Aug 20th
As a counsellor at a summer camp in the Kananaskis this summer I’ve been amazed at the impact that being in nature can have on youth, I don’t know what it is, maybe the fresh air, maybe the water or maybe just the sense of adventure, but I’ve never seen kids smile as much as they do when we’re out on a hike, or camping under the stars. There even seems to be a progressive change over the week. At the start all the kids can think about is the video games they’ll be missing out on, but by the end all they can talk about is the cool bug they found, or the awesome tree they climbed. Getting a taste of nature also seems to make everybody a lot more curious, and that is something I see far too often with “city kids.” Without exposure to the beautiful wilderness that surrounds, we seem to lack a sense of wonder. A lack of desire to learn about the mysteries of earth. City folk also seem to lack imagination, with saturday activities being liited to the mall or a friend’s basement, all the while complaining about being bored. SO what am I trying to say? I’m trying to say that the youth of Calgary need to get out and just EXPLORE. WHether it be in the amazing rocky mountains, or Kananaskis country or as far away as BC. We even have natural areas in our city that we can drive, bike or walk to in minutes. Some examples being the Weaselhead natural area, nose hill park, or even our very own provincial park Fish Creek. I urge all youth to get out of their bubble and spend some time in nature. You don’t need to camp, just take a walk and listen to the sounds of the birds and smell the trees and plants. Or if walking isn’t your thing, pick a spot by one of our rivers and just read a book. Believe me, even everyday things are better when they’re done outside. Summer is quickly winding down, and maybe your ideas for what to do are too, so do yourself a huge favour and experience the great outdoors! You won’t regret it. I promise.
- Graeme 
Calgary vs. World (Part 1: Public Transportation)
Aug 9th
Hello readers! I recently got back from a vacation around Europe – okay so not quite the world, but nonetheless I now have a more global perspective on how Calgary compares to other cities. So how do we stack up? Let’s see!
Clearly there are lots of major differences between any two cities in the world, but these are a few I found were particularly interesting, which I will do in a series on different topics. The first topic, my favorite, is public transportation. Although I was on a tour bus for half the time, public transportation is vital in Europe to get around.
I have to apologize for being so harsh on Calgary in the past, because going to Europe has truly made me appreciate the beauty of our C-Trains. I mean take a look at Paris’ metro map!
Paris has 14 lines and another 5 RER (highspeed) lines, so you can see how confusing that might get! Plus transferring from one train to that other often takes long walks underground and tons of elevators. Doesn’t it just make you appreciate Calgary’s simple C-Train lines that much more?
Most underground trains in Europe each have their own level, so some escalators go on forever. This one below in Prague, literally whipped me off my feet!
London’s Underground is famous for the repetitive “Mind the Gap” warning that comes on at every stop, since there is often a huge gap between the platform and the actual train! So take your time – one misplaced step could cost you a leg! The London Underground is also very pricey – at 4 pounds (approx 6 CAD) per ride, one way. Calgary’s $2.40 tickets for adults are sounding pretty good!
However, there are some things about public transportation in Europe that are more redeeming, and Calgary could look into implementing. For one, look at the comfy seats! Okay, so maybe only their trains are like this, but still – isn’t that beautiful?
Second of all, look at London’s fancy railway stations! Whatever happened to Calgary’s railway? They are very convenient in Europe and take you just about everywhere.
This station in Paris has doors that match perfectly with the doors of the train, and they only open when the train arrives! This prevents people from falling down onto the tracks while they’re waiting.
They also have clear signs for tourists, as well as screens that tell you when the next train will come! Although from the looks of it Calgary has already begun to implement a real-time display system.
Anyways, enough with the subway. What about buses? Each bus station conveniently has its own name, and in this one in Germany there are even real-time displays telling you when the next bus is! In Calgary, we’re pretty much left on our own! However, in Rome, buses typically run on their own schedule – as in, whenever the bus driver feels like coming.
In Amsterdam, there is a Central railway station, but otherwise, the city runs on trams – trains on the surface rather than underground, like our C-Train. However, they go very slow due to all the tourists that might get run over.
Which is why most people prefer to use bikes! Bikes are holy in Amsterdam, and everyone has at least one – if not two.
In Venice, there are no roads – only canals, so people can only get around by boat. Water buses, called vaporetti, carry people around the many canals of Venice. You can see a vaporetti and its stop on the left hand side of the image below.
And of course, you can ride one of the infamous gondolas of Venice where a gondolier will take you along scenic canals for 30-45 min, in exchange for 100-150 euros! (The scenes are worth the price, trust me!)
In Rome, not only is public transportation mediocre, but driving is insane! Red lights are only a suggestion, and no one really follows rules. Most cars there are tiny so they can fit in the narrow streets, and parking is absolutely ridiculous!
