

Emergency Services fed

about 225 people at a

fundraising barbecue in

Bragg Creek in May.

The event raised $3,000

in support of firefighters

in Fort McMurray.

You can still contribute

to the effort by sending

cash or a cheque to The

Fort McMurray Fire

Fighters Relief Fund,

#200, 7024 - 101 Ave.,

Edmonton, Alberta

T6A 0H7

2 CHATTER IN THE WOODS, June 2016

CHATTER IN THE WOODS

is a monthly, volunteer-managed

publication of the Redwood Meadows

Community Association and is

distributed via email to residents of

Redwood Meadows and the

surrounding area. The Chatter is also

available online at

www.redwoodmeadows.ab.ca.

Receive a link to the Chatter on the first

day of each month by emailing us at:

[email protected]

A limited number of printed copies is

available from the Chatter boxes at

Redwood House, mailboxes and at the

BCCC in Bragg Creek.

Contact the EDITORIAL TEAM at

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Submitted articles must be signed.

Chatter in the Woods assumes no

responsibility for the content or

accuracy of articles printed. The views

reflected in this newsletter do not

necessarily reflect the views of the

editors.

classifieds

SHOPPING SOCIAL AT REDWOOD HOUSE

Do you have a home-based business? Local vendors are invited to showcase their products and services at a shopping social at Redwood House, Wed., June 15 from 6 to 9 pm. Four-foot table space available for $15. $5 wine and cheese plates for all. For more info, contact Karla Watts at [email protected].

BRAGG CREEK COMMUNITY CHURCH MEETS IN REDWOOD

Following the closure of the Bragg Creek Community Centre for repairs after their major water leak, Bragg Creek Community Church will meet at Redwood House every Sunday morning at 10 am prompt(ish) for the foreseeable future. All are welcome. For further details, contact Pastor Dave Zimmerman at 403-671-3819 or e-mail him at [email protected].

TRAINED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER

An Organized Life is a Redwood Meadows company offering services and support for residential and small office organizing. Isn't it time you got organized? Contact Lu Hall at [email protected] or 403-819-2088. www.organizedlife.ca. LOCAL FITNESS CLASSES WRAP UP IN JUNE

If you’re looking for a challenging morning fitness class, come out to Redwood House Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9 to 10. Classes change weekly but always include exercises for strength, core, balance, cardio and flexibility. Classes wrap up in June and resume in early September. For information, email Ann at [email protected].

The CHATTER is printed by the Bragg Creek

Business Centre:

403-949-2333

CHATTER IN THE WOODS, June 2016 3

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Redwood Meadows’s AGM was held at Redwood Meadows House on Tuesday, May 17. There were a total of 55 residents in attendance. Guest speakers included Sgt. Jeff Campbell from the Rural Operations Unit of the Cochrane RCMP and Eric Howey from the Bragg Creek and Area Wellness Committee. After a short presentation from the guest speakers, the various committees from council gave updates. The minutes from the AGM will be available on the Townsite website (redwoodmeadows.ab.ca). CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS Get involved in Redwood Meadows activities. As a result of the AGM, there are numerous opportunities for resi-dents to get involved. Below is a list of volunteer needs:

• RMCA (Redwood Meadows Community Association) ◊ Treasurer position needs to be filled. ◊ July Casino – approximately 15 volunteers

needed. No experience needed. ◊ Bragg Creek Playground Rebuild – approxi-

mately 115 volunteers needed. No experience required.

◊ Canada Day – Redwood Meadows most popu-lar event. Lots of opportunities to get in-volved.

• RMFA (Redwood Meadows Firefighters Association) ◊ Membership open to all residents

• RMEM (Redwood Meadows Emergency Manage-ment)

◊ Be a part of improving Redwood’s Emergency Management Plan

For more information about any of these volunteer oppor-tunities, please contact Redwood House at (403) 949-3563. INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES Public works has completed the spring cleanup of the playground. Two summer students have been hired and the ball diamond will be sprayed for weeds. Conoco Philips has completed the final testing on the sports field and will provide a report on their findings. The work on the South Ridge Protection is complete. FINANCE UPDATE Maria Somjee, Senior Manager with Grant Thornton LLP, who provides auditing services for the Townsite, attended

