Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

For Wood Buffalo’s Angels

Finding and filling needs

Whether at the Food Bank

Or the Centre of Hope

It’s pure and simple empathy

Belief to serve – not pointless sympathy

Marshall Street matrons

Quietly housing needy patrons

Salvation Army –

Dressing the body, dressing the soul

Finding keys to eroding locks

Unlocking lives – Pastew Detox

To Wood Buffalo’s angels –

Changing lives

Our salute to you –

For mending lives!

by Kiran Malik-Khan

Landmark Study Sheds Light on Profound Benefits of the Performing Arts

After two years of intensive action research, the value and benefits of performing arts presentation for Canadians are brought to light in a unique report.  This report, released on April 29, 2013,  was commissioned by the Canadian Arts Presenting Association.

According to the CAPACOA news release, the Key Findings in this report are:

• Canadians value the performing arts, with 3 in 4 reporting attending a wide range of live events.
• Canadians volunteer in the performing arts: for each paid staff member, there are 17 volunteers giving their time to performing arts presenting organizations.
• Media viewing of performing arts doesn’t replace live attendance; it supplements it. Canadians are twice as likely to ascribe a high importance to live performing arts attendance than to any media-based viewing.
• Canadians attend events predominantly in specialized performing arts facilities and outdoor venues, and most say these facilities are important to the quality of life in their communities.
• Canadians believe that the presentation of performing arts equally benefits the individual who attends and the community as a whole.
• For Canadians, the highest-rated benefits of the performing arts in their communities are energy and vitality along with improved quality of life, and a more creative community.
• There are more than 1,400 presenting organizations of all types in Canada: volunteer presenters and professionally-run organizations, based in a purpose-built theatre or operating in non-specialized venues, presenting festivals and series of performances, specialized in a single artistic form or presenting several disciplines such as music, theatre, dance, comedy and storytelling.

To view the full report, visit:
http://www.capacoa.ca/valueofpresentingdoc/ValueofPresenting_Final.pdf

To view hightlights of the report, please visit: 

http://www.capacoa.ca/en/services/arts-promotion/news/468-study-release

Information in this post was retrieved from: http://www.capacoa.ca/en/services/arts-promotion/news/468-study-release

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Gazing up

Gazing up very high,

Asteroids, Meteors, Comets so bright.

Planets with moons, Planets with rings,

Planets like Neptune, they say it sings!

How many planets? More than you think,

With 30 dwarf planets with moons but no rings.

8 main planets orbiting the Sun,

It’s too dizzy, let’s run!

63 moons of Jupiter, there might be more,

But for right now, no one is sure.

by Nishita Shukla

Grade 4, Timberlea Public School

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

I am…

It is cold today,

Steam rises from the ground,

The morning sun escapes the earth,

I am surrounded by frozen tundra.

But I am warm,

But I am happy.

Friends gather round today,

Falling ice crystals flatten to the ground,

I am frozen to the spinning earth,

Anticipation stretches out across the tundra.

But I am warm,

But I am happy.

It is way too early today,

We are like sentries divided across the ground,

The puck is cast upon the earth,

Cheers stretch out beyond the tundra.

I am warm,

I am happy.

by Samuel Paull

Grade 7, Ecole McTavish Junior High School

Thai Cuisine Cooking class 2013

What: Thai Cuisine Cooking class 

Host: Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo 

When: Saturday, May 4th 2013 

Where: T.B.A 

Time: 9.45 am to noon 

Charge: $25.00 per person (member and group discount applies) 

Register now, limited spaces available! 

Contact: Mubanga or Mary - T. 780 791 5186, Email: admin@multiculturefm.org

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

The Canadian Shield

As the rapid waters swish across

The red majestic rocks, the sun glimmers,

Shimmers, and makes the rapid waters shine.

The minty sharp scent of the exotic

Pine trees welcome you with its mystical looks.

The beautiful flowers of the Canadian

Shield dance with the wind while speaking

The words of wisdom

The beautiful, gloomy, spicy, green of the

Thick lines of grass get crushed by

The hard hitting winds

The glaciers, the glaciers hit the rocks

Under the cold wintery ice with its cold

Heart that will never melt

by Emma Nichols and Ashley Ellis

Grade 4/5, Timberlea Public School

MacDonald Island Community Art Gallery April 2013 Newsletter

For more information, please contact: anamaria.mendez@macdonaldisland.ca

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Blacksmith & Engraver

I. Scorched

by a whisper unspoken;

burned on lips - a script

wanting but unbroken.

