Beyond Straws - Shopping Low-waste in Kensington

“First off, don’t be shy about talking to businesses about waste. They’re literally invested in it, and when you make a change - even if it is one small take-out container, or a tupperware for leftovers from a meal -  it will help them save money and reduce their environmental footprint as well. ”

By Hillhurst Sunnyside Resident, Jocelyn K.

One Sunday last Spring, I did something that felt extreme: I emptied my recycling bin on the kitchen floor and sorted it. I was feeling inspired to further reduce my waste and I definitely wanted to quit plastic. Over the past year, I haven’t eliminated single-use plastics coming into my home, but  I’ve reduced my waste dramatically by following a few simple rules that work for me and my home. It wasn’t intimidating at all, it’s been easy and fun and I’ve done it all here in Hillhurst.

BYOC - Bring Your Own Container

Shopping in Kensington is rich with opportunities to reduce waste, especially if you remember to bring your own container (BYOC). Most businesses generally support opportunities to reduce waste and the only standard is that your containers have to be clean, dry and fit your purchase. Like bringing a reusable bag grocery shopping, the hardest part of reducing plastic waste is… remembering the containers! In the interest of research, one sunny afternoon we packed them up and took a stroll around Kensington to chat with retailers about reducing waste. Here’s what we found:

First off, don’t be shy about talking to businesses about waste. They’re literally invested in it, and when you make a change - even if it is one small take-out container, or a tupperware for leftovers from a meal -  it will help them save money and reduce their environmental footprint as well. 

Canary Goods Refillery and Zero Waste Market opened their first permanent retail space on Kensington Road in 2019, offering a range of household goods and personal care items. Their refillery offers a beautiful display of common goods, from laundry detergent to dishwasher tabs,  that will certainly inspire you to BYOC. They always seem to have a small stash of containers available for free, or you can buy one of their beautiful amber bottles to fill with their products.

Since 1997, Sunnyside Natural Market has been helping customers reduce waste. They offer a broad selection of environmental products such as recycled paper, refillable cleaning products, and health care items. They recently renovated to expand their bulk offerings, adding bulk lettuces to their produce area and replaced plastic bags and containers with compostable ones that are locally sourced. An advantage of shopping BYOC is you can buy exactly what you need and Sunnyside staff will portion containers to make sure you get exactly what you need. Their robust selection of spices is especially great when you just need a little product to finish a complicated recipe.

Since trying to reduce waste, I’ve yet to find an easy way to remove sticky labels from containers I want to reuse. A friend enthusiastically recommended The Beehive on 10 Street for their Glue Gone Adhesive remover. They also carry bulk beeswax and pine resin if you’re interested in making your own beeswax food wraps.

The Roasterie offers a discount on bulk coffee if you BYOC or reuse their packaging. When you bring your own mug, no matter what size it is, you’re charged for a small 12 ounce.

Japanese housewares store Nanao Kimono on 10 Street is a hidden gem with great choices to practice your new habit. Replace paper serviettes with a square furoshiki cloth and they’ll show you how to wrap it into a little bag to carry your lunch in. They also have a large selection of bento boxes for a zero-waste lunch, and we think paper washi tape is a pretty cute way to label your containers.

A new member of the Hillhurst business community, PB&J offers nut butters and will happily tare your container before you fill them at the self-serve machines. They encourage BYOC and told us they’ve already noticed customers asking to ‘hold the box’ when ordering their sandwiches. Crave Cupcakes will happily bypass their trademark clamshell containers and pack your order in any container you have, as long as it’s clean and fits appropriately.  Pie Junkie already wrap their delicious sweet and savoury pies in paper, but encourage BYOC as well. 

Every restaurant we spoke to will happily pack your take-away order BYOC style, and one employee asked us to remind customers to bring along a container to eat-in in case of leftovers. 

Jonathan at The Naked Leaf offers $1.50 discount on 100 grams of tea in any container you have or reuse one of his collectable tea tins! Stop in with your travel mug for an excellent discount on any of his organic teas. 

Making it CRYSTAL CLEAR! Our newest Membership Partner Good Trade Coffee (@goodtradeco) offers clear signage for recycling coffee cups, lids, and sleeves

When considering how you’ll reduce waste in your home, start small and keep it manageable. Never compare your efforts to others - it’s a commitment that has to work for your life and for your family.

HSCA Welcomes our Newest Membership Partner: Good Trade Coffee Co.

“Coffee that Fuels Community”

You may have already stopped in, walked by, or seen their lattes on your Insta feed. Or, if you frequent the HSCA Farmers’ Market, maybe you recognize them from our Incubator Booth a few summers back. Located along Kensington Road (1154 Kensington Cres.) Good Trade Coffee Company has found a place in our community, serving cups of coffee (and tea!) and bringing people together. A few weeks back, HSCA had the opportunity to chat with co-owner of Good Trade Coffee Co., Brandon Waardenburg, about everything from GTC’s approach, fair trade, design, social good and community. 

Entering GTC, you’re hit with a sense of familiarity. A warm welcome from the barista, that smell of freshly ground coffee beans (is there a better smell?) and an intimate space that feels more like a friend’s living room than a café (although definitely a friend with a passion for interior design and decorating). 

Being in the space, it’s easy to forget that just months before it was a Jugo Juice with humming, wall-to-wall coolers. According to Waardenburg, designing the space came with some challenges due to its small and unique shape. In collaboration with a friend and architect, they approached the space thoughtfully and with intention. I was surprised to learn that the shop has 22 seats (neat side note: some of the side tables can double as chairs) and the furniture by the bay window can be shifted and arranged just as you would if you were hosting a get-together in your own living room. 

Opening their Kensington doors in late November last year, this is Good Trade Coffee Co.’s second location in the city (the first and other location is at the Crossroads Market). A few summers ago, GTC was set up at the HSCA Farmers’ Market Incubator Booth. This provided the company with the opportunity for testing and feedback from customers. This experience would ultimately influence GTC to open their second location within the community. In fact, many of their customers today remember and recognize GTC from their short stint at the Incubator Booth (to learn more about the Incubator Booth Program or apply as a vendor click here).  

Much like the Hillhurst Sunnyside Farmers’ Market, GTC is rooted in community and quality. For GTC, social good and community development are built into their business model. 

“You don’t have to sacrifice quality to be this way” Waardenburg said. GTC is committed to fair trade, community development and breaking the ‘cycle of poverty’ all while offering premium products.  GTC works closely with rural communities in Latin America, ensuring “the profits from each bag of coffee goes directly back into the producer’s community” (GTC, 2019). Waardenburg himself has dedicated the last 5 years alleviating poverty in Canada, working with vulnerable populations across the city. For Waardenburg, coffee is both the vehicle and the fuel to actioning GTC’s mission and values.  

So, whether you pull up a chair next to the bay window or take your latte to go, show your valid HSCA Membership card and you’ll receive 10% off all beverages and you can walk away knowing that you’re supporting a socially conscious business in our community.  We’re so excited to welcome Good Trade Coffee Co. as our newest Membership Partner. To purchase or renew your 2020 HSCA Membership, click here. To learn more about Good Trade Coffee Co. visit their website, follow them in Instagram @goodtradeco or find them on Facebook.

