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Find out What's Up! Click on the icons below to check out our Events Calendar.
Events with * are free to the public.
*Mondays to Fridays; Calgary Afterschool Programs for Children and Youth. Fun, safe, supervised and quality after-school opportunities for kids ages 6 to 16. calgary.ca/afterschool
April 1, 15 & 29, 12:15 to 12:45pm; Devonian Dialogues. Get your daily dose of nature from these bite-sized, informative chats at Devonian Gardens. Bring your lunch and join City of Calgary staff and community experts! Donations welcome.
April 2, 2 to 4pm; Easter Eggstravaganza Party, Trico Centre for Family Wellness. Join Trico Centre for an eggstravagant afternoon of fun! Face painting, crafts, games and more. tricocentre.ca
* April 2, 9:30 to 11:30am & 6:30 to 8:30pm; Family Easter Craft & Cookies Event, Southland Leisure Centre. Make some Easter crafts for your family and friends, and enjoy some light refreshments! Drop in to the lobby.
April 3 & 4, 9am to 3pm; Easter Eggstravaganza at the Calgary Zoo in Partnership with Calgary's Child Magazine! Bounce around the Zoo and experience multiple event zones that are bound to keep you hopping all day long! Get lost in a corn maze, courtesy of Calgary Corn Maze & Fun Farm, let Servus Credit Union snap your next selfie in the photo booth, pot-a-plant to take home. There will also be an Easter Bunny Hop, face painting, creature features, fun crafts and touch tables, indulge in some delicious chocolate goodies and there will be fantastic prize giveaways! Stay tuned for more details on this EGG-stra special family-friendly Easter event at calgaryzoo.com!
April 5 & 19, 9 to 11am; Drop-In Open Play, Bricks 4 Kidz. For ages 2 to 12. Leave your kids to build fun, creative models using their imaginations. For safety reasons, children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Bricks 4 Kidz reserves the right to cancel these classes on the day of the event due to low enrolments. Click here to register
April 9, 6 to 10pm; Adults Only Night, TELUS Spark. Those flying aliens, larger-than-life superheroes and gravity-defying space vessels from the movies may not be real; however, they didn't materialize out of thin air either. From the science that produces your favorite special effects to a behind-the-scenes look at what makes sci-fi so captivating, there's no shortage of insights to be gleaned. Included with admission/membership. Tickets: sparkscience.ca
April 10 to 26; springstART Festival, Banff National Park. Leap into Spring with this festival that delivers a unique perspective on Banff National Park! Each April, as springtime breathes new life into the landscape, exciting programming during springstART will highlight Banff's cultural, historic and artistic scene. Web
* April 11 & 12, 10am to 4pm; Family Fun Days, Aggie Days. Enjoy interactive agriculture activities including cow milking, sheep shearing, livestock auctioneering, an amazing corn maze and more! Meet a wide variety of farm animals from a huge draft horse to tiny chicks that are just a few days old. Come learn where your food comes from. Web
April 11 to May 3, Saturdays, 1pm and Sundays 1 & 3pm; Loose Moose Theatre for Kids Presents, Fabulous Fables. $12 with group rates available. For more information and to purchase tickets: 403-265-5682; loosemoose.com
April 14 & 28, 5 to 10pm; Dinner and a Movie, Heritage Park Historical Village. Enjoy a themed dinner in the Selkirk Grille restaurant before heading into Gasoline Alley Museum to watch the feature film! April features '80s cult classics. For more details and pricing: heritagepark.ca
* April 16, 8 to 9pm MST; Free Live Webinar, "Chores and Allowances: What and When?" Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child Magazine. Register today
April 18, 9:30am to 3:30pm; Calgary Moms Trade Fair. Shop, browse and interact with over 70 businesses to find the latest in local products and services available to you and your family. Takes place at Courtyard Calgary Airport - 2500, 48 Avenue NE. For more information and to register: cmtf.ca
April 18 & 19; Supertrain: Canada's Largest Model Train Show. Featuring over 60,000 square feet of Operating Model Railroad Layouts, Displays, Lionel, Lego® Trains, Thomas and Friends, Garden Railroads, Photo Exhibits, Merchandise for Sale, Live Demos and Clinics! Takes place at the Genesis Centre - 7555 Falconridge Boulevard NE. supertrain.ca