Council to review the draft 2015 financial statements prior to the AGM. The overall comment from Ms. Somjee was that the townsite was run very well from a financial standpoint. The audited financial statements were presented at the AGM and, after ques-tions, were accepted by a unanimous vote. INTERGOVERNMENTAL UPDATE Deputy Mayor Paul Sawler and Townsite

Manager Glenn Morphy will attend a workshop June 7 to explore broadband and digital connectivity opportunities in the Calgary region. Morphy also attended a Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) subcommittee meeting regarding transit. LEASE EXTENSION INFORMATION A community lease café was held on April 25. Thank you to all residents who took the time to attend and ask ques-tions. Come out and speak to Council and the lease committee at the next café on Monday, June 20 at 7 pm. If you have questions or comments, please forward them to [email protected].

For lease updates, please watch for new information in the following places: on the website under the title LEASE, in the Chatter and in the Updater. WASTE REMOVAL Council and Townsite are aware of the latest issues/complaints regarding waste removal. Townsite management is in the process of reviewing our contract and investigating alternate services. COUNCIL MEETINGS Town Council currently meets every Tuesday night. The first and third Tuesdays are designated regular council meetings and are open to the public. The other Tuesdays are dedicated to lease renewal. The next public meeting will be Tuesday, June 7 at 7 pm at Redwood House. All residents are welcome to attend. For detailed council meeting minutes, please go to the website: http://www.redwoodmeadows.ab.ca/town-council/council-agenda-minutes/.

Redwood Meadows Town Council

council update

Council Calls for Community Volunteers after AGM


local news


redwood calendar

Get News to Your Inbox with the Updater

Feel like you’re missing out on news and events in your

community? Sign up for the Redwood Meadows Updater

by emailing:

communitynews@

redwoodmeadows.ab.ca

You can also keep in touch by checking out Redwood’s

Facebook page, or follow the town on Twitter @Redwood

Meadows.


bragg creek and area wellness committee

Wellness Committee to Continue its Collaborative Work

The purpose of the Townsite of Redwood Meadows Door to Door Campaign was to connect personally with residents and convey a message of care and support—we care what has happened, what is happening and what will happen in your families and in your community as you plant deep roots, overcome obstacles and grow healthy relationships. The campaign was conducted in June 2015 and was a partnership between the Bragg Creek and Area Wellness Committee and the Townsite of Redwood Meadows. We spoke to 48% of households, and 39% of households responded to our short survey. In this series of articles we have explored the results of the survey and some of the accompanying recommendations. To view the full report please visit: http://www.redwoodmeadows.ab.ca/the-townsite-of-redwood-meadows-door-to-door-campaign/ If you have any questions please contact: [email protected]

Priorities and Recommendations This is the last in our series of articles profiling the Townsite of Redwood Meadows Door to Door Report. Thank you for following the articles over the last six months and staying engaged with the health and wellness of your community! It has been a full year since we completed the door knock-ing campaign and approximately eight months since we released the report. In this final article we will outline the priorities that were set in response to the data we gathered and most importantly we will talk about how we have already taken action on these goals over the last year. The three guiding priorities that were developed as a result of the data are as follows:

Celebrate the success and wellbeing of the Townsite

of Redwood Meadows This priority was set in response to the degree of satisfac-tion expressed by Redwood Meadows residents. While there are needs that emerged from this survey, perhaps the most important one is to commend the Townsite of Red-wood Meadows for all of the planning and work that has gone into creating a vibrant and connected community.

Ensure services remain sustainable, accessible

and useful This priority was set in response to the concerns residents

have about accessing services locally in their community, whether that is a family doctor or a barber. We recognize there are practical limitations to what a small rural community can economically sustain; however, innovative solutions for local service delivery should be pursued and encouraged.

