June 2006 - Ramsay Community Association

R A M S AY C O M M U N I T Y A S S O C I AT I O N 11 3 6 – 8 T H S T R E E T S E , C A L G A R Y, A B T 2 G 2 Z 7
http://www.ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
June 2006 Circulation 1200
Sunday, June 18 th – Father’s Day
In and around the Ramsay Rink at the top of the hill
You will not want to miss this fun-filled day! Come out for fun, friends, games, activities, music,
and food for the entire family!
9 AM – 4 PM
Giant Flea Market - Great opportunity to junk out
your home, yard and garage before summer. Tables
are only $10!
Gardeners - Plants are needed for the plant
exchange. Start thinning out your perennials. Drop
them off at the rink on June 17 or 18, or call to
arrange for pick-up.
Artists. . . showcase your works! Tables are only
$10.
Huge book sale - Hundreds of new and previously
enjoyed books along with “rare” books will be for
sale. Start your Christmas shopping
early this year!
Classic car exhibit featuring
vehicles from the past century.
Learn a bit of Ramsay history
with our archival photograph
display.
Home values? Curious about the value
of your home? A small number of realtors will be
available to answer your questions.
11 AM – 2 PM
The 1 st Annual Ramsay Olympics! Events for
boys, girls and adults. Ribbons and awards will be
presented.1 – 4 pm
The Calysto Band - a 20 piece steel band will be
playing reggae, rock and other popular tunes.
Lots of activities for kids! Great food and drinks
will be available at our concession.
Ramsay Day is being heavily advertised city-wide.
Exact event times will be listed on the Ramsay Day
Program of Events, (available at Ramsay Day). For
information, or to book a table, call Darlene at
617-9591.
Ramsay’s Attic - “We’re Ramsay. We’re
proud. We’re eclectic.” A display of unusual
items from our community will be featured
(items you’d never find in Cranston!) Please
label your item and, if possible, provide a brief history
of the object. Items returned at the end of the
Don’t Forget — Ramsay Community Association monthly meeting takes place the
first Tuesday of every month – 7 pm in the Lower Hall

Ramsay News page 2

COMING THROUGH…
Joanne Forrayi
Assistant Race Director, HSBC Calgary Marathon
The HSBC Calgary Marathon will be hitting the streets on
Sunday, July 9, 2006 celebrating its 42 nd year. The Calgary
Marathon Society (CMS) expects over 6,000 runners and
walkers to compete this July. As well as the marathon, the
event features a Half Marathon, 10K, Calgary Stampede
4x10K and Timbits Marathon - there is a race for everyone.
The race tours many beautiful areas in the city, taking runners
and walkers through Stephen Avenue Mall, the Calgary
Stampede Grounds, the Calgary Zoo and a number of friendly
Calgary neighborhoods, including Ramsay and Inglewood.
In Ramsay, the course travels north on Spiller Road, turns
east on 21 st Avenue and north again onto 12 th Street. The
runners will only be in the community for about 10 minutes.
To ensure a safe environment for all participants, there will
be a number of road closures on other parts of the route. For
more information, please contact John Larsen at the City of
Calgary at 268-1573 (john.larsen@calgary.ca) or contact the
HSBC Calgary Marathon organizers at www.calgarymarathon.
com.
FILL IN YOUR SAFETY SURVEY!
Are there times when you feel unsafe in Ramsay? Well, we
want to hear about it. Included in this newsletter is a questionnaire
on behalf of the Community Life Improvement Council
(CLIC). CLIC is a group that aims to help Calgary’s communities
become safer places to live and it is currently conducting
a crime reduction study called “Safe Streets - Safe Cities.”
We want you to identify areas in Ramsay where safety can be
improved. Tell us where those troublesome areas are and what
you think the solution is. Please fill out the survey so we as
a community can create a plan of action to make our neighbourhood
safer.
OPEN HOUSE - June 8th, at 7:00 p.m. at the Ramsay
Community Upper Hall. Please come out to have a chat
and hear more about the CLIC study in Ramsay!
Saturday, June 10 th 8 am–2 pm
Meet at the community hall.
This is a great opportunity to clean up our
streets and alleyways.
The City of Calgary provides bins and
garbage trucks.
We provide the community effort needed
to get Ramsay ready for summer!
Come for an hour or come for the day,
any and all help is appreciated. Trucks
would be handy!
Free coffee and munchies!
For more information
contact Darlene: 617-9591.
ADVERTISE WITH US!
Ramsay News is the perfect way to communicate with your neighbours!
The Ramsay News is a non-profit newsletter offered free of charge to the
community each month. With a circulation of 1200, the Ramsay News is
a fun and affordable way to advertise your business.
Submission deadline is the 20 th of the month.
• Email us at news@ramsaycommunity.ab.ca or
• Mail us at 1136 – 8 th Street SE, Calgary, T2G 2Z7 or
• Phone Beth at 269-4199
R A T E S
Ad size
Per month
business card $35
1/4 page $55
1/2 page $80
Full page $140
Flyer Inserts $75
Ramsay News page 3

