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News From CALL October 2024
Baobabs photographed by Sue Stretton, of CALL’s Digital Photography Group
President’s Message
- Barbara Decker Pierce, CALL President
We are back in the swing of things and looking forward to the year to come. Thanks to all of you who joined us for this year’s CALL Kickoff Café. We had just over 200 registered for the event. It was great to reconnect with our CALL community and to spend time together learning about the origins and ambitions of Calgary’s newest opera company – the Ammolite Opera. A bonus was the opportunity to hear some of the wonderful voices of their ensemble.
Membership renewals are going well. We are ahead of where we were last year at this time. We also had 40 new members join us in August. I noticed that the membership table was kept very busy at the Kickoff. Clearly our numbers continue to grow, and we have great programs to offer. Over 30 Interest Groups are now accepting new members. They represent a wide range of subjects, meeting times and venues. Check the CALL website to review the chart that shows which groups are currently accepting new members. Any of these groups would be happy to welcome you to their next meeting.
Remember that CALL exists because members step up to facilitate events and programs. You don’t need to be an expert to facilitate a group! Maybe you are interested in starting a new group … Great! Contact the program committee to learn how we can help you set up a group. Use your imagination, be creative and help CALL programming grow along with its membership.
Notice of the CALL Annual General Meeting 2024
Calgary Association of Lifelong Learners (CALL)
Notice of Annual General Meeting 2024,
Thursday, October 17, 10:00am via ZOOM
Please be advised that the AGM of CALL will be held on Thursday October 17, 2024, at 10:00am via ZOOM.
All members in good standing* are invited to attend and are eligible to vote on all Motions.
- Report on 2023/24 programming
- Financial Reports for 2023/24
- Election of Officers and Directors
All documents for the meeting will be posted on the Governance webpage as they become available.
As the meeting is via ZOOM, registration is required.
* Membership for 2024/25 is needed to register.
September Events
Not So Common Law
Protest Encampments on Universities
Monday, September 23, 1:00pm–3:00pm via Zoom
Facilitator: Jim Conway
Protest encampments on universities proliferated this year across Canada with the protestors demanding that universities divest from funds supporting Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Some protestors occupied university campuses. In Alberta, the University of Calgary called in the police to dismantle a student encampment in the University quad on May 9, 2024 less than 24 hours after it went up, and similar action followed at the University of Alberta.
Concerns were raised about the use of force by police in ejecting protestors at the behest of the Alberta universities. The universities have defended their actions on the basis that they had properly invoked their powers under trespass law and university policies. Other universities (University of Toronto) commenced legal proceedings under trespass law seeking court injunctions and restraining orders against protestors before seeking police assistance to eject “trespassers”.
Does the law of trespass support the actions taken by universities? Isn’t free expression a core purpose of a university? The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects fundamental freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association. Does the Charter apply to universities and “override” trespass law and university policy?
You must be a CALL member to register. After registration, you will receive the link for the Zoom meeting.
October Events
Science and Environment Speaker Series
Urban Development in Maya Lowlands: A case study from the Calakmul Region, Southern Campeche
Tuesday, October 1, 7:30pm via Zoom
Speaker: Dr. Kathryn Reese-Taylor
Kathryn Reese-Taylor is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Calgary. Her principal research focuses on remote sensing, landscape archaeology, urbanism, and the development of complexity in the Maya lowlands. Reese-Taylor has directed archaeological projects in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico and published numerous articles, chapters, and reports, often with collaborators and students. Her current project is a multidisciplinary program of research located in southern Campeche focused on the region surrounding Calakmul.
In this presentation she will discuss the emergence, florescence, decline, and revitalization of the Bajo el Laberinto urban landscape from 1000 BCE to 1460 CE, with an emphasis on the distinct settlement patterns and land management strategies that resulted in exceptional and long-lasting prosperity. The study area surrounds the Bajo el Laberinto, a major wetland in southern Campeche, and is focused on the city of Calakmul, one of the largest and most significant cities in the Precontact Americas.
The study was initiated in 2011 and since 2014 many lidar surveys have been undertaken over approximately 270 square kilometres. Archaeological excavations have afforded new insights regarding the long-term urban development, landscape modification, and environmental management within the region.
You must be a CALL member to register. For more information and to register, go to the Science and Environment page.
Treks and Travels
Canada’s High Arctic
Wednesday, October 16, 7:30pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speakers: Diane Stinson
Diane visited Canada’s High Arctic with her husband and sister in August 2023. The expedition started in Iqaluit and went north along the east coast of Baffin Island, through the Davis Strait and Baffin Bay and into Lancaster Sound and finished in Resolute.
Expedition outings included zodiac cruising, shore walks, and helicopter excursions and the opportunity to take a “polar plunge”. Much of the trip was north of the Arctic Circle. Diane will share her experiences on Devon and Beechy Islands, the Franklin expedition graves, and her sightings of the birds and mammals of the region such as polar bears, walrus, and Bowhead whales. This is a region of mountains and glaciers, stunning icebergs and northern tundra.
No registration required. Members of the public are welcome to attend ($5 at the door).
CALL Café
Examining the Stereotype: What is an Albertan?
Monday, October 21, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Jackie Flanagan
Jackie Flanagan, CALL member and publisher of Alberta Views magazine will address stereotypes about Albertans. “Not only those in the rest of the country, but Albertans themselves have a stereotype of what an Albertan is—a conservative white male—a farmer, cowboy or oil worker. What are the consequences of this stereotype? Whose interests does it serve? And how accurate is it anyway?”
This presentation is open to members, guests and the public. Members are asked to register to help us plan our refreshments. Please register at CALL Café registration page.
Health and Wellness
Foot Problems
Monday, October 28, 1:30pm–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Dr. Christina Bakir MD FRCSC
After growing up in Calgary, Dr. Bakir continued her education at the University of Calgary, achieving a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with honours. She then continued to medical school and residency training in Orthopaedic Surgery, also from the University of Calgary. Dr. Bakir is a practising orthopaedic surgeon whose dual fellowship training was in Foot and Ankle Surgery and Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery.
She will speak to us about the problems that may develop in one's feet as aging occurs, such as diabetes and neuropathy.
Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door). Registration is not required.
Speaker Event
Crossing the River
Tuesday, October 29, 1:00pm–3:00pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, Meeting Area on Second Floor
Speakers: Sandra Hayes-Gardiner and Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes
Sandra Hayes-Gardiner has practised as a psychotherapist, trainer and consultant in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. She worked in northern First Nations communities, and provided mental health consultation in Manitoba First Nations Addictions and Treatment Centres. Sandra then spent twenty years working in the Cariboo-Chilcotin, near Williams Lake, B.C.
Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes is a proud Nehiyaw Esquao (Cree Woman), a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation, Saskatchewan, Treaty Six, and Métis. Cheryle earned a BA in Communications and a BA in Canadian “Native” Studies from the University of Calgary. She has been an Indigenous activist within Calgary and recently retired as Administrative Coordinator at the Native Centre at the University of Calgary.
Please join Calgary author and CALL member Sandra Hayes-Gardiner, and Traditional Knowledge Keeper, Cree Elder and Pipe Carrier Cheryle Chagnon-Greyeyes on a journey every Canadian can take. Growing up in the 1950s and ‘60s, Sandra absorbed the notions of continuing racism and prejudice against Indigenous people. As a social worker with the federal government, she was responsible for removing ‘at risk’ Indigenous children from their families, often sending them to residential school. Over time she was led to advocacy work with Indigenous communities and developed a passionate dedication to unlearning and relearning Canada’s real history. Sandra faced the task of 'crossing the river’ between two communities, the mostly white town where she lived, and the Cree Nation on the other side. You will be shocked, saddened, encouraged and ultimately challenged to ask yourself the questions she asks herself even now - what kind of Canada do you want and how will you be part of that unfolding history.
Members of the public are welcome to attend at a cost of $5, collected at the door. CALL members please register.
Interest Group Updates
Finding Peace and Joy Within
New Session
Wednesdays, October 2 to November 20, 10 am–noon
Room 310, cSPACE Marda Loop
Facilitator: Barry Ronellenfitch
There is a universal human desire to be happy and to avoid suffering. For the wise, this desire extends to those we love and to our community. We try to fulfill that desire through our outer world – family, career, service, hobbies, recreation, etc. Through modern technology, we now have wealth, health, and social connection to an extent that our ancestors (and many in developing nations) could only dream of. Yet which of us is truly happy and free of suffering? Do you have the feeling that “something” is missing?
We have known since we were small children that we have both a mind and a body. However, we have a third, inner resource that we easily overlook, that can provide a source of uncaused joy and respite from suffering.
Please join us at “Finding Peace and Joy Within” to have a direct experience of this resource to help you have a happier and more fulfilled life. For more information and to register, go to the Finding Peace and Joy Within page.
Announcements
Attention Cribbage Players!
If you would like to come and play cribbage, we now have a facilitator. If enough interest is shown, a date, time and venue will be chosen.
If you’ve never played this popular card game, it is easy to learn and fun to play. Cribbage can be played in groups of two, three or four. We welcome all who are interested! Contact Eric Roston if you would like to play cribbage with us, or to get more information.
Online Learning for Seniors
-Maureen Osis, CALL Communications Team
A friend asked if CALL offered any online programs. I showed her the calendar on the CALL website which shows the location of all the programs.
Her query piqued my interest in “Online Learning”, so I did some reading about the origins of “correspondence education” and its transformation into online learning with the development of the Internet.
In a survey, CALL asked members about using Zoom for program delivery. With permission, I share some of the results in this blog post. Would it surprise you to learn that an equal number of respondents prefer in-person and on Zoom?
The CALL Blog is public so please share the link with your family and friends. It is easy to do. Just copy the URL https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Blogand paste into an email or text message.
Any questions or feedback, please contact me: blog@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
Tips for Navigating the CALL Website
We have many new members who may benefit from these tips, but older members might learn a few things too! We want all members to learn how they can get the most out of their membership.
Tip #1
Members may give up on an Interest Group that they would like to join when they see it is full. However, members are encouraged to reach out to the facilitator. Often the status of these groups changes — some are full for a long time but others do open up. And sometimes the facilitator might be open to accepting a new member. It is entirely possible to get into a group marked “full”, though it takes a bit of luck, no doubt. So go ahead and contact the facilitator, and keep your fingers crossed!
Tip #2
The calendar is great because you can see what programs are offered — which day and time and where. But you can't tell which are accepting new members.
So it helps to look at the calendar AND to look at the page "Interest Groups and Study Programs" to see which are accepting new members.
Tip #3
The website contains this newsletter and archived newsletters. You don’t need to hunt through your mail to find this or an older newsletter. Just go to the CALL homepage, and look under “Communications”.
The CALL Newsletter
- 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 2024-25
- October 18
- November 15
- December 20
- January 17
- February 21
- March 21
- April 18
- May 16
- June 20
- August 22
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.