3 Things We Can Do to Reduce Waste Now

By Hillhurst Sunnyside Resident Jocelyn

Waste and recycling doesn’t receive a lot of love on the “Most Liveable Cities” list, but there’s a lot to be proud of after those carts are emptied into the truck. Calgary has set an ambitious goal: To divert 70 percent of waste from landfill by 2025! Here are some small things we can all do now to reduce our household waste and take full advantage of the resources in Calgary.

 1. Compost More 

Calgary’s green cart system is to waste management what the Central Library is to architecture. A critical piece of infrastructure that makes our city unique! 50% of residential waste has been diverted from landfill since the introduction of the green cart. Watch this video to learn how it works. 

All items marked compostable should not go in your green bin. The city only accepts bags with certification, broadly available in Calgary. Be especially skeptical of biodegradable or bioplastics made from bamboo or sugarcane. These should never go in the green bin.

For an easy visual reference, check out the City of Calgary’s handy Green Cart Guide here.

 You can compost paper when it’s food soiled. Use your junk mail to make compostable bags to line your compost bin.! Our informal testing at HSCA kitchen reports that layers of paper are solid. Check out the City’s YouTube video to learn, ‘How to fold newspaper to line your kitchen compost pail’ .

2. BYOC

BYOC sign outside Sunnyside Natural Market (338 10 St NW)

Bring your own container (BYOC) as you head out to shop in Kensington! This is becoming more and more common as residents try to reduce waste, and most businesses are willing to fill your clean container with your purchases. You can even BYOC for take-out! Sunnyside Market and Canary Goods are great places to shop for common household and pantry items. Feel good for reducing plastic waste, and with an HSCA membership you get a great discount shopping local! They will also accept your clean containers for other customers to use.

Bring your own Container to Zero Waste night on March 3 at HSCA. The City of Calgary will speak about recycling right and you’ll have an opportunity to fill them up at our pop-up refillery for free.  Check out our Facebook event page here.

3. Bookmark What Goes Where

The City has put together an encyclopedic database of waste for citizens to reference. Bookmark it and use it for your recycling questions. https://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WRS/Pages/What-goes-where/Default.aspx

February is Black History Month in Canada: Violet King

Written by Lorna Cordeiro, Hillhurst Sunnyside Heritage sub-committee.

This blog post will also appear as our featured article in the 2020 February Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice

Sunnyside home @ 518-7th Avenue NW in which Violet King grew up & her family lived for over 50 years: 1930-1974.

A profile of Violet King, the 1st Black Woman to practice law in Canada & and her former Sunnyside Heritage Home!

Violet King (b. 1929 in Calgary and d. 1982 in New York) was a trailblazer- the 1st Black Canadian to obtain a Law degree in Alberta (1953), 1st Black person admitted to the Alberta Bar (1954) and 1st Black woman to become a lawyer in Canada.

Her parents John & Stella King were part of an African American group of farmers who migrated in 1911 from Oklahoma to Alberta to avoid racism. However the actions of the Canadian Government at that time did little to welcome Black settlers to Canada. One example was the Order-in-Council under the Cabinet of PM Wilfred Laurier proposed (but never became law) in 1911 to ban Black people from entering Canada for a period of one year, it read ‘the Negro race…is deemed unsuitable to the climates and requirements of Canada’. 

The Kings first lived in the all-Black settlement of Keystone, Alberta. They then moved to the Sunnyside community (Calgary) in 1919. John worked as a ‘sleeping car porter’ with the CPR and Stella worked as a seamstress. They raised their 4 children in their modest home at 518-7th Avenue NW.

Violet attended Crescent Heights High School followed by the University of Alberta (one of only 3 women in the Faculty of Law). She articled in Calgary and spoke out publicly against racism, in Nov 1955 she remarked “It is too bad that a Japanese, Chinese or colored girl has to outshine others to secure a position.” 

One of her siblings, Ted King also was outspoken about Civil Rights. He was the president of the Alberta Association for the Advancement of Colored People from 1958-1961. In 1959 he launched a legal challenge against a Calgary motel’s discriminatory practices. The case made it to the Alberta Supreme Court and while it was unsuccessful it drew awareness to the barriers and lack of human rights protection laws in Canada at the time.

Violet moved to Ottawa to work for the Department of Citizenship & Immigration in 1956, then in 1963 saw a greater need and moved to New Jersey to become ED of the Newark YMCA where she set up urban social planning programs for Blacks. She married and had one daughter. In 1969 she moved to Chicago and became Director of Manpower, Planning & Staff Development of the YMCA – the 1st woman to be named to a senior management position with that organization.

‘King shattered glass ceilings and broke down colour barriers to pave the way for future generations. Her hard work and drive to excel in all facets of her career are an inspiration for those who also aspire to do great things in their field.’

Sources: The Canadian Encyclopedia; Calgary’s Henderson Directories; University of Alberta @UAlberta; Wikipedia; Calgary Herald articles: ‘Prairie Roots: Calgary-born Violet King Henry the first black woman to practise law in Canada’ by Brian Brennan Nov2,1996; Miss Violet King Is Credit to the City’ by Teen Nolan, June 26,1958; ‘Former Calgary Lawyer Moves to New US Job’ Oct 1,1963.

Water for Riley 2.0

By Deborah Sword

This blog post was originally published on the W4R blog on January 21st, 2020.

Since 2015, Water for Riley has proudly used the unique name, logo, and brand that our generous elf Diana Thompson gifted to us.

The drinking fountain is built, and its new water line awaits. Installation is scheduled for this spring as soon as the ground of Riley Park thaws and the site prepared. We decided the logo should reflect the progress to this last, final and concluding stage -can you tell we are excited about the project ending?

The logo 2.0

To acknowledge these accomplishments, we asked the drinking fountain’s designer, AUArts student Michelle Lazo, to refresh the logo. We wanted to incorporate her design. We hope you like the new logo as much as we do.

Save the date please

Planning the party

January 20, 2020, the team met in the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association. Six months from now, we will have a terrific celebration of this entirely local, volunteer driven, community based drinking fountain. 

Come for the music, bring a picnic, enjoy Riley Park and admire the drinking fountain.

Area of greatest need

There is much to do in planning the celebration. The area that most needs willing volunteers is social media and publicity. If you have time and an interest in marketing/social media/publicity/promotion etc, please call 403 862 1923.

Be part of Calgary’s public art legacy;
for Riley Park, for you, and for the future.

Donate to make this vision become reality. At the instructions to seller page, specify that your support is for The Water for Riley Project. The Parks Foundation issues tax receipts for donations greater than $10.00.

We invite everyone to participate as a volunteer, fundraiser, donor, sponsor, or any other role. Call 403 862 1923 and leave your contact information.

See our story in a video http://www.waterforriley.org/2018/07/acad-w4r-video/

Karma Yoga @ HSCA

“Your left fascia will thank you!”

A look at my (very appropriate) sloth yoga mat before class started.

I should start this post by saying I am not super versed in yoga nor have I ever used the word fascia in a sentence before (that was the first, actually). I do own yoga pants and a mat, but neither of these items have made it to a yoga class.

When I heard HSCA was launching Karma Yoga classes in 2020, I was excited. It was accessible (a short walk from my place with a suggested donation of $5—Calgary Dollars are also accepted) and didn’t require a huge commitment (classes are offered on a drop-in basis).

Last Wednesday, a few of my HSCA colleagues and I made our way to the gym for the very first class. Still recovering from that post-holiday fatigue, I expected the class to be a challenging one. Especially since most of my movement over the holiday season consisted of either scrolling through the ‘trending’ section of Netflix or reaching for a puzzle piece (my husband and I really got into puzzles during the holidays).

The class was an Athletic Yoga Flow (running every Wednesdays 10-11 am in the gym) and instructed by Lisa K. Lisa is a resident of Hillhurst Sunnyside and passionate about our community and offers restorative yoga therapy and massage out of her home studio (Sunnyside Bodyworks) in Sunnyside (check out Lisa’s bio on our Facebook event page to find more about her studies and approach). Within the first few minutes of the class, we were moving through sequences and focusing on our breath. Lisa explained the intention behind each pose which I really appreciated—especially when the pose felt extra challenging for me (I need a reason to do a difficult or uncomfortable pose even if I don’t completely know what and where my left fascia is). There were several poses intended to counteract sitting at a desk (perfect for me) and Lisa gave great descriptions and demonstrations of how to maximize the poses. Before we went into Shavasana (my favourite part!) my body was warm, and I was reminded of all the muscles in my core. I felt great after the class and am looking forward to attending the other Karma classes offered at HSCA, including Pilates Infused Core and Mindful Yin. Check out the times below or go to the HSCA website for more details. I’m happy to say my yoga pants and mat have been utilized for a yoga class and I’m confident (after a quick google search and chat with Lisa) my left (and right) fascia is feeling thankful.

By Stephanie Corbett

Volunteers Grow our Community: Volunteer Appreciation Event 2019

“To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” ~Audrey Hepburn

November 21st marked HSCA’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Event and this year’s theme was ‘Volunteers Grow our Community’. The event was an opportunity to bring our volunteer community together and celebrate this sentiment by acknowledging the hard work and passion they’ve shown throughout the year.

You GROW girl! Heather & Sarah strike a pose at the Volunteer Appreciation Photobooth, 2019 [Photo by Dexter Martin]

With the help and generous donation from Jungle Plant Project, our volunteers were encouraged to interact with a fun, plant-themed Photobooth. The evening also featured a talented photographer, Dexter Martin, who generously volunteered to cover the Photobooth and capture some of the evening’s activities. [Be sure to watch for our next featured blog posts on Jungle Plant Project and Dexter Martin Photography & Design, highlighting their thoughts on community, favourite part of the event, and more!] Our (super delicious) meal was catered by Christine Kyte and her team at Reflective Catering. We also had a ton of raffle prizes generously donated from some great local businesses in our community, including:

• Mañana Imports and Gifts

• Kin + Pod Chocolate

• Pages on Kensington

• Sidewalk Citizen Bakery

• Vine Styles

• Orange Theory Fitness, Kensington

Greetings from the Future! A look at some of the postcards done by attendees.

This year, our activity was called, ‘Greeting from the Future’ and we asked attendees to think ahead into the future. Volunteers were given blank postcards and encouraged to write a note or draw a photo showcasing their vision for Hillhurst Sunnyside—ten years from now. We’re so excited to display these visioning postcards at HSCA in the new year, so stay tuned!

This year alone, HSCA volunteers contributed over 2000 hours—hours which have played an important role in ensuring our community continues to grow and flourish. Each hour volunteered showcases the commitment and dedication residents have to their Hillhurst Sunnyside community. Whether it’s volunteering your time with HSCA’s senior support network, spending an afternoon cooking for Neighbour Night, packing groceries for Fresh Food Basket, participating in community clean up events, or part of a committee: you are the anchor of our community. And just as a plant requires a root system to nourish and grow, our team of volunteers' function in a similar way: they grow our community. If you are interested in volunteering with HSCA, please see current opportunities listed here.

By Stephanie Corbett

Kate Stenson, Executive Director of HSCA, was the evening’s MC and gives thanks to our volunteer community.

Badminton at HSCA- Health Benefits of Badminton

Do you know the Health Benefits of Playing Badminton?

·      Reduces weight

·      Improves Lung and heart functions

·      Reduces stress

·      Increases bone density

·      Improves reflexes, intelligence and productivity

·      Improves metabolism

Other comments from players:

“It can also help me sleep better, eat better and even regulate my digestive system!”

“I used to feel very tired but after playing Badminton on a regular basis, I can play two-three times a week and still have enough energy to do my daily chores.” 

So why not try playing some Badminton this year at this wonderful gym in the NW? With a small fee, you can improve your overall health and add more fun activities in your daily routine.

Location: Hillhurst/Sunnyside Community Center

                1320 5 Ave NW, Calgary AB (Free parking)

Dates: Mon/ Thurs 10am -1 pm

Fee: $6 (each gym fee $ 4 and drop-in $2 bird fee)

Facilities: Four well maintained courts with rubberized compound floor, good lighting, air condition, fountain, showers, lockers and change room, snack/ coffee machine.

Group size: 16-22 friendly players

Levels: Post beginners- advance

Contact person: Grace Yuen  gymyuen@gmail.com

Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee Update

(1) The Upper Plateau Separation (UPS) Project is moving forward

The UPS project will divert stormwater from the North Hill directly to the river, removing the connection with storm sewers in Sunnyside.  This will eliminate water from the upper plateau as a cause of flooding in Sunnyside.

The City plans to proceed with a new tunnel from 10th St (near Aurora) to the Bow River more-or-less underneath 7th St.  Unfortunately, all the less expensive options, such as lining the existing stormwater ducts, have proven infeasible.

The geotechnical drilling conducted earlier this year showed that the tunneling cost will be much lower than previously thought (all bedrock is easier than mixed gravel/clay/bedrock).  The project cost is now expected to be much lower than the original, preliminary estimate of $37M and less than half the revised estimate from last year.  This project should be going ahead!  

Some of the funding for this project is to come from the provincial Alberta Community Resilience Program (ACRP).  This program has been suspended for review by the new provincial government but we anticipate that this funding will be reinstated after the review.

The City has an aggressive project schedule for UPS.  They anticipate awarding a contract early next year with construction starting later in 2020 with construction taking more than a year to complete. 

(2) Public Information Sessions about new Flood Mitigation Infrastructure on the Bow River Upstream of Calgary

For effective long term flood protection of Hillhurst and Sunnyside new flood mitigation infrastructure will be required on the Bow River upstream of Calgary.  The province has a study underway to look at options.  All options identified will be expensive and will take many years to deliver.  All involve overcoming challenges.  Nevertheless work must be started if it is ever to be finished.  We support new flood mitigation infrastructure upstream of Calgary.

The province will be hosting two more public information sessions to describe the options under consideration.  These should be very informative for those who are interested.

(1) Thursday, October 3 2019 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

     Rockpointe Church Bearspaw, 255024 Lochend Rd, Calgary, AB T3L 2R2

(2) Tuesday, October 15 2019 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

     Rockpointe Church Bearspaw, 255024 Lochend Rd, Calgary, AB T3L 2R2

 More information can be found at these websites:

www.alberta.ca/bow-basin-water-management-options

www.talkaep.alberta.ca

The Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice: Lend YOUR Voice!