TRAFFIC COMMITTEE
Taras Semeniuk
The Traffic and Beautification committees continue
to work out details of the traffic calming elements. We
are reviewing the 2003 Streetscape plan to incorporate
some aspects in the new traffic calming elements. From community
feedback, there is considerable support for low-maintenance
plantings. To that end, we met with a local nursery
specializing in native plantings and received valuable information
regarding suitable indigenous species. We are also looking
at beautification of the existing concrete curb bulbs. We will
have an Open House to let the community review the final
plans. Although we would like to see the traffic calming elements
installed prior to the MacDonald Bridge re-opening, the
City has indicated that some of the construction will probably
occur later this fall, or even in early 2007 if the work is not
completed this year.
The new sidewalk across from St. Anne’s school on 21 st
Avenue was installed earlier this month. Be sure to try it out.
The MacDonald Bridge closure continues to be a hot topic
in the community. The bridge is closed to all traffic until
September except for transit, police, fire, EMS and pedestrians.
We have received a number of comments from Ramsay residents
and forwarded these to the City. These include: accounts
of pedestrian & vehicle conflicts; signage issues; insufficient
clearance for transit buses; and need for police enforcement.
The Calgary Exhibition and Stampede have indicated they
will mask a portion of their sign on 9 th Avenue westbound
directing Stampede Park patrons into Ramsay and across the
MacDonald Bridge.
There was recently an incident between a cyclist and a
6-year-old boy on the sidewalk of Spiller Road between
Constance Avenue and 6 th Street. The cyclist received a ticket
from police since it is against the law for persons age 14 and
older to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk. Please feel free
to advise offending cyclists that there is a bylaw that requires
them to use the street. A call to 3-1-1 can also be made, but
request a file number to ensure that appropriate statistics are
logged. It is hoped that these types of conflicts will diminish
once the Elbow River Pathway is repaired.
Please contact the Traffic Committee if you have any trafficrelated
comments or concerns. Enjoy the summer!
“SERVING INGLEWOOD AND
RAMSAY SINCE 1993”
inglewoodlawoffice@telus.net
COMMUNITY
CLASSIFIEDS
Dog Walking – We are back! The cost is $5 for 30
minutes. We will also be mowing lawns in the summer.
Call William at 269-3194 or Brisbin at 269-4199.
For Rent – Basement Suite in Ramsay for July 1 st . Call
Bob at 703-3531
Ramsay Bumper Stickers – are still available.
Contact Ev at 259-3753.
Kindergarten Registration – for Fall 2006 is
happening now at Ramsay School. Call 777-6790.
Ramsay News page 4

GARDEN PATH SOCIETY
Colleen Peters
Mission Statement: To provide an all-inclusive
organic garden to cultivate plants and community.
The Garden Path Society has been located in Inglewood for
three seasons and before that it was located in Victoria Park.
Currently, we have 85 raised beds and over 80 members.
Garden members rent a plot for $30 per season and pay a $10
refundable deposit to insure the plot is taken care of. There are
four wheelchair accessible plots. Currently there is a waiting list
to rent plots.
Seventy plots are rented to individuals and organizations.
The remaining community beds are designated for donations
to charitable organizations. Last year 185 lbs of produce were
donated to the Sheriff King Home.
I have been part of the Garden Path Society for three years
and my favourite vegetable to grow is celery – tall, dark, green
and handsome! My favourite herb is hyssop – a single plant
grows into a bush with purple flowers. The Garden Path
Society also holds a Fall Festival and Scarecrow Contest. A few
of the most remarkable scarecrows have been the Tin Man, and
a fierce Dragon. Happy Gardening!
Want to start a Community Garden in Ramsay?
At present there are 15 community gardens in our city. The
Calgary Horticultural Society has a Community Gardening
Resource Group. Contact them at 287-3469 or email:
office@calhort.org. The Society has also produced a booklet
“How to Start a Community Garden” that is available through
the office.
Grow A Row!
Calling all gardeners! Plant an extra row of root veggies
in your garden this year and help a worthwhile cause - the
Calgary Food Bank. It’s so simple... here’s how:
1) plant an extra row of vegetables in your garden
2) nurture and care for them this summer
3) harvest the veggies in the fall with the rest of your vegetable
patch
4) bring your harvest to the Calgary Horticultural Society Fall
Plant Share (Saturday, Sept. 9)
It’s that easy to help Calgary’s less fortunate!
THE GARDEN SPOT
Ramsay’s Garden Gnome
How fortunate we are to live in Ramsay with its
ample green space, tree lined streets and abundance of
experienced and budding gardeners. The “Garden Spot”
will strive to offer some helpful advice on maximizing our
short but intense gardening season.
Gardens in the ‘hood will be featured along with tips from
masters of the floral domain. Of interest to Ramsayites: The
plant exchange at Ramsay Day on June 18 th . Shared perennials
are a great low cost way to fill in your garden. Bring a plant
– take a plant – if you don’t have plants to bring, just leave a
donation.
Check out the newly renovated “Reader Rock Garden”
which reopens at the end of June. William Reader was one of
the founding members of the Calgary Horticultural Society.
His rock garden, which is adjacent to MacLeod Trail and 25 th
Avenue, boasts an impressive collection of plants. Reader Rock
Garden is open to the public and well worth an afternoon
stroll along its meandering pathways.
It appears as though we’ve been given a jump-start on the
2006 gardening season with a record breaking blast of warm
weather – enjoy!
RAMSAY OR ROME?
Scott Mushens’ luscious garden
is the result of a wonderful
creative eye and a lot of hard
work. Congratulations!
Ramsay News page 5

