Hello Diamond Valley. Well it’s been not too bad of a month for February. Balzac Billy, our local Alberta groundhog, did not see his shadow on February 2, which according to his highly scientific observations, means that Alberta should have an early spring. Of course, Southern Alberta was blanketed with a heavy snowfall the same night. Well we will just have to see what happens as we Spring Ahead. The time change is set for Sunday, March 8, at 3am, don’t forget to set your clocks forward one hour.
It is Earth Hour on March 28. From 8:30-9:30pm, the world is encouraged to turn off the lights, TV, computers, etc. and focus on the planet and its natural resources. Have a candlelit dinner, stargaze, go camping, play a game, go for a walk, or create or join a community event. Earth Hour started in 2007 and has broken grassroots movement records since then. Surely we can all do this for one hour out of the whole year. Every little bit adds up! For more information or ideas, visit earthhour.org.
Turner Valley is home to the Oilfields Recycling Centre. This is for residents of the Foothills County and is located next to the Fire Department on Main Street. They accept cardboard, paper, household metal, clear glass, plastics, and electronic waste such as TVs, old cellphones and computers, and they also have bins outside for used clothing, sponsored by Cerebral Palsy Association. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! They also sell rain barrels and have lots of information about recycling and the ways we can help to save our precious planet. For more info and new hours, visit turnervalley.ca.
Foothills Regional Waste Management Facility, better known as the landfill or dump, has a Salvage Centre where you can drop off or find new-to-you household items, from furniture to clothing to DVDs to renovation materials, used bikes, you name it, you’ll probably find it there and lots more you didn’t know you needed! The Salvage Centre donates to our community and is a valuable asset to the Foothills. You can also take your old paint, batteries, tires, appliances, used oil, and the like to the landfill and there is a minimal charge to dispose of these items safely. For more info, visit mdfoothills.com or call 403-938-5224. They are located 5.5 km south of Okotoks, from the traffic lights on Highway 7 by the Sobey’s.
United Church in Turner Valley invites you to their Soup-er Supper on Monday, March 23 from 4:30-6:30. Come and experience a variety of homemade soups, buns, and desserts. Cost by donation. The United Church is home to the Oilfields Food Bank as well as Jacket Racket, Free Family Fun Nights, and so many more programs for our community. The Food Bank distributed 13,099kg. of food last year!
They are located at 125 Royal Avenue, across from the west end of the school’s playground.
High Country SPCA offers a spay/ neuter program in March. There are SO many reasons to have your pet fixed. Our local SPCA offers an affordable spay/neuter program for cats and dogs for eligible low income residents in the county of Foothills. This program is not available for breeders, and there are some conditions. Keep in mind that preference is given to low income residents, but they have a certain number of spots to fill, even if your income is a bit higher the SPCA realizes times are tough in our province. If your neighbor lets their unfixed cats out and they are having kittens or the males are out tomcatting around, let them know about this valuable service! To find out more about eligibility and other details, drop by the SPCA at the Diamond Valley Vet, 117 Sunset Blvd SE, in Turner Valley, or their number is 403-933-4397. Or visit High Country SPCA on Facebook. The deadline for these applications is February 28 so don’t delay!
Pound Rescue in Okotoks is another animal rescue organization in our area which I have great respect for. There are a no-kill organization and may be able to help Foothills residents with cat spaying and neutering, if you are caring for unfixed cats on a fixed income. They can also use donations in the form of monetary donations, pet food, kitty litter, blankets, and dog houses. For more information, visit poundrescue.com.
Funding from Canada Post Community Foundation for Children is now available. The annual grant application process is open, with the deadline for applications the beginning of April. Registered charities, school programs, and community organizations are invited to apply for funding of projects consistent with the Foundation’s objective to support initiatives that benefit children. Application forms are now posted online. To learn more about the grants and to apply, visit canadapost.ca/community.
Our very own Foothills Skating Club is proud to present Strong. Beautiful. Brave. This is a fabulous show on ice with their zazzy and graceful skaters. They are unstoppable and powerful! All are invited to this one of a kind show on Sunday, March 15 at 1pm. The show will be held at the Oilfields Regional Arena. Admission is only $5 with kids 6 and under free. For more information, visit foothillsskatingclub.ca.
Leighton Art Centre is pleased to present two new exhibitions running February 22 – April 18. The first is “Within Winter’s Eye”, experience all the elements of a cold Canadian winter without going outside. The other exhibit is “They Will All Be Ghosts Soon”, which explores how our ecosystems are changing. Both are nature-themed, and can be viewed in the beautiful Centre, which is a short pleasant drive away from Turner Valley. Leighton Centre was established in 1974 as a not for profit historical organization and continues to be so today. For more info, visit leightoncentre.org or call 403-931-3633.
The Valley Neighbors Club in Turner Valley invites you to their drop in dance nights! For just a toonie, you can dance the night away to the foxtrot, jive, swing, waltz, rumba, and cha cha. Some basic instructions will be provided. They say to make dance a habit, it will change your life. Just sounds like a lot of fun! The drop in dance runs Wednesday nights from 7-9. They are located at 133 Sunset Blvd.
Diamond Valley Citizens on Patrol notes there has been an increase in crime in our community over the years. They are a volunteer organization who walks our streets looking for criminal or unusual activity. Tips to improve your safety are lock all your doors, house, garage, shed, vehicle, trailer. Create a home inventory and keep it in a safe place. Be observant of surroundings and people in your area. Organize your neighborhood by starting a block watch program. For more tips and information, check out the DV COPS pamplets around town.
CBC’s program Still Standing with Johnny Harris, was in Turner Valley last year. They visited the Gas Plant, the Distillery, and Woodstock Hotel, to name a few. Then they put on a free show at the Flare and Derrick which was packed full of locals. This particular show is to air in March. The program airs Tuesdays at 8pm on CBC, so hopefully we can check it out and see our town! In past episodes, they have featured Siksika Nation, Coleman, Fort McMurray, and Vulcan, as well as towns across Canada. Follow Still Standing on FB, Twitter, and Instagram. It’s free online at gem. cbc.ca. For more info, check out stillstanding.ca.
There will be a Career and Employment Expo on March 19 at the Foothills Centennial Centre in Okotoks. Sponsored by MCG Careers, the Town of Okotoks, and the Alberta and Canadian Governments, this is a good opportunity to check out what’s happening in the work force. The event will be held from 2-6pm and the address of the Centre is 204 Community Way, #4.
Our own Turner Valley Legion is hopping these days. Their new chef is phenomenal. They now offer pizza on their menu, and my personal favorite, mini Yorkshires with beef and gravy, plus other new menu items. Wing night is Thursdays, and the best part is that children are allowed in the Legion. You don’t have to be a member to come on in, just sign the guest book, and get set to enjoy good food, and good community feeling. Lots to do at the Legion, they offer darts, pool, cards, and many special events throughout the year, and volunteers are the heart of this special place. So if you can help out here and there, it would be greatly appreciated. Drop by for more info or like them on Facebook.
If you have any events happening in April that you would like to see in the High Country News, please email me at elaine.w@telus.net. The deadline for this issue is March 15.
Happy Spring!
Elaine Wansleeben
