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Christmas Light Reflections in the River, by Henry Walhout, facilitator of CALL Digital Photography Program
- Adrienne Kertzer
Real estate agents often claim that “location, location, location” is what matters most in valuing property. Location also matters to CALL members. Our strategic plan “The Road Ahead for CALL” observed that while 44% of our membership live in the northwest and 46% in the southwest, currently all our in-person speaker events take place at a northwest location, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church. Our in-person venues for interest groups are divided between northwest and southwest locations, but all of these sites are relatively close to the centre of Calgary.
The Road Ahead recommended that CALL explore the possibility of having a venue in the south of Calgary that has capacity for both large and small group programs. CALL has found a possible location: Haysboro Community Association, 1204 89 Avenue SW (south of Heritage Drive, west of Elbow Drive). It can accommodate interest groups and speaker events and has ample parking.
Elsewhere in this newsletter, you will see information about a speaker event planned for February 24 at Haysboro. You will also see a related call for volunteers. I urge you to attend and while you are there, check out this space as a possible venue for interest group meetings and as a place where you would be willing to volunteer. Speaker events cannot happen at Haysboro without volunteers for setup and takedown and without other volunteers who can assist with AV.
We are excited at the possibility of offering CALL members a southwest location. We hope that you are too. But please understand that future programming at Haysboro or any other south venue is totally dependent on whether we have volunteers.
Thanks for reading. I can be reached at: president@calgarylifelonglearners.ca.
Wednesday, January 29, 1:00–2:30pm (rescheduled after weather cancellation)
Sanctuary - Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speakers: Greg McKenzie and David Mitchell
During the Second World War,170 members of the Canadian Navy died. Four hundred of these casualties were from the regular Navy. The remaining 1,769 were Naval reservists or citizen sailors. The goal of the CSVC project is to write a short biography for each of the 1,769 reserve sailors who were lost.
Greg McKenzie and David Mitchell are both former Naval Reservists, local history buffs and members of the volunteer research team for the CSVC Project. They will give a presentation on the project, its process and results.
This presentation is open to members, guests and the public. Registration is not required.
Thursday, January 30, 7:00pm
Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW
CALL members are fortunate to be one of the select groups invited to attend the final dress rehearsal of upcoming Calgary Opera performances. Our next opportunity will be on Thursday, January 30 for the dress rehearsal of the Gaetano Donizetti’s Italian comedic opera Don Pasquale.
If you are new to opera, these dress rehearsals are a wonderful opportunity to continue your lifelong learning and explore a new musical and theatrical genre. I am an opera novice, not an opera aficionado; however, I have thoroughly enjoyed gathering background information on the performance. I believe that this will be a highly entertaining evening!
Gaetano Donizetti was born in Italy in 1797 and lived both there and in France, and composed in both languages. He wrote around 75 operas, both tragic and comedic. Due to the liveliness of his operas, Donizetti achieved enormous popularity during his lifetime. Don Pasquale is described as being in the 17th and 18th century Italian opera buffa style, which leans into farcical silliness and stock characters. The Calgary Opera always helps guests understand the composer’s quick humour through the use of English libretto and a study guide. You can find all study guides for the Calgary Opera here: https://www.calgaryopera.com/study-guide. Calgary Opera’s Don Pasquale Study Guide will be posted closer to that rehearsal.
Not all seats in the Jubilee Auditorium are open for a dress rehearsal; however, seats must be reserved in advance. Full information and the ticket reservation link is on the CALL to the Opera webpage. Please, also mark your calendars now for the third and final opera of the season–
Bluebeard’s Castle/ Gianni Schicchi
Composers Barton and Puccini
7:00, Thursday April 3
- Rita Dickson, Facilitator
Tuesday, February 4, 7:30pm via Zoom
Speaker: Jonathan Schaeffer, PhD; Professor Emeritus, University of Alberta
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has dominated many news cycles over the past two years, from its impact on the stock market, to the geopolitical balance in the world, as well as the impact it will have on our health and wellbeing. The world is changing with the impact AI Is having on knowledge, public opinion and our behaviors.
Our speaker, Dr. Jonathan Schaeffer, known for his groundbreaking work on game theory application and AI, will explore both the dark side and the bright side of this new computing world. He will explain how AI poses threats that have the same potential for harm as biological warfare weapons or atomic weapons. This is a sobering consideration. On the other hand, there is a great deal of excitement about the good that can come from AI if society can mitigate the dangers and costs.
Please join us for this very relevant topic.
You must be a member of CALL to register for this event.
Update to the latest Zoom, there is a link on the CALL homepage.