Yoki & Jeff’s Real Estate Report
January – April 2006
RAMSAY INGLEWOOD BRIDGELAND
# of
Sales
Avg. List
Price
Avg. Sale
Price
# of
Sales
Avg. List
Price
Avg. Sale
Price
# of
Sales
Avg. List
Price
Avg. Sale
Price
Bungalow 11 290,636 259,822 11 313,589 311,572 16 382,850 379,993
1.5 Storey 1 249,900 222,000 - - - 7 321,871 330,829
2 Storey 7 427,029 423,700 6 356,433 368,500 4 619,675 613,725
Attach/Twnh - - - 17 301,811 296,223 13 333,322 328,552
“DEMAND EXCEEDS SUPPLY”
If you are thinking of Selling
“THE TIME IS NOW”
We would be honoured to assist you.
Please call
Yoki & Jeff Nichol, Royal LePage Ram Realty
www.yoki.ca - 271-5555
Yoki & Jeff Nichol
TOP 1% in Canada Since 1983
Bus: 271-5555
From one Generation to the Next…
Both working for you with
SINCERITY AND INTEGRITY
Licensed Agent assoc. to Yoki
9 years sales experience
4 years MLS Million Dollar Club
Relocation Specialist with over 300 Corporate Clients
We appreciate and we thank you for your loyalty.
www.yoki.ca
RAM REALTY
Ramsay News page 6

CIVIC AFFAIRS
Catherine Cartmill
In late April I attended a workshop for community
planning committee members hosted by the
Federation of Calgary Communities with participation
from City of Calgary Planning and Development department.
This workshop highlighted for me the fact that other communities
struggle with the same planning and development
issues as Ramsay. The planning department is under extreme
pressure struggling to keep up with the number of applications
they are receiving in this time of continuous change. Planners
mentioned that the application process was much faster if
the developer / landowner worked with their community
association prior to submitting their application to the City.
Approaching planning as a collaborative process with all sides
respecting the needs and desires of the others makes the process
more effective.
If you are planning to build or add on to your property in
Ramsay, Civic Affairs suggests the following steps to speed up
the process:
1. Talk to your neighbours - Understanding the issues important
to your neighbours and work to resolve them. Common
concerns include privacy issues (will the bedroom overlook a
backyard?) shadowing (is the proposal going to turn a sunny
garden into a shade garden?) context (will this development
complement the existing streetscape?) consistency (set back
from the sidewalk).
2. Review the Ramsay Area Redevelopment Plan and the
documents referenced in it to confirm your proposal complies
with local bylaws.
3. Bring your proposal to Civic Affairs for review. We are
familiar with the planning process and can identify areas of
concern, which may reduce the number of later revisions.
311
If you have questions about construction practices including
fencing, site maintenance and truck routes, please call 311. If
you have questions about a Development Permit Application
blue sign or would like to view plans for construction in progress
Civic Affairs would be pleased to assist you.
Bylaw Walkabout in Ramsay
Bylaw services had a walk through the community on the evening
of May 5 th to identify bylaw violations. This was a courtesy
visit in preparation for our Community Clean Up on June
10 th . Most frequent bylaw violations included:
• Unsecured trash in alleys - A high number of residences
had an insufficient number of trash containers and unsecured
bags, which are often torn open causing trash to blow
around the streets.
• Derelict fences - Fences in danger of collapse or missing
boards can be hazardous and should be repaired or removed.
• Disposal of household furniture - If you have come across
any lately be sure to arrange to have this brought to the
community on the 10th.
Civic Affairs challenges all groups and individuals in the community
to work together and top the amount of trash removed
and items recycled from our community. The last two years
saw three 40’ bins filled and removed from Ramsay!
DP2006-0966 1906 Salisbury
This single detached dwelling has been approved by the
developing authority. There were a couple of minor concerns
raised about the proposed development and we encouraged
the planner to work with the applicant to resolve them. The
committee commented that the French doors in the front of
the home encourage positive interface with the street.
DP2006-1280 640 14 Ave SE
This is a temporary structure for the Olds College campus
in Stampede Park. The committee asked for further clarification
on the length of time considered to be temporary, and
the number of students the campus will accommodate.
DP2006-09555 & DP2006-0750 1410 Olympic Way SE
This application for the new Stampede Casino raised concerns
about the social and environmental impacts on the
community of Ramsay and the Elbow River valley. We
requested further information regarding anticipated traffic
flow and storm water management. The committee will
meet in late May or early June to review the application
further.
Pre Application reviews
Mixed commercial / residential development proposal between
22 nd & 25 th Avenues in Erlton, including a grocery store at
25 th & Macleod (across from Humpty’s). The proposal is in
keeping with the City’s Transit Oriented Development guidelines
providing pedestrian friendly development. We raised
concerns about the inclusion of a vehicular access route from
Talisman Centre to the community of Erlton and the proposed
interchange for the intersection of 25 th and Macleod which
would reduce the potential for pedestrian access to the development
from the east side of Macleod.
Pre land use redesignation application for 12 th Street and 11 th
Avenue SE in Inglewood. This mixed use development has
potential for 120 dwelling units near the proposed Inglewood
/ Ramsay LRT station. Transit Oriented Development calls for
higher density near LRT stations. We considered this location
to be more appropriate for high density housing than
10 th Street and asked to be circulated as this proposal moves
forward.
Ramsay News page 7

