Wednesday, 5 April 2017

The Northern Lights


Living in a northern region allows us to take in the beauty of the northern lights.  Numerous nights throughout the year provide a wonderful opportunity to take in this dynamic light show.  Streams of colour paint the night sky in a lively show.

Have you ever wondered what causes the northern lights or how they get their colour? Northern lights are a result of charged particles from the sun’s atmosphere colliding with gaseous particles in the earth’s atmosphere.  Yellow/green is the most common colour which is produced by oxygen molecules that are approximately 97 km above the earth’s surface.  Pink/red lights are produced by oxygen molecules that are approximately 322 km above the earth’s surface.  While blue/purple lights are produced by nitrogen molecules.

The sun has such a high temperature.  As a result, it is a common occurrence for collisions between gas molecules which results in freed electrons and protons entering the earth’s atmosphere.  Solar winds carry the charged particles.  As they have a charge, the earth’s magnetic field deflects them but the magnetic field at each of the poles is weaker so some particles enter.  It is these charged particles which collide with gas molecules that result in the magnificent light show known as the aurora borealis. 

There is a website you can visit to try to best determine a night to see the northern lights.  The website is based out of Edmonton which provides updates and alerts for when the northern lights should be out.  This website can be found at the following link: http://www.aurorawatch.ca/.  They are seen best when the sky is dark and there is little to no light pollution from street lights.


The aurora borealis are quite a tremendous thing to behold.  They can last for long or short periods of time.  Be patient and take time to enjoy the show from mother nature.

Monday, 3 April 2017

Wood Buffalo Culture Spring Trade Show Information Booth



Members of the Culture Network plan to host a “Wood Buffalo Culture” information booth at the upcoming Spring Trade Show taking place from April 28 to 30, 2017. The goal of this booth is to highlight the diverse network of cultural organizations who contribute to an enriched quality of life for the residents of Wood Buffalo.

If your organization supports local arts, historical, and/or cultural endeavours, join us in this unified effort to showcase our regions robust cultural network!

Please submit the information below to Theresa.Jolliffe@rmwb.ca no later than Monday April 10th

Please be aware that the information you provide will be used to promote your organization to the public. Please do not include your personal contact information.

General Contact Information

Organization Name: 
                                                                                  
Website (if applicable):

Phone Number (if applicable):   
                              
General Email:

Provide a brief overview of the services you offer in 50 words or less:   

Please attach your organizations logo in EPS, or, PNG Format (File must be no larger than 10MB)

Send email to: Theresa.Jolliffe@rmwb.ca by Monday, April 10, 2017

Please send any questions or comments to:
Theresa Jolliffe - Coordinator II, Community Strategies, Community Services Department, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
P: 780.743.7994

  

Your personal information is collected under the authority of Section 33(c) of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.  It will be used to register your participation in the Wood Buffalo Culture – Spring Trade Booth.  If you have questions or concerns about the collection or use of your personal information or any other types of questions contact Theresa Jolliffe, Community Strategies Coordinator, Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo at Jubilee Building, 9909 Franklin Ave, or email Theresa.Jolliffe@rmwb.ca or call 780-743-7994.

Monday, 13 March 2017

Take Some Time for Your Mental Health

It is very easy for all of us to notice when we need to seek help or take time for physical pain but how many of us don’t take the time for mental health?  After having been through a traumatic event, we need to take this time more than ever.  



One way that could help would be to attend a Mindfulness Weekend Intensive which is provided by Borealis Counselling Services.  One such event is coming up on March 18 and 19, 2017.  The sessions run from 9 am-4 pm each day at the office which is located at 118 Millenium Drive.  The Red Cross has provided funding in order for this weekend session to be offered free of charge.

The Mindfulness Weekend Intensive is designed to help teach skills of stress reduction and to enhance wellbeing through mindfulness.  There is no prior experience in mindfulness needed to sign up for the session.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in, phone 780-791-1757 to find out more or to register.