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WHCA is Serving Up Youth Volleyball

Know someone between the ages of 10 to 14 years who’s looking to learn the basics of volleyball or hone their existing skills this winter? West Hillhurst Community Association is offering a 7-week Youth Volleyball program from January 17 to February 28 that can help with that!

They will join a certified volleyball instructor for one hour from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, Thursdays throughout winter. Not only will they learn the rules and fundamentals of volleyball, but also take part in drills to acquire greater control and expertise when it comes to setting, serving, and spiking! Volleyball is a great way to practice coordination, team-play, and stay active.

Register today here 
For more information, contact programs@westhillhurst.com or call 403.283.0464 ext 4. We hope to see you there!

Get in the Christmas Spirit with Alberta Ballet

If you’re looking to get yourself and your family into the holiday spirit, get a direct injection of the season with Alberta Ballet’s The Nutcracker! Just up the hill at the Jubilee Auditorium, catch the matinee performances this weekend and get carried away to Christmas with the 10th anniversary performance of this holiday classic.

Between the sets, the performances, and the orchestra, there is something in The Nutcracker for everyone and all ages. With Christmas just days away, the weekend matinee shows are a great opportunity to raise the spirits of even the grinchiest grinch this season. Make sure you arrive a little early and leave time for all the great pre-show activities, such as a live reading of The Nutcracker and a photo booth featuring the Snow Tsarina and sleigh from the show!

The Nutcracker will be at the Jubilee Auditorium up until Christmas Eve, so get your tickets and take in the fantastic Christmas classic!

Everything you need to know and to purchase tickets, visit: https://www.albertaballet.com/nutcracker

 

 

Changes are Coming to the WHCA Health Club!

We are excited to share with you the new changes that are taking place at the WHCA Health Club in 2019. Instead of offering limited-time monthly promotions for health club classes, the WHCA is instead offering unlimited-time discounts for group fitness classes. You can participate in the great group fitness classes for only $13 per class with WHCA members receiving an additional 10% off the regular price. This great discount includes the brand new spin classes offered in the new year.

The new line-up of programs are currently open for registration, so be sure to check them out and take advantage of the new promotions! This is the perfect opportunity to get a head-start on your health and fitness goals for the new year. Be sure to let your friends and family know about these great classes so they don’t miss out either! For more details on classes and how to register, see below:

Girlfriend Fitness – Monday Afternoon

Girlfriend Fitness is a fun, high energy workout and excellent cross training. Learn how to exercise properly, gain confidence and build a strong healthy body. Classes will incorporate strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness using body weight & dumbbells, as well as spin bikes. All levels welcome. Bring your friends and stay strong together.  Ages: 13 to 17 years
Dates:             January 7 – March 18 (no class Feb. 18th)
Time:              4:00 – 4:45pm
Location:    Hospitality Room
Instructor:     Christine
Participant maximum: 10
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1445

Weight Room InterVAL Training – Tuesday and/or Thursday Morning
Push and pull your way into a fitter, stronger YOU, in this strength based class.
Val will guide you how to use equipment correctly. Whether you are new to the weight room or experienced, this class will meet your challenge. You can sign once per week, or for 2x per week for a great deal!
Dates:             January 8 – March 21
Time:              9:30am – 10:30am
Location:    Weight Room upstairs in health club
Instructor:     Val
Participant maximum: 10
Register Tuesdays: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1438

Register Thursdays: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1439

Register Both T/Th: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1440  


Cardio Dance & Barre – Wednesday Morning
Can’t decide which exercise is the right one for you? Cardio, Dance & Barre is the class for you! Focusing on total body conditioning with dance moves to get you in the groove. Then move to the barre to help sculpt your muscles and transform your entire body, head to toe. In this circuit class, Rahmi will incorporate loads of fun with motivating music
Dates:             January 9 – March 20
Time:           9:30 – 10:30am
Location:     Dance Studio
Instructor:     Rahmi
Participant maximum: 15
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1441