Thursday, February 6, 1:00–2:00pm
Temple B'nai Tikvah, 900 47 Ave SW
Join us at the Temple B’nai Tikvah (TBT) Gallery with Curator Jennifer Eiserman as we tour “They Didn't Know We Were Seeds", an art exhibition by Saskatoon-based artist Carol Wylie, featuring 18 portraits – nine of Holocaust survivors and nine of Indigenous residential school survivors. The project began in 2016 after Wylie attended a Holocaust memorial service and recognized parallels between the experiences of these two groups, including forced family separations, dehumanization, and cultural suppression. Through her portraits, Wylie aims to honor the resilience and strength of these individuals, preserving their stories as firsthand accounts become increasingly rare.
The exhibition's title is inspired by the Greek poet Dinos Christianopoulos' line, "They buried us... they didn't know we were seeds," reflecting the survivors' ability to grow and thrive despite attempts to oppress them. By presenting these personal narratives, Wylie encourages viewers to engage with the subjects' histories, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of shared human experiences.
Registration is limited to 20 attendees. Registration will be open until February 1. You must be a CALL member to register. A waitlist will be established in case of cancellations. If there are sufficient numbers on the waitlist, we may be able to schedule a second tour group.
Street parking is available in front of the office doors and in the parking lot beside the temple. Enter through the office doors.
Monday, February 10, 1:30–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Dr. Rose Joudi (Ph.D. Psych.)
Dr. Rose Joudi (Ph.D. Psych.) is an aging and ethnic diversity researcher, consultant, and international speaker on elder abuse and ageism. She was the Research Lead on an ethnocultural elder abuse awareness project with Carya (Calgary, AB), and is currently the Project Manager for The Way In Network (TWIN) at Carya. Additionally, Dr. Joudi is a current board member of both the Alberta Association on Gerontology (AAG) and the Alberta Council on Aging (ACA), and serves as an advisor for the Ministry of Seniors, Community, and Social Services in Alberta, Canada.
Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door). Registration is not required.
Tuesday, February 18, 1:00–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Shaun Hunter
Photo: Mrs. Winnifred Reeve at Ranch, ca. 1920s (courtesy of Glenbow Library and Archives Collections, University of Calgary)
I first encountered Winnifred Eaton Reeve (aka Onoto Watanna) (1875-1954) in the pages of George Melnyk’s The Literary History of Alberta. It was the winter of 2015 and I was beginning my research into Calgary’s literature. I soon tracked down a copy of Winnifred’s 1923 novel Cattle in the Local History collection at the Castell Library. Set in the ranching country near Morley, the novel touches down in Calgary and gives us a rare window into life during the throes of the 1918 influenza epidemic. Cattle led me to Onoto Watanna: The Story of Winnifred Eaton, a compelling biography written by Winnifred’s granddaughter Diana Birchall. I couldn’t put it down. A decade later, I am still fascinated by this Calgary writer. In the summer of 2023, I gathered with other Winnifred scholars and fans for “Onoto Watanna’s Cattle @ 100,” a conference held at the University of Calgary and the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.
I had the great pleasure of guiding members of Winnifred’s family (including her granddaughter-biographer Diana) and other conference attendees on a walking tour of the Beltline and Lower Mount Royal, two of the many Calgary neighbourhoods where Winnifred lived.
Winnifred continues to tug at my attention. Her peers in the Canadian literary world of the 1920s called her “a colourful personality.” And so she was. Irrepressible, effervescent, ambitious, restless, insecure and impetuous. A prolific bestselling novelist, a pioneering Asian Canadian woman, a city builder.
I hope you’ll join me on February 18 at CALL Café to get a glimpse into the life and Calgary geography of this captivating writer who once called our city home.
In the meantime, if you’d like to get a taste of Winnifred’s writing, check out Invisible Publishing’s centenary edition of Cattle, published in 2023. Like me, you may have trouble putting this Alberta novel down.
- Shaun Hunter
Members of the public may attend without registering and at no cost. CALL Members are asked to register themselves and guests for planning purposes.
Wednesday, February 19, 7:30pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Acres Drive NW
Speaker: Don Campbell
Don Campbell is a professional photographer who has travelled the world and visited 114 countries. His photography subjects vary from candid street shots to landscapes, portraits, travel and wildlife. For photography enthusiasts, he began shooting in 1956 with a medium format twin lens 6X6 Ricoflex and now uses digital Nikon systems to capture amazing images.
This presentation will cover a stay in two game camps in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, which has the highest density of leopards in the world. Photographs of wildlife encounters include a super pride of lions feeding on a Cape buffalo, leopards, an impala and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. This presentation will be one to stimulate your interest in travel.
No registration required. Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5).
Monday, February 24, 1:00–2:30pm
Haysboro Community Centre - Social Lounge, 1204 89 Avenue SW
Speakers: Canada Connects Team
Join the Canada Connects Team from Calgary Catholic Immigration Society, a non-denominational immigrant serving agency, who will be talking about the refugee experience in Canada and the critical role of volunteerism in fostering connections and integration in Calgary. Learn about the impact of Canada Connects and how their volunteers play a vital role in supporting refugees as they navigate their new lives, build relationships, and find a sense of belonging and community. Discover how you can contribute to creating a welcoming and inclusive community for all.
