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The City is Your Playground: Part 2

kaitlin
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A few weeks back we introduced you to a bunch of free programs happening all over the city of Calgary that you can get involved in.  Well, we’ve rounded up a few more things for you to take advantage of:

In the North:

Do you love playing badminton?  Awesome!  Every Friday from 7-10pm, starting this month and running until April, Hawkwood Elementary School (650 Hawkwood Blvd. NW) is holding Hawkwood Badminton Youth Night in its gym, for everyone 12-17 years old.   Equipment is provided, but if you have a favourite racket, or a birdie that brings you good luck, feel free to bring them!

Wanna build some leadership skills, meet new people and have fun all at the same time?  Check out the Youth LEAD program (that’s Leadership + Energy making A Difference), is  currently accepting new volunteers, and is happening now until April 2010.  If you’re between 12 and 17, you can join and work towards getting your LEAD certificate from the City of Calgary, while making new friends and going on cool trips that will build your skills.  Here are the times and places you can go to LEAD: Mondays – 3-5pm @ Arbour Lake Community Centre; Tuesdays – 3-5pm @ Sir John A. MacDonald Jr. High; Wednesdays – 2:30-4pm @ Thomas B. Riley Jr. High; Thursdays – 3:30-5pm @ Tom Baines Jr. High

In the South:

Hey ladies!  Girl Talk is a program for 12-17 year olds that’s running now until the second week of May where you can go and hang out in an awesome environment and participate in a bunch of cool activities. If you’re interested, there are two locations you can check Girl Talk out at: Mondays – 3:45 – 5:45pm @ Deerpark United Church (77 Deerpoint Rd SE), OR on Tuesdays – 4 – 6pm @ the Art room in Our Lady of Peace Jr. High (14826 Millrise Hill SW)

Looking for a place to hang out on Tuesday nights?  Stop by the McKenna Youth Drop-In, where you can hang out with other youth 12- 17 years old, take in some activities and just plain socialize!  Sound cool? Mckenna Youth Drop-In is happening every Tuesday from 6-8pm until May at the McKenna Complex (36 McKenna Way SE).

If you’re between 12-17 years old, are a budding artist, or just love to let your creativity loose, be sure to stop by Taste of the Arts happening at Deer Park United Church (77 Deerpoint Rd SE) every Thursday from 4-6pm until May 13th. There’s tons of stuff to do there and lots of great ways to express yourself through art.

For more info, just call 3-1-1 or visit www.calgary.ca/cns.

14. 2. 2010

alice
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This year February 14th has not one, but two holidays you can celebrate—Valentine’s Day and the Chinese New Year!

Still deciding how to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Chinese New Year?  Why not kill two birds with one stone with the Year of the Tiger Carnival, at the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.

There will be lively golden dragon and lion’s dance shows, fun games with prizes, calligraphy demonstrations, cool art and craft sales, and many more.  You can also display messages to your loved ones and view the painting exhibition, ‘Year of the Tiger Golden Harvest’ .  Last but not least you can’t have a carnival without food; enjoy a variety of tasty food and New Year snacks.

Dates:
February 13th : 10AM – 10 PM (Show time 1:30PM-3:30 , 7 PM-9PM)
February 14th: 10AM – 10 PM (Show time: 1:00PM-3:00 PM)
February 15th : 10AM- 4 PM (Show time: 1:30PM-3:30 PM)

To keep the spirit of the Winter 2010 Olympic games going, commemorative silver coins will be given throughout the festival.

Valentine’s, Chinese New Year, the winter Olympics–wow is there anything this carnival does not cover?!  Regardless if you celebrate Chinese New Year or Valentine’s Day, you should come down and enjoy the festivities. 🙂

Nominate someone awesome for a YODA!

SaM
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Do you know someone who is making a difference in the community? Nominate them for a ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Award!

The ConocoPhillips Youth of Distinction Awards (YODA) recognizes deserving youth, 13-18 years of age, for the remarkable ways in which they have chosen to live. The awards are not academic rather they focus on leadership, friendship, overcoming personal challenge, and community service.

Check out the awesome video that the YODA Steering Committee made letting you know how you can nominate someone!

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So nominate your friend! Click here for the nomination form–GOOD LUCK! ♥

Students Speak Up!

Mayor's Youth Council
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As most youth in Calgary have heard, the University of Calgary has recently hiked up tuition costs for various faculties.  Students may end up paying an average of 45% more for classes in the next few years!  The U of C ended the 2008-2009 school year with a $14.3 deficit along with low provincial funding and thus, has been forced to lay these debts on students.

For those currently attending and for those aspiring to attend in the next few years, this issue may be of great concern.

The question remains: what can we as students and youth do?

