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News From CALL october 2026
| Speaker Events | Programs | Special Programs | Blog |
Studio Portrait of Crispin, by Henri Walhout, facilitator of the CALL Digital Photography group
President’s Message
- Judy Hoad
Happy fall! Summer went by too quickly, as did the last year for me. My term as President ends mid-October and I want to use this space to share my appreciation.
The volunteers at CALL are without parallel and I thank every one of them. If you are in an interest group or special study program you understand the skills and dedication of our facilitators. And if you go to a CALL Café or any speaker event you see a group of leaders who search out speakers who will capture the interest of our members. Behind the scenes are those who support the programs: the team that manages rental spaces, the audio-visual team, website and newsletter volunteers, and the smiling faces at the membership table and in the kitchen preparing and serving coffee and goodies. Thank you, on behalf of all the members.
And leading this organization is the Board of Directors. They are the people that I had the pleasure of working with over the last year. The committed people who sit on the Board fulfill their roles with dedication and a professionalism that I have rarely seen on other boards. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues who shared their knowledge and skills that made my job as President easier. A personal thank you.
And to you, the members, thanks for committing to a life of learning and community engagement. We know you appreciate the opportunities offered by CALL. And now as I step out of one role and into another, I look forward to learning something new and taking part in more activities. Rather than dreading the long winter, this year I’m making plans that will involve more CALL events as well as a new travel adventure or two. I hope you all make a plan to do something that will bring you joy and friendship.
Although it is still warm and sunny as I write, change is certain and with plans and good friends, winter will be easier.
To contact the CALL president, email info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
Notices
2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
All CALL members in good standing are invited to attend the 2026 AGM.
When: 15 Oct 2026 10:00 AM, MDT
Where: Zoom On-line
Hear reports of the activities for the past year, vote on a Special Resolution, meet the nominees for Board positions.
For details and documents click here
https://calgarylifelonglearners.wildapricot.org/Governance
To register click here
https://calgarylifelonglearners.wildapricot.org/event-6809899
Lock the doors!
-Operations Committee
Reminder to CALL Groups meeting in Room 310 at cSPACE: Please make sure the door is LOCKED before your group leaves Room 310. This message also applies to other venues where CALL groups are responsible for locking doors. Double check that they are locked!
Thank you.
Attention New Members! Save the date!
-Membership Committee
Thursday, October 8, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Scott Hall, Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Have you recently joined CALL and are you looking to learn more about the incredible learning opportunities available to you through CALL? Are you hoping to get to know interesting people along the way? On October 8th, CALL will be hosting a “New Member Welcome” session for members who have joined since October 2025. You’ll have an opportunity to socialize, learn how CALL operates, and meet program and interest coordinators.
Watch your email for an invitation to this event. We look forward to meeting you!
If you have questions, email us at info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
Speaker Events
Health and Wellness
Nutrition for Gut Health and the Microbiome
Monday, October 26, 1:30–3:00 pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Dr. Raylene Reimer
Dr Reimer will focus on the importance of gut health and how a healthy gut helps in having a healthy brain and a healthy body.
For the past 26 years, Dr. Reimer has led an exciting research program focused on the role that nutrition plays in improving gut health and preventing and treating obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Dr. Raylene Reimer, PhD, RD, is a Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary and also a Registered Dietitian. She has published over 230 research papers and supervised many Masters and PhD students. She has received the Earle Willard McHenry Award for Distinguished Service in Nutrition from the Canadian Nutrition Society. She is also associated with the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary Department of Biochemistry Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, and is a Full Scientist at the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute.
Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5 at the door). Registration is not required.
https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Health-and-Wellness
Treks and Travels
From the High Andes to the Amazon Basin, and from the Axis of Coffee to the Bogotá Plateau
Wednesday, October 21, 7:30–9:00 pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Presenter: Alex and Val Schumacher
Join Alex and Val as they share their “trip to Colombia” and explore areas of the country that bring them close to wonderful people, birds, monkeys, and many elements of a fantastic natural environment. They trace a route down the Putumayo River from Ipiales in the high Andes to Puerto Asís in the Amazon basin. From there, they continue to the “Axis of Coffee”, centred around the town of Armenia, the heart of Colombia’s coffee and cacao farming and processing region. They finish in Subachoque near Bogotá, then head to the headwaters of the Magdalena River. This promises to be a presentation that covers areas few of us have seen.
No registration required. Members of the public are welcome to attend (at a cost of $5).
https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Treks-and-Travels
CALL Café
Questions about the Alberta October 19th Referendum?
Monday October 5, 1:00 - 3:00 pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Drive NW
Speaker: Dr. Lori Williams
Dr. Lori Williams will give a presentation reviewing: The Process, Choices and Democratic Implications of the October Vote.
Lori Williams teaches in the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies at Mount Royal University. Her research and teaching interests include Canadian politics, law, Charter rights, women and politics, political philosophy, ethics, power and technology, including social media.