Ramsay Community Association Board of
Directors & Community Chairs 2005-06
Position Name Contact Info
President Vince Bodnar 266-4329
vincentbodnar@hotmail.
com
Past President Michael mgfitz@shaw.ca
Fitzpatrick
Vice President Catherine 263-0267
– Civic Affairs Cartmill
Vice President Colleen Peters 283-6989
– Membership
Treasurer
Jennifer
Hapgood
217-6750
jennifer.hapgood@shaw.ca
Secretary
Darlene 265-4898
Traviss
Member Bob Baker 269-4199
Beautification Brenda Japp 264-7137
Safety
Quinton
Rafuse
245-9075
quinton.rafuse@hotmail.com
Member Allan Baker 237-7927
bakerpals@shaw.ca
Member
Iain
iainc@shaw.ca
Chynoweth
Member Angie Maeots 313-2677 a_mae@canada.
com
Traffic
Taras
Semeniuk
264-1972
taras@samaceng.com
Community Hall Karen Lowry 265-4898
Summer and
Winter Sports
Karen Lowry
& Jennifer
265-4898
Hapgood
Casino Pat Baker 237-7927
bakerpals@shaw.ca
Ramsay School Bev Holt 294-0456
Liaison
Website
www.ramsaycommunity.
ab.ca
Newsletter Editor Beth Carter 269-4199
bethcarter@shaw.ca
Newsletter Layout Fred Holliss 815-3733
fred@holliss.ca
Complaints about Lilydale smells:
City of Calgary 311 • Alberta Environment 1-800-222-6514
POLICE CONTACTS • EMERGENCY: 911
If you see crimes in the area, please contact the police by
phone at 266-1234 or e-mail.
To e-mail any police officer the address is:
pol(badge#)@calgarypolice.ca
(eg. to e-mail John Moriarity, pol3319@calgarypolice.ca).
Our community liaison officer is:
Const. John Moriarity, Badge #3319
Newsletter Contributions
Any community member is welcome to contribute to this newsletter.
The deadline for submissions for each upcoming monthʼs issue is
the 20 th of the preceding month. Please email your contributions,
comments, and articles to:
news@ramsaycommunity.ab.ca
or drop it off: Ramsay Community Hall, 1136 8 St SE
DISCLAIMER STATEMENT: The opinions expressed by contributors
are not necessarily those of the Ramsay Community Association.
JUNE 2006
Sun Mon Tue Wed The Fri Sat
1 2
Artpoint,
5-9 p.m.
3
4 5 6
RCA
General
Meeting
7 p.m.
11 12 13
Magic
for
Music
18
RAMSAY
DAY
Father’s
Day
19 20
RCA
Board
Meeting
7 p.m.
7
Yoga
14
Yoga
21
International
Aboriginal
Day
Yoga
25 26 27 28
Yoga
Ramsay
Community
BLOCK
WATCH
For More
Information
Contact
Rick Enns:
509-2565
8
CLIC Safe
Streets
Open
House
7 pm
15
Seniors
Potluck
9
Herald
Book Sale
16
Herald
Book Sale
10
Community
Clean Up
9-2
Jewellery
Sale
17
Inglewood
Garage Sale
School
Council
Meeting
22 23 24
Inglewood
Sunfest
29 30
Last Day
of School
1
CANADA
DAY
COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP
Contact Colleen Peters at 283-6989
You are the community – Your voice is important!
Annual Membership allows you to:
Participate in Community Sports • Voice your concerns to
the Civic Government • Beautify our Community
$10 Family • $8 Single • $6 Senior, Disabled, Associate
Please cut out this form and mail with your cheque or
money order to:
Ramsay Community Association
1136 – 8th Street SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 2Z7
Family Name(s): _________________________________________________________
Your Name: __________________________Spouse’s Name:____________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
Postal Code: __________________________ Telephone: ________________________
Email: _________________________________________________________________
Children:
1. _______________________________________ Age: _________
2. _______________________________________ Age: _________
3. _______________________________________ Age: _________
I would like to become involved with:
___ Board of Directors ___ History ___ Beautification ___ Civic Affairs
___ Membership ___ Casino ___ Sports ___ Technology
___ Newsletter ___ Safety ___ Traffic ___ As required
Ramsay News page 8