(Pictured) The Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice, October 1989 Edition

The other day I had the opportunity to flip through some of the older issues of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice and an October 1989 issue caught my eye. Beyond the #TBT potential inside these yellowed and oxidized pages, it was packed full of content submitted by members of the community, including cartoons, news articles, some PSAs, and a monthly column entitled, ‘dear VOICE’. Reading through the perspectives of residents and seeing the photos captured by members of our community (side note: The Fall Fair of 1989 had great weather and an excellent turnout of more than 15, 000 people!), I couldn’t help but think about how our community newsletter has changed. Of course, it is no surprise that our newsletter would evolve just as the Hillhurst Sunnyside community itself has over the last 30 years (be sure to check out our post Hillhurst Sunnyside at a Glance, highlighting our community and demographics based on the 2019 City of Calgary Census Data). Today, the Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice is delivered to 7, 200 households each month and the cover reads, “preserving and enhancing the quality of life for residents of Hillhurst Sunnyside”, echoing HSCA’s mission.

HSCA also uses our social media platforms, e-newsletters, and our blog to distribute news and events to the community and a digital copy of the monthly newsletter is always available on our website. 

As your new Voice Editor, I want to take this opportunity to ask YOU what you want from your community newsletter. What content do you enjoy reading most? What would you like to see more of in our community newsletter, blogs, e-news, and social media posts? How can the Voice best serve the community? 

The Hillhurst Sunnyside VOICE, September 2019 Edition

Here’s a little experiment that might get you thinking. Let’s fast-forward 30 years…Imagine someone is flipping (scrolling?) through the pages of the September 2019 Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice—what values and perspectives would they see? Would someone be able to get a sense of our community through our newsletter? How can the Voice represent the Hillhurst Sunnyside community today? 

I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to email me at stephanie.c@hsca.ca, share your ideas, submit your content (pictures, articles, event listings, etc.) and lend your voice as we define our 2019/2020 community newsletter. 

Hillhurst Sunnyside: Historic Street Names | THEN & NOW

BUILDING COMMUNITY ONE STREET AT A TIME: Hillhurst Sunnyside neighbours gather at the pedestrian gates of historic 10A, 11, 11A and 12 Streets (with bonus Gladstone Road) at a recent community photo shoot. Photo collage by Stephanie Corbett

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Written by Lisa Chong: this article appeared in the September 2019 issue of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice

Walking along the north side of Kensington Road, reminders of our neighbourhood’s historic street names are posted on the splendid wrought iron pedestrian gates into the residential areas of our 100+ year old community: 10A St was Norfolk Road; 11th St was Beverley Street; 11A St was Preston Street; and 12th St was Oxford Street. The street gates were designed by resident and visual artist, Pamma FitzGerald in ~1992 and appears on the September 2019 cover of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice newsletter (above).

Prior to European settlement, this area was home to the people of the traditional Treaty 7 nations, the Piikani, Siksika, Kainai, Iyarhe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina. Gladstone Road / 4 Ave – which crosses our community diagonally (SW to NE) from 14th Street to 10th Street – was part of an indigenous trail, which explains why this roadway breaks from the gridiron layout of Calgary’s inner city communities.

Street names in Calgary’s early days often reflected the heritage of the landowners. Author, Harry Sanders describes that Hillhurst streets were given Anglo-Saxon names to attract British residents in the same way that Bridgeland streets were given Italian names in the predominantly Italian neighbourhood.

10th Street was formerly Morleyville Road which led to the Methodist Mission in Morley; the very short 3rd Ave in Hillhurst was known as Cornwall Avenue, while 13th St was Richmond Street. As we move west to what was historically Upper Hillhurst, there is a note indicating “Scattered Wooden Dwellings Beyond” in neat printed writing on the old fire insurance maps; indeed, the area was home to a few small-scale agricultural and textile facilities. 14th St was known as Strathcona Street; 15th St was Imperial Avenue and 16th St was Nelson Street. 1st Ave (between 16th & 18th Streets) was Alexandra Street.

Aerial map 1924-26: City of Calgary

7th Ave, adjacent to the St. Barnabas Anglican Church was fittingly, Church Ave, while 5th Ave in Hillhurst was originally Victoria Avenue. The soon-to-be-built “Victoria on 5th” apartment redevelopment between 10th St and 11th St takes its name from the historic street name, which was given in honour of Queen Victoria (1818-1901).

Riley Park:  Ezra Hounsfield Riley and his family were prominent homesteaders and sold the land (now Hillhurst) to the City of Calgary between 1904-1910. They resided on Buckingham Ave (8th Ave) where the Agape Hospice stands today. The adjacent 8.23-hectare Riley Park was donated by the Riley family to the citizens of Calgary as a public park.

Salvation Army Sunset Lodge, formerly Ezra Riley home, then Salvation Army Rescue Home, 1302 8th Avenue NW: Allison Jackson, 1965

Sunnyside was a predominantly a Scottish homesteading settlement in the late 1800s and was called New Edinborough. Sunnyside was developed further in the early 1900s by the CPR as the community grew. Numbered streets started perpendicular to the Bow River and westward from Centre Street. 9A St next to the train tracks was once Merchiston Avenue, a name that reflects Sunnyside’s Scottish-Edinburgh origins.

New Edinborough Park located in the heart of Sunnyside – continues to be the community gathering place for the annual volunteer-led park party celebrating community spirit after the 2013 flood. It is also where Calgary’s annual, city-wide Neighbour Day got its start!

Calgary 1911-14 Fire Insurance Map: University of Calgary

Kensington Road/Centre Avenue: Calgary historian, Alan Zakrison says that Kensington Road and many of the streets in Hillhurst were named by the primarily English settlers. After some back and forth between the City and communities in switching between numbered streets and named streets, the City of Calgary decided that the dividing line between North Calgary and South Calgary would be Kensington Avenue (renamed to Centre Avenue) north of the Bow River.

Because the Centre Ave dividing line was causing a great deal of confusion, the north/south boundary was changed in 1925 to follow the north and south banks of the Bow River. Centre Ave NE still exists in Bridgeland to this day. Centre Ave NW was renamed back to Kensington Ave (later Kensington Road) and the streets to the south of Kensington continue to this day with historic names such as Westmount Road (1st St SW), Bowness Road (2nd St SW) and Broadview Road (3rd St SW) in the neighbourhoods of Westmount (west and between 14th St and Crowchild Trail) and Broadview (east and between 14th St and 10th St).

Calgary 1912 Map: Calgary Public Library

Memorial Drive NW:  Memorial Drive was known as Broadview Boulevard prior to 1911, The Boulevard from 1911-1919, and Westmount Boulevard (west of 10th St) from 1919-1965. Memorial Drive is also the north/south boundary east of Deerfoot Trail today.

Yes, there is a Bowness Road in Hillhurst Sunnyside!  Residents in the area recount that Bowness Road was laid out with extra width because it was intended to host the streetcar route leading to the town of Bowness (annexed to the city of Calgary in 1964). The 1945 Municipal Railway Map shows the route running along Kensington Road and onto Bowness Road instead.

Today, Hillhurst’s Bowness Rd hosts one of three lilac medians in Hillhurst, planted by the City of Calgary’s third Parks & Cemetery superintendent, William Reader between 1929-32. The lilac medians on 6th Ave, 11A St and Bowness Rd were planted during the City Beautiful Movement, which was a deliberate effort to construct tree-lined boulevards and medians with formal plantings and to beautify city streets and contribute to citizen well-being. The three lilac streetscapes were added to the City’s Inventory of Historic Resources in 2011.