U of C students gathered at MacEwan Hall at noon on February 2, 2010 to voice their concerns with protest signs such as “The average debt for a graduate is already more than $25, 000” and “The recession is hitting students just as hard as the University”.

We, as youth and students, DO have a say in current issues. We CAN make a difference.

Sign petitions, send letters to the University Administration, speak to others who are concerned about the same issues – RAISE YOUR VOICE!

We have a right to affordable higher education!

Feel free to share your opinion on this important youth issue in the Comments section below!

Meet Mitchell Davis.

zeeyaan
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I was hanging out with my friend and we were watching some funny youtube videos.  She showed me some videos by someone named Mitchell Davis.  I had brought him up in a conversation with some other friends, and they didn’t know about him.  This guy is so awesome, I thought there should be a post dedicated to him.

Mitchell Davis is known to many as a YouTube god.  Hailing from Ohio, he has come to have viewers from all over the place. His YouTube channel, livelavalive, is where you can find his amazing videos.  Click here to view the channel. Why he chose the the name and what it means is still a mystery.  He often does some of his videos with his friend Kyle Sibert, who I find pretty cool.

Check out the video below to see Mitchell in action:

[youtube BGPi0NPzvkY]

What do you think?  If you think he is awesome, check out the other videos on his channel.  His newest video is shown right when you get to his page.  Feel free to forward his video to anyone you think is awesome!

YAA Profile: Calgary’s Youth VitalSigns

kaitlin
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Want to have your voice heard in Calgary?

Today is the official launch of Youth VitalSigns, a program of Youth Central (formerly Child and Youth Friendly Calgary) and The Calgary Foundation. This youth-driven project pairs up research and the opinions of (in YAA’s mind) the most important group of Calgary residents – YOUTH!

From February 8th (today!) until March 15th, if you’re between 12 – 24 years old you can complete an online survey and grade life in Calgary through 12 key issue areas. On April 28th, the results will be published in the Calgary Herald, in the 2010 Youth Vital Signs Report.

It’s super easy to become a grader and do the survey…All you have to do is visit www.youthvitalsignscalgary.ca and click the “GRADE NOW” button. As a grader, you are eligible to win gift certificates for Starbucks, Calgary Co-Op and Cineplex – pretty awesome, huh?

Youth VitalSigns knows that you have awesome ideas and important opinions.

What do you want in a city? Now is your chance to tell Calgary!

2010 Oscar Nominations

Alexander
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Last week, the nominees for the 82nd Academy Awards were announced. By the looks of the nominees, it seems that the Academy (of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences) is making an effort to appeal to the general public more than in previous years. James Cameron’s Avatar is tied for the most number of nominations (nine categories) and the list of nominees is full of other high grossing blockbusters such as District 9, Star Trek, and Inglourious Basterds.

Following the 2008 Oscars I remember reading an opinion piece somewhere which supported such movement. The writer complained that the dullness of 80th Academy Awards was due to the fact that the films nominated were those that nobody really cared about – movies on the more obscure side. Critical darlings like Michael Clayton and There Will Be Blood. I suppose the author of this article wasn’t down with the 2008 Oscars going indie.

This year promises to be a different story. With such high profile nominees the awards show is bound to attract the interest of TV audiences and perhaps help the Oscars distance itself from its undesired reputation of being mind-numbingly boring.

The 2010 nominees for Best Motion Picture of the Year:

A Humourous…what?

sheena
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There are a few lovely long weekends coming up this month, so why not go out and check out Calgary’s thriving theatre scene? Now, though I do have a secret love-affair with the Southern Jubilee Auditorium and Broadway Across Canada, sometimes it’s nice to see local actors and spend a reasonable amount of money (less than a movie ticket!) on local arts!

Playing at the University of Calgary Theatre from Feb. 16-27 at 7:30pm (except for the 22nd and the 23rd when there are NO shows and on the 21st when there is a 2pm matinee only) is a comedic play called The Humorous Magistrate by an unknown 17th century playwright. This is a production about a self-absorbed magistrate and his quest to woo the alluring Mistress Mumble while making sure his daughter is raised with the highest honour of a high class family in the 1600s. Complications arise however when his daughter’s suitor, once denied, comes up with a scheme to court her away from her controlling nurse, who has marital problems of her own. Their journey is broken up by thieves, rescued by charming country folk and always motivated by love.

Sound like a recipe for hilarity? I think so. What’s more is the play is cast/produced/manned by the University of Calgary’s Drama Department = all (very talented) student actors! And, if you ask me (as someone who knows one of the play’s actors), by that point alone The Humourous Magistrate will be a must-see!