She also engages in regular media analysis and commentary.
Members are asked to register for planning purposes. You may add up to 4 guests when you register. Members of the public are welcome to attend without registering.
https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/CALL-Cafe
Science and Environment
Exploring the Role of Global Carbon Markets
Tuesday, October 6, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Online, via Zoom
Speaker: Haris Shah
We’ve all heard of carbon credits, but very few of us understand what they are or how they work. We often hear that environmental initiatives such as taking carbon out of exhaust gases, sequestration of carbon, replacement of cement with carbon crystals, and on and on, need carbon credits to make their business case work.
But, how do you create a carbon credit? Are all carbon credits the same or are there different classes of credits? When we use the term ‘markets’ you may think of the stock market and compare carbon credits to shares, but that is totally false. Once a carbon credit is used it is gone and a new one has to be created. Can a carbon credit created in Brazil be used in Canada? Who keeps track of them and ensures that the system is honest? How do you assign an internationally accepted value to them? Do they really work to reduce greenhouse gases or are they a means for polluters to delay taking action?
This talk promises to be fascinating.
Haris Shah is Business Development Executive at ClearBlue Markets which provides advisory and market intelligence services to organizations that navigate an increasingly complex carbon regulatory environment.
All Science and Environment events are online, so you must register to participate. You must be a member of CALL to register.
https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Science-and-EnvironmentPrograms
CALL to the Opera
Tosca
Wednesday, October 14, 7:00 pm
Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Ave NW
We are happy to announce that The Calgary Opera has provided CALL with the ticket purchase link for their dress rehearsals for three operas, Tosca, Cinderella and Otello. You will find the link on the CALL to the Opera web page, accessible only to members in good standing.
The price for the rehearsal is $20 and tickets are limited. All seats are reserved and patrons are encouraged to purchase in advance.
Please remember that this year, dress rehearsal dates are on the Wednesday, not the Thursday, before their first performance.
You do not need to register to be part of this group; however, if you encounter any challenges with the ticket purchase, please contact the Facilitator.
See you at the opera!
Only CALL members can access the CALL to the Opera webpage, which has the link to buy tickets.
https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/CALL-to-the-Opera
Special Programs
Caring for the Heart of Our City: Memories of a Calgary City Councillor with Madeleine King
Wednesday, October 28th, 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Varsity Acres Presbyterian Church, 4612 Varsity Dr NW
Have you ever wondered how Calgary City Council works?
Please join us as Madeleine King discusses her recent memoir which focuses on her experience as a Calgary Councillor from 2001-2007. Her memoir will enlighten readers about how Calgary City Council and City Hall actually functioned in those years, as seen through the eyes of this one Councillor. It also throws light on the broad scope of her challenges and opportunities to make a difference.
This is an opportunity to discuss:
● What power a Councillor has to make a difference
● How best to get your Councillor’s help with a project
● What’s a Councillor’s relationship with the Mayor
● How to best get involved
Madeleine King arrived in Calgary in 1981 from London, England with her husband and small baby. Without wider connections here, the community became her extended family.
Madeleine is a retired lawyer, family mediator, urban planning consultant, fund-raising consultant, business owner, certified board director, perpetual volunteer and, of course, was a Calgary City Councillor. She has two self-published memoirs and one children’s book. She is a keen member (and past president) of the Rotary Club of Calgary’s Downtown Club. She has two adult children, three children by marriage and numerous grandchildren in a blended family, and lives in Calgary with her husband, Bob Taylor.
You must be a member of CALL to register. This event is free to CALL Members, but you may bring up to two guests, at $5 each. https://calgarylifelonglearners.ca/Special-Programs
CALL Blog
Meditation: A Way to Peace and Joy in Aging
Meditation practices have been followed for thousands of years. On hearing the word “meditation”, many might envision someone sitting crossed-legged, with eyes closed, and chanting a mantra. Not wrong, but incomplete. There are many ways to practice meditation.
I asked Barry Ronellenfitch, long-time CALL member and leader of the Interest Group “Finding Peace and Joy Within” to share his observations on the value of meditation for older adults. Some of his participants shared their stories about how meditation has helped them, and these details, along with others, are included in this blog post.
Your feedback matters!
CALL is a community of curious, engaged lifelong learners and your voice adds to the conversation. Has this article sparked an idea, reminded you of an experience or raised a question? I would enjoy hearing from you - your feedback may inspire a future blog post.
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Any questions or feedback, please contact us: info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca
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 info@calgarylifelonglearners.ca. We reserve the right to edit submissions and to determine when submissions will be published.
CALL Newsletter postings 2026/27
- October 30
- November 27
- December 18
- January 29
- February 26
- March 26
- April 30
- May 28
- June 25
- August 20
Meanwhile, be well, stay well in every sense of the word.