Bowness Rd continued under its moniker as it made its way east across 14th Street. Some time ago, the eastern portion of Bowness Rd was renamed to Kensington Crescent between 11A and 11th Streets. In the 1990s, the developer of the Providence Kensington condos used this precedent and obtained signatures going door-to-door and through a plebiscite, the western portion of Bowness Rd between 13th St and 11A St became Kensington Close. This change was intended to reflect a more prestigious street address for the building.

Do you have any stories about your street? Contact lisa.c@hsca.ca and share your story with the HSCA Heritage Subcommittee and we would be happy to include these in a future article. You can also view Margaret Tanko’s Hillhurst Sunnyside Remembers (1978) book located on our website at: www.hsca.ca.

Resources/Sources:

• Alan Zakrison, Calgary historian and researcher, Old Sidewalk Stamps

• Calgary Fire Insurance Maps (1911-14)

• Calgary Municipal Railway (January 22, 1945)

• Calgary Public Library: Historic Maps of Calgary and Alberta

• City of Calgary Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources

• Conserving Calgary’s Historic Streets (2018)

• Harry Sanders, Historic Walks of Calgary (2005)

• Hillhurst Sunnyside Remembers (1978)

• Hillhurst Sunnyside Walking Tour (2007)

• Lorna Cordeiro, Pamma Fitzgerald, Patti Dawkins & Robin Lee, Hillhurst Sunnyside residents

• Memories of a 70 Year Old Community Association (2018)

Sunnyhill Housing Cooperative- Food Forest Pilot Project- UPDATE

Correction: Please note the date was listed incorrectly in the September Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice. The correct date for this event is Sunday September 15, 9-5pm.

Sunnyhill Housing Cooperative recently received a $3,500 grant to implement a community greening project. On Sunday September 15, 2019, Sunnyhill will be planting a Food Forest Pilot Projecton their property. The work will be done in collaboration with Sunshine Earth Works, a Calgary permaculture organization “committed to repairing the earth one yard at a time.”   

Please join us between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2019.  All volunteers welcome.   Lunch will be provided and the day will conclude with a pot luck celebration and bonfire held on site.  

These grants are part of a multi-year partnership between Tree Canada, Canada’s national tree planting charity and Pembina Pipeline Corporation.  More than 230 project applications were received for the Green Canada Edible Trees program and SHC has been selected among 60 others. 

What is a food forest?   “Forest gardening is a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based food production and agroforestry system based on woodland ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines, and perennial vegetables that have yields directly useful to humans.”

Trees are critical to strong communities. They help us to live healthier lives by providing multiple environmental, social and economical benefits to our cities such as absorbing CO2, cooling our homes and reducing our stress. Research shows that living near trees lowers the risk of mortality from common causes and helps to improve our mental health. The effects of climate change in our cities can be mitigated by increasing our urban canopy.

Under the guidance of Jeremy Zoller and his crew from Sunshine Earth Works, the Grounds Committee, co-op members, and volunteers from Pembina and the whole community will be removing sod, preparing the soil, and planting trees and shrubs. 

Plan to join us on Sunday, September 15, 2019, in participating with our community in some healthy physical labour to bring this fabulous project to fruition (pun intended).  

Submitted by 

Pamela Boyd

SHC Grounds Committee

Hillhurst Sunnyside at a Glance | Census 2019

Contributors: Lisa Chong (author, infographic) + Matt Crowley (data analysis) | HSCA Community Planning

The City of Calgary has released their April 2019 census results on September 3rd. This data is available for viewing at www.calgary.ca/census. Overall, Calgary’s population has gone up from 1,267,344 in 2018 to 1,285,711 at a 1.45% increase. Population increase was largely attributed to new suburban communities: Mahogany, Legacy, Nolan Hill, Cornerstone, and Redstone saw the most growth.

A Vision for Calgary

City Council adopted the Municipal Development Plan (MDP) in 2010 in response to continued, projected population growth in Calgary. At the time, the MDP envisioned a 1/3 population growth in the established areas and 2/3 in the new suburbs for the next thirty years with the goal of a 50/50 split in sixty years’ time. The City’s recent Next 20 project was intended as a ten-year policy review of these goals (the MDP review has now been reduced in scope as a result of the City’s budget cuts in June 2019).

A Vision for Hillhurst Sunnyside

Ten years have passed since Council’s approval of the Hillhurst Sunnyside Area Redevelopment Plan: Part II Transit Oriented Development (ARP; 2009). The ARP is the policy that guides new development in our community. Since then, we have seen a steady population increase of around 1,800 people. Hillhurst has lost population in the last two years, in part, due to the permanent evacuation of residents at Kensington Manor.

Using the City of Calgary’s census numbers and 2008 population prior to the ARP, Hillhurst Sunnyside has seen a compounded annual growth rate in its population of 1.8%. By comparison, Calgary has experienced a 1.9% compounded population growth over that same time period. In order for the City to meet 1/3 of its total growth from established areas, higher growth rates are needed in mature areas.

Based on HSCA’s internal development application tracking, Hillhurst Sunnyside has a total of 25 developments ongoing with a minimum of 6 units. There is a total of 132 residential units currently under construction.

Hillhurst Sunnyside Planning Committee Development Tracking | Current as of September 2019

Over the next 5 years, we can expect to welcome an additional 1,800 people the community (based on completion of 30% of predevelopment projects and 60% of approved projects). This would amount to a compounded growth rate of 2.8% since 2009 and 5.8% since 2019. In part, this represents a change in consumer preferences to be located in walkable communities, complete with amenities and services that emphasize lifestyle. As Hillhurst Sunnyside residents, our livable community is something to be truly proud of. For the second year in a row, the Economist has rated Calgary the #1 most livable city in North America and 5th most livable in the entire world.

Despite the current economic climate, planning and development for new buildings in the community continues to forge ahead (see: developmentmap.calgary.ca). The community is now poised to take part in the City of Calgary’s new approach to planning with the multi-community district-based planning (see: North Hill Communities Local Growth Planning).

A Vision for Your Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association

As a community association that serves Hillhurst and Sunnyside, a deeper understanding of the demographic makeup of our community is crucial to the sustainability of our organization and ensuring we continue to offer relevant programming to our current and future neighbours.

HSCA continually works at achieving diverse representation on our Board of Directors. This includes a wide range of ages, professions, expertise, housing tenure and geographical location in the community.

In recent years, we embarked on imagineHSCA in 2014, which was a visioning exercise for our community association. In 2017, we hosted a larger-scale community survey that served as a starting point of conversation about current programs/services and understanding the value which residents hope to gain from us. This valuable feedback is helping us shape current and future offerings at HSCA. You can review the results of our survey at this link.

While there is a general perception that community associations are made up of more established residents, we have observed a steady flow of volunteers, members and participants from a variety of backgrounds and ages. It is important to hear from not only these residents, but neighbours that traditionally have a smaller voice: HSCA meets regularly with various social agencies and non-profit housing groups to share information, build relationships and invite neighbours to take part in community life.

A Vision for the Future

HSCA continues to serve our strong, vibrant, inclusive community with a proud housing mix of rentals, home-ownership, cooperative housing, multi-residential, laneway homes and everything in between. We are an intergenerational and mixed income community. All are welcome at your friendly Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association ❤️

Check out our community overview on our accompanying infographic!

View fullsize

Hillhurst Sunnyside Factsheet | September 3, 2019

Harvest Fair 2019 | Your Chance To Win Local Bragging Rights!

