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.

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

E: Theresa.Jolliffe@rmwb.ca

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.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

As you would say in Cantonese, "Gung Hay Fat Choy!", meaning: Happy New Year! 

Chinese New Year, also commonly known as Spring Festival, is marked by the turn of lunisolar in the Chinese Calendar. In 2017, Chinese New Year will take place on January 28. The celebrated date changes year to year, and falls on the second new moon following the winter solstice. The holiday is generally celebrated for 15 consecutive days, starting from New Years Eve, and includes traditional events ranging from family meals/reunions, to prayers and gift offerings. 

Red envelopes are a common gift handed out from married couples or elderly people to children and unmarried adults. The envelopes typically contain money in an even denomination (not including the number four), to represent good fortune, prosperity and a long life. 


According to the Chinese zodiac, which rotates on a 12-year cycle, the year 2017 will celebrate the year of the Rooster. In Chinese astrology, those born in the year of the Rooster will embody the following characteristics: honesty, intelligence, flamboyance, flexibility, and confidence. 

Looking to take part in Chinese New Year celebrations? The Fort McMurray Chinese Canadian Cultural Society will be hosting their annual Chinese New Year banquet at the Suncor Energy Centre for the Performing Arts on Saturday, February 4, 2017 starting at 6 pm. The evening will include a Chinese buffet dinner, cultural performances, a lion dance, and many door prizes. 

To purchase tickets, or for more information, visit http://mcmurrayallconnected.ca/ai1ec_event/2017-chinese-new-year-celebration-banquet/

Recreation Culture Calls

If you want to know about what's going on around town, then check out Recreation Culture Calls!

This electronic newsletter showcases local recreation and cultural events, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to submit information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@rmwb.ca.

To find out what's going on this weekend, please visit the Recreation Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here

Wood Buffalo Arts and Craft Guild: A Brief History

Last April, the Wood Buffalo Arts and Craft Guild celebrated their 40^th anniversary! The Guild was formed in 1976 with one of the remaining founding members, Carol Breen. The Guild's mission statement is “to encourage artists to pursue their artistic goals in the community.”

To date, the Guild has organized over six youth art competition called the Big Spirit Art Competition. Open to artists ranging from age 5 to 18 years old, this competition promotes the value of arts to local youth. The young artists were invited to submit artworks using watercolour, acrylic, pastels, pencil and/or charcoal in categories such as landscape, abstract, still life and portrait. While there was grand prizes awarded for the top artists in various categories, the guild realizes the importance of encouraging youth to peruse the arts and so all the participants were awarded with a ribbon.

In the past, the Guild has also partnered with Keyano College to host a high school art competition within Keyano’s art gallery. Winning competitors were awarded with prize money funded by the Wood Buffalo Arts and Craft Guild, as well as scholarship funding offered by Keyano College. Unfortunately, with a declining membership base and lack of funding, the Guild can no longer offer these competitions at this time. However, with a plan to boost membership registration, this worthy program may have the potential to be reintroduced.

The Wood Buffalo Arts & Craft Guild is also heavily involved in the community and host a variety of fundraising events that support local social profit organizations. A great example of this is when they hosted an art auction for Unity House, a local woman and children’s emergency shelter, where proceeds from the auction were divided between the artist and Unity House.  In addition to this, the President of the guild, Margie Cunningham, initiated a program called Healing Halls at the local hospital where a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of art goes to the Northern Lights Health Foundation.

The Guild also participates in several community celebrations like Alberta Culture Days in Wood Buffalo for which they created a community canvas on a large drop cloth and the public was invited to join in and paint.  Then, large pieces of it was auctioned off to raise money for the Kids Forever Foundation, a recently dissolved local charity that supported families who provide for sick and disabled. The guild began the creation of the community canvas at MacDonald Island Park, then continued out of the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, and finally donating the last of the pieces to be auctioned off at the Festival of Trees event, an annual fundraiser for various community charities.

The Wood Buffalo Arts & Craft Guild is one of the longest running art groups within the Wood Buffalo region. Guided by philanthropic principles, this group places the arts at the forefront of creative fundraising.  

The Wood Buffalo Arts & Craft Guild welcomes new members. To learn more, or to become a member, contact the President of the Guild, Margie Cunningham, at mecunningham@shaw.ca 

Stay informed on all upcoming events through their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/WoodBuffaloArtsAndCraftsGuild

Meetup.com

Meetup.com – Friend making made easy! 

The beginning of a new year is the perfect opportunity to set goals and aspirations- commonly referred to as "New Years Resolutions"- for yourself.  Why not add making new friends, creating memories and experiencing new adventures to the list?

With the rise of social networking, it's easy to do! The Fort McMurray edition of www.meetup.com offers many exciting and interesting groups  Whether it’s hiking, cooking, board games, investing, dancing, volunteer or reading, this website has so much to offer.