C ommunity
T idbits
RAMSAY CASINO
Our next casino will take place on Monday, July 24 and
Tuesday, July 25, 2006. The funds raised through the casino are
essential for maintaining our community hall, the skating rink,
and for all the fun community events held in Ramsay each year.
We need volunteers to help out. If you can assist, please contact
Pat Baker at 237-7927.
GARAGE SALE
June 17th from 9:am -2:00pm, Lantern Community Church in
Inglewood, 1410 - 10th Ave. SE
Gather up your unused items and rent a table for only
$10.00. We do the advertising and put up the signs. You keep
the proceeds from your table. Call Diane at 235-3243 or Hilda
at 264-7933.
INTERESTED IN RAMSAY HISTORY?
We are preparing a walking tour of Ramsay for Historic Calgary
Week in August 2006. We are looking for volunteers interested
in helping to research and organize the tour. If you can help,
please call Beth at 269-4199.
INGLEWOOD SUNFEST
Saturday, June 24 th, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Join us for a day of sun and fun in historic Inglewood.
For more information, www.calgary-inglewood.com/sunfest.
html or 266-6962.
CALGARY ROUND UP BAND…
… is celebrating 50 Years! Alumni . . .We’re Looking For You.
Contact us at 259-3120 or www.roundupband.org
HERALD BOOK SALE
Crossroads Market
The Calgary Herald Book Sale will be running again this year
for two weekends starting June 9-11 and again June 16–18.
The proceeds from the book sale support the work of Servants
Anonymous Society, which helps women escape street life, and
the CanWest Raise a Reader literacy program.
SPRING JEWELLERY SALE
Stacey Maddock Designs, Saturday, June 10 th 2006, 10 am – 5
pm, 1020 19 th Avenue SE
Lots of new designs again this year! Great graduation and
teacher gifts too! Questions? 403-262-3795 maddocki@telus.
net, www.smaddockdesigns.com. Visa, MasterCard, cheque,
cash accepted.
RAMSAY SENIORS
The Ramsay Welcome Centre offers a range of enjoyable activities
through the week. Come down to play pool on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays. Whist is played on Tuesdays. A potluck
supper is held on the 3 rd Thursday of each month. For
more information, call Roy Braybrook at 262-5650.
C ommunity
COMMUNITY MOBILE SKATE PARKS
T idbits
Parks Open 1:00 – 8:00 P.M. Daily
July 4 – July 17 Village Square Leisure Centre
July 18 – July 31 Temple Community Association
August 1-14
Riverbend Community Association
For more information about the Community Mobile Skate
Parks visit www.calgaryskateparks.com or call 311.
AUDREY BOYD
Long time community resident Audrey Boyd (née Simpson)
passed away on May 15. Audrey was born in East Calgary,
attended Colonel Walker School and Western Canada High
School, and lived on Ramsay Street for many years. She was a
member of numerous organizations, including the Inglewood
Silver Threads. We would like to extend our condolences to her
family.
ELBOW RIVER WATER QUALITY
There have been recent news reports of higher than recommended
fecal coliform levels in the Elbow River. Both the City
of Calgary and Alberta Environment undertake regular testing
of the river waters, and these levels change on a daily basis.
According to the Calgary Health Region, there are no formal
health warnings in place about swimming or contact with
water in the Elbow. However, there are recommendations that
no water should be ingested, and people should shower after
swimming. Contamination of the water may occur after heavy
rainfalls due to storm water drainage. You can help improve
the quality of stormwater by: washing your car at a carwash;
limiting the use of fertilizers and pesticides; checking for fluid
leaks; disposing of hazardous products with care, picking up you
dog’s waste. For more information, contact 3-1-1 or the Calgary
Health Region at 943-8060.
STAMPEDE PARKING VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Ramsay Community Association is currently reviewing a plan
for a Stampede Parking lot at St. Anne’s School. If the proposal
is accepted by the Calgary Separate School Board there will be
a need for volunteers to collect money at the lot to benefit the
community association. Please call Catherine Cartmill at 263-
0267 if you would be able to donate 4 hours of your time during
Stampede to help the community raise funds for the many
initiatives that are underway for Ramsay.
YOGA AT THE RAMSAY HALL
With Laura Beecroft-Caleffi, Wednesdays at 7 p.m. , $5.00
drop-in fee. Questions: Call Laura at 923-3687
MAGIC FOR MUSIC
A fundraiser for the Inglewood Music School.
Magician John Horsley and friends will amaze you at the
Village Cantina on Tuesday, June 13th. Tickets are only $15.
Contact Ed at thetops@shaw.ca for more information.
Ramsay News page 9