This post was originally posted on the HSCA Farmers' Market Blog on August 22nd and in the September Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice.

By Heather Ramshaw

Last fall, I found myself in my garden, examining my sad attempt at growing buttercup squash. All I had were 3 measly mini-squash, the size of a baseball each. After a summer of losing tomato plants to blight as a result of heavy hail, and sad bean yields from all the smoke and lack of direct sunlight, I was feeling disheartened. So much so, I almost wanted to give up gardening all together! But then I remembered... despite the disappointment in the garden, I had a GREAT shot of winning a red ribbon at the Hillhurst Sunnyside Harvest Fair! Suddenly, it didn’t matter that my husband and I had to buy all our vegetables that year; my excitement for gardening had been renewed and I even felt great pride as I entered my mini-squash in the category of “Most Pathetic Vegetable”.

With over 50 categories to choose from, there is certainly something for everyone. Whether you love to bake, cook, ferment, compost, create art, or grow food (as successful or unsuccessful you may be!), you have a chance to be a Blue Ribbon winner. Our panels of local celebrity judges, including John Gilchrist, Sylvia Kong and Rod Olson, always have a blast sampling pies, weighing pumpkins, and interpreting recycled garden art.

This year, we are excited to have the Harvest Fair and Farmers’ Market combined and out in the sunshine. On September 11 from 3-7pm, you will be able to do your weekly shopping along with viewing all produce, art and culinary creations that have been prepared for ribbons and bragging rights. Join in some square dancing, eating contests, play games, listen to live music, learn how to save seeds, and become part of our garlic bank!

See our Harvest Fair page for details of categories and rules. 

To enter your submissions, bring your items to the HSCA with the attached form completed on September 10th from 4:30-8:30pm or September 11th from 10-11:30am.

Which red ribbon will you take home this year??

Steel Wave: A Full Circle Moment

This blog post originally appeared in the August 2019 Hillhurst Sunnyside Voice, by Patti Dawkins

“Steel Wave before restoration”. Photo by Patti Dawkins

Do you remember a faded, rusty and rather tired looking sculpture outside the CBC building facing Memorial Drive for many years? I am pleased to inform you that it has been donated by the CBC to the Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre (KOAC) in Springbank.

The name of the sculpture is “Steel Wave” by former artist Roy Leadbeater (1928-2017). The CBC commissioned it in 1978 for $250,000. "It is an outstanding sculpture. In terms of Alberta sculptures, it is one of the better pieces. The imagery is about wings, and abstract wings imply freedom," Harry Kiyooka told the CBC’s Homestretch.

Leadbeater came to be an artist late in life. While living in Calgary in the 1960’s he enrolled in art classes with Katie Ohe at the Calgary Allied Arts Centre (Coste House). He worked full time to subsidize his art practice: for Shell Oil in Calgary and then EPCOR in Edmonton. Dominion Bridge Company in Ramsey liked his work so much they offered him access to a workshop space after hours. In Edmonton he ran his own foundry with eleven employees and produced sculptural commissions.

The KOAC is a not-for-profit charity organization founded by artists and educators Harry Kiyooka and Katie Ohe. According to their website, KOAC is “dedicated to the preservation of its surrounding environment, enriching Canadian art culture and providing community programming”. The Springbank property has been their home since 1978. The house, two studios and a future pavilion will be used for the three R’s: Retreat, Research and Residence. There is currently a sculpture park on the property with over 100 sculptures. Kiyooka taught at U of C 1961-1988 and Ohe taught at AUArts (formerly the Alberta College of Art and Design ACAD) from 1970-2016.

“Steel Wave Today”. Photo by Patti Dawkins

This year Ohe will receive the highest honour the province can bestow on a citizen, The Alberta Order of Excellence (AOE).You may be familiar with some of her public art, “The Zipper” (1975) a kinetic sculpture in the University of Calgary Sciences Building, “Cracked Pot Foundations” a stone fountain in Prince’s Island, and “Janet’s Crown”, a kinetic sculpture that sits on the grass outside of the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) at the top of the hill above Hillhurst School. 

After long negotiations between the CBC and KOAC, Leadbeater’s two-ton “Steel Wave” was donated and transported to KOAC for restoration. Local artist Alex Caldwell meticulously restored the sculpture, removing all rust spots, making necessary repairs and applying a fresh bright coat of orange paint that will last for decades. The sculpture was unveiled on June 22, 2019 at KOAC’s annual open house with over 100 people in attendance, including CBC Calgary’s Doug Dirks. Attendees enjoyed tours of Kiyooka and Ohe’s studios, home, library, fantastic art collection and sculpture garden.

As a former student of Ohe, Leadbeater’s sculpture now graces the property and begins a new life in the KOAC sculpture garden, a very appropriate full circle moment.

For more information about KOAC please visit the website http://www.koartscentre.org/

Written by Patti Dawkins, Community Member

Further Reading & Sources:

1.    CBC News September 2018 David Bell

2.    Kiyooka Ohe Arts Centre

3.    Avenue Magazine September 2014

Have your say in protecting Sunnyside from future Bow River flooding!

Sunnyside Needs Improved Flood Barrier Protection

Please be sure to drop in to the important City of Calgary Open House on the Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project to be held in September.  
 

When: Tuesday, September 24, 2019
5-8 p.m. 
Where: Sunnyside School Gymnasium 
211 7th St. NW
 

The City is exploring various barrier/berm height options that will provide different levels of protection from high river levels. At the open house you can learn more about the options being explored in Sunnyside.  Your feedback will be important to ensuring the right option is selected.

For the last 2+ years the HSCA EPARC Flood Infrastructure Committee has been advocating for a flood barrier (aka berm) that will provide adequate protection for Sunnyside.  Pressure from this group was key to pushing the City to consider alternatives to their original plan.  Now we are calling on community members to make their voices heard so that an appropriate (higher) alternative is selected – the more voices, the better.

The City’s original plan for our berm is for no material height increase and this is not acceptable.  Sunnyside needs a higher berm, and we need it now.  How much higher has not been determined, but a one-half metre height increase is the minimum plausible.

Below are explanations of some terminology used in discussing river flooding and the berm.  These are intended to provide clarity and understanding.  One does not have to get very deep into the subject of river flooding for it to get very complicated.  Although this note is very long we have tried to simplify for brevity.

Explanation of Terms Used When Discussing the Berm

(1) River Flow. Rainfall and snowmelt west of Calgary can cause high flows in the Bow River. In the case of large floods the most important factor is the rainfall, with snowmelt contributing perhaps only 10-20% of the flow. At any point in time the flow in the Bow River is different at different locations. The river starts with a small flow at Bow Glacier and the flow increases with tributaries joining as the river runs eastwards.

The Ghost Reservoir west of Cochrane is also important. Depending on the available room in the reservoir and the management decisions taken the reservoir can temporarily hold back water and reduce the outflow to Calgary to less than it would otherwise be. More on this below. On the other hand, the Bearspaw Reservoir has little storage capacity and therefore little potential impact on river flow.

Complex hydraulic models are used to project river flows under different scenarios of rainfall and snowmelt.
To simplify discussion, when we speak of river flow, we always refer to the flow of the Bow River upstream of the confluence with the Elbow River, as measured by an Alberta Environment and Parks flow meter on the Bow at Reconciliation Bridge in downtown Calgary. The flow is measured in cubic metres per second which is abbreviated either as m³/s or cms. The flow at Reconciliation Bridge is a good approximation of the flow at Sunnyside because the contribution from runoff between here and there is relatively small.

