News From CALL Mid‑March 2023

Sketch by Anne Lefebvre, a member of the Sketch Club Interest Group

CALL’s Home at cSpace – Update

-by Carrol Jaques, Chair CALL Operations Committee

The article in the previous CALL Newsletter on CALL’S Home at cSPACE prompted further comments and thoughts, so I am providing an update.

Let’s start with the Studio Theatre on the first level which is becoming an important addition to Calgary’s cultural performing spaces. CALL members who attended an event about the future of democracy in October called Whither Democracy will have been in the Studio Theatre. It is a two storey, light-filled space with a century-old sandstone feature wall that can be converted to a fully darkened performance space in minutes. There is an attached room – a Green Room – that can be used as a retiring room for presenters or performers, as well as a Lobby and Outdoor Courtyard. Some upcoming events include a Gisela Romero Album Release Concert on March 17th organized by CASA Mexico, a Classical Guitar Concert on March 18, and a Piano Concert presented by the Instrumental Society of Calgary on March 19. Check the cSPACE Website for more information.

Interestingly, I just noticed a diagram of cSPACE and can see that Studio Theatre is under the RGO Treehouse on the fourth floor. Who knew! And yes, its full name is the RGO Treehouse.

And on a more serious note, I know some CALL members wonder about the ventilation system, so I asked Deeter Schurig, President and CEO of cSPACE Projects who responded with this information: “The HVAC system in the building is an entirely new system that was fully upgraded in its entirety in 2017. While the old school is the shell, the mechanical systems are entirely new.

The HVAC was designed to be highly effective and efficient in delivering fresh air to the facility and tenant suites. There are CO₂ sensors that monitor tenant suites to ensure that ventilation increases to match the occupancy load as per the use in the space and mechanical consultants’ specifications. Tenant spaces are also equipped with operable windows for additional fresh air supply should they require it. As a general note, we use high quality filters for supply air and the building is receiving a high level of air exchange throughout the day. However, I think for those with significant concerns that they should still probably consider adopting the protocols of sanitizer, distancing and/or masks to reduce their exposure and risk.”

A further update is that cSPACE Projects is a not-for-profit social enterprise dedicated to supporting communities of artists, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. Founding partners are Calgary Arts Development, Calgary Foundation, and the City of Calgary. cSPACE Projects purchased King Edward School in 2012.

CALL Recorded Events

Check out the recordings of CALL events. Currently you will find Tom Keenan’s CALL Café presentation on Cyberthugs. And soon the March 13th Alberta Votes 2023 event will be posted.

On the CALL website, click on the Resources tab and scroll down to CALL Event Recordings.

March Events

Join other CALL members and friends at the CALL Open House March 17, 1:00-3:00pm at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW.

Enjoy some light refreshments, mix, mingle and learn about CALL Interest Groups and events. You are welcome to bring guests who might be interested in learning more about CALL.

April Events

CALL Café Understanding Diversity of Smart Cities

Monday, April 3, 2:00–3:00PM at Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church.

The April CALL Café will feature Byron Miller, Professor of Geography and Coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Urban Studies Program at the University of Calgary. In his presentation, Byron will illustrate just how varied smart cities are by discussing the findings of a three-year comparative research project addressing smart city initiatives in Barcelona, Stockholm, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Calgary, and Toronto. Want to know more about the global phenomenon of smart cities? Register now for Understanding the Diversity of Smart Cities.

You must be a CALL member to register but the registration process will allow you to bring 1 to 4 guests.

For more information and to register, go to the CALL Café page.

Science and Environment: How to be a Climate Optimist

Tuesday April 4, 7:30 – 9:30 online on Zoom
Speaker: Chris Turner, author, essayist, energy transition expert

Chris will be discussing the core themes of his latest book, How to be a Climate Optimist which condenses 20 years of research and reporting on the climate solutions beat into a portrait of a much better world now emerging. His previous books on climate, energy and technology include multiple bestsellers and winners of the National Business Book Award, the City of Calgary's W.O. Mitchell Book Prize, and the Writers' Union of Canada's Freedom to Read Award.

For more information and to register, go to the Science and Environment page.

Treks & Travels: Via Dinarica – Hiking in Albania

Wednesday, April 19 7:30–9:00pm Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church
Speaker: Fred Swaine

Members of the public are welcome to attend for $5.

Fred is a traveller and combines exploring local cultures with physical adventure. Trekking destinations have included Chile, Colombia, Morocco, India and Bhutan. The Via Dinarica is a long-distance hiking trail conceived and developed to promote tourism in the western Balkans. Ultimately there will be three trails, however, currently there is one that runs through Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia.

Albania was sometimes referred to as the “North Korea” of Europe in the latter portion of the 20th century. With the demise of communism, it is now seeking to join the European Union.

The presentation will be an overview of hiking portions of the Via Dinarica in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro along with highlights of Tirana, the capital of Albania.

Speaker Event Walking Made (un)safe: Identifying Barriers to Pedestrian Safety for Seniors

Monday, April 10, 1:30–3:00pm Sanctuary, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church
Speaker: Amanda Bishop

Walking is a great form of health promotion linked to improvements in physical and mental health. But for all its benefits, the simple act of walking isn't always straightforward, convenient, or even safe. It can be downright scary! Despite everything that is already known about the risk factors seniors experience, there is little research or data on the specific barriers seniors face while walking and/or rolling.

Join Amanda Bishop for a conversation about her research that is using targeted community engagement and data collection strategies to better understand these barriers and to increase pedestrian safety for everyone.

Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5)

For more information go the Speaker Events page.

New Interest Groups

CALL to the Garden

Once again, we will be offering members an opportunity to learn about gardening in our area through visits to nurseries and gardens. Dates have not yet been confirmed but 4 monthly visits are contemplated beginning in May. We will likely attend some of our favorites together with a new place or two.

We have room for 15 so if you are interested, please contact the facilitator.

Your CALL Newsletter

The CALL Newsletter is our way to communicate what is going on in our community. It's a way to highlight events of interest, ‘peek behind the curtain of CALL’ and to give some general information about CALL groups and members.

You are invited to send your ideas and suggestions for future issues to newsletter@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.

CALL Newsletter dates for posting:

• Mar 31
• April 14, 28
• May 12, 26
• June 16, 30

Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.