April 21, 1:30 to 6pm; Youth Hiring Fair. The City of Calgary Youth Employment Centre is hosting its 17th Annual Youth Hiring Fair geared to youth ages 15 to 24. Employers will be offering full-time, part-time and seasonal positions. Youth are encouraged to bring their resumes and be ready for on-the-spot interviews. Takes place at the Big Four Building, Stampede Park. nextsteps.org
April 23 to May 9, Fridays and Saturdays, 7pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 11am, 2 & 4pm; StoryBook Theatre Presents, Red Riding Hood. Bridget and Stephen are on a sleepover at their grandmother's house, but neither can sleep. To pass the time, they decide to act out their favorite story with things found in the attic and clothes from the wardrobe. Soon, what's real and what's imagined blur, and the kids find themselves in the deep dark woods with a wolf tracking them down! Tickets: storybooktheatre.org
April 24 & 25; 6th Annual Gateways Conference - The Journey of Life: Supporting Development from First Breath to Last, Calgary Waldorf School. With Keynote Speaker Nancy Blanning. For more information and to register
Coming in May; Calgary Reptile Expo. May 2, 10am to 5pm; May 3, 11am to 4pm. Takes place at the Midsun Community Centre - 50 Midpark Rise SE. albertareptilesociety.org
CALGARY'S CHILD MAGAZINE & GLOBAL MORNING NEWS - WHAT'S COMING UP?
Saturday, April 4
Guest: Larissa Marks, Calgary Zoo
Topic: On April 3 & 4 from 9am to 3pm, hop on down to Easter Eggstravaganza at the Calgary Zoo in Partnership with Calgary's Child Magazine! The event takes place rain or shine. Larissa will fill us on all on the egg-stra special family-fun events taking place, including bunny races with the Canadian Rabbit Hopping Club, Dinosaurs Alive! and your chance to win a Rabbitsaurus giant chocolate and other giveaways from Sponsor, Cococo!
Monday, April 6
Guest: Heather Broad, Entrepreneur Mom Now Calgary
Topic: Managing a household and a home-based business can feel quite overwhelming. With school breaks, sick days, constant interruptions, errands, working irregular hours, it's a wonder we get anything done! Heather will provide some excellent tips to help manage the time you do have so you can run a more efficient home-based business.
Saturday, April 11
Guest: Tammy Johnston, The Financial Johnston
Topic: Money is a fact of life and one that kids need to learn about, right along with all the other important life skills we teach them. With uncertainty in our economy, it is even more important to make sure your kids are financially literate. When kids understand how money works, how to ask intelligent questions and how to be actively involved in their financial lives, they grow up to be successful, confident and financially independent adults. Tammy will provide her two cents on money sense for kids.
Monday, April 13
Guest: Patricia Hayes, Little Warriors
Topic: Little Warriors is a charitable organization committed to the awareness, prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse. Patricia will fill us on the work being done in this important organization and also provide great information on their new Canadian Child Sexual Abuse Workshops, Prevent It!
Saturday, April 18
Guest: Regan Forsyth, www.eatplaysleep.ca
Topic: The 40-minute nap mystery: What causes early wakeups during your baby's naps and how can you help them sleep soundly? Regan will provide expert advice.
Monday, April 20
Guest: Ruth McCosh, Long & McQuade
Topic: Music Lessons 101: Ruth will give us the inside scoop and provide expert advice on when to put your little treble maker into music lessons and more!
Saturday, April 25
Guest: Sheri Bruneau, Get It Together
Topic: Home Renovation 101: What is the first step in a home renovation? Why is it important to have a Design Plan? What is a contingency fund? What is the best way to budget for renovations? Sheri will provide expert advice so your next reno goes smoothly!
Monday, April 27
Guest: Kailyn Baum, Peadalheads
Topic: Bike riding is a favorite pastime of Calgarians. What safety skills should younger riders and teens be aware of before hitting the abundance of trails and pathways in our great city? Kailyn will provide expert advice.
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Calgary's Child
Quick Links...
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Spring is busting out all over Calgary!
This month is full of fabulous events and we've included a list to help you plan! You won't want to miss Easter Eggstravaganza at the Calgary Zoo and Aggie Days! As always, we've included great articles and TONS of contests!
Happy Reading!