Each of the Meetup groups and events are coordinated by volunteers, and is open to all Wood Buffalo residents. To begin, simply visit the website to create a profile, add your interests, and select your region. You can also view a calendar of all of local events. 

Here are just a few for example of some of the many groups found on Meetup.com:
• Fort McMurray Hikers and Walkers
• Fort McMurray Do Something! 20s and 30s
• Fort McMurray Language Conversation Group
• Latin Dance Fort McMurray
• Fort McMurray Investors Meetup Group
• Wood Buffalo Women in Networking
• Fort McMurray Potluck and Games Meetup
• And so many more!

So what are you waiting for? Join an upcoming event, or create your own and start making new friends.

For more information, or to find a “meetup” near you, visit www.meetup.com.

Reserve Your Booth for the Multicultural Expo

Did you know that people come to Wood Buffalo from all over Canada and all over the world? The Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo (MCA) is a great first contact for new residents, especially those coming from other cultures. 

The MCA offers a variety of programs, workshops and services to help people who are new to Canada learn more about living in our region. By strengthening our cross-cultural understandings, the MCA also helps to foster a more compassionate and unified community. 

One of the many events that the MCA hosts that truly brings the cultures of Wood Buffalo together is their flagship event: the Multicultural EXPO. 

The Annual Multicultural EXPO is a celebrated event that educates and engages citizens and visitors alike. Showcasing a plethora of vibrant customs including dance, fashion, and culinary delicacies, patrons are always delighted to explore the cultures of the world…right here in Wood Buffalo!

If you are interested in sharing the splendours of your culture, then register to host a booth at the EXPO. At a booth you are welcome to display information, offer activities, sell and/or teach traditional crafts, sell customary foods and more! 

Click here to register for your booth. Act fast as the application deadline is January 16th, 2017! 

The 2017 Multicultural EXPO will be taking place at MacDonald Island Park on February 18, 2017 from 11:00am – 8:00pm. Entrance fee is $10 for adults, $5 for children, and free for children of 5 years and younger.
More information can be acquired by visiting www.multiculturefm.org or, contact Rodas Ardres, Events and Volunteer Coordinator of the Multicultural Association of Wood Buffalo at events@multiculturefm.org or call the office and speak with Rodas at 780-791-5186


Photos courtesy of Greg Halinda.

Recreation Culture Calls

If you want to know about what's going on around town, then check out Recreation Culture Calls!

This electronic newsletter showcases local recreation and cultural events, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to submit information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@rmwb.ca. 

To find out what's going on this weekend, please visit the Recreation Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here

Recreation Culture Calls

If you want to know about what's going on around town, then check out Recreation Culture Calls!

This electronic newsletter showcases local recreation and cultural events, job postings, as well as volunteer and funding opportunities, and much more.

If you would like to have your email added or removed from this list, or would like to submit information about an upcoming opportunity please send your request to recreationandculture@rmwb.ca. 

To find out what's going on this weekend, please visit the Recreation Culture Calls page on the Municipal website or click here

Shop Local!

 You've heard it before: "Shop local!". But have you ever wondered why? Let's highlight the reasons why shopping locally is beneficial to our community.

• It encourages entrepreneurship
• It generates various jobs
• It builds sustainable and vibrant neighbourhoods
• It keeps dollars in the local economy
• It supports locally made products
• And last, but not least, it creates personal relationships with the business and the customer. 

As we continue to rebuild our community, we encourage you to consider making your holiday purchases from local vendors and get to know your fellow neighbours. 

As an extra incentive to shopping local, the Fort McMurray Chamber of Commerce is hosting their second annual Shop Local Holiday Passport Program for a chance to win 1 of 3 McMurray Money Prize packages. 

From now until December 10, you can collect a passport stamp for every $10 spent at a participating business. All it takes is 10 stamps to fill a passport, with a max of four entries per person. Once your passport is complete, drop it off at a participating store, or at the Business Innovation Centre (#105, 9912 Franklin Avenue) to be entered into the draw to win one of the following McMurray Money Prize packages: 

1st Place - $1000
2nd Place - $500
3rd Place - $250 

The prize money can then be spent at the participating local businesses. Start collecting your stamps today! Visit www.fortmcmurraychamber.ca to see the complete list of participating vendors. 

Happy shopping!

Remembrance Day Ceremony- November 11, 2016

On Remembrance Day, we commemorate the people who serve and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. 

Our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 165 hosts an annual Remembrance Day ceremony for our community. This year, the ceremony is dedicated all those who serve our country. In addition to honouring the sacrifices made by veterans and current military personnel, we will also be paying tribute to the first responders for their bravery and dedication  during the wildfire.

The ceremony will take place in two parts, with the first taking place in the Nexen Field House at MacDonald Island. Doors will open at 8:30 am and the service will start at 9 am. 