Push Up Yoga – Wednesday Afternoon
Based on the 8 limbs of yoga, focuses on the complete practice of yoga and merges the breath, mind, body. Vandana will include warm up exercises, followed by asana practice, finishing up with relaxation and meditation/mindfulness exercises.
A great way to start your day with positive mindset, bringing in unity to your mind, body and your spirit.
Dates:             January 9 – March 20
Time:           12:45pm –1:45pm
Location:     Hospitality room
Instructor:     Vandana
Participant maximum: 15
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1442


Ride & Ripped – Wednesday Evening
This class will get your heart pumping and muscles glowing with this group cycling/strength class. This low impact class can accommodate all ability levels, where participants can modify the bikes and weight resistance to meet their own personal workout/training needs. Bring your energy, water bottle and prepare to have a blast in this 50-minute class.
Dates:             January 9 – March 20
Time:              6:10 – 7:00pm
Location:     Hospitality room
Instructor:     Sara
Participant maximum: 10
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1446


HIIT Bootcamp Xpress –  Thursday Evening
This fast paced 45-minute class, Christine will have you challenge every muscle group, utilizing body weight, bosu Balls, kettlebells, bands, and weights while always incorporating bursts of cardio to improve strength, cardio, and coordination.
Dates:             January 10 – March 21
Time:              5:40 – 6:25pm
Location:       Dance studio
Instructor:     Christine
Participant maximum: 15
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1443


Tot Yoga (un-parented) – Friday Afternoon
This yoga program is composed of a series of classes intended for children ages 3-6. It covers introduction to the basics of yoga, breathing exercises and setting intentions aimed to foster community building. The classes are also geared towards empowerment in learning by reaching into the learning style of each and every child through integration of music, art, science, literacy and much more
Time:              3:00pm – 4:00pm
Location:       Upper studio A (beside the WHCA preschool)
Instructor:     Ana
Participant maximum: 10
Dates:  Winter (Session 1) Jan 11 – Feb 8
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1444
Winter (Session 2) Feb 22 – Mar 22
Register: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/whca/Activity_Search/1448

To register online, log onto www.westhillhurst.com, or via phone 403-283-0464 ext 1

Celebrate the Holidays with WHCA

This December, the WHCA is excited to bring you some great holiday-centric events for you and your family to enjoy.

Kicking it off, we’ve got the ongoing Letters to Santa from November 19th to December 21st. Swing by the WHCA and let us help you get your Christmas wish-list on its way to the North Pole!

Nothing puts us in the holiday spirit quite like Christmas lights! Join us for Show Us Your Lights on December 14th from 5 – 8 pm. For more info, check out the poster below, visit our events page, or contact John on ext. 4.

Here’s your chance to hit the ice with Santa himself! Skate with Santa is free for WHCA members and lets you get close to the big guy just days before he embarks on his global Christmas journey. Check it out December 21, 4:30 pm to 6 pm.

Stay up-to-date with these great events by following us on social media and we hope to get you as excited for the holidays as we are!

“Make It Calgary” Expo

Need some gift ideas or to wrap-up some holiday shopping? Check out “Make It Calgary.” This travelling expo will be visiting Deerfoot City with over 130 vendors from December 6th to the 9th and makes for a great opportunity to put a dent in a special someone’s wish-list. Strictly showcasing handmade goods, market vendors feature whatever gift ideas you’re looking for; from clothes, candles, home decor, jewelry, and much more.

The expo hours are:
Thursday and Friday – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday – 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The market can be found in Building N, around the corner from the Rec Room.

 

Suicide Awareness and Prevention: Five Signs That It’s Time to Seek Help

It’s not surprising that the deepest pains are the ones hardest to communicate with others. Over time, anxiety, depression, and isolation can drive a wedge between us and the people we love. While it is natural to feel sadness from time to time, there is a point when what we feel internally exceeds normal sadness and points to a larger, and potentially harmful, problem. It’s important to understand and recognize the warning signs that indicate when depression needs to be addressed and our emotional wellness needs to be tended to. Here are five signs when depression has gone too far, and the steps to take to get life back on track.

