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News From CALL November 2023
Sketch by Elaine Bouey, member of the Sketch Club Interest Group
October Events
Not so Common Law
Public Health Law
Monday, October 23, 1:00–3:00pm on Zoom
Facilitator: Jim Conway, CALL member and retired lawyer.
The public health system in Alberta is back in the spotlight with the devastating E. coli outbreak in Calgary in September 2023.
At recent media scrums, the Premier, the Minister of Health, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) have made statements that suggest new regulations governing centralized food kitchens may be needed, and that the CMOH does not have the authority to permanently close a food establishment.
Is this right? Does the Chief Medical Officer of Health [CMOH] lack the authority to close a business which has violated public health regulations? What about enforcement of public health regulations during pandemics such as the Covid-19 pandemic? What is the authority of the Chief Medical Officer of Health under Alberta law?
For more information and to join this Interest Group if you are not already a member, go to the Not so Common Law page
Readers Theatre Performance
In Praise of Women
Friday, October 27, 10:30am On Zoom.
Registration required.
Join CALL's Readers Theatre on October 27 at 10.30am via Zoom. From the comfort of your own home you can enjoy In Praise of Women, three one-act plays focusing on women.
This isn't Toronto is about the power of maternal love even when your child has been keeping a secret. The second play, set in the early 20th century shows how concentrating on details can solve a mystery. The final play, Summer's End, illustrates the disagreements that can arise from inheriting the family cottage.
To register, go to October Events on the CALL website.
November Events
Science and Environment
The State of the Energy Transition: Realities and Challenges
Tuesday, November 7, 7:30–9:30pm Online via Zoom
Speaker Aaron Foyer, energy transition researcher with ARC Energy Research Institute and founder of ENERGYminute a media company covering energy.
For more information and to register, go to the Science and Environment page.
CALL Café
The Calgary Phil Belongs to Everyone
Monday, November 20, 1:00–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Marc Stevens, President and CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra.
Marc Stevens has more than 20 years of experience at the top of the international orchestral music world with organizations such as Orchestra Canada and the London Symphony Orchestra. He will talk about his personal journey to classical music, orchestras and Calgary.
For more information and to register go to the CALL Café page.
Guests of CALL members are welcome.
Treks & Travels
The Magic of the Galapagos Islands
Wednesday, November 22, 7:30–9:00pm (fourth Wednesday of the month)
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Members of the Public are welcome to attend for a fee of $5.
Speaker: Judy Hoad
Originally called the Enchanted Isles, the Galapagos Islands were my dream destination for many years. The 19 islands lie across the equator in the Pacific Ocean, 1100 km west of the mother country, Ecuador, and stretch over a 320 km axis from east to west.
I knew about Darwin’s theory that species were not “unchangeable” but evolved through natural selection, adaptation to the environment and genetic mutation. And because of the island environment, unique flora and fauna had evolved in isolation. I wanted to see the tortoises, the Blue Footed Boobies and other special creatures.
I first visited the islands in 2010 and after my return home felt the desire to return with my sons and share the magic. I was aware that human factors and a changing physical environment are changing life on the islands – they should see the Enchanted Isles before it was too late.
I literally won the lottery and had the opportunity to share this special place with my family in 2022. In November I will share my experiences and observations about a special part of the world. I hope you can join me.
Health and Wellness
Arthritis: How to manage your arthritis; when surgery may be needed.
Monday, November 27, 1:30–3:00pm Varsity Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Dr Brian Burkart, Orthopaedic Surgeon, South Health Campus.
Members of the public are welcome to attend for a fee of $5
New Interest Groups
Watercolour Painting: 4x4 card
One session only
Wednesday, November 8, 9:30am–12:30pm Room 310 cSPACE Marda Loop
Members will each paint 3 mini paintings on 4" squares of watercolour paper using 3 different techniques.
See the Watercolour Painting: 4x4 card page for details and registration.
Wrist Wallet Fabrication
Tuesday November 14, 1:00–4:00pm Room 310, cSPACE Marda Loop.
Are you interested in learning how to make a wrist wallet? Join Helen Berscheid, expert tailor, quilter and seamstress for a three-hour workshop. All materials provided at the class ($20 cash only). Easy level.
Adjustable wrist wallet keeps keys, money or cards safe and secure and hands free. Two pockets, zip and flap closure. Great gift. Use at home or travel. Go to the Wrist Wallet Workshop page to register.
Celebrating Grandparenting and Intergenerational Relationships
One Wednesday a month, 6:00–7:30pm Online with Zoom
October 2023-June 2024. Please check the website to confirm the dates.
The purpose of this group is to create space to celebrate, reflect on, talk and learn about grandparenting and intergenerational relationships. Topics of interest we will start with are:
- What wisdom, strengths, and experiences do we bring to intergenerational relationships as the elder participants?
- What history and stories do we share or want to share with younger generations and how can we share these?
- What activities can we share with younger generations?
- What can we learn about younger generations that will support us in our role? (e.g.; contemporary parenting approaches, what children and youth are learning in school, challenges younger generations are facing?
For more information and to register go to the Celebrating Grandparenting page.
Unique Learning Opportunity—Climate Change Alberta
First and third Fridays of the month November 3–February 16 Room 310, cSPACE Marda Loop
Facilitator: Dr. David Manz
The term "climate change" has become heavily politicized over the past 20 or so years. The science underlying it, though, has been around for over 150 years. Now there's an opportunity to understand the science behind climate change and what it may mean in an Alberta context in a calm, dispassionate way. CALL is incredibly lucky to have one of Canada's experts, Dr. David Manz, who has taught the subject at the U of Calgary for many years.
Each of the biweekly sessions will start with a brief presentation by Dr. Manz followed by questions, expressions of interest, and discussion. While the topics will include the science of climate change, its impacts (being experienced and forecast), adaptation, resilience, mitigation, and reliable sources of information, group members’ interests will inform the selection of other topics.
Make sure to register at the Climate Change Alberta page ASAP in order not to miss out on this unique opportunity!
Read it Again
And the winner is…
The Grapes of Wrath has been selected as the novel to be read by Read It Again at its inaugural meeting on Monday. Why? None of us has read it for decades; Steinbeck deals with issues that are just as relevant today. He writes of drought, poverty, migration and the issues faced by migrants, and the power of technology to overturn our lives.
If that interests you, please sign up for Read it Again. Dates, times and location of meetings can be found there. We have only four more meetings to discuss this novel. We're looking forward to meeting you for an in-depth discussion of a beautifully written novel.
Meetings:10:00am–Noon at Marda Loop Community Hall, 3130 16th St SW
October 30; November 13, 27; December 11.
Is AI an Artist?
CALL member Ron Foyer has been experimenting with the art application associated with the ChatGBT Artificial Intelligence ‘machine’.
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The first image is the response to his request for a Tom Thompson picture of the Prairies. The other is Lauren Harris’ ‘interpretation’ of a wild rose.
The system produced these images in less than 10 seconds!
What do you think? Is AI artistic?
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 communications@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter dates for posting
The newsletter group has decided to return to posting once a month. The posting dates for 2023-24 are:
- November 17
- December 15
- January 19
- February 16
- March 22
- April 19
- May 24
- June 21
- August 23
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.