A muse unused.

A lie, a truth, a vocal noose;

a tongue or knot,

a voice defused.

II. Forged

Melted in extreme heat

and passion

of locking eyes that become

piercing swords,

of which a thousand shields

could not guard the soul.

III. Reigns and Fire

When I ask you to stop

and you respond

by going faster,

it reminds me of nothing.

The grin, the shallow eye;

you contest me

lovingly

You disregard my request

with utter certainty,

that you know what's best.

I refuse to see defeat

by any other contender.

by Jody Pratt

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Break the Bounds

Like a lonely bird, with a broken wing

Though I can’t fly, I can still sing

I won’t be held down by limitations

I’ll break the bounds of imagination

Though the world can be cruel and world can be tough

As long as I’m here; I won’t give up

I won’t be held down by limitations

I’ll break the bounds of imagination

Only time will tell, if I am wrong or right

So until that day I’ll keep fighting my fight

I won’t be held down by limitations

I’ll break the bounds of imagination

Please don’t tell me to come back to earth just yet

I’m happy where I am

A place I can disregard fear and regret as well as the willful woes of man

I won’t be held down by limitations

I’ll break the bounds of imagination

by Gwenyth Clark

Grade 11, Fort McMurray Composite High School

Events Wood Buffalo announces the 2013 Canada Day Parade!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Fort McMurray, AB, April 12, 2013) – On July 1, Let’s Celebrate!

Whether you’ve lived here all or part of your life, or have just arrived to Wood Buffalo, Events Wood Buffalo invites you to help us make this the best Canada Day Parade ever!

On July 1 Canadians celebrate our nation’s birthday. Across the country, from coast to coast, we celebrate a land rich in resources, achievement, excellence and integrity. We celebrate the diversity of our nationalities and cultures.

Creating festivals and events to celebrate our diverse culture is what Events Wood Buffalo does. Regardless of where you come from, or how long you’ve been here, Wood Buffalo is the

home we share. We want to know what home means to you.....and what it means to be Canadian.

On Monday, July 1, 2013 at 11 AM, the Canada Day Parade will commence at the corner of Riedel Street and Franklin Avenue, and travel through the downtown core before turning off at Morrison Street. Festivities continue throughout the afternoon and into the evening with barbecues, sports, music and games, finally wrapping up at 11 PM with a spectacular fireworks show.

Join our parade, flaunt your patriotic and civic pride, and celebrate this place we all call home!

The Parade Registration form is available at eventswoodbuffalo.com

For more information:
www.eventswoodbuffalo.com

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/EventsWoodBuffalo Follow us on Twitter @Events_YMM

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

L’Ange                                                                            

L’ange sent comme une orange                                  

L’ange brille dans le soleil                                             

L’ange aime faire la plongé                                            

L’ange vole comme une abeille                                     

Toutes les petites filles aiment les anges                     

L’ange aime avoir des étoiles de mers                       

dans son oreille                                                               

L’ange dit à tous ses préférés                                       

Venez mes choux                                                            

Sur mes genoux                                                               

Qui sentent les oranges                                                  

Je me laisse emporter par le vent                                 

Qui m’emporte à la plage.                                              

by Haniya Morinvil

Grade 4, Ecole Boreal

The Angel (English Translation)

The angel smells like an orange

The angel shines in the sun

The angel likes to dive

The angel flies like a bee

All the little girls like the angels

The angel likes having starfish

in its ear

The angel tells everybody

Come to me my sweethearts

On my knees

That smell like oranges

I’ll let the wind take me

And bring me to the beach.

by Haniya Morinvil

Grade 4, Ecole Boreal

Fort McMurray Avrora Dancers Annual Spring Concert

Fort McMurray Ukranian Cultural Society Presents 

Fort McMurray Avrora Dancers 

Annual Spring Concert 

Sunday, May 5, 2013 

Keyano College Recital Theater 

2:00 to 3:00 p.m. performance 

Admission by donation

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

The Mists

Sometimes I awake in Ireland

The rivers mists swell up its banks

Roommates sigh over tea, missing Cork and Ederny

Greet the dawn at the kitchen sink

Morning coffee, steams through the stillness

That only pauses, when the mists comes

by Caroline Juhlin-Parke

Heron

The fisherman picks the net clean of silver bellied smelt that shimmer like money in his

bucket. He feeds the heron, that great grey flamingo, that steps like a dancer next to his big green boots. So much beauty, so much longing.  After all these years, she still occupies his heart like a net full of butterflies.

by Ivy Young

April 2013 Full Moon Cafe

The next Full Moon Café is this coming Saturday, April 20 7:30 at the Waterways Community Hall. 