The second part of the ceremony will then continue at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch, located at 9317 Huggard Street in Waterways.  

How else can you get involved? 

By participating in Act of Remembrance during Veteran’s Week from November 5 to November 11.  As we stop to remember, salute and honour Canada’s Veterans and active duty personnel, the Government of Canada is encouraging Canadians to pay tribute to our heroes for their service and sacrifice by showing your support on various social media platforms. Share a story, a photo, or send your thanks to #RememberThem. 

For more information of Act of Remembrance, visit www.veterans.gc.ca

Graffiti Abatement Mural Program

You might recognize some of these murals from around Fort McMurray, but did you know that they serve more than just one purpose?

The murals were commissioned as part of the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program.  The basis of the project is simple: when a mural goes onto a wall, it is less likely that the wall will be tagged or vandalized with graffiti.  When large spaces become less vulnerable to the threat of graffiti,  it means that property owners and municipalities spend less on graffiti removal and remediation of that space.  

Launched in 2012, the project also provides an opportunity to explore urban art in a legal, respectful way.

Each spring, a Call to Artist is issued nationally.  While the call is open to any artist living in Canada, extra effort is put forth to encourage submissions from local candidates.  

Once all the submissions have been gathered, a local selection panel (comprised of community volunteers including representation from the arts community) reviews the proposed designs and picks the artist and proposal that they feel will be the best fit for our region.  Murals are usually completed by the end of September.

For more information about the Graffiti Abatement Mural Program, please visit: rmwb.ca/mural.  If you have any suggestions for future mural locations, or would like to discuss the program in detail,  please contact beautification@rmwb.ca. 

The Full Moon Café

The Full Moon Café began in 2005 and was the idea of three women who wanted to create a space for local talent to share their gifts.  Attendees can participate or just come to enjoy the show and a mug of Chai Tea.

The admission for the Full Moon Café is a mere $5.  The café opens with a drum circle at 7:30pm where everyone is invited to join in and play a percussion instrument of their choice. This is followed by an open stage for sharing talents at 8pm.  Many local musicians share the stage with music stylings in all genres from country to rock.  A few poets and dancers have been known to grace the stage from time to time.  Every café is unique. 

To find out more about the Full Moon Café you can follow their Facebook page by searching and liking "Full Moon Café Fort McMurray".  The next café is scheduled for Saturday, November 26, 2016 and will take place at the Art Foundry at River Station (8130 Fraser Avenue).

The 88,000 Project- Share Your Stories!

We all evacuated. We all have a story. The 88,000 Project is asking you for your stories. 

Ashley Tobin, creator of The 88,000 Project, explains: “ The 88,000 Project is a compilation of our stories - stories of evacuation, re-entry, and everything in between.  I came up with this project as a solution to my own anxiety about the re-entry process.  A good friend encouraged me to write my feelings down anytime I felt overwhelmed.  Whenever I felt that I couldn’t breathe, I wrote down how I was feeling.  I transferred my thoughts from my mind to a piece of paper.  It worked!”

Tobin hopes to inspire other residents to share their stories.  “By writing down their stories, residents can have an opportunity to be heard and to put their feelings onto paper, which will hopefully help them in their own journey of recovery.  I also find that reading about other peoples’ experiences helps me to put my own experience into perspective.”  

A few stories have already come in, and Tobin hopes to get 400 entries by October 31.  “The goal is to have the book published by Christmas,” says Tobin.  “As the months march on, it’s important that the community has an opportunity like this – to express themselves honestly and to learn of their neighbours’ stories.”  If you’re stuck for something to write about, there’s a list of potential topics at www.the88000project.com.

A portion of the proceeds from The 88,000 Project will be directed to the United Way of Fort McMurray.  

The submission guidelines are simple: write out (or draw!) your story on one side of an 8.5 in x 11 in paper.  Your submission can be a single sentence or it could take up the entire page.  Stories may be submitted in any language.  Submissions are open to all ages and must be anonymous.  

Check out the www.the88000project.com for submission drop-off locations, deadline,  and other details.

Now Available! The 2016-2017 Community Guide

The 2016-2017 Community Guide to Recreation, Culture & Social Support Services is now available! 

You can find the Community Guide at various locations around town such as MacDonald Island, Wood Buffalo Regional Library, Keyano College, Heritage Village and the Oil Sands Discovery Centre.  A full listing of locations is available at www.rmwb.ca/communityguide. 

The Guide is a great resource to learn more about the events, programs and activities in our community. Whether  you are interested in learning about different cultures or discovering a new hobby, participating in local environmental initiatives or signing up for one of the many sports and recreational groups, the Guide has it all!

As you flip through the pages, I’m sure you will be amazed at all the opportunities that await you in Wood Buffalo- I know I did!