And that, everyone, is what I have learned about international public transportation over the past month. There are definitely things that need improvement in our system, but there are also great things about Calgary transportation that I think we take for granted, like no gaps, and the fact that there’s only 2 main lines! Traveling really makes you appreciate what you have at home more.
Anyways, stay tuned for Part 2, coming late this week!
- Danni
(Photos are by either me, my friend Shirley, or taken from Google Images)
Mayor’s Youth Council meets the Royal Couple
Aug 3rd
On July 7th 2011, Mayor’s Youth Council got the opportunity to represent the Mayor at the Stampede Opening Ceremonies! This allowed each member to receive the chance to meet the Royal Couple. This opportunity blew everyone away as we all got the chance to shake hands with both Prince William and Princess Kate! They were both such inspiring individuals that met everyone with honor. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and the Mayor’s Youth Council wants to thank the Mayor for this outstanding chance to meet the Royal Couple! The Royal Couple didn’t seek any attention, which automatically caught my eye! They acted just as equal as anybody else and therefore I see them as a true inspiration! Thank you so much Mayor Nenshi for allowing us to be in the V.I.P. section during the Stampede Opening Ceremonies!
-Sheliza
You Can Make A Difference
Jul 21st
“In a box of cheerios, be a froot loop!” Making a change in your community, city and world makes a huge impact on not only yourself, but the people around you. Everyone has the capability of making a difference and therefore I strongly encourage you to attend ACCA’s Co-operative Youth Leadership Program! This is a chance for people between the ages of 8-18 to participate in a program that offers public speaking, communication, leadership, teamwork and co-operation skills! If you are over the age of 18, you can volunteer to be a leader and inspire each camper to utilize these skills in their community.
This week, I attended the Youth A ACCA camp. It inspired me to show that one person can make a change! There were 61 people that all came together and showed that by working in a team, creating co-operatives and sharing inspiring quotes & stories with one another, you can truly make a difference! We learned about agriculture, self-esteem and goals & values. You also play lots of recreation activities and get the chance to lead them!
Everyone is split into 6 committees: government (executive members), banquet (planning an end of the week celebration), social (planning evening events), recreation (planning games), newspaper (making an end of the week newspaper), Canteen (running a sweet shop business) and digital editing (creating a picture video to take home). All these committees allow everyone to gain planning, writing, exercising, business and Photoshop skills! This is a wonderful opportunity to experience new things and step out of your comfort zone!
The second last day you will experience a challenge day where you will face several obstacles including rock climbing, rope climbing, balancing on beams and public speaking. Each person will face their fear and prove that you can do anything if you believe in yourself! You will also create S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely) goals and allow them to help you grow as a person!
“Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.” Remember that this camp allows you to discover who you really are and what you want your world to look like! This is up to you to make a difference! Next year or this year, I strongly encourage you to ask Co-op or UFA to sponsor you in order to go to this camp and become an inspiring individual!
Here is the website to sign up for next year: http://acca.coop/youth-program/articles-about-the-youth-program/co-operative-campers-make-good-leaders/
The Consequences of Drinking and Driving
Jul 11th
On Sunday night at 11:55 AM, a horrific accident happened on Stoney Trail in Calgary, AB. The vehicle was speeding towards the south lane when the car went off the street and flipped several times. The vehicle was holding five passengers and evidence of drinking was found in the vehicle. Unfortunately, a 16 year old female had passed away due to her not wearing a seatbelt. While a 20 year old man had passed away shortly after the female. Both the woman and the man fell out of the car due to the intense speed of the vehicle and therefore their lives were put in threatening situations.
As you can see, this can happen to anyone, which is why it’s important for Calgarians to understand the dangers of drinking and driving. This accident had several life threatening factors including two of the passengers not wearing their seatbelts, drinking was involved and the driver was going above the maximum speed limit. Unfortunately, this happened right outside my window and now this memory will be forever implemented on Stoney Trail.
People don’t understand how dangerous drinking and driving can be and this is why it’s important for YOU to spread the word out! I have attached a picture of the vehicle on the day of the accident. This is to give you a perspective on the affects of drinking and driving. If you are interested in advocating for the safety of youths like you, then volunteer for an organization like Mothers Against Drunk Driving. You can even start recruiting your friend’s and starting a promotion cause explaining the dangers of drunk driving. These types of accidents can happen to anybody and it’s time us Calgarians spoke up and started making a difference! If you care about Calgary’s safety, then tell others to “Stop and Think” before they drink and drive!
Here is a video of a MADD Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp-Iy-MMquc&feature=related
Biking Blues
Jul 11th
Have you ever tried to bike downtown? Let me tell you, it’s not a fun experience. Narrow streets, parked cars in one lane, impatient drivers in the other, and those are the least of your worries with the various construction projects that seem to be a rather permanent fixture in the core. No wonder few and fewer Calgarians are biking to work. It seems a shame in a time where active living, and reducing our environmental impact should be top priorities, that a city such as ours does not attempt to make commuting by bike a little more convenient and safe. That’s hopefully about to change. City Council is looking for ways to encourage Calgarians to cycle work, most likely by adding bike only lanes downtown. By the time this could get implemented, most of us will already be in the work force, so would dedicated bike lanes encourage you to ride downtown on a daily basis? What else do you think the city cold do to encourage Calgarians to ditch their guys and opt for a bike? Weigh in and let us know what you think of the state of our bike system in Calgary.
Calgary Transit is (finally) Going High Tech
Jul 5th
Remember a past post about electronic bus passes? Check it out it out if you missed it to get up to speed up on the new electronic fare system that is coming to Calgary next year. Now, the city has launched a contest to name Calgary’s new smart card (the contest submissions closed July 3rd). Representatives from the City of Calgary and Calgary Transit will then pick their top 3 choices, but the public will ultimately decide the winner by voting on July 6th and 7th. Click here for more information.
This is all part of Calgary Transit’s initiative to go high tech. It is going to take a lot for Calgary Transit to catch up with the service offered by other big cities in Calgary, but I’m excited to see that they are on their way to becoming less archaic! Look this summer for the ability to buy c-train tickets using a credit or debit card at various c-train stations as well as real time c-train information. Here is the time line for (finally) going high tech:
| CCTV replacement | December 2010 |
| Transit Email Alerts | February 2011 |
| Credit/debit card payment machines at various CTrain stations | July 2011 |
| Real Time Information (CTrain) | August 2011 |
| Enhanced Trip Planning on the Web | December 2011 |
| Electronic Fare Payment | June 2012 |
| Real Time Information (Buses) | June 2013 |
Your Education, Your Voice
Jun 22nd
Are you concerned about your Education? Do you wish you had more of a say in these decisions made? Well currently there is a Youth Minister’s Advisory Council that recruits ideas for YOUR voices to be implemented into OUR education. There is a website called: www.speakout.alberta.com that has a discussion board, posts several blogs and ensures that your voice can be heard! If you feel that the 50% diploma exams aren’t beneficial to testing one’s knowledge, than post this issue on their discussion board. The minister wants to hear your ideas, and this is your chance!
You can also get involved with Speak Out Forums, Speak Out Conferences or just become a fan on the website. Speak Out Forums are held in schools which are hosted by a Minister’s Advisory Council Member. These are great ways for you to make a different in your province! I strongly encourage you to take this opportunity to complain or even compliment your Education! This is the only way the Minister will know the issues that are being held in your education.
So register on the website, attend a forum/conference and SPEAK OUT!
June is Bike Month!
Jun 22nd
Did you know that June is Bike month? Even if this is the first time you’ve ever hear of it there are still lots of ways to get involved!
There is still time out to join in some biking fun with Calgary’s Cyclepalooza, a community based, bicycle themed festival. There is a huge variety of cycling events going on this week- you join in Critical Mass, get some free French Pastries, or take an Urban Cycling Skills Course. Check it out!
The City of Calgary has recently released its proposed Cycling Strategy. You can read about how the strategy was developed, best bike practices from other cities, and what they are planning to do in our city to make Calgary more bike friendly. Search the web and you will see that there are already tons of opinions about the document circulating- this blog gives a good run down of these opinions and are also places where you could weigh in with your ideas.
Finally, why not just celebrate the beginning of summer and bike month by simply going for a bike ride? My personal favorite places to ride are Nose Hill and Bowmount Park. They have lots of options for both mountain bikers and those who prefer flatter paths alike. Biking along the Bow River is also a great option for summer days! Have fun
How to Stay Informed During the Summer
Jun 20th
Now, we all know the summer and the freedom from lack of school can induce laziness and make you want to never use your brain again, but education certainly does not stop after school ends! Summer is sometime politics’ busiest season, so here are some ways to stay engaged and informed with what’s going on in your city during the summer.
1) Keep reading and watching the news! Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean nothing’s happening anymore.
2) Keep reading this blog 
We definitely aren’t going on hiatus either!
3) Think of ideas to promote youth engagement – mention interesting tidbits to your friends, raise debates with friends and family, and use social networking to raise your voice!
4) Summer gives you time to think and be creative. Maybe you can start your own blog, writer letters to the aldermen/newspaper/mayor/etc., hold a strike, start your own cause, or work on a club to start in your school next year.
5) Look at the world around you, and see what you like, what you don’t like, and what could be changed in our city. Awareness is key to creating change!
Basically, do what you’ve been doing this whole year! Summer doesn’t mean we no longer have to think anymore.
So next time you’re lying around on a beach in Hawaii enjoying your summer, start thinking about some of the issues facing youth in our city, and how you can make change happen! Keeping a healthy mind during summer will ensure a graceful transition to whenever it’s mandatory to use your brain again.
Have a great summer everyone!