The Full Moon Café is a cosy coffee house where musicians and other artists  are welcome to share their talents.

Family friendly, $5 donation. 

Drumming Circle starts at 7:30, stage starts at 8:00. For more info, call 780-715-5355

Visual Art & Design Graduation Exhibition

Friday, April 19, 2013 - Friday, May 3, 2013

Join our graduating Visual Art & Design students for their exhibition reception April 19th 7-9pm. The exhibition in Keyano Art Gallery will be open week days 9am -5pm and weekends 12pm -5pm till May 3rd. All student works are for sale.

http://keyano.ca/events/visual-art-and-design-graduation-exhibition

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Bison, Bison

Bison, bison; why oh bison,

Are you not running on my ground?

Bison, bison; why oh bison,

Do your hooves no longer sound?

Bison, bison; why oh bison,

Can't you run here anymore?

Bison, bison; my, my bison,

I wish I'd seen your herds before.

by Donald Paull

Grade 5, Ecole Dickensfield

Books

Books are fun.

Try every one.

Good for the brain

Like a bun.

Give you power

Like the sun.

Shahmeer is happy

Job well done.

by Shahmeer Awan

Grade 1, Fort McMurray Islamic School

Events Wood Buffalo and Union Events presents Celtic Thunder!

(Fort McMurray, AB, April 12, 2013) – EVENTS WOOD BUFFALO AND UNION EVENTS PRESENTS CELTIC THUNDER SEPTEMBER 14 AT THE CASMAN CENTRE

Verve records’ Celtic Thunder announced dates for their upcoming 62-city North American tour, which includes a stop in Fort McMurray’s Casman Centre on September 14.  Tickets go on sale Monday, April 15 at 10 am and are available at UnionEvents.com or tickets.oilbarons.ca

Named Top World Music Artist twice by industry bible Billboard, Celtic Thunder's six male soloists Emmet Cahill, Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, George Donaldson, Neil Byrne and Colm Keegan perform both solo and ensemble numbers. They are known for performing an eclectic mix of songs, ranging from traditional Irish fare to international hits such as "The Boys are Back in Town" and "Sound of Silence", as well as original compositions by the musical director and composers “Voices” and “Hunter’s Moon”.

Celtic Thunder Producer and Creator Sharon Browne’s live shows are recognized for the use of dramatic effects via lighting and choreography, as well as a stage set resembling an ancient stone pathway drawn from Celtic lore. Mythology presents the perfect blend of entertainment, ideology and Gaelic spirituality, providing a modern twist on the old Celtic storytelling tradition.  In addition to the six main vocalists, the tour will also feature strings, guitars, percussion, whistles, pipes and more in the eight- piece Celtic Thunder band. The tour’s musical director is David Munro, who also plays keyboards in the show.

“MYTHOLOGY,” released February 19th of this year along with a companion DVD, is the 7th Celtic Thunder CD to debut at #1 on Billboard's World Music Chart and the group’s 5th consecutive release to debut at #1. Both CD and DVD continue to dominate the charts weeks after release. Filmed last year at Dublin’s Helix Theatre, “MYTHOLOGY” captures Celtic Thunder’s signature brand of emotive and dramatic traditional and contemporary music and is Celtic Thunder’s 10th full-length album and ninth concert DVD.

For information about the Mythology North American Tour 2013 please see www.celticthunder.com/tour  For information on the inaugural Celtic Thunder Cruise please see www.celticthundercruise.com/2013 for full details and reservation information.

For more, please see www.celticthunder.ie , www.facebook.com/celticthunder , www.myspace.com/celticthundershow twitter.com/CelticThunder, www.youtube.com/user/TheThunderTube and www.vervemusicgroup.com.