Continue developing regional partnerships and

collaborations This priority was set to bring attention to the interconnect-edness of the Townsite of Redwood Meadows and its neighbours; Tsuut’ina Nation and Bragg Creek. As this area of the greater Calgary region inevitably grows, it will pay dividends for these communities to collaborate on events, infrastructure and facilities. There are too many specific recommendations and successes to list in this article ; however, I want to draw attention to one tangible example of how we worked to achieve the second priority, services remaining local and accessible, over the last year. The mental health position

Con�nued on next page


bragg creek and area wellness committee

through Alberta Health Services for the greater Bragg Creek area was scheduled to end in June 2016. The Bragg Creek and Area Wellness Committee recognized that mental health supports continued to be a community need and organized an extensive advocacy campaign to ensure this service remained local and accessible for residents. The campaign was spearheaded by Debbie Maclean, a local resident, co-chair of the Bragg Creek and Area Well-ness Committee, and community development facilitator

with the Calgary Rural Primary Care Network (she does a lot!). Many, many, letters were written to elected officials and meetings were held with local and provincial leaders in the health care sector. Due to this wide-ranging advo-cacy, the mental health position was successfully extend-ed for an additional year — until June 2017! If you want to learn more or get involved in what we do, the Bragg Creek and Area Wellness Committee is always interested in new members joining us. The only require-ment is that you want to support the wellbeing of your community. We love seeing new faces and hearing fresh perspectives. We usually meet in the afternoon on the second Thursday of the month. If you are interested in joining us, our June meeting will take place on Thursday, June 9 from 1 to 3 pm at Redwood House. Email Eric Howey for additional information: [email protected].

Bragg Creek and Area Wellness Committee

Con�nued from previous page


bragg creek community association

Often we forget to express appreciation to those who go above and beyond to assist us when it is needed. With this in mind, the board and membership of the BCCA would like to thank the staff of the Bragg Creek Community Centre, the volunteers and staff of Redwood and all of you who have stepped up to help the BCCA as we work to repair the damage that was done to the Bragg Creek Community Centre. Thanks to you we have been able to continue with our mission of providing quality programs and services to the residents of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows. As of this writing, the fire suppression system repairs are almost complete and we are ready to move forward with the overall repairs to the interior of the centre. We will be able to provide a better idea of when we expect to become fully operational within the next month or two. You may have noticed that the first phase of our site

redevelopment plan has begun. Thanks to the enthusiasm of local business and individual talent, we are in the midst of preparing the site for the new playground that will be

located at the southwest corner of the property. As previously mentioned, we are aiming to install the new equipment from June 15 to 19. We are looking

for volunteers to help us on those dates. You do not need special skills, only a desire and interest in helping build something that will be enjoyed by the children of our community in the years to come. Registration is OPEN and there are a variety of tasks available. Please contact Luanne at 403-949-4277 ext. 1 to volunteer. Bragg Creek days are quickly approaching: July 23 and 24. Our ol’ time country theme this year will be taking us back to some country fun. Do you like pie-eating contests? Ropin’? Horseshoes? We will have these and other classics. Sponsorship packages have been sent to past supporters, but if you are interested is sponsoring a

BCCA Thanks Staff and Volunteers as Local Projects Continue

Con�nued on next page


bragg creek community association

game, please call the centre at 403-949-4277. As always, volunteers are needed. The weekend kicks off with the Redwood Fire Department’s traditional pancake breakfast, followed by the annual Bragg Creek Chamber of Commerce-sponsored parade at 10:30 am. We encour-age anyone with a vintage or hot car, float idea, horse, wagon, bike or almost anything else to contact us at [email protected] to register. We will get in touch with you. Looking for activities for your kids this summer ? We are now taking registration for a variety of kids’ camps. See the poster below and talk to Shaye, Kari or Luanne. We are aware of the many, many organizations currently fundraising. As an example, the Redwood Fire Depart-

ment raised over $3,000 for Fort Mac by holding a barbe-cue at the Brag Creek Center on May 14. We would like to thank the volunteers and performers at the Renaissance fundraising event the BCCA held at Redwood House on May 7. We are hosting another fundraiser, “Paint Nite,” at Redwood House on June 10. Please see the poster on page 8 for details. Finally, the strength of a community rests in the hands of the individuals who comprise it. With that in mind we would again like to thank the many tireless volunteers who work so hard to enhance the experience of living in one of the most beautiful places in the world!

Dave Rupert,

Bragg Creek Community Association

Con�nued from previous page


local information

In the event of an emergency, Redwood Meadows will be using an automated emergency call-out system. It is important for the townsite to have updated phone numbers and contact information for all residents. To update your contact information, email: prupert @redwood meadows.ab.ca or call: (403) 949-3563.

SIGN UP FOR

REDWOOD’S

EMERGENCY

CALL-OUT SYSTEM


kids’ crafts

When I moved to this great community four years ago, I never expected to meet the number of outdoor enthusiasts I have. Everyone here, every age, every personality type, seems to adore the outdoors in one capacity or another, and I am no exception. It took me a bit of time to find my “footing” so to speak, but I have developed a true love of hiking, nature, trees and mountains, that I attribute whole-heartedly to Alberta and its people. This is such a great time of year to go outside with your kids and collect bits and pieces of nature to incorporate into fun crafts. One easy way to do that is to take a hike, even with very young children, and collect stones, leaves, pine cones, or whatever else suits their fancy. Kids of all ages enjoy collecting, as many of us have found out the hard way through the laundry and the “surprises” we've found in pockets! These treasurers can

easily be turned into simple art or put on display on a window ledge or shelf. Although nature is beautiful in and of itself, you can also think of painting your treasures with acrylic paint. You can find this type of inexpensive paint in dollar stores or craft stores. Think of using metallic paint on the tips of pine cones, or swirls of hues on rocks. Paint leaves and make imprints on paper, or paint stripes on long twigs. You could even paint Xs and Os on rocks for an easy game of tic-tac-toe. On a camping trip? Take along a bit of air dry modelling clay. Make flat disks and imprint leaves into the clay. Use a drinking straw to poke a hole at the top and when it dries, tie a string for an instant keychain or necklace. You can also use the clay to make beads. Simply shape the beads, draw a design (or imprint again), and poke holes with the straw. Once they're dry, you can use the same simple acrylic paint to add colour. Enjoy your summer outside!

Faith McLean

Take a Hike and Turn Nature into Art

Bring the outdoors inside with treasures found on hikes.


local information

In the course of a regular week at the townsite office, we receive many calls and visits from our residents. Their questions range from asking how to get a dog licence and where to find a good restaurant to how to find support for an ailing family member. We are happy to have the opportunity to connect with our neighbours and get a sense of how they are feeling and where we can offer support in the daily demands that life sends our way. So if you are looking for a little help, we are here. We can give you suggestions on finding a local contractor for your home projects; information on townsite rules; or contact information if you are in need of some support for you or a family member.

No question is too big or too small. We could all use a little help to lighten our load, and we are here to be of assistance. Both Renate and Peg have taken the Community Helpers workshop as well as Freedom of Information and Privacy (FOIP) training, so you can be assured that confidentiality is a top priority. Please call us, send an email or drop by the town office for a visit. We are happy to lend a hand.

Renate van der Zande and Peg Rupert

Townsite of Redwood Meadows, 1 Manyhorses Drive [email protected] or [email protected]

403-949-3563

Help is Just Around the Corner at the Townsite Office


flood mitigation forums

Elbow River Corridor Project Forums Address Flood Protection

What is the Elbow River Corridor Project (ERCP)? The ERCP is an initiative focusing on community educa-tion and engagement about riverfront flood protection, restoration, improvements and amenities in the Elbow River corridor area of Bragg Creek and Redwood Meadows. How to be involved?

Plan to attend our two community dialogue forums to increase your understanding of flood protection and mitigation plans, and discuss what is important to you about riverfront restoration and options for improvements on public lands. Tuesday, June 14 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Tuesday, June 28 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm Location: Redwood House

Goals of the initiative • Increase public understanding of Rocky View County

and Redwood Meadows flood protection projects • Increase public awareness of Upper Elbow watershed

health and sustainability • Identify options for enhancement and restoration of

riverfront public lands (e.g., trail development, park amenities)

• Produce a summary report of public ideas and options to inform Rocky View County and Redwood Meadows mitigation projects, and other community planning/revitalization initiatives

Please note: These discussions do not encompass the

proposed Springbank Reservoir Project (SR1).

Everyone is welcome to come learn and join

the discussion!

Exciting News? Share it with the Community! Email your photos, stories and letters to [email protected].


right to play

Your Funds Help Right To Play Help Kids

From the Redwood Right To Play mailbox: A huge thank you to Lu Hall for hosting and coordinating this year’s garage sale and to all who contributed! Proceeds from this year’s sale will benefit Right To Play, including its Canadian program “PLAY.” Please consider making a donation to Right To Play. A

gift of $50 allows one child to access weekly Right To

Play programming for one full year. Please make your

cheque payable to Right To Play and leave in a sealed

envelope at the townsite office. Charitable receipts will

be forwarded directly from RTP HQ in Toronto.

Dear Friends and Neighbours: “In Canada, recent crises in First Nations communities have brought to light the harsh realities faced by many Indigenous children and youth in this country. After 11 people attempted suicide in one single evening, the northern Ontario community of Attawapiskat declared a

State of Emergency. This came just days after a house fire in the Pikangikum First Nation killed nine people, including three children. “While Right To Play is not an emergency response organization, the longstanding relationships developed with these communities through our Promoting Life-skills

in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program, means we are

dedicated to supporting them to the best of our ability. “In Pikangikum, we supplemented the regular programming run by the PLAY Community Mentor, so children would have an outlet while he and the rest of the community grieved. In Attawapiskat, where we’ve remained in close contact following three years of programming, we ran short-term programs for youth in the community and will discuss with community leaders how Right To Play can provide support in the mid- to long-term. “‘In these difficult times, such programming makes an incredible difference to both the kids and community,’ Right To Play Director of Canada Programs Rose

Lipton told CBC. ‘It’s so important to fill that gap … to make sure there’s something for kids to do, and something positive.’” (Source: Lori Smith, National Director, Right To Play Canada, Right To Play Newsletter, righttoplay.ca, April, 2016).

Submitted by Carol Scarratt


When you have a house or condo, you want it to look great. You know about regular maintenance but you might also want to renovate that tired bathroom or dated kitchen, or replace those older windows or redo the basement to create more living space. Here are six renos that may increase your home's value: Revamp the Bathroom. Every year, the Appraisal Institute of Canada surveys its members and compiles a list of renovations that yield the best return on investment. Year after year, refurbished kitchens and bathrooms head the payback list. An old toilet that's cracked or dirty or doesn't work properly is a turn-off. Vanities should be eye-catching and practical. Good lighting boosts value. Better yet, add a window if you can to get natural lighting. If you want to save some money consider reglazing the tub rather than getting a new one. Bathroom upgrades can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $25,000; however, you will recoup 75% to 100% of the initial cost. Upgrade your Kitchen. This sits at the top of any reno list. It's the heart of a home and the room where families spend most of their time. So where do you start? This is

the reno that can overstretch the budget because there is so much you can add. If you're adding high-end upgrades such as stainless steel appliances, make sure they're not sitting on vinyl flooring or sitting against worn-out cupboards. Kitchen upgrades can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $75,000; however, you will recoup 75% to 100% of the initial cost. House needs a roof. This might not be the most exciting reno, but it does have its perks. A dry house, for one. Curb appeal for another. A new roof is not cheap but it lasts a long time. Cost ranges anywhere from $3,500 and higher, depending on the size; however, you will recoup 80% of the initial cost. Try a coat of paint. This is your best bet to increase the value of your home. Paint is one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do to freshen up your home and add zip to it. A paint job will cost from $100 up to $5,000 for a large house; however, you will recoup 100% of the initial cost. Finish the basement. A finished basement is very attractive to buyers. Not only does it increase floor space but it can be a place for the kids and/or a place to put extra stuff. Basement renovations can cost from $3,000 up to $50,000, depending on the size and what you add; however, you will recoup 75% of the initial cost. Go for new windows and doors. Doors and windows are the first impression visitors have of your home. You can boost curb appeal, improve efficiency and add value to your home by upgrading. New windows and doors will cost from $3,000 up to $15,000, for a large house; however, you will recoup 75% of the initial cost. Once you decide you want that new kitchen the next question is how to pay for it. In today's low interest market, your existing mortgage is the first place to look. Today, five-year variable rates are as low as 2.35% and five-year fixed rates are as low as 2.59%. A home equity line of credit may also work for you, depending on your personal situation.

Candace Perko

home renovations

Choose ‘Smart’ Renovations to Increase your Home’s Value


advance care planning

Have you or your family members made plans concerning health care choices if sudden illness, tragedy or severe long-term illness strikes? Alberta Health Services (AHS) is encouraging community members to review and participate in the decision-making process concerning their Advance Care Planning and Goals of Care Designations “Advance Care Planning is a way to help you think about, talk about and document your wishes for health care. It is a process that can assist you in making health care decisions now and for the future.” “Goals of Care Designations are instructions that guide your health care team about the general focus of your care, and where you might wish to receive care. The health care team will work with you to help choose a Goals of Care Designation that best reflects your values and beliefs, your health conditions and appropriate treatment options. By knowing and following your Goals of Care Designa-tion, health care providers care for you in a way that is

timely, medically appropriate and meets your personal values and wishes.” Having your Advance Care Planning in place and under-standing Goals of Care Designations is important to us all. Let’s be proactive concerning our own health care decisions! On Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 1:30 to

3:00 pm at the Bragg Creek Snowbirds’Chalet, a repre-sentative from AHS will give a presentation on the Ad-vance Care Planning/Goals of Care Designation process. This presentation will include: • Advance Care Planning Overview: What is it? What’s

involved? Personal Directives • Overview of the Goals of Care system used to guide

your health care • The Green Sleeve, your “Health Passport”

Source: Alberta Health Services brochures:

104289(2014-01), 103516(10/2013)

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING and GOALS OF CARE

INFORMATION SESSION

Learn How to Get Involved in Future Health Care Decisions


Let’s get right to the point: I am not a handy person. I come from a short line of not-very-handy people, including my dad, bless his heart, whose house was held together with Scotch tape and string. I love to bake and cook, but please don’t ask me to paint a wall, fix the toilet or figure out why the dryer is making that weird banging noise. My attempts at home repair pretty much always end with swear words, desperate cries for help and someone else’s laughter: “How long were you trying to put that screw in with the drill in reverse?” In short, I am a failure in the do-it-yourself department. Which is why I so admire people who are not. Like my husband. And because it’s June, the month that gives dads their one day of recognition a year, I’d like to dedicate this column to the dad in our household, dads in general and, in fact, to all men and women who are dedicated to a DIY lifestyle. Lots of them live out here, either because they’re attracted to a rural lifestyle or because a rural lifestyle has forced them to acquire some measure of mechanical proficiency. Either way, to all of you who can fix a leaky tap, build a deck, take apart – and successfully put back together! – a faulty garburator, I salute you. Not only are your do-it-yourself skills good for your self-esteem and your wallet, they’re also great for the environment. How so? Well, if I understand it correctly, doing it yourself means never having to throw anything away. In close to 20 years with my husband I’ve learned that almost anything can be fixed, and if it can’t be fixed, it can sit in the garage until someone discovers a way to fix it or a glue to hold the pieces of it together. Too many things to fix and/or glue together? No problem. The only “problem” is that you need a bigger garage or, better yet, a stand-alone shop. As a dedicated DIY-er, you never have to buy new tools. Likely you’ll have friends of a similar nature, which means there are plenty of tools to go around. If you don’t own an air compressor, a reciprocating saw, or some bizarrely sized, single-purpose tool, chances are good that someone you know has one in his garage. The cost? A few beers (remember to recycle the cans!) and the opportunity to help with the project. Or the opportunity to discuss the

project at great length over said beers and then ask another friend for the correct tool. Being a member of the DIY tribe can also save you a few trips to the lumber yard or the bike shop. Need one last board to finish the deck? A concrete slab to raise a footing to just the right

height? Talk to your friends. (See previous paragraph for payment methods.) If you’re new to the DIY arena and want to up your game, invest in a few basics: duct tape, hammer, rechargeable drill, a wrench and socket set with many sockets (which I will open upside down, dump on the garage floor and spend the next half-hour trying to sort by size). I realize in writing this that the reason my dad never got into the game was simply a lack of proper tools. He had a peg board but nothing on it. He had a dusty workbench with nothing but a hammer and a small jar of nails (maybe for practice…?) I didn’t even know what duct tape was until I moved away from home. Anyway, I’m learning. Slowly. I have no real desire to singlehandedly build an addition to our house. When it comes to making things, I can do sandwiches and promis-es. The rest I leave to the experts, including my husband. So to those of you who take on the big projects with only optimism and a Reader’s Digest guide to home repair, you have all my respect and gratitude. Happy Father’s Day!

Ann Sullivan

Hard Hats Off to the DIY Tribe

environmental ideas

If you’re reading a paper copy of the

Chatter, please remember to recycle it.

You can also return it to one of the four

Chatter boxes in Redwood Meadows.

Thanks!


Planning Ahead Can Help Keep

Your Cottage in the Family

financial planning

Do you have fond memories of family summer vacations at the cottage spent swimming in the lake, building sand castles on the beach, or fishing on the dock? Do you envision your children and grandchildren making similar memories there for years to come, even after you’re gone? If your wish is to pass on your recreational property to your children (or someone other than your spouse), keep in mind there are tax implications. Half of the capital gains on a cottage or vacation property are included in your income. Depending on the province you live in, the taxable portion could be taxed at up to 50 per cent. You might not be in the highest tax bracket, but the impact can still be significant. You can’t avoid capital gains tax by selling your home and making your cottage your primary residence. And selling the cottage to your children for a token amount of $1 won’t help either. But there are things you can do to help minimize taxes on your estate. Here’s one way. Let’s say there’s $50,000 of tax owing from the capital gain on your cottage when your children inherit it. If you had purchased a $50,000 last-to-die life insurance poli-cy with your spouse, your children would get a $50,000 tax-free death benefit after both of you pass away. That money could be used to cover the tax on the capital gain. Another strategy is to buy a life insurance policy and name a charity as the beneficiary. Because charitable donations can be applied against up to 100 per cent of your net income in the year of death, the donation credit from the death benefit could reduce or even eliminate the tax bill. The end result: your children, as beneficiaries of the estate, would take over the cottage without having to worry about selling it to cover the taxes. These are only two of the options available. A financial advisor can help you decide on the best route to take. Every-one’s legacy will look different. A financial advisor can help you tailor your legacy plan to address your unique goals and provide solutions for a tax-efficient transfer of your estate.

Laura Lee Onslow


pic-a-pix puzzle

The latest Japanese logic puzzle is here! A picture will

evolve as you complete the puzzle. Start with the largest

numbers or combination of, colour in squares and proceed

to work back and forth between columns and rows.

The three basic rules are:

• Numbers represent how many squares you colour in

to form a group or block.

• Leave at least one square between these blocks.

• The sequential order of the numbers is the order of the

blocks, ie, top number for a column is the top block,

and left-most number for a row is the left-most block.

The “logic count method” shown below is very useful:

The clue at the left of the row is 6, so count 6 squares

from the left to right and then count 6 squares from right

to left.

Confidently shade in the overlapping squares. This is

spatial reasoning. Even one shaded square can lead to

others.

This same method can be applied even when there is more

than one number, remembering to allow one empty square

between groups or blocks. Use a second colour for

elimination of background squares. This is critical for

solving.

Remember – no guessing; try using your best number

logic. For more information, visit

http://www.learnpicapix.com.

Created by Diane Baher of Okotoks

(Solution on page 26)


fitness

Learn to Love the Body You Have

This column is for everyone who’s ever looked in the mirror and thought with a sigh, “Well, what happened here?” And for those who dread bathing suit season. And for those who curse their sagging butts and flapping triceps and nonexistent six-packs. Guess what? Most of us have some part of our body that we’d like to change. Many of us have an overall negative body image. And guess what else? It doesn’t help to focus only on the parts of your body that you don’t like. You’ve probably heard this before, but your body is an amazing thing. Whether or not you choose to move your muscles with exercise, your muscles are busy all the time, keeping you upright, pumping blood through your body and food through your digestive system. Your lungs take in about 11,000 litres of air every day, moving oxygen to your bloodstream and helping expel carbon dioxide. Your body can lift and carry, walk, run, jump, skip, dance, balance and bend. You might choose to make fun of your body and yourself, but remember there’s a fine line between self-deprecating and completely self-defeating. Try not to cross it. If you have children, it’s especially important to try to cultivate a positive body image. Yes, I know, more guilt to add to the general mountain of guilt upon which motherhood (and parenthood) is built, but it’s true. Whether or not you think your children are listening, you should know that they hear you – and from an earlier age than you think. The next time you feel the need to critique your look down to the smallest wrinkle, imagine what you’d tell a good friend who was doing the same. Likely you’d tell her she looks great and then you’d point out her many winning

features. Do the same for yourself! And here’s my advice for getting a beach body this summer (stolen from the internet): • Get a body. • Go to the beach. See you there!

Ann Sullivan

Fitness classes at Redwood House end in June but will be

back in September. Stay tuned for dates. [email protected]

Support your local firefighters!


little schoolhouse news

Wow! The year has absolutely flown by in a flurry of adventure and discovery! We are immensely proud of all of The Little Schoolhouse students for the great strides they have made in preschool and kinder-garten. Such enthusiasm and excitement! As we prepare for next year’s students, we reflect on experiences we’ve had and relationships we’ve built at our school. At the beginning of the year, we were inspired by our “Wonder Wall,” upon which students hung their creative questions and queries about the world around us. Some that stand out in my memory are: “Do whales yawn?”, “Why is water wet?”, “Could we make a T-rex fit in the school?” and “What do dinosaurs play for fun?”. These brilliant musings inspired a year of investigation, research and revelations. Following the passions and interests of our students allowed us to make connections and take their ideas further than we ever thought before. Our involvement with the Alberta Learning Curriculum Framework Pilot Project has sparked new ways of thinking about our work with young children. It has definitely opened up possibilities for our work moving forward and we are so grateful for this yearlong experience. The staff at our school has all been talking about the beautiful relation-ships that have blossomed amongst the children this year.

It’s so special to see a child seek out a friend, yelling, “Hey! Remember when we played this? Let’s do it again!” I’m sure we have witnessed some long-term friendships begin in our programs, which is so heart-warming. Thank you to our amazing parent

board and all of The Little Schoolhouse families for their unending support of all that we do. We couldn’t offer the programs we run without you all, so thank you! We have some spots left on our new afternoon preschool program for 3- and 4-year-olds. This runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 12:30 to 3:15 pm. To register, please go to our website at www.thelittleschoolhouse.ca . For information on programming please contact me at [email protected] or call the school at 403-949-3939.

Cara Haar, M.Ed., teacher

‘Wonder Wall’ has Sparked Creativity and Learning all Year

Pic-a-Pix Solution


Name Age Courses Contact

Chiara 14 Red Cross Babysitting 403-949-2006

Chris 14 Red Cross Babysitting 403-949-4968

Darian 13 St. John’s Babysitting, Home Alone 403-949-2490

Elizabeth 12 Red Cross Babysitting, CPR 403-540-8056

[email protected]

Emily 17 First aid. CPR 587-582-2846

Finn 13 Babysitting course 403-949-8287

Jerrith 14 Red Cross Babysitting 403-869-5634

Jordan Babysitting course, Drivers License 403-949-4108

Kate 13 Babysitting course 403-860-9525

Keeling 13 Red Cross Babysitting, Home Alone, First

Aid 403-949-3149

[email protected]

Keely 15 Babysitting course 403-949-8287 [email protected]

Liam 14 Babysitting course 403-949-2090

Logan 14 St. John’s Babysitting, Home Alone 403-949-2825

Lucy 19 CPR, First Aid, Babysitting course 587-586-5129

[email protected]

Mairenn 13 St. John’s Babysitting, Home Alone 403-949-2490

Melissa 17 Babysitting course Text 403-651-2845

Nolan 11 CPR, Babysitting course 905-999-0635

[email protected]

Olivia 15 Babysitting course, license completed 403-949-7788

Quinta 17 Home Alone, Red Cross Babysitting Certificate

403-949-3510

Sabrina 15 Babysitting course 403-949-2090

Tanis 11 Red Cross babysitting course 403-949-3303

Tianna 12 St. John’s Babysitting, Home Alone courses 403-949-3463

Zara 12 Babysitting Certificate 403-949-4474

To have your name added to the babysitters list, email [email protected].

redwood meadows babysitters list

Disclaimer: The Chatter provides this list solely as a service to the community.It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to check all credentials and references before hiring a caregiver for their child(ren).

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