BEAUTIFICATION
Brenda Japp
Outwest Park is now under construction and will be
completed by the end of Summer 2006. Over the last four
years, we have overcome many hurdles to create this beautiful new
entryway to both Inglewood and Ramsay. Many wonderful volunteers
made this project possible: Ray Spiteri (Inglewood), Dave
Spencer (Stantec), Lawrence Eisler (Eisler Design) & Gary Browning
(Browning Design), Alderman Joe Ceci, Dennis Lefrenier and the
City of Calgary Parks Department. The project cost is over $200,000
and our generous funders are: Canadian Pacific Railways, Inglewood
Community, Ramsay Community, Inglewood BRZ, Calgary
Foundation Neighborhood Grants Program, Parks Foundation,
Calgary Stampede, Calgary Flames, Alberta Lottery Fund,
Remington Development Corp, Enmax Corporation, Them Property
Management, The City of Calgary. Thank you!
The Ramsay Streetscape Redevelopment is moving forward in
several ways. Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. JP Veitch for their very
generous $5,000 donation towards implementing our streetscape
design. Mr Veitch encourages other residents to match his donation.
We would encourage that too!! We had a very positive meeting with
Alderman Joe Ceci, City Architect David Down, and other city representatives.
We presented our streetscape design and discussed funding
from the City for implementation, with a goal to make Ramsay a
safer, more vibrant and livable community. Joe will make a motion to
City Counsil for funding in June. This is a very exciting prospect!
Urban Forestry is supporting Ramsay once again by planting 40
new trees in Ramsay on 10 th , 11 th , 20 th , 24 th Avenues, and 8 th Street.
Happy summer!
ALEXANDRA CENTRE
SOCIETY
A heritage of people meeting
people
ALEXANDRA PLAYSCHOOL CAMP
Back by popular demand
July 24 – 28
9:00 AM - NOON
Children 3 – 4 – 5 years old
Only 10 spots available
Cost: $75
(Subsidy available to qualified families)
Call Sarah to register
269-5588
info@alexandracentresociety.org
info@alexandracentresociety.org
The Alexandra Centre Society offers this
annual program so that all children may have
a camp experience.
Applications from Inglewood, Ramsay, and
Victoria Park families welcome.
You would like a camp experience for your child
The financial costs are too high
Call Sarah 269-5588 or
Email to info@alexandracentresociety.org
Or stop by and fill out an application
.
3 – 5 years old
3 mornings - 9:30 – Noon
3 months – 36 months
Parent & Tot Early Music Education
has come to an end.
Our deepest thanks go to all of the volunteers that
put in so much time and effort into helping us
successfully complete over 100 returns. This
program could not be provided without your
dedication. Thank You!! The income tax program
will be offered again starting in March of 2007.
Ramsay News page 10

Calling all Kids!
Summer Day Camps
in Inglewood
Register Now!
Sports Camp: August 8 – 11
Swimming, Tennis, Martial Arts,
Trampolining, Yoga & more!
Arts Camp: August 28 – 31
Theatre, Puppetry, Writing,
Storytelling, Art/Crafts & more!
Location
Inglewood Community Hall, 1740 24 th Ave SE
Time: 9am – 4pm
8:30-9am Drop-off & 4–4:30pm Pick-up
Age Groups
4 (by Feb. 28, 2006) – 6 year olds,
6–9 year olds, 9–12 year olds,
& 12+ year olds
Registration Fees
Sports $120
Arts $110
$10 discount for each additional sibling
Registration
(by cheque or cash)
Ramsay School, May 31, 3:00–4:30pm
or
call Kim at 237-6837
For more info visit our website
www.inglewood-daycamp.piczo.com
For inquiries, e-mail
inglewood-daycamp@hotmail.com
Mark Your Kid’s Calendar!
Park'n'Play & Stay'n'Play
Ramsay Community Association
1136 8th Street SE
Aug 21st - 25th
10am - Noon Stay'n'Play (3-5years) *M/W/F Only
10am-3:30pm Park'n'Play (6-12 years)
FREE drop-in programs for children.
( (parents must accompany children in the Stay'n'Play program)
Activities led by qualified leaders.
www.calgary.ca/cns | call 3-1-1
In partnership with:
The Ramsay Community Association
THE CITY OF CALGARY
FLIP FACTORY TRAMPOLINE CAMP
July 17 – 21 (Mon. – Fri.)
Space Gym in the Ramsay Crossing Complex (800 block of
24 th Ave. SE)
6 – 8 years 9:00 – 10:00
8 – 12 years 10:00 – 11:00
9 – 14 years 11:00 – noon
$50 + $10 annual insurance/reg. fee
$12/day for drop-in if space is available (phone day before)
Minimum of 5 maximum of 9 participants per class. Deadline
to register is June 30 th . Emphasis is on fun and fitness.
Beginner to advanced levels can be accommodated.
FIT KIDS PRE-SCHOOL SPORTS & CRAFT
CAMP
July 17 – 21 (Mon. – Fri.)
Ramsay Community Hall
3 ½ - 5 year olds 2:00 – 4:00
$75 for the week + $10 insurance/reg. fee
$20/day drop-in if space is available (phone the day before)
Minimum of 8 participants required to run the program.
A different theme each day with a multitude of crafts and
sports being offered (gymnastics, dance, ball sports, racquet
sports and more). Great opportunity to meet other kids and
have fun!
For more info or to register contact Darlene Traviss: 617-9591.
Ramsay News page 11

