Home Fronts
Home front - Feb. 10
National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation in Canada is hosting a bowl-athon on Feb. 25 to promote the new organization that wants to develop support programs for people born with little or no skin, eye or hair colour or those who lose skin colour. About one in 25,000 have some form of albinism. NOAH Bowl-athon will be held at Heritage Lanes, from 2 to 5 p.m., with a silent auction and raffle. To contribute an item, call Lynne Ring at 403-346-5280. For more information, visit www.albinism.org or contact Carrie Lentz at carrie.lentz@live.com or 1-403-719-6704.
Central Alberta Women’s Outreach has teamed up with the Scotties Tournament of Hearts to ensure everyone gets home safe during the curling tournament. Volunteers will be at the HeartStop lounge offering to arrange for you and your vehicle to get home. The service will run from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Rides can be arranged ahead of time. Anyone who would like to help with the project can contact Women’s Outreach at 403-347-2480. The service runs from Feb. 18 to Feb. 26. READ
Home front - Feb. 9
Fans and corporate sponsors helped Red Deer Rebels raise $26,250 for Kidsport, a charity that allows underprivileged children to participate in sports. The Jersey off Your Back event staged a silent auction for jerseys worn by Red Deer Rebels during the Feb. 3 game. After the game, Red Deer Rebel players took off their jerseys, autographed them and presented them to the winning bidders. Corporate sponsors Finning (Canada) and the Red Deer Rebels will present the cheque to Kidsport during their home game in Red Deer on Friday. READ
Home front - Feb. 8
If you needed a reason to break out the kilt for Valentine’s Day, then Kinsmen Club of Lacombe has the event for you. Their Valentine Ceilidh will help to celebrate in Gaelic fashion with great music and dancing at the Lacombe Memorial Centre on Saturay. The Celtic band St. James Gate will perform with special guests Red Deer Legion Pipe Band, Highland Dancers Kenzie and Dani MacAskill, Emma MacKay, and fiddler Paul Brooks. Tickets are available for $25 from Dwight Baird at 403-782-4715 or Arnie MacAskill at 403-782-7183. READ
Home front - Feb. 7
Red Deer College Symphonic Winds and the Red Deer Royals Drumline are just two of the groups set to perform at Normandeau School to raise money for the school’s music program on Feb. 16. The evening of entertainment starts at 7 p.m. will feature a variety of talent from the community. The school is located at 61 Noble Ave. Tickets are $5 or $7 for a family and are available at the door. For more information, call 403-342-0727. READ
Home front - Feb. 6
A series of workshops on surface water quality will be held at the Quality Inn in February. The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance is continuing its public and stakeholder participation process for its Integrated Watershed Management plan. The workshops are designed to gather input on the draft water quality materials. The public is invited to attend the conservation/community organizations workshop on Feb. 22. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is no cost. Other workshops scheduled are for the local government (Feb. 13); provincial government (Feb. 14) and industry/agriculture organizations (Feb. 21). More information is available on the Alliance’s website (www.rdrwa.ca) or by calling 403-340-7379. The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance is a multi-sector, non-profit organization that promotes the good use and proper management of water in the Red Deer River watershed. READ
Home front - Feb. 3
Red Deer Emergency Services and Red Deer RCMP teamed up to help more than 1,000 patients in need of lifesaving blood products through the Sirens for Life blood donor challenge last month. The campaign ran from Jan. 3 to Jan. 31. Together with friends and family, the two teams donated 362 units, 24 new donors gave blood for the first time. The RCMP/Red Deer Emergency Services made 45 donations. TEach blood donation helps up to three patients. Canadian Blood Services reminds people that patients need blood every day and that more regular blood donors (every 56 days) are needed in Red Deer. Call 1-888-236-6283 or visit www.blood.ca to learn more about blood donation and to book an appointment. READ
Home front - Feb. 2
Hunters will have the chance to see how their trophies from the 2011 season stack up among the records with a scoring session hosted by Red Deer Fish and Game Association. The association is hosting the scoring sessions for the first time in three years and are welcoming sportsmen to measure their big game antlers and horns taken last season. The free session will take place at Bower-Kin Community Hall at 58 Boyce St. from 1 to 4 p.m. on Feb. 5. The trophies will be measured using the official scoring charts of the Boone and Crockett Club. More information is available by contacting association president Kevin Wingert at 403-346-4641. READ
Home front - Feb. 1
Central Albertans will be able to step inside the brand new Ronald McDonald House Central Alberta at a public open house on Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., people can tour the Red Deer facility, with children’s activities and a special appearance by Ronald McDonald. The $12-million Red Deer facility will open to families with critically ill babies, sick children and high-risk pregnancies on Feb. 27. The 11-suite house is at 3908 Gaetz Ave., near Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. For more information, visit www.rmhcentralalberta.org or call 403-340-2007. READ
Home front - Jan. 31
Friends of the missing Red Deer native have launched a website to post tips and to raise money for a private investigator. Michael Grefner, 34, was last seen at a nightclub in Whistler on Jan. 16. He was reported missing on Jan. 18 when he failed to show up for a shift where he was a disc jockey. A Facebook group (Mike Grefner – Missing) has more than 2,200 members, who have been instrumental in providing tips for the Whistler RCMP. The website is www.findmikegrefner.ca. READ