  1. Change of Character

Sometimes, it is hard to recognize how many masks we put on to cover how we feel on the inside. No matter how much we try to act like everything is fine, if something is eating us from the inside, it will reveal itself to our family and friends over time. When someone points out that you haven’t been acting like yourself, you should really stop and weigh what this statement really means, and truly think about if it’s time to seek help.

  1. Becoming More Withdrawn

When faced with great inner conflict, we tend to spend more time focused on ourselves, for better or worse. As we become more and more withdrawn, there might be a point where our own friends and family members will point this out to us, and suddenly yank us back to the present moment. If your emotional health is beginning to interfere with how you interact with the outside world, then it might be time to take action.

  1. Turning to Self-Destructive Habits

Everyone responds to inner conflict differently. Sometimes, we put on a mask and pretend like everything is fine. Sometimes, we cut ourselves off from everything around us, and other times we respond with physical violence to match the violence occurring within. While self-harm is a typical indication that our emotional pain is manifesting in a negative way, there are other ways we can inflict harm upon ourselves such as turning to drugs and alcohol. Acts of self-harm are a clear indicator that it’s time to reach out for help.

  1. Shifting Moods and Behaviors

Our mood can be a deceptive gauge of how we feel internally. Mood can fluctuate from highs to lows in a span of a few minutes, and for seemingly no reason at all. However fleeting mood may be, sudden changes in mood and behavior can point to a crescendo of internal emotional pain, and signal it’s time to seek help from professionals. When it comes to suicide, impulsivity is a dangerous state of mind.

  1. Lack of Future Ambitions

A sign that often goes overlooked is how a person struggling with depressive and suicidal thoughts often fails to make plans for the future. For many, part of living is making plans—planning out the upcoming weeks, months, and even years. Making future plans shows that we anticipate being around for a long time. If you find that you don’t really have any plans moving forward or if you feel lost and certain that you don’t have a future, then you absolutely need to seek help.

Any time you notice yourself, or even someone close to you, exhibiting any one of these signs, you should take a moment and assess the situation by asking, “Am I, or is this person, at risk?” There is always someone out there ready to listen, hear your story, and let you express what’s going on inside. When you’re not sure what to do, talk. There are various ways to prevent depression from exceeding beyond our control. Sometimes, all we need is a companion animal such as a dog to help give our life enough purpose to keep us hanging on, but sometimes we need more in-depth help from a counselor or therapist. Whatever help you need, you deserve to get it so you can live a happy, fulfilling life.

So often, tragedies can be avoided if people just take the time to check in on themselves and others. No matter how dark we may feel internally, there’s always a silver lining. There’s always a reason to keep moving forward.  – Melissa Howard

Thank you to WHCA’s guest freelance contributor, Melissa Howard, for this article.

Are you struggling or need more information?  Check out the CASP website.

Jayman BUILT MS Walk

Register now for the Jayman BUILT MS Walk, June 10th at Prince’s Island Park.

MS impacts all Canadians, and a future free of MS is achievable. By participating in the 2K, 5K or 8K MS Walk, you are helping raise much needed funds for MS research and services for people affected by the disease.

For more info, and to register, visit www.mswalks.ca 

Food Truckin’ @ WHCA

Since the introduction of Food Trucks on Calgary’s streets, the concept has exploded.  With hundreds of choices of gourmet, snacks and drinks, clients have an opportunity to try something new and different to tickle their palettes.  And sometimes, one is craving food and drink, but they are not in an area with food and beverages and just need something to hold them for a while.

The WHCA is proud to announce that the Calgary Food Trucks will be in attendance on  Wednesday, May 30, 2018 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. out back by the soccer fields/gazebo.  Come on down and get some snacks for the evening or take in the U4/ U6 soccer action with hot dogs, family squeezed lemonade, and mini donuts.

For the full list of Food Trucks that will be in attendance, check out the link below.

https://www.yycfoodtrucks.com/trucksprofile/familysqueezed

For more information, contact programs@westhillhurst.com or 403.283.0464 ext 4

Spruce Up the Neighbourhood

Join your WHCA during the West Hillhurst Community Spruce-Up the Neighbourhood clean-up event. help reduce the waste going into our landfills and support community programs with recyclable donations. Attend the free event, clean out the house, pass on your recyclable donations and enjoy the family friendly activities that will be set up.

The WHCA will have a large number of vendors accepting household items and waste.  Below, check out what type of items we will be excepting for destroying.  Please note that some vendors do charge for removal of certain items.

Electronic Recycling – By Geep
Beverage container donation recycling – Vecova
Clothing and Household – Cerebral Palsy Assoc.
Paper Shredding – Best Shred
Children’s Sport Equipment Donation – Comrie Sports Equipment
Yard & Organic Waste ($5.00 charge) – Waste Management
Car Seat Recycling ($10.00 charge)
Auto/ Truck tires, batteries, rims – Action Tyre
Old Paint & Oil – Hazard waste drop off (CFD)

If you have any other questions on what waste the WHCA and vendors will be accepting, please contact John @ 403.283.0464 ext 4 or programs@westhiilhurst.com

Flood Preparedness

Dear Community Representative,

As we approach flood season and the five-year anniversary of the 2013 Southern Alberta flood, we’d like to inform you of our plans for our 2018 flood readiness campaign, ask you to share some information with your community members, and update you about the actions we have taken to become a more flood resilient city.

River flooding can occur at any time in Calgary with little or no warning because of the short, steep distance the rivers travel from the mountains to Calgary. The period between May 15 and July 15 is when Calgary is most likely to experience river flooding due to the combination of snow melt and heavy rainfall events. We actively monitor river, weather and snow pack conditions to prepare for potential flooding. It is important to note that:

  • The most important factor is heavy rainfall upstream of Calgary. These events are challenging to forecast, with Calgary in close proximity to the mountains. We can usually see large rain events about 5-7 days in advance, but we may only have 24 hours (or less) to prepare.
  • A high snowpack alone does not cause our rivers to flood. The snowpack in the mountains has been higher than average this year, however with the lower spring temperatures in the mountains, the snow is melting slower than on the prairies.
  • At this point, the long-term forecast indicates this spring will be cooler than normal with normal precipitation. The City and Province continuously monitor for conditions that can develop into flood events.

Since 2013, together with the Province, we have committed more than $150 million towards projects that will reduce our risk of river flood damage. We have also strengthened our understanding of the flow of the Bow and Elbow Rivers, how rivers change, flood modelling, forecasting, preparedness and response.

While we have worked to reduce our risk of river flood damage, we cannot eliminate the risk of flooding entirely. River flooding impacts all Calgarians who live, work, commute or recreate in the city centre or along the Bow and Elbow Rivers.Citizens have a critical role to play in preparing for river flooding. Our 2018 Flood Readiness Campaign aims to educate Calgarians about how to understand their flood risk, be prepared and stay informed. Our campaign includes the following activities:

  • Disaster Alley (May 5)
  • Report to Calgarians airing May 14 to May 20
  • Flood season campaign launch media availability (week of May 14)
  • Flood Readiness open house for Bow River communities at Foothills Academy (May 15, 7pm)
  • Councillor Farkas’s Flood Readiness Townhall for Elbow River communities (May 17, 7pm)
  • Digital advertising, promotion and social media
  • Monthly City News blog posts (April – July), calgarycitynews.com

o   snowpack and flood risk

o   personal preparedness

o   mitigation projects

o   climate change and flood risk

  • Biweekly Flood e-newsletter (May to July), including promotion to increase subscribers (sign up at calgary.ca/floodinfo)
  • Video series featuring residents who have taken actions to become flood resilient to be featured in biweekly flood e-newsletter and online
  • Updates to flood website calgary.ca/floodinfo

Please contact Pamela Reid (Pamela.Reid@calgary.ca or 403 268-4004) if you have any questions.

Click Here for the 2018 Flood Preparedness Campaign 

Carolyn Bowen M.Sc.

Manager, Watershed Planning

Water Resources | The City of Calgary

Mail code #438 | PO Box 2100, Stn. M, Calgary AB, T2P 2M5

T 403.268.2509 | C 403.801.2074