Denis A. Herard, M.L.A.
MLA Calgary Egmont
Minister of Advanced Education
Calgary Egmont Constituency
#10, 8318 Fairmount Dr. S.E. T2H 0Y8
640-1363, 640-2970 (f)
Edmonton - toll free - 310-0000 and key in 780-422-5378
calgary.egmont @assembly.ab.ca
NEW CHALLENGES LEAD TO OPPORTUNITIES
Imagine my surprise when I was called into the Premiers’ office
on April 5, 2006 and asked to lead the Ministry of Advanced
Education. I had been a co-pilot as Standing Policy Chair for
the last five years but moving to the captain’s chair in full flight
was definitely a baptism by fire.
Six days after my swearing-in, the task at hand was to defend
my departments $2.2 Billion budget in committee of supply in
the Legislature. It seemed that every day there was a new experience
from defending policy in Cabinet to a joint Alberta-BC
Cabinet meeting.
While the stream of challenges is unending, each one presents
new opportunities for thinking outside the box and doing
business in new and more efficient ways.
PRIVATE HEALTH CARE – A READER
RESPONSE
After reading the article entitled “Better Access to Health
Care” By Denis Herard, I felt compelled to respond. The article’s
basic premise - that setting up private clinics is required to
improve access to health care - is dishonest and misleading.
It should be obvious to anyone that simply setting up public
clinics instead of private ones will have exactly the same result
of shortening wait times. If it is true as Mr Herard says, that
public doctors only have access to operating rooms two days
a week, then that is every reason to simply make more public
operating rooms available - not create private clinics.
The only difference between public and private health care
is that in the private system someone is using our healthcare
money to pay an investor instead of a healthcare provider. For
this reason it is obvious that the private system is inherently
more inefficient. More importantly, most people agree that it is
immoral to make a profit off of other people’s suffering.
Instead of trying to convince people that an unnecessary
switch to private health won’t be so bad, the Alberta government
should be listening to the will of the people and abandon
its drive to privatize healthcare, and instead put the required
investment into the existing healthcare system.
Kristjan Gottfried E.I.T.
There are a number of initiatives that I am working on that
involve processes that I have wanted to implement for years.
While I don’t have the space to provide much detail, I will
cover a couple of concepts.
First, I have been a believer that when the classic Latin language
was first invented, the ancient philosophers imbedded
rich meanings to words. One such word is “vocation” which
comes from the Latin word “vocare” which means, “voice from
within”.
Muffler & Brake
1803 - 11th Street SE
M - F 8 AM - 5 PM 215-0110
www.ericscarline.com
If we can find ways to hear our children’s calling, fan their
interest, fan that flame into a passion for learning and a passion
for life, we will have much greater success with keeping
kids in school and many more may go on to post secondary
and graduate to a productive and rewarding life.
Please contact my office at 640-1363 or
calgary.egmont@assembly.ab.ca with your comments or concerns.
Ramsay News page 12

EVENTS LIAISON
Michael Benoit
STAMPEDE ENFORCEMENT
The Committee met with Calgary Police Service and
City Bylaw officers on May 2, to discuss increasing enforcement
during Stampede. We presented the Access Control Plan
to bring police and Bylaw officers up to speed on the details of
the Plan. There was general agreement that the Access Control
Plan was well designed and all the various officers attending
were made aware of the community’s wish for tighter enforcement
during the Stampede and especially in the evenings for
fireworks on Scotsman’s Hill.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
By the beginning of June, all homeowners and residents in
Ramsay living on streets with unrestricted parking will have
received a letter from City of Calgary Traffic department to
inform them of impending changes to parking signs in their
area. For all streets west of Spiller Road and 8th Street, homeowners
and residents will be asked to apply for permits for all
registered vehicles, with clear instructions for how to do this.
For homeowners east of Spiller Road and 8th Street, instructions
for how to get parking signs in your area changed to
Zone D permit only parking, are included.
For the entire Scotsman’s Hill area, parking signs on streets
with unrestricted parking will be changed before the Stampede
starts in July. Parking enforcement will be increased at that
time to help make visitors to Ramsay aware of the changes.
The City and the Community Association will also advertise
widely on radio and newspaper to alert drivers in Calgary of
these parking restriction changes before the Stampede starts.
The Committee hopes that all homeowners and residents
will view these changes as beneficial to a safer and quieter
community, where non-resident traffic from people living in
other parts of Calgary will be much less than in previous years.
JUNE ACTIVITIES
The Committee Chair is meeting with Calgary Transit officials
to ask for extended bus service on the 403 / 433 routes to
allow non-residents to take bus service to and from Scotsman’s
Hill for the evening Fireworks. We will also revisit the police
and Bylaw enforcement plan to discuss ways to keep non-resident
traffic from clogging up major connector roads during
the Fireworks, especially on weekends.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Catherine Cartmill (V.P. External, RCA) 263-0267
Michael Benoit (Events Liaison Committee Chair) 681-8188
Joe Ceci’s office 268-2430
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Ramsay News page 13

