Right Hand, meet Left Hand

The Corporation (City of Calgary) just spread topsoil and hydroseeded this field in Sunnyside, the former location of the Triangle Building.

Ignoring requests to create a community garden in the unused space, Ward 7 Ald Druh Farrell proceeded with her own plan.

After the demolition of the Triangle building, this area was mostly a mix of gravel and clay, significantly better staging ground cover than topsoil. Apparently, the Sunnyside LRT Station requires this area for a platform expansion. An option would have been to locate the Site Office & trailers on the road, thereby reducing the construction footprint & impact on the community. Instead of a coordinated effort, we get another half-assed effort and unique insight into how the Corporation is out of sync.

Further confirmation that the Corporation is focused and never misses an opportunity to waste taxpayer dollars.

Look for more hilarity when it rains.

On St Patrick's Day, Think About St Patrick's Bridge

The St Patrick's Bridge requires some TLC (basic infrastructure maintenance), but as my engineering friend said, "This bridge isn't going anywhere for 50 years."


He suggested that the city has been neglecting this bridge for quite sometime. Some paint, lights and a little clean up and the bridge would just pop! 


And, perhaps more importantly, it wouldn't cost $25 Million!


Visit the bridge and decide for yourself!

"WTF, CMLC?"

Beautiful span!

Structurally sound!

Needs some paint! Wood is in perfect condition?

Solid!

"What's the problem here?"

"Safe for everyone!"

"Remember... No camping!"

"Calgary Heritage deserves better!"

Here's the solution:

1) Do not destroy the exisiting span.
2) Light the pathway properly.
3) Build the shorter span to Bridgeland LRT
4) Save $23 Million dollars

The Hypocrisy of Aggie Days... Are we lying to our children?

**UPDATE: The Calgary Stampede is preventing CLUCK, Urban Ag & Local Food Systems from participating in Aggie Days. After negotiating since 2010, Dr David Chalack sent me an email on March 8, 2012, stating that yet again, we would not be allowed to participate in Aggie Days. Subsequently, Dr Chalack offered to work towards our participation in 2013. Sceptical after 3 years of verbal promises, we asked for a commitment on paper. That commitment was not provided and we were told to wait a month. Subsequently, we are no longer waiting for the Calgary Stampede.


Apparently Max Fritz is the individual who has turned us down each year. He can be reached at:

Max Fritz   mfritz@calgarystampede.com Ph: (403) 261-0164	Senior Agriculture Manager Industry Relations & Business Development

Full Disclosure: Dr David Chalack has been a gentleman throughout this process. Regrettably, I believe the relationship that has developed between us will become a casualty. Thank you, David, for your efforts over the last 3 years.


Original Blog Post
This is the 3rd year in a row that CLUCK has been denied an opportunity to participate in the Calgary Stampede Aggie Days. We even agreed to participate under the banner of Urban Ag, which was also turned down. So, no Urban Ag display promoting opportunities to Calgary kids on how to connect to their Local Food System and 1000's of Calgary kids & students see a very distorted version of our food system at this event.


Stampede is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. A celebration of our rich agricultural heritage?



It borders precariously on lying to our children.


This picture does not accurately represent a chick in the Alberta Food System.

Here's the very simple and modest proposal to the Calgary Stampede:

Urban Ag booth at Aggie Days Proposal:


-1 booth for Urban Ag featuring:

• Prepare a ground plot

• Start & Transplant seedlings

• Use raised beds

• Provide cold protection

• Choose plant varieties best suited for Calgary

• Build simple plant supports

• Make compost

• Save seeds from your own plants

• Use containers for selected types of plants

• Start a school garden

-Booth would highlight activities that children/students can become involved with here in Calgary.
-Focus on how to grow food in an urban environment.
-Highlight initiatives around growing food in an urban environment.
-Booth would have an activity for the students.
-Booth would help students make the "food connection" and encourage respect for all food producers.
-Booth is to be free of political messages.
-Booth would subscribe to the same rules as all other participants.
-A good showing in 2012 opens the door to increased involvement in the future. 


This was turned down by the Stampede on its 100th Anniversary.


Exhibitors:


Agrium
Alberta Barley Commission
Alberta Beef Producers
Alberta Canola Producers Commission
Alberta Chicken Producers
Alberta Egg Producers
Alberta Farm Animal Care
Alberta Irrigation Projects Association
Alberta Milk
Alberta Pulse Growers Commission
Alberta SPCA
ATCO EnergySense
Bar U Ranch NHP
Calgary & District Beekeepers Association
Calgary Stampede Heavy Horse Pull Committee & Draft Horse Town
Calgary Stampede Swine Committee
Calgary Stampede Queens' Alumni
Cows and Fish
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Equine Display
Farmer Dave
Grain Display
Limarno Llamas
Potato Growers of Alberta
Science Alberta Foundation
There's a Heifer in your Tank (University of Alberta)
University of Calgary Faculty of Verterinary Medicine 

Happy 70th Birthday, Muhammad Ali... Your legacy is still butterfly & Bee

Muhammad Ali's legacy still butterfly and bee