--30--

Media Contacts:

EVENTS WOOD BUFFALO

Nadia Power

Festivals and Events Manager

Office 780.791.1600

Cell 780.838.1179

npower@eventswoodbuffalo.com

CELTIC THUNDER

Plan A Media LLC:

Patti Conte

patticonte@nyc.rr / 212-337-1406 ext 16                                                 

Daria Coppock

dariacoppock@planamedia.com  / 212-337-1406 ext 10

Produced by UnionEvents.com (The Union Ltd)

Presented by UnionEvents.com (The Union Ltd) and Events Wood Buffalo

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

I Will Wait

And love is too precious,

(a commodity)

to waste on settlement.

I want a love that is compromise,

as much as it is understanding.

I need love that is equal parts independence,

and complete

and total

encompassing of

one another's souls.

by Julia Bennett

Diversity Summit 2013

Working together to build a welcoming and inclusive community. 

A little more than six years ago our community joined the Canadian Coalition of Municipalities Against Racism and Discrimination. It is with excitement that we commemorate this occasion with a Diversity Summit, where we join together to look at and celebrate our past successes and future endeavors in building a welcoming and inclusive community. 

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is hosting a Diversity Summit this spring to engage stakeholders in advancing the objectives of the Diversity Plan 2012-2015. The plan sets out key goals and actions that will be implemented over the next three years to continue to make Wood Buffalo a welcoming and inclusive place to live, play, work and grow.

Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Venue: MacDonald Island, Miskanaw South 

Register online at: www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/diversity 

Light breakfast, lunch and snacks provided. No cost to participants 

Registrations will be counted May 17, 2013

Please, contact us at Diversity@woodbuffalo.ab.ca for more information.