TAKE SOME “TIME OUT” FOR GREAT
PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY
Our spring programs encourage you to take “time out” to relax
and explore your interests. Register for the following programs
by calling the Central Library at 260-2600. Visit our web site
www.calgarypubliclibrary.com for our complete program guide.
ABCs of Fraud – Identity Theft
Thousands of people in Alberta are victims of fraud each
year. The ABCs of Fraud® program teaches people how to
recognize, report and stop fraud. Developed with the input
of police and Scotiabank, the ABCs of Fraud® program
involves the audience in a fun and upbeat way. People are
left feeling more confident about their ability to protect
themselves from slick con artists. Wednesday June 7 th 10 AM
- 11:30 AM
Reiki and Reflexology
Join Reiki and Reflexology practitioner Kim Bucker for a
demonstration of how these therapeutic techniques aid in
the healing of our health and promote a wonderful sense of
well-being. Wednesday June 14 th 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Max Foran’s History of the Calgary Stampede
Why has the Calgary Stampede turned into such a worldclass
celebration? And how has it influenced the development
of Calgary? Come and hear Max Foran, author of
The Madonna List and Calgary, Canada’s Frontier Metropolis,
speak about the rich and fascinating history of the
Stampede. Wednesday June 14 th 6 PM - 8 PM
30° in may
thirty degrees in may!
oh my
thank goodness for convertibles
& motorbikes & flip flops
early blooming for the lilacs
early growing for the grass
early cutting for the homeowner
new jobs lead to new patterns
and cats that don’t like change
find themselves annoyed
did i mention? thirty degrees in may!
ramsay newsletter for june
815-3733
fred@holliss.ca
web design print
time to hire a lawn aerator
Ramsay News page 14

PEOPLE IN RAMSAY
Beth Carter
Ramsay is a diverse and historical inner-city
neighbourhood, which is arts-friendly, family-based,
and active. We are a village surrounded by green space in
the midst of the city. In this monthly column, we will meet
one person who helps to define our wonderful community.
William Reader – Garden Innovator
I’ve often passed the Reader Rock Garden sign on 25 th Avenue,
but I’m ashamed to say that I have lived in Ramsay for 14
years and I’ve never taken the time to visit. Recently, I heard
that major renovations were being done to this historic garden
with the help of the City, the Provincial and Federal
Governments,
and the
Horticultural
Society and volunteers.
The Garden is named after William Roland Reader, who
was born in London, England, and lived in a number of different
places in England before moving to Calgary, Alberta in
1908. That same year, William Reader co-founded the Calgary
Horticultural Society and this group embarked on the goal to
make Calgary into “The City Beautiful”.
He operated a landscape gardening business until 1913
when he was appointed superintendent of the Calgary Parks
Department. His monthly salary was $125, and he was able “to
have use and occupancy free of rent of the house owned by the City
and situated in the cemetery…” He moved into the home with
his wife Rose, and his two children, Harry and Doris.
In 1913, there were ten parks in Calgary. During Reader’s
term in the Parks Department the parks system more than
doubled in size. He was responsible for all of Calgary’s parks
and cemeteries, the municipal nursery, the first municipal
nursery and the first municipal golf course. From 1913 –
1923, the City planted 41,860 trees. Over 7000 of those were
planted in the cemetery. In his 1922 Annual Report to the city,
he stated “Calgary’s street trees are now recognized as one of her
greatest assets in point of beauty.”
Reader had strong opinions about the need for parks in
Calgary. He believed that “Recreation is necessary in one form or
another for everybody but particularly for children. [They will] be
better, happier, healthier and develop into useful citizens.”
The gardens around his home on the steep north slope of
the cemetery became one of his personal challenges. Early photographs
show the hill to be absolutely devoid of any plants.
From 1922-1929, he built rock paths and stairs over a threeacre
area, and selected a wide range of rare and indigenous
plants. He documented the plants carefully, and complete lists
can be viewed in the Public Library. Over the years, the garden
had almost disappeared behind overgrown shrubs and weeds.
Only about 20% of the original plants remained in the garden,
so the restoration team needed to do some serious detective
work to recreate the original plans. The renovated garden will
open to the public in June, and includes a reconstructed house
in the Arts and Crafts style, which will serve as a café.
William Reader was also a co-founder of the Calgary
Zoological Society and helped to find many animals for the
zoo on St.George’s Island. Over the years, he became an
internationally-known horticulturalist and travelled
extensively on lecture tours. He was also a fellow
of the Royal Horticultural Society and an active
member of the Alpine Club of Canada.
William Reader retired in December 1942,
and passed away in January 1943. During his
30 years as Parks Superintendent, he transformed
Calgary from a barren prairie into a
lush, green city full of gardens and parks. We are
lucky to have one of his most magnificent creations,
the Reader Rock Garden, right next door to our community.
For more information, visit www.readerrock.com or www.
limedesign.ab.ca/reader
Free Monthly Tours of Reader Rock Garden
Tuesdays, June 13 and July 11 – 7–9 pm.
Saturdays, August 12 and September 16 – 7-9 p.m.
Celebrate the reopening of William Reader’s historic garden
with these free tours. As well, the City is offering several
intriguing garden courses. Call 268-3800 or www.calgary.ca/
parks to register.
William Reader’s original house, 1913, with Scotsman’s
Hill in the background.
Ramsay News page 15

Ramsay News page 16