(2) Return Period. The risk associated with major floods is expressed as a return period. For example, 1:100 means that a specific high flow is expected to return on average once every 100 years. This is more correctly stated as “a 1% chance of that flow occurring in any year”.

Below is a table translating return periods into probabilities of floods in any one year and over time. Note that at a constant risk the specific flow will be different at different locations up and down the Bow River. The river flow at Reconciliation Bridge corresponding to each return period is shown at the right of the table. These flows are calculated by taking historical river flow data, using statistical techniques to fit the data to a curve and then picking flow values off the curve for the chosen return periods.

The probability of occurrence or the return period is a measure of the risk that we are willing to tolerate. Risk tolerance varies from person to person and represents our perception of the consequences of the flood versus our perception of the cost of mitigating against that flood.

An example of acceptable risk tolerance is the Alberta provincial standard for flood protection which is 1:100, or a 1% probability in any year. In the Netherlands their standard for flood protection can be as high as 1:1000 or more. Calgary has no established flood protection standard, instead individual flood protection infrastructure is built to different risk tolerances, seemingly at the whim of City Administration.

It might seem counterintuitive that there is only a 65% chance of a 1:10 event occurring in any 10-year period. However this is correct, and is a result of the way probabilities are mathematically combined.

(3) River Level. The level of the water in the river depends on the flow in the river, but it also depends on the width of the river at any point. The same flow increase in a wide section of the river will result in less level increase than in a narrower section of river.

The effective width of the river at a specific location can vary with the depth of the water. For example, at 10th Street NW there is a gravel bar. When that gravel bar is dry the river is flowing in a narrower channel and a smaller change in flow will result in a given change in water level. When the river level rises above the gravel bar its width is effectively greater and a larger change in flow is required for that same change in water level. This change in width with depth is referred to as the river cross-section, and it is different at every point along the river. Sophisticated river surveys and flow models are used to estimate projected river levels for specific flows.

A further complication is that the Bow River is in some ways more like a mountain stream when compared to most major rivers. In other words, the Bow River is falling rapidly downhill as it passes through Calgary. Just from one end of Sunnyside to the other the river elevation drops about two metres.

(4) Berm Height. From the paragraphs above we can say that the height of an adequate berm at a specific point depends on the desired risk tolerance as indicated by the probability or return period of a damaging flood, the river flow associated with that return period at that point in the river and the river cross section, or effective width, at that point.

In addition, good engineering practice is to allow for “freeboard”. This allowance is to compensate for any modelling errors, upstream or downstream debris dams, and wave action including any standing waves. Freeboard is to ensure that the berm is not overtopped in a flood of the return period for which it was designed. In the case of the Bow River the freeboard allowance recommended by City engineers is one-half metre (0.5 m). We are using that number.

The table below takes all the discussion above and identifies the increase required to the Sunnyside berm at various points along the berm. The elevation of the existing berm is given in metres above sea level.

There are a lot of numbers in that table.  Here is a simple summary:

For 1:20 protection:  No change to current berm height (the City’s original proposal)
For 1:50 protection:  The berm must be raised about 0.5 m
For 1:100 protection:  The berm must be raised about 1.0 m (the Alberta provincial standard)
For 1:200 protection:  The berm must be raised about 1.5 m (to match the new flood protection on the south bank)
Note that in the case of 1:100 and 1:200 protection the berm should also be raised in Hillhurst.

It is plausible that for modest height increases over modest lengths temporary “water tube” type berms could be deployed when high river levels are anticipated.  This might be an acceptable plan for Hillhurst and perhaps everywhere west of the Peace Bridge, but it is implausible that temporary berms could be deployed for the full height and along the entire length required in Sunnyside. The City has limited resources and many other priorities for water tube berms.

(5) Ghost Reservoir TransAlta Agreement.  The most complex and contentious issue has been left for last. To properly understand the impact of the TransAlta agreement for management of Ghost Reservoir levels and outflows requires the use of differential equations that I last studied in second year university, as well as an understanding of human nature and people’s reactions during crises that I only know through observation during our 2013 crisis.  This is to say that I find it difficult to explain the possible operation of the Ghost reservoir in a clear and succinct way.
 
There are other upstream reservoirs besides Ghost included in the agreement between the Government of Alberta and TransAlta for reservoir management before and during a flood event.  For the purpose of simplicity, they will be lumped together as “Ghost”.
 
The Ghost Reservoir has a working capacity of up to 61,000 dam³ (dam³ is an abbreviation of cubic decametre.  1 dam³ equals 1000 m³, and m³ means cubic metres).  Working capacity means the amount of water the dam can store if it is as empty as possible at the beginning of an event and is allowed to fill to just before overflowing.
 
The flow rates into the Ghost Reservoir from the Bow River and the Ghost River depend on the amount of rainfall upstream.  The flow rate out of the Ghost Reservoir is controlled by TransAlta in consultation with the Province and the City at whatever rate they choose, until the reservoir is full.  Outflow rates that might be chosen correspond to the following flows at the Reconciliation Bridge in Calgary:
Up to 400 cms – no special action required in the City.  Allows time for thorough evacuations.
Between 400 and 800 cms – Pathways closed, some basement groundwater flooding expected.
Between 800 and 1230 cms – Significant overland flooding in Bowness (until their berm is built)
Over 1230 cms – Damaging flooding in Sunnyside unless a higher berm is built.
 
For comparison the Bow River flow was about 250 cms at its highest this summer, the peak flow for a 1:100 flood is 2020 cms, and the actual flow at the peak of the 2013 flood was 1850 cms.
 
The river flows corresponding to return periods listed in the berm height table above are “peak flows”.  If the Ghost Reservoir is not used (outflow = inflows) it will take some time for the river flow to rise to that peak flow, where it will remain for a relatively short time before gradually declining, eventually returning to a normal low flow (the flow if the Ghost Reservoir is not used can be called the naturalized flow). Representing this rising-peak-declining inflow pattern and calculating the time to fill the reservoir at a chosen outflow is where the differential equations are used.  When the reservoir becomes full there is no option other than to increase the outflow to whatever the inflow happens to be.  If the reservoir is full before the naturalized peak flow is reached then that full peak flow becomes the outflow.  
 
The key point for us is the amount by which the actual peak flow is less than the naturalized peak flow.  Estimates of the amount by which the naturalized peak flow can be reduced vary from 0 cms to 500 cms.
 
The 0 cms peak flow reduction benefit occurs if the reservoir capacity is used to delay the onset of high flow to ensure complete in-city preparations.  The use of the capacity for this purpose has been suggested by both the City and the Province in previous communications. Reservoir capacity used for high flow onset delay will not be available for peak flow reduction.
 
The 500 cms peak flow reduction benefit is a very optimistic case where perfect knowledge of the incoming flow patterns is available and immediate and aggressive action is taken to increase the reservoir outflows.  Of course, perfect information is not available in a flood emergency.  I suggest that it is unlikely that officials with less than perfect information will quickly take the decision to increase the flows and knowingly flood Bowness.  And failure to take quick action means the full 500 cms reduction cannot be achieved.
 