Home front - Jan. 27
The Red Deer chapter of the Canadian Liberated Urban Chicken Klub ( CLUCK) is hosting an “open coop” on Sunday so people can learn what it takes to raise urban chickens. City council has been invited as well as members of the public. It will run from 3 to 5 p.m. at 3743 43rd Ave. READ
Home front - Jan. 26
A prominent educator in global education will discuss global change and education reforms at Westerner Park on Feb. 8. Yong Zhao is the presidential chair and associate dean for Global Education at the University of Oregon. He has been a consultant to government and educational agencies in countries on six continents. He is the author of more than 20 books and 100 articles. The Alberta Teachers’ Association is hosting the lecture as part of a series aimed at advancing Alberta’s future as a creative and vibrant society. The event begins at 6 p.m. with registration and reception. The public lecture begins at 7 p.m., followed by a book signing at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door. Alberta Teachers Association members can register online at www.learningourway.ca For more information, contact jere.geiger@teachers.ab.ca. READ
Home front - January 25
Organizers of a motorcycle and quad race on the ice have been forced to change their venue location for this weekend’s event. Event co-ordinator Rhonda Pechout said the ice was too thin by only a few centimetres at Gull Lake, so the races will now take place at Cow Lake, south of Rocky Mountain House. READ
Home front - Jan. 24
Skiers, it’s time to wax your skis. The 27th annual Red Deer Ski Loppet returns to the River Bend Golf and Recreation area on Feb. 4. Pre-register by Feb. 1 online at www.zone4.ca. There is a $10 additional fee for late registrants who enter on race day. Fees are $10 for 13 and under (jackrabbits); $20 for 14 to 17 years (junior girls/junior boys); $25 for 18 years and older (men and women) and $50 for family three-km and family five-km. For more information, contact Brian Johnson at 403-346-7772. For volunteer opportunities, contact rkbogie@telusplanet.net. READ
Home front - Jan. 23
A group of men are willing to sing a song of “I love you” to your betrothed on Valentine’s Day. Quartets from the Red Deer Wildrose Harmonizer Barbershop Chorus will give a singing gift on Tuesday, Feb. 14. They’ll show up and serenade the recipient at their house or office, plus hand out a red rose. They’ll sing two tender love songs during the surprise. Cost is $40, flower and photo included. For bookings, call Ron at 403-347-2145. Book early as spaces are limited. People can also check out www.harmonizers.ca. READ
Home front - Jan. 21
Celebrate Family Literacy Day on Friday at Innisfail Public Library’s new location at 5300A 55th St. Close. A celebration kicks off at 4 p.m., plus there will be electronic literacy workshops for e-readers throughout the day. The Town of Innisfail received $6 million through the communities component of the Building Canada Fund to build a $9-million-complex to house a gathering place for the community. The building includes a library, a centre for seniors, as well as meeting rooms for local youth, teens and families. READ
Home front - Jan. 20
The president of a local society devoted to starting a home for victims of human trafficking will speak at Sunnybrook United Church on Tuesday at 7 p.m. David Bouchard will talk about options to end human slavery. One of the efforts is an after-care home in Red Deer. Bouchard is president of Magdalene House Society. For more information about the society and its efforts, check: READ
Home front - Jan. 19
As temperatures plunge, the Canadian Red Cross is encouraging Alberta motorists to have an emergency winter car kit. Among the items motorists are recommended to carry: shovel, ice scraper, bottled water, high-energy non-perishable foods, flares, salt or sand, windshield washer, first-aid kit, battery powered radio and extra batteries, extra clothes and shoes, tire repair kit and pump, flares and a map. For more details about what to put in your car kit, or to learn about other Red Cross programs, check www.redcross.ca. READ
Home front - Jan. 18
Red Deer RCMP Traffic Services are reminding motorists that photo radar is watching them. The site enforcement locations until the end of January include: READ
Home front - Jan. 17
Nominations are being accepted for this year’s Red Deer and District Community Foundation Women of Excellence Awards. The program is part of the foundation’s commitment to raise awareness and recognize women who have done great things in the city. There are 11 categories, including agriculture, arts, culture, heritage, athletics, recreation and fitness, business and the professions, community building, education and training, entrepreneurship, environment, health and wellness, human services and the young woman of excellence. The deadline to submit nomination packages is April 2 at 4 p.m. A complete nomination package must be received by Collins Barrow Charted Accountants and Consultants, 300, 5010 43rd St., Red Deer, Alta., T4N 6H2. Attention Marsha Smalley. Envelopes must be marked, “Women of Excellence 2012.” The recipients will be recognized at the fifth annual Women of Excellence Awards Gala at the Sheraton Red Deer Hotel on June 12. READ
Home front - Jan. 16
Albertans have until February to nominate their favourite teacher for a provincial teaching award. Alberta Education is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Excellence in Teaching Awards. Albertans are encouraged to nominate their favourite teachers and principals for their excellent work in the classroom. From the eligible nominations, 130 semifinalists will be selected. Twenty semifinalists will receive Provincial Excellence in Teaching Awards and three will receive SMART Technologies Innovative Use of Technology Awards. The 23 award recipients will be honoured at a dinner and ceremony with the education minister on May 26 in Calgary. Nomination packages in English and French are available at www.education.alberta.ca/teachers/excellence.aspx. READ