Royal Canadian Legion McMurray Branch #165 Silent Auction Fundraiser

THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION 

McMurray Branch #165 

9317 Huggard Street 

Fort McMurray, AB T9H 1C4 

Tel: 780-743-2329 

~~~Presents~~~ 

Silent Auction Fundraiser 

Saturday, April 20, 2013 

Live Entertainment 

Buffet Dinner 

Cocktails 6:00 pm 

Dinner 7:30 pm 

Silent Auction 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm 

Tickets: $50.00 

Contact: 

Melody @ 780-743-2329

or 

Stephen @ 780-792-8755

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Spring Morning Walk

Blackbirds flit across the soft morning sky.

Dew drops tickle your toes.

The morning air is fresh and crisp.

The scent of flowers is sweet in your nose.

Birds sing, crickets chirp, and bull frogs croak as they come and go.

The forest is waking, the animals are new,

and the trees awaken and dance in the wind, calling your name as they do.

Hello spring, after harsh winters sleep, Fort McMurray welcomes you.

by Carissa Smith

Grade 9, Ecole McTavish Junior High School

2013 winterPLAY survey

winterPLAY 2013 was the most successful winterPLAY with over 18,000 people in attendance; however, we still have much work to do and need your help by having you answer our winterPLAY survey. 

Once you do, you can enter to win the draw prize. Events Wood Buffalo is offering a fantastic prize of two VIP Festival Passes to all of our events in 2013 (includes winterPLAY 2014). The prize is valued at over $1,000. 

Tell us about the time you spent at this years’ winterPLAY events and if even you didn’t attend any part of the winterPLAY festival your opinion is equally important and we want your feedback too. 

To fill out the survey, please visit:

http://www.winterplay.ca/

Your answers to the survey questions will help Events Wood Buffalo to make all of our future festivals even better. 

Thank-you!

The full rules regarding the survey and contest prize are available upon request.

If there are questions or problems with the survey please contact: 

ewb.surveys@gmail.com

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

My Kitten

I am smitten,

With my kitten.

She’s my guiding light,

And her colour is milky white.

Like doves,

We’re in love.

Every night,

Amaya plays, she bites,

But that’s alright.

My kitten is my bright

Shining star of the night.

Amaya is really cute, I think she is adorable,

Altough my mother thinks she’s horrible.

I pray she will stay

With me, everyday.

A worthwhile endeavour.

I hope she’s with me forever.

by Jane Gibson

Grade 4, Father Turcotte School

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

The Saprae Creek Service

The Saprae Creek Service runs only on Saturday.

“Why’s that?” you may ask. “Why not Sunday to Friday”

Well the people who live down there don’t use the bus.

They’re all very rich and they couldn’t be fussed

with walking and waiting. “Why should we,” they scoff.

“The Saturday bus is for Nanny’s’ day off.

We’ll drive ourselves thank you, or be chauffeur-driven.”

Which is really a waste; but they should be forgiven.

For the rich can be silly, they don’t get what I mean,

when I tell them, politely, “My stretch limousine,

cost $1.25.”. It’s a pity that they,

can only enjoy such a ride on Saturday.

by Kevin Thornton

Words in Motion 2013 - Feature Poem of the Day

Her

Her eyes as blue as the sky
Her skin as soft as a pillowHer hair blacker than night
Her smile as cute as a teddy bear
And the way I love her is as strong as a vice.

by Ledeen Bechtel
Grade 4, Beacon Hill Public School


Turquois

Turquoise is for the color of my eyes

Shining in the sun so bright on a sunny warm day.

Turquoise is a color of a beautiful dress

Hanging in my closet

Turquoise is the color of the lake

That I go rafting on my summer break.

by Marina Griffith McArthur

Grade 2, Timberlea Public School

Words in Motion 2013 - Featured Poem of the Day

L’hiver sous un tapis blanc         

L’hiver sous un tapis blanc 
Le petit garçon préfère patiner 
Il aime bien glisser 
L’hiver sous un tapis blanc 
La petite fille descend 
la montagne en ski 
Elle aime s’amuser dehors 
avec ses amis 
L’hiver sous un tapis blanc 
Les parents avec les enfants 
sont tellement contents 
D’avoir fait un bonhomme de neige
avec leurs nouveux gants 

by the whole class of
Grade 1, Ecole Boreal

(English translation)
Winter under a white carpet

Winter under a white carpet
The little boy prefers to skate
He really likes to slide
Winter under a white carpet
The little girl comes down
the ski hill
She loves having fun outside
with her friends
Winter under a white carpet
Parents with their children
are so happy
To have made a snowman
with their new mittens

by the whole class of
Grade 1, Ecole Boreal

Service Canada Community Programs

Please share widely with your contacts in the community. In order to facilitate planning my year I  am trying to reach as many people to see what interest there is in the community for my services. I do need a response if your organization would like a presentation.

At Service Canada, we are committed to providing service in the communities where clients live, and to offering greater access to Government of Canada information and services. Service Canada is strengthening its presence at the community level where Canadians live, work and raise families.
Service Canada representatives now travel to selected communities (rural, remote, and urban) to provide assistance.
Through our mobile outreach services, Service Canada staff members work with local communities, non-profit and advocacy groups, health-care professionals, Aboriginal bands and councils, provincial/territorial governments, volunteer organizations, employers, industry and professional associations, educational institutions, unions, and other partner organizations. Through these partnerships, we increase awareness of Government of Canada programs and facilitate access to the services and benefits available.
We work together with community partners to provide information on programs that benefit all our clients including:
                Aboriginal people
                Families and children
                Newcomers to Canada
                People with disabilities
                Seniors
                Youth and students
Our information service is free of charge and can include:
        -on-site seminars for groups, or organizations
        -information sessions
        -Information booths at trade fairs and special –interest shows.
If you or your organization is interested in a session please contact Emily and I will tentatively book you for the next time I am in your area.
I look forward to working with you in the future

Emily Herring-Cooper
Citizen Service Specialist
Service Canada
Town Centre Mall
9845 99 Avenue, Suite 100
Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 0R3
Phone # 780-830-5262
Cell # 780-518-2391
email: emily.herringcooper@servicecanada.gc.ca

Words in Motion 2013 - Featured Poem of the Day

Weather

We talk about the weather
To find a common place
Or to fill an empty space
In conversation

But the weather isn’t there for that
We celebrate sunny days
Unless we need rain
We love warmth in winter
Unless we want ice or snow

Thus we praise or complain
Depending on subjective thoughts
But weather isn’t listening

And though what we do affects it
Felling trees or burning fuels
It doesn’t answer to us
Or for us

So we may as well find out how to enjoy each day
Whether it be thunder or sun
Because the weather is what it is
When all is said and done.

by Jenny Berube