In our analysis in the next section we have chosen an intermediate Ghost/TransAlta peak flow reduction benefit of 300 cms.  Applying this to the berm height table above we can see that our “1:20” berm will protect us up to a flood of about 1:40, while a “1:50” berm would protect us in a flood up to about 1:90 (the peak flows quoted in the table are naturalized flows).  Similarly, a “1:100” berm would protect to about 1:180 and a “1:200” berm would protect to almost 1:350.  Is our 300 cms peak flow reduction benefit choice correct?  Maybe, but maybe it is too optimistic.  Probably the peak flow reduction is not constant for floods of different sizes as these calculations assume.
 
In summary, we do not accept the City’s contention that a Ghost/TransAlta benefit of 500 cms is appropriate and we feel that a reasonably optimistic assumption is 300 cms peak flow reduction benefit.

(6) Upstream Mitigation.  The province of Alberta is now studying options for a new or expanded dam on the Bow River upstream of Calgary.  It is proving challenging to find a suitable location for such a dam.  Even if a location is identified the cost of a new dam will be close to $1 billion.  With the current state of the province’s finances it is not clear that money would be available to begin significant work anytime soon.  In the very best case scenario, a new or expanded dam would not be operational for 10 years minimum with 15, 20, 25 years or never all more likely cases. When/if this dam is completed it will provide good protection for all of Calgary and a 1:20 or 1:50 berm would be sufficient for Sunnyside.  During the time we are waiting for this dam we will be at significant risk of a damaging flood.
 

Comments on Alternative Berm Heights

[This section was previously distributed as part of the HSCA August e-newsletter]

The City’s original plan was for no material change to the height of the Sunnyside berm, which on its own provides protection against a 1:20 flood (1:20 means a 5% probability of occurrence in any year).  When the 1:20 berm is combined with reasonable estimates of upstream dam operation and future upstream infrastructure construction there is a 30% probability of a damaging flood in the next 15 years.  This is unacceptable, especially when a higher berm is technically, economically, environmentally and socially feasible.
 
The stress that is palpable in the community each year when flood season rolls around is an important social factor that a higher berm would help alleviate.
 
Another important social factor the lack of equity and fairness between communities.  Recently constructed or proposed barriers protecting Inglewood, Downtown, Eau Claire, and even the Zoo and the Field of Crosses are substantially higher than that originally planned for Sunnyside.  This discrimination against our densifying inner city, mixed income community is unacceptable. 
 
If Sunnyside is protected with an adequate berm the City would consider relaxation of redundant mitigation in buildings.  This refers to the prohibitively expensive requirements in the case of significant renovations and to the sub-optimal designs required in new construction.  Both impact the character of our community – an important social factor.
 
In addition to the social factors above the following technical points are important.
 
The City’s own Triple Bottom Line economic analysis shows that a higher berm for Sunnyside is solidly justified.
 
The provincial standard for flood mitigation is 1:100 (1% chance in any year). Even in combination with improved upstream facility management the berm originally planned falls short.  This jeopardizes any provincial contribution to the cost of the project, and is the reason no provincial funds have been awarded to this project to date.  It is likely that the provincial money attracted by a higher berm would more than cover any additional cost for the added height.
 
All of the probabilities mentioned in this email assume no impact of climate change.  If more frequent extreme weather events occur as a result of climate change then larger floods will be more common.  For example, what is now projected as a 1:100 flood (1% chance in any year) could be as frequent as 1:50 in future (2% chance in any year), and so on.  Consideration of climate change would further justify a higher berm.
 
For more information on all the Flood Committee concerns with the flood barrier project please refer to
https://www.hsca.ca/s/Concerns-with-Sunnyside-Barriers-July-2019-f11.pdf
 
The original flood barrier plan for a 1:20 berm is unacceptable.  We hope you will join as we advocate for one of the other options to be presented.  These include berms that would protect against river levels that would be expected to occur 1:50 (2% chance in any year), 1:100 (1% chance in any year) or 1:200 (0.5% chance in any year).  Each of these options will have their own pros and cons.

Conclusion

 
We are nearing a critical point regarding the protection of our community in the event of future river flooding.  Your support and some of your time is needed at the Community Engagement Open House on the Sunnyside Flood Barrier Project to be held on Tuesday, September 24.  I look forward to seeing you there.
 
I would be happy to discuss this whole issue or any part of it further individually or in a group.  If there is enough interest we can convene a meeting of those who want a better understanding.  Either way, please contact me at cdlund2@yahoo.com
 
Charlie Lund
Chair, Infrastructure Group, Emergency Preparedness and Response Committee
Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association.

Fraud Alerts

Recently, a senior had a phone call – referred to as an Emergency Scam, and it went something like this…

“Hi grandma, I need your help. I am in Montreal and I had my wallet stolen. I need some money to get back home.”

“Who is this?”

“Grandma, don’t you recognize your own grandson’s voice?”

“Jesse?”

“Yes, it’s Jesse. I really need your help grandma.”

“What are you doing in Montreal?”

“I came here for a friend's wedding, but my wallet was stolen, and I have no way to get back home. Please grandma, I need your help.”

“Why didn’t you call your mother?”

“No grandma, please don’t call mom. She will be so upset with me because I didn’t tell her I was going. She can’t know I was here. Please grandma you have to help me.”

“Jesse I can’t help you. I don’t have any money to send you.” “Please grandma, I really need help. Couldn’t you….”

Thankfully the senior ended the conversation with “I cannot help you, call your mother.” The caller then hung up. As I am sure you realize, this was a scam. It is called an Emergency scam and many seniors fall victim to it every day. We care about our kids and grandkids and we want to help or get them out of trouble. Unfortunately, scammers have tapped into this care and concern and some seniors have lost money after attempting to ‘help’ a grandchild in a bind—only to discover they had been deceived by a convincing scammer. When I talked to this senior about this being a scam, her response was, “but how did he know Jesse’s name?” I explained that she told it to him when he made the comment, “Grandma, don’t you recognize your own grandson’s voice?” If we are not careful, when we receive “scam” phone calls, we can inadvertently give away personal information. The callers are very good at picking up on the clues and working with them. They are very good at what they do. This is only one type of scam. I am sure that most of us have received the calls about lowering our credit card interest, or from Canada Revenue indicating we owe them money, or even the special holiday trips that will give us a lot of “free” stuff, including reduced hotel rates, for a small fee or any of several other calls from scammers. You can block the number, but generally they can just call again using another number. You can tell them to stop calling, but usually they are randomly generated numbers and they don’t know who they are calling, the phone number for that person, or where they are located. They get that information the more they talk to us, often without us realizing that we, ourselves, have given them that information.

Competition Bureau Canada has a great publication called “The Little Black Book of Scams” that can be found on their website: www.competitionbureau.gc.ca. Scroll down and click on “The Little Black Book of Scams 2nd edition”. There is information about different types of scams, tips to protect yourself as well as what to do and who to call if you want to report a scam. Share what you learn with other family members. These scammers are creative and always coming up with something new. If someone is asking for personal information or money, just hang up.

When we are struggling with finances (which can happen to most of us at times), we may expect to get a call. If you do, ask for their name and id number, write it down, then hang up and call the number you have for that service, DO NOT CALL THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU.

Don’t let yourself be bullied over the phone, hang up. If you are worried about your credit card or you bank, energy bill etc., call the number on your statements to check it out.

Resources:

https://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca

Written by Debbie Olson, Seniors’ Connection Coordinator