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo publishes the Community Guide once a year to provide free advertising opportunities for not-for-profit community organizations to promote their recreation and cultural activities or community services. Every effort was made to invite all community organizations to participate in the Community Guide. If you are part of such an organization and would like to be featured in the next edition of the Guide, please contact recreationandculture@rmwb.ca. 

Call for Submissions-2016 Street Banner Contest

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo’s Street Banner Contest is back! The theme for the 2016 contest is My Home – Wood Buffalo Landmarks. The Street Banner Contest is a civic beautification program that aims to engage community members, showcase the beauty of the region and highlight local artists. Four designs will be selected by a panel of volunteer judges from the community. Winning artists will be awarded $500, and have their selected artwork displayed on street banners from May 2016 to November 2016.

Last years’ competition had 46 stunning submissions making it a difficult feat for our artist selection panel to choose only four finalists. The four finalists entries, shown above, had their selected artwork displayed on banners throughout the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo in celebration of the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games.

Artists may submit their entry for the 2016 contest from January 6 until 4 p.m. MST to Friday, Feb. 19, 2016. For more information please visit the RMWB website or contact a Community Strategies Coordinator at 780-788-1489 or email beautification@rmwb.ca.

Alberta Culture Days Planning Meeting

Alberta Culture Days is looking for dedicated artists or community groups to create cultural events in celebration of arts and culture in our region, province and country!

Alberta Culture Days began in 2008 as Alberta Arts Days, a one day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and cultural communities.  Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three day event celebrated province wide which helped inspire the creation of Culture Days – a pan Canadian movement to raise awareness and participation in the arts and cultural life of our communities. 

This year, Alberta Culture Days is scheduled from September 25^th – 27^th. If you would like to get involved in this unique celebration please join our next planning meeting, Tuesday, April 21^st, 7pm-8:30pm at the Future Forward Building, 9717 Franklin Avenue. For more information please contact Michael Beamish, michael.beamish@woodbuffalo.ab.ca, 780-788-1498. 

TODAY IS Municipal Census Day 2015!

TODAY IS Municipal Census Day 2015!

The RMWB is embarking on a three-month journey that will bring immeasurable benefit to our community.

Census Day is a reference point – everyone who lives in Wood Buffalo on April 1, 2015, will be counted.

For every person counted, more than $200 in provincial grant money comes back into Wood Buffalo. This money is used for everything from airports and ambulances to police services and roadways. The water you use to brush your teeth, the parks where you walk your dog, the rec-centre where you work out and the public transit you use to get home are all tied to census information.

Census information is important to your departments and to the community. Urban planners and private developers need census information to grow our region. Every new street, new neighbourhood and new shopping outlet uses indicators and growth projections formulated with census data. Many social profits are funded on a population basis.

The census is all about you, your neighbours and your community. For more information on the Census, visit: http://rmwb.ca/censusinfo

http://www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/Municipal-Gove…/Census-2015.htm

Are You Part of a Cultural or Recreational Organization? Then Advertise in the Community Guide!

The Community Guide (www.woodbuffalo.ab.ca/CommunityGuide)  is published every April and September to provide FREE advertising opportunities for not-for-profit community organizations to promote their recreation and cultural activities or community services. 

Over 4,000 copies of the Community Guide will be printed and available to the public in April. 

If you would like to book your spot in the Community Guide, or to learn more information about this opportunity, please contact jessica.barry@woodbuffalo.ab.ca before Friday, January 30, 2015. 

Have Your Say!

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is developing an Indoor Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan.  Your input is needed to ensure that the Master Plan fully addresses the residents of Wood Buffalo.

Indoor recreation facilities are spaces and buildings that are open to the public for recreation activities – those activities that we do in our free time (leisure)that includes physical activity, skill development, relaxation, socializing with others, for example. Because recreation activities are those that we do in our leisure time, recreation facilities are often also referred to as leisure facilities.Examples of recreation and leisure facilities include public meeting spaces, museums, galleries, and facilities that are related to specific sports including arenas, pools, fitness rooms, curling rinks, squash courts etc.

Indoor community facilities are spaces and buildings that primarily serve the local neighbourhood and/or community. This can include facilities such as libraries, community halls, meeting spaces, and schools, but also more specialized facilities that may serve the whole community such as performing arts centres.

Indoor recreation, leisure and community facilities are usually publicly owned.There are also privately owned facilities - fitness centres are a leading example. The Indoor Recreation and Community Facilities Master Plan recognizes the role of private operators and the need to plan for where and how to best work with the private sector. However, the emphasis in this survey is on facilities owned and/or operated by the public, non-profit, and institutional sectors.

Your responses are considered CONFIDENTIAL - no individual respondents will be identified publicly through the results. This survey should only take about 20 minutes of your time. Thank you!

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with the survey, please contact Tina Noble at tnoble@sierraplan.com or 1-416-363-4443 x21.

Please click here to complete the survey