How to plan the perfect Block Party

There is no better way to reconnect with old friends after a long Canadian winter hibernation, or meet new neighbours than at a community block party. My wife just hosted one last weekend. Here are some tips for a successful event:

Step 1: send out the invites early. You can drop them off by hand and ask for responses. Be sure to ask what each guest wishes to bring.

Step 2: follow up by e-mail, e-vite, or phone. It is ok to ask your guests if they have tables to set food up on.

Step 3: consider safety. Have an area that is safe for the kids to play. Your town services personnel may have barricades that they can lend out to restrict/block traffic during the event. Make sure you get permission to do this.

Step 4: set up early

Step 5: have a backup plan for bad weather. This year it began to rain during dinner. We were able to move everything into our garage until the storm passed. BTW; close quarters made for some fun mingling.

Step 6: have something fun for the kids to do. Consider hiring a bouncy house, or if the budget is smaller, drag out neighbors play sets into the street.

Step 7: let your guests gravitate to what they do best. There is always someone who likes to BBQ.

Step 8: have fun!

Rain, Rain go away the water park opened the other day!

Carstairs Splash Park Opened May 19th!

Western-themed, to mirror Carstairs’s annual Beef & Barley Days, the park features horse head water cannon blasters, a cactus spray, randomly dumping buckets of water and a chuckwagon-shaped mister.  It’s centrally located in Memorial Park, north if the curling rink and right next to the existing playground.

The Carstairs Splash Park- whether you’re a local or a visitor from one of our surrounding communities is a great FREE day destination.

Don’t forget to pack a picnic or purchase lunch at Burger Baron, Subway, The Cafe Radio, Co-Op Marketplace’s grab and go,  and slushies at Macs……..

Carstairs Spring Clean Up This Weekend!

This Saturday, the Town of Carstairs will host a Spring Clean up event from 8 am to noon at the town administration building parking lot. (844 Centre Street).  They will have bins and staff on hand to help you get rid of your unwanted items.  The Town asks you to sort your items in the attempt to make things a little more organized.

No compost or fridges please.

They will be accepting the following:

Wood

Plastic

Electronics

Houshold Garbage

Paint

Metal

Habitat for Humanity Partners with Gold Seal Homes

Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta will soon begin construction in the town of Carstairs, the first build in the area and in the Mountain View Chapter of the recently merged affiliate. To date, seven homes have been constructed in Mountain View in the towns of Cremona, Sundre, Didsbury and Olds.

Located on MacKenzie Way, the development will consist of a semi-detached home and is anticipated to be certified Platinum through the Built Green Canada Program, creating a huge benefit to Habitat families by reducing overall costs for utilities and water. Every dollar that can be saved on maintenance and utility costs can be better directed to the necessities of the families and their children. Habitat Southern Alberta will partner with Gold Seal Master Builder to construct the duplex with the assistance of volunteers. Construction is slated to begin in May 2012 and is anticipated to be completed by December 2012.  Locally, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta has served more than 130 families, building more than 130 homes. For more information, visit www.habitatsouthernab.ca.

Gold Seal has agreed to build these homes to Habitat standards of safe, decent and affordable. The money saved on keeping the interior finishings decent and affordable are in turn invested in  building a high energy-efficient home.  As part of Gold Seal’s commitment to safety in the construction of all their homes, we will be installing Fire Sprinkler Systems, a unique feature for a Habitat home.

Gold Seal is proud to carry on its Family tradition of community involvement that spans  over 30 years in Carstairs.  Our partners have already stepped up to help us make these homes more affordable.  We would like to thank the efforts of the following groups in no particular order:

All Weather Windows

Uponor

Zytech Building Systems

What do you know about the Alberta Emergency Alert System?

Disaster can occur anywhere, at anytime. It is your responsibility to ensure you are prepared if a disaster occurs. Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued to assist you—providing you with critical information about an immediate disaster, where it is occurring and what action you need to take.

Alerts are distributed to the public through various outlets including:

• Radio and television
• Internet http://www.emergencyalert.alberta.ca/
• RSS Feed
• Social Media (Facebook, Twitter: @AB_EmergAlert )
• Road Signage

When disaster strikes, get more information and take appropriate action to protect yourself and your family.

Stop ● Listen ● Respond

Habitat for Humanity partners with Gold Seal Homes

It’s official, Gold Seal Master Builder will be starting two semi-detached bungalows in Carstairs for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.  After a few years of talks, it was announced yesterday that Habitat SA is pleased with the offer Gold Seal has made to build two affordable, safe and energy efficient homes in the Havenfields community.

The close proximity to Hugh Sutherland School, the Memorial Arena and the fact that Gold Seal is a Built Green builder all were contributing factors.  Gold Seal will be building these two homes at a reduced cost and offering up over $60,000 donation of product and services.

Many of Gold Seal’s suppliers have already stepped up to the table with donations.  All Weather Windows, whom we have a 23 year relationship with have already constructed all of the energy efficient windows and doors necessary for the project.  Uponor (our plumbing pipe manufacturer) has committed to supplying all plumbing materials necessary for potable water services and the fire sprinkler system.

It is interesting to note that this will be the first Habitat home to feature a fire suppression system. Click here to see what Murray has to say about Uponor.

Contributing to Habitat Southern Alberta not only helps support a new home, but also a brighter future for so many deserving families. With each new home, Habitat comes one step closer to its goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.  Building with donated time, funds, materials, and professional services is what keeps the cost of Habitat homes within reach for families in need, helping Habitat SA continue to offer a ‘hand-up’ to parents wishing to break the cycle of poverty for their children.  Habitat homes help families avoid making impossible choices between rent and other basic necessities by providing them with a mortgage they can afford. An affordable mortgage allows our partner families to ensure their needs are met – including childcare, transportation, groceries, education, school supplies, medical and dental expenses, clothing, furniture, and more.

Aggie Days

Need something fun to do with the family this weekend?

FAMILY FUN DAYS

Saturday, April 21 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday, April 22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: FREE; this is a wheelchair chair accessible event.

Location: Stampede Park, BMO Center

Enjoy interactive agriculture activities including cow milking, sheep shearing, farm animals, book corner, corn maze, and much more!

For more information please call 403-261-0162.

Spring Break Ideas!

Home Alone Safely Workshop

Whether a child is left alone for 5 minutes or a few hours, safety skills will help them feel more secure when home alone: Answering the phone, Feeling scared, Establishing a routine, What is an emergency, Calling 911. Group activities and roleplaying are key components to this workshop.

Handouts and a certificate of participation are presented to each participant.

Wednesday, March 28: 7:00—8:00 PM (Parents MUST Attend) @ Carstairs Town Office

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday—April 2, 3, 4th: 10:00 AM—Noon @ HSS Home Ec Room

Thursday, April 5: 7:00—8:00 PM (Parents MUST Attend) @ Carstairs Town Office

Registration Fee is: $15 per participant.

Oldest must be at least 10 years old and siblings no younger than 8 years.

Call Town Office 403-337-3341 for more info.

Register on line @ www.carstairs.ca

Registration Deadline is March 26

Young Chefs

Thursday, April 5  9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Hugh Sutherland Home Ec Room

$15.00 per person

Ages 6—10 Years

Register online www.carstairs.ca Or call Town Office @ 403-337-3341

Sports with Dagan

Spring Break April 2—5

Hugh Sutherland School Gymnasium

2 Sessions per Day 9:00 AM—Noon or 1:00—4:00 PM

$5.00 per session

Ages 6 Yrs +

Register ONLINE www.carstairs.ca

Call or come into the office for more information. 403-337-3341

Pink Shirt Day Campaign in Carstairs

Join us and show your support for a safer community by WEARING PINK on Wednesday February 29!

The Vision 4 Non-Violence Project Committee along with staff of the Towns of Carstairs & Didsbury, & Cremona, as well as students and staff of Hugh Sutherland School, Westglen, Didsbury High School, and Cremona will be wearing pink on Wednesday, February 29 ,2012 in support of “Pink Shirt Day’.

“Pink Shirt Day” began a  “Sea of Pink” campaign against bullying in schools in 2007 when two Nova Scotia students decided to take action in support of fellow student being harassed by bullies for wearing pink. They bought and supplied pink t-shirts for fellow schoolmates to wear to school the following day and word spread quickly via texts and emails etc, and hundreds of students showed up the next day at school wearing pink. As result “there’s been nary a peep from the bullies since” stated the action twosome, as a clear and loud message was received by the ‘would be’ bullies.

Since then, a tsunami of support has spread as “Pink Shirt Days” are being held in schools and communities all across North America. 

Read more about sea of pink: http://www.pinkshirtday.ca/

Carstairs in Photos 2011 (Part 3)

Carstairs Show & Shine 2011

Lt. Nielsen & I during Fire Prevention Week