Registration is open to Members and one Guest
Maximum: 80
Registration cut-off: February 20.
No charge for members, $5 for guests
The CALL Volunteer Committee sends shout-outs to two invaluable volunteer teams: the Zoom Help Team and the AV Team. We thank you for your technical expertise in keeping our programs running smoothly. Both teams are currently looking for new members. Consider volunteering while enhancing your own skills and contributing to the future success of CALL events and programs by joining one of these teams.
The Audio Visual Team needs your help for CALL to continue to provide live speaker events. Do you have an interest in audio visual equipment set up, fine tuning and cleanup? The team is looking for volunteers as follows:
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church – We need one additional person to assist and back-fill for the existing AV person. Varsity hosts three regular speaker series per month as well as additional events throughout the year. The time commitment for each of these is approximately 2.5 hours which includes setup, monitoring the event and takedown.
If you are not already skilled in these areas, don’t worry. Mentoring will be provided for the new volunteer at this location.
Haysboro Community Association – We need two people to provide ongoing AV support. CALL is planning to run a speaker event at Haysboro Community Association on February 24.
Contingent on the success of the event in this south location, and the availability of the two new AV volunteers, more events will be offered here.
For more information contact volunteer@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
CALL is looking for computer-savvy individuals who are comfortable using Zoom to join the Zoom Help Team. This team primarily supports CALL members who run online speaker series and speaker events. Volunteers will learn new skills for meetings and webinars. Coaching and shadowing will be offered. The time commitment is typically three to four hours per month which includes assisting with two to three annual events. Members must have current hardware at home and regularly maintained software updates.
For more information contact volunteer@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
The Program Committee is seeking a Social Sciences & Philosophy/Religion Coordinator to support facilitators in the development and administration of its programs. Your role involves mentoring, problem-solving, and helping others turn their good ideas for new programs into a reality. You will work with the support of the Web Team and Communications Team to promote interest groups. You will work with the Operations Committee to secure venues and booking times. As a Coordinator, you will maintain communication with the Facilitators regarding Board policies and procedures.
Supporting the (currently 7) Interest Groups involves approximately 8-10 hours per month. This time commitment includes attending the monthly Program Committee meeting to learn and exchange ideas with all Coordinators.
Training and mentoring in the use of CALL's Zoom license will be provided so that you can support facilitators who wish to meet online but do not have their own Zoom license.
For more information contact volunteer@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
Please Note: We have changed the registration process for CALL members to attend CPO rehearsals. On the CPO rehearsal page, the rehearsal dates have a blue "register" button that will allow CALL members to register for both the rehearsal and the coffee session after at Cravings Bistro if they choose to join in. The registration process will open four weeks before the rehearsal date and close by midnight the Sunday before. After registration, there will be two reminder emails sent close to the date. The CPO has given us 75 spaces.
Registration will open on January 31 for the February 28 rehearsal.
The next registration dates will be February 21 (for the March 21 rehearsal) and April 11 (for the last rehearsal on May 9.)
We ask you to please cancel your registration if you find you can not attend for sickness or other reasons, to allow others a chance.
Thanks,
Wendy Lomnes, Facilitator
- Maureen Osis, CALL Communications Team
Guest Author: Trudy Govier
Trudy Govier is a philosopher and author of many articles and books. She taught at Trent University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Lethbridge. Trudy has been an active member of CALL since 2013 and the facilitator of a number of interest groups.
In 2024, Trudy Govier offered a study group to CALL members focusing on "Aging and Philosophy". In this Blog post, Trudy summarizes some of the topics discussed. Due to personal circumstances, Trudy cannot offer the group again. She hopes that another CALL member might be interested in offering a similar program because: "We tend to deny our aging and hide it when we can, often feeling shame at what happens to our bodies. I think it helps to talk about experiences, challenges, and prospects after retirement, when we are aging and becoming old."
"There are many aspects to aging and it is useful to share stories and explore solutions and problems. My experience suggests that our feelings and values can develop in useful ways when we do that. Western philosophy is only one of many possible starting points. Think, talk, explore, and talk some more: the challenges of aging are relevant to us all."
The CALL Blog is public so please share with your family and friends. It is easy to do. Just copy the URL (https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Blog-Aging-and-Philosophy) and paste into an email or text message.
Any questions or feedback, please contact me: blog@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
- Newsletter Team
Did you know that we appreciate receiving articles from our members? We are happy to publish articles that celebrate CALL. Your personal experience about how you have benefited would be a valuable contribution to this newsletter. Please send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to communications@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter postings 2025
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.
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