March Newsletter - City of Calgary
Every month, the City of Calgary highlights important dates, activities, and information for all Calgarians!
Keep Calm and Build a Kit
The power is out. The roads are impassible. Do you have what you need to take care of your family until the situation improves?
A 72-hour kit doesn’t have to be expensive and it doesn’t have to take up a lot of space. It just helps you take care of yourself, staying safe and comfortable, so that we as first responders can take care of those in greatest need.
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Make it a family activity. Include your kids on the discussion and use it as a way to talk about emergencies, how you plan to communicate with one another about your whereabouts and how to evacuate the house if needed.
Start slow. Store what you can today and accumulate other items bit by bit. Start with even one or two food cans each grocery trip.
Let it roll: Make sure your kit is ‘to-go’ friendly, with wheels or able to be easily transported to your vehicle in case.
Date stamp it: Pick a date to revisit restock items and write your inspection date on tape on the side of the kit. Put a recurring date in your calendar to see whether there are items to replace,
So what do you put inside? Important documents, flashlight, radio, candles, food stuffs, items for kids and pets. The best kit is the one that works for you and your family.
Maximize your water savings with a rain barrel
The cost of watering your yard can account for 30 per cent of your annual water bill. Using a rain barrel helps you conserve water and save money, all while keeping your plants with soft, non-chlorinated rain water.
How do I choose a rain barrel? Look for a sealed barrel equipped with:
An overflow mechanism, such as a diverter, for use with your existing downspout
An additional outlet and hose to redirect water to plants or trees from the barrel once it’s full
A drain or tap near the bottom to fill a watering can
You can use one barrel or set up a network of multiple barrels to increase your savings.
Setting up your rain barrel
Locate the downspout most convenient for barrel placement. If your rain barrel didn’t come with its own stand, set it on some concrete blocks or flagstones for extra stability. Read the installation instructions that come with your rain barrel carefully, and refer to the barrel manufacturer or retailer for support.
Buying a rain barrel
Green Calgary is hosting a number of rain barrel events in local communities throughout the spring and summer, where you can purchase a rain barrel (or two!), all the fittings and other green products for your home.
Please visit calgary.ca/yardsmart for more information on conserving water and gardening in Calgary.
22nd Annual Youth Hiring Fair coming up on April 2
Thousands of jobs are up for grabs at this year’s Youth Hiring Fair, happening at Stampede Park on April 2. Youth between the ages of 15 and 24 are invited to come to BMO Hall A between 1:30 and 6:00 p.m. to talk to 80 employers who are looking to hire. Come with your resume, be dressed to impress, and be prepared for potential on the spot interviews.
Before heading to the Hiring Fair, drop in to the Youth Employment Centre to get help on your resume and interview skills.
Youth Employment Centre’s Youth Hiring Fair
Thursday, April 2
1:30 to 6:00 p.m.
BMO Hall A at Stampede Park
Nominations open now for Indigenous achievement awards
Nominations and applications are now open for the annual Chief David Crowchild Memorial Award and the Calgary Aboriginal Urban Affairs Committee (CAUAC) Youth Achievement Award. These awards honour people who build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The awards will be presented at a ceremony at City Hall on June 19, 2020.
The Chief David Crowchild Award is given annually to a person, group or organization, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, who are leaders in building relationships, support strong engagement between different communities and create change within their community.
The CAUAC Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award recognizes a youth are dedicated to their education, encourage their peers to pursue education, and who create cross-cultural activities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. This award also comes with a bursary worth $1,000. Youth can be nominated or apply to win the awards.
Test Your Smoke Alarms
As we ‘spring forward’ into Daylight Savings on March 8, this is an excellent time to test the smoke alarms in your home or business.
When correctly installed, tested and maintained, smoke alarms provide the best early warning system in the event of a fire. They are an essential part of any home or business, and will help to keep your family and employees safe.
Test smoke alarms once a month by pressing the alarm's test button and replace the batteries of each smoke alarm once a year.
Replace smoke alarms after 10 years. Or, if you discover a smoke alarm is defective or broken after testing, replace it.
Install at least one smoke alarm on every level of your home, including the basement, and ensure there is a smoke alarm in or near every sleeping area.