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On Stands Now
Calgary's Child Magazine's March-April 2015 Issue!
 Our Spring issue is packed full of tips & tricks to get your family back into the bloom of things! This issue highlights your new baby and growing family, plus R&R for parents. Find out who's the best of the best with our list of the 2015 Parents' Choice Awards winners.
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by Krista Conrad; Photo: PhotoXpress.com
 From finding eggs to eating them, Calgary has a lot of fun events to keep families entertained this Easter. Families looking for some Easter fun this spring are in luck: Calgary is brimming with Easter-themed events and egg hunts to keep children of all ages - and even mom, dad and Rover - entertained. There is something in Calgary to suit every budget, family size and age group.
Many Calgary neighborhoods and Community Associations are hosting Easter egg hunts for their residents between March 21 and Easter Sunday, April 5. The dates and times vary for age group, so community members are encouraged to check out their Association's website and newsletters for event information.
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All Aboard! Enter to Win a Family Pack of 4 Tickets to Day Out With Thomas!
 Everyone's favorite train is chugging back into town! Day Out With Thomas returns to Heritage Park Historical Village® for two full weekends of exciting Thomas-themed activities. Take a ride with Thomas and meet the railway controller Sir Topham Hatt™. Enjoy face painting, photos with Thomas the Tank Engine™, arts and crafts in the Imagination Station, live entertainment and much more! For more information, visit heritagepark.ca. To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.
For your chance to win a family pack of 4 tickets on either May 2 or May 3, enter here (contest code: Thomas). Entry deadline is Monday, April 27, 2015.
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Save the Date for Easter Eggstravaganza at the Calgary Zoo!
 April 3 & 4, 9am to 3pm; Easter Eggstravaganza, Presented by Cococo Chocolatiers in Partnership with Calgary's Child Magazine!
Bounce around the Zoo and experience multiple event zones that are bound to keep you hopping all day long!
Check out calgaryzoo.com for more details on this EGG-stra special family-friendly Easter event!
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Wine & Chips - Who Knew? Enter to Win a Movie Night Prize Pack!
 Enter to win wine, chips, wine glasses, bowl and a cozy blanket to share with your loved one and #UnwindTogether!
Let's be honest, it's tough for parents to get out of the house and enjoy a night to themselves. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Wines and Miss Vickie's Potato chips are teaming up to encourage wine lovers to #UnwindTogether at home. Pair the two together along with their favorite TV series for a romantic night in!
For your chance to win an #UnwindTogether prize pack, enter here (contest code: Woodbridge). Entry deadline is Wednesday, April 15, 2015.
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by Nancy Juarez; Photo: PhotoXpress.com
 You don't have to spend a lot of money every time you go out. By taking advantage of weekly deals or drop-in sessions, you can have fun with the whole family without breaking the bank. Here's a list of ongoing deals all around the city for every day of the week!
Sunday
Family Fun Night at Trico Centre
Family Fun Night takes place every Sunday evening where for just $3 a person (or
free if you're a member) you and the family can enjoy public swimming from 6 to 8
pm and enjoy open gym time from 6 to 7pm. In addition, other activities like
Family Game Night also take place.
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The Calgary International Children's Festival is Coming... Get Ready!
by Calgary International Children's Festival; Photo: Courtesy of Calgary International Children's Festival
 Calgary International Children's Festival bursts onto the scene each May, welcoming over 50,000 parents, children, teachers and theatre-lovers each year. The Festival is a place where parents can share Calgary's vibrant arts and culture with their children, and the kids, young and old, can come to explore, discover and expand their creative selves. As the creative thinkers of tomorrow, this offers an invaluable chance to experience the arts, often for the first time, in a fun, safe and imaginative Festival environment.
As an avid supporter of the Festival, Allie Percival-Wightman (our Social Media Manager) was able to sit down with Brian Dorscht, Curator of the Festival, and learn more about this annual event.
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Home School 101 Guide
For those just getting started to families who are already well on their way, our guide will provide additional resources and options to enhance your curriculum and home school experience.
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Bicycle Helmet Safety
provided by Alberta Health Services EMS; Photo: PhotoXpress.com
 Head injuries are a leading cause of serious injury and death to children riding bicycles. Most injuries occur when a cyclist suffers a fall, strikes a stationary object or collides with another cyclist/pedestrian. Remember - it's the law in Alberta that cyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet (and highly recommended for all ages). Helmets should be CSA approved and worn during recreational activities such as skateboarding, in-line skating or cycling.