But what makes this production even more unique (and locally awesome) is it’s history. The manuscript was discovered in the University’s Special Collections by a librarian who brought it to the attention of English professors. Resulting from more than five years of intense research, The Humorous Magistrate could only be produced at the University of Calgary. Scholars from across North America and England have been working on this project along with members of the departments of Communications and Culture, English and Drama. So, it’s a pretty big deal!

Tickets are only $10 for students (bring ID) and seniors, $15 for everyone else.

For more information:

(403) 210-7576 or fineart.events@ucalgary.ca

WolframAlpha

steve
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Ever feel the need to just look up some completely random trivial information to impress your friends or just to satisfy your personal boredom?  Well, you should really go check out WolframAlpha.  Think of it as the Wikipedia of statistics and calculations.  The website is still in the beginning stages of its development, but it already has tons of information!  Their data base has a huge range of info on everything from mathematics to music to the sciences to business, and the list goes on.

For example, you can look up something random, let’s say Calgary.  The site will instantly give you information on where it is, a map along with it, population, elevation and more importantly, the current weather and time!  Since the information is up to date, the site is extremely useful. You can also look up up to date information on stocks simply by searching the company the stocks belong to!

Further more, what makes this website great is that it can help you calculate things. Let’s say you are stuck on a math question and you don’t know where to turn to. Simply go on WolframAlpha and type in your question. You can type in formulas, equations and get graphs, solutions for them. So it is a great tool to use when you are stuck.

So go ahead and check it out. You never know when the information you find on there will come in handy!

Mystery Novel: Introduction

william
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I can honestly say that I’m a guy who loves reading. But when I go looking for books, I will only select one written by a handful of authors who I trust.

My friends have always made fun of me for being paranoid. So naturally, I made a new years resolution to be less paranoid.

Due to the success I have experienced with becoming less paranoid I decided to try that when it come to reading books. I plan on reading 6-8 books from authors that I haven’t read from and see how it goes. Then I plan on sharing my thoughts on the novels.

I have no idea when I will be able to get my hands on the novels and when I would complete reading them. In fact I currently don’t know for sure what novels I shall be reading.

All I know is that through this experiment, I will definitely read the “Catcher of The Rye” and “World War Z” and I will be fully honest with the reviews.

If you have any suggestions please leave it in the comments section. Tune in next week for the first novel in this experiment.

Taking a Vow Against Drunk Driving

Mayor's Youth Council
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PhotobucketYou’ve probably attended a life management class cautioning against the dangers of drunk driving. You might have seen video simulations about  driving accidents influenced by alcohol. You might have learned how to act in hypothetical situations involving peer pressure around alcohol.

And sadly, you’ve most definitely heard of teenagers who have lost their lives due to their own or someone else’s carelessness in driving under the influence of alcohol.

These disasters happen even though we’re taught from a sensible age to  refute the idea. Drunk driving? No way!

But today, many Calgarian teens obtain their driver’s license before they turn 18, the age when they’re presumably entitled to make their own decisions and prove that they can take care of themselves. In a way, this is true because graduation season is indeed one major test of responsibility behind the wheel.

This year, Committee 2 of Mayor’s Youth Council is focusing on the issue of drunk driving and Calgarian teens. But how do we tackle an issue that arises from personal faltering of responsibility? We are horrified enough at the potential consequences, so this is a problem which must be targeted in our attitudes at the moment that it matters most.

This graduation season, we would like to give high-school graduates that extra heads up about not getting carried away when they’re celebrating with friends.

We’re working on organizing an event at one or more high schools some time near their graduation date. The seniors would create a mural (or other substantial amalgamation) with their fingerprints. Each individual would take a vow to not drink and drive on graduation day (and beyond), and as each inked finger is pressed to the wall, the collective spirit to prevent this issue would, hopefully, grow stronger.

Do you think this kind of personal vow would be effective? Would you prefer leaving something less personal, such as a written oath? Or do you have a completely different idea for how we can take a step in making a difference for at least one class of graduates? We’d like to think that we’re in control, and we most certainly are; but we can find ways of helping each other seize that crucial moment.

YAA Profile: CAKE

kaitlin
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Bet you’ve never heard of cake like this before.

That’s because this is: CAKE (community+arts+knowledge engaged) Youth Arts Society.  CAKE is a youth-led project in Calgary that encourages creative youth to explore and utilize their talent by getting involved in their community and professional development.  With the goal of becoming the first youth-led and artist-run centre in Canada, CAKE is working on partnering with the youth friendly, artist-run culture in the city to create cool opportunities for youth artists between the ages of 12 and 25.

Check out the video below for more info on this really cool project and how and why it was born  – it could change the arts culture in Calgary!

CAKE Proposal on Vimeo.

Celebrate Canada’s Diversity

sheena
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February, as many of you know, is Black History Month. Canada began celebrating the legacy and contributions of black people and honoring those who fought for equal rights and the end of slavery way back in 1995.  Why February you ask? Because it marks the birthday of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12), who abolished slavery.

Calgary is becoming a diverse city and there are many events going on throughout the month put on by various organizations. Here’s a quick rundown and I’ll keep you updated if I find more. Go out and enjoy these events! Got an opinion? Scroll to the bottom!

Afrikadey! and Calgary’s African Canadian Community Presents

Black Rhythms Week

Feb 5th, 2010

EPCOR CENTRE’ Jack Singer Concert Hall
7:00pm : Pre-Show performance by Adrianne Williams and Tim Williams
8:00pm : The Nathaniel Dett Chorale
Tickets – 28$. Call 403.294.9494.

NBCC Calgary Presents

Black Gospel Concert 2010

Featuring: Showers of Blessings; Apostolic Ark Choir; Divine Directives; Sparkles of the Gospel; Canadian University; Colleges (CUC); Berean International; Church Youth Choir; Devon Powell; Revv 52; 4G’s; Kings Kid Club; Falconridge Full Gospel; Paul Gardener and much more.

When: Saturday, February 13, 2010  7PM to 10PM
Where: Jubilee Auditorium Southern Alberta
1415 – 14Ave NW Calgary, AB
Admission: Adults – $25 / Seniors and Children (5-10) – $20

Tickets are available at ticket master, Island Beat, Mayfair foods, Joycee’s, Showers of Blessing Church, Caribbean Choice Food as well as participants.

Black History Month’s

Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium
When: Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 7:00 PM
The National Black Coalition of Canada Society, Calgary Chapter is holding it’s annual “Black Gospel Concert” in celebration of Black History Month on Saturday February 13, 7PM at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. This concert features many of Calgary’s own Gospel Singers from the Black Community. Please visit www.nbcccalgary.org for more information.

On another note, what do you think about Black History Month? Any queries or qualms? Personally, as someone who can kind-of associate with the black community, I understand the significance and meaning behind celebrating the legacy of the abolition of slavery and of black individuals throughout history. Some, and I see this side too, believe it’s an unnecessary, perhaps counter-productive, distinction. Where is White History Month? Or Asian Appreciation Month? In the wise words of Morgan Freeman, “You’re going to relegate my history to a month? … I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.”

What do you think?

See no evil, speak no evil… hear no evil?

TheGentlemanScholar
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Listening to the radio these days, I enjoy the upbeat songs and catchy hooks, and I really get into the music. That is, until I listen to the lyrics. That’s when I hit the power and think to myself in the silence, “What am I listening to?”

When we were younger, we used to listen to music like the Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, oh, and throw in some VeggieTales and sing-a-long tapes. The songs were about a beach party, your best friend, or how boring school is. Now we’re listening to the likes of Britney Spears, Bon Jovi, Nickleback and Black-Eyed Peas. Our problem now is half the time, we don’t know what we’re listening to. Take these few songs as examples:

Warning! The following songs absolutely contain innuendo and may offend sensibilities.

Britney Spears “3”

…Merrier the more
Triple fun that way
Twister on the floor
What do you say?…

…Three is a charm
Two is not the same
I don’t see the harm
So are you game?…

LMFAO “Scream My Name”

…Girl you’re hot, your body’s on fuego.
We fit together like if we was two lego’s.
We on the floor and we grind to the beat.
I love the way your body’s moving when its grindin on me.
We got the drinks by the dozen and nobody’s coming.
I don’t care all I want is your lovin’ I’m a s** machine,
And girl you turn me on.
I get you on till the break of dawn…

Whether we realize it or not, lyrics like these saturate the airwaves every day. Normally, people just brush it off and say things like, “They don’t mean it like that” or “It’s just a song.” Artists are slowly embedding into our subconsciousness that practices like drinking all night, sleeping around and having no respect for each other are alright.

Just be aware of what you’re listening to, OK?  And feel free to share your own views on the lyrics situation in the Comments section below!

Back In The Day…

jessica
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Before computers existed, what did we ever do with all of our time? My friend asked me that the other day and it made me realize how much time I actually spend staring at this screen. It also made me think about all the ridiculous toys we used to play with and how kids these days will never understand how much more exciting play time was when My Little Pony started having one leg that you could move (trust me it was a big deal). One of my favourites was (and still is) the Lite-Brite, there was something just so mesmerizing about it! However, like all things, the internet has now adapted it and you can make your very own Lite-brite picture online. Not as exciting but less heavy to carry around, so go start creating!

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