Getting informed
* Wearing a helmet while cycling can prevent a serious injury, or even save a life.
* Brain injuries can cause permanent disability or death.
* Reduce your risk by always wearing your helmet.
* Replace any helmet that has been involved in a crash, even if it appears undamaged.
Getting started
* Allow children to assist when buying their helmet. Cyclists who choose their own helmet are more likely to wear them.
* Start the habit early. Young children learning to ride tricycles need to wear helmets.
* Parents must lead by example - always wear a helmet when cycling.
Getting the right fit
* Take the time to properly fit and adjust your helmet to
ensure maximum protection in case of a crash.
* When worn properly, helmets should fit level, not tilted up, or down over the forehead.
* Helmets should feel snug, but not too tight. To test the fit, the helmet should not fall off when you shake your head from side-to-side while the straps are unfastened.
* Adjust the chin straps to form a 'Y' below and slightly forward from the ears.
* Only one finger should be able to fit under the chin strap when it is fastened.
* Do not forget to use the sizing pads included with the helmet. They will help improve the overall fit, comfort and safety.
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Enter to Win a Copy of Author Barbara Sher's Book: The Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor and Sensory Games
 Barbara provides a variety of engaging games and step-by-step directions for how to use children's natural interests at different stages of their development to encourage a wealth of sensory motor and social skills.
These games are especially effective for children with special-needs, but can be played and enjoyed by everyone! For more information, visit gameslady.com. Purchase at amazon.ca
For your chance to win a copy of The Whole Spectrum of Social, Motor and Sensory Games, enter here (contest code: Games).
Entry deadline is Thursday, April 30, 2015.
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 Canola or olive oil, for cooking
1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 lb. garlic or farmers' sausage
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 to 3 celery stalks, chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 pint cherry tomatoes, some halved, some whole (or a couple of diced tomatoes)
1 cup long-grain white rice
2 tsp. each garlic powder, oregano and paprika
A few sprigs of thyme
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 lb. raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
A handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley or cilantro Preheat the grill to medium-high and set a large, heavy cast iron skillet directly on grate. Place the chicken thighs and sausage on the grill alongside it and cook, turning, until charred and cooked through. Remove to a wood cutting board and when it's cool enough to handle, cut into bite-sized pieces. Meanwhile, add a drizzle of oil to the skillet, and when it's hot, add the onion, bell pepper, celery and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 4 to 5 minutes or until softened. Add the tomato paste and cook for another minute, then stir in the tomatoes, scraping up browned bits. Mix in the rice, spices, thyme and bay leaves. Add the stock; season with salt and pepper and bring to a simmer. Move the pan to a cooler spot (or reduce the heat), cover with foil and simmer until almost all the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 30 minutes. Season shrimp with salt and pepper; quickly cook on the hot grill, then mix into the rice along with the chicken and sausage. Toss to combine and top with parsley. Serves 6. |
Peace of Mind Right at Your Fingertips Contest!
 The Angelcare® AC701 Touchscreen, Movement & Sound Monitor features an under the mattress sensor pad, allowing parents to know within 20 seconds if no movement is detected in the crib.
The parent unit also comes with a two-way walkie-talkie feature that lets you soothe your baby from another room. Available to purchase at babiesrus.ca, sears.ca and angelcarebaby.com.
For your chance to win the Angelcare® AC701 Touchscreen, Movement & Sound Monitor,
enter here (contest code: Angelcare).
Entry deadline is Monday, April 13, 2015.
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Why do We Think That we can Buy Happiness?
by Gail Bell and Julie Freedman Smith; Photo:PhotoXpress.com
 We hear from parents that their kids don't put stuff away or that there is too much stuff around to tidy up at the end of the day. We hear that they are constantly buying the latest thing for their kids - new clothes, technology, toys, etc.
When we ask why they are buying these things, we hear:
"It will make her happy."
"He really wanted it."
"She loves these gifts."
"It was a reward for his chart."
The first tough question is: Why do we think that we can buy happiness?
Focusing on the external things might carry our kids for a short time but just like an excuse, it stops us from facing the underlying fear or discontent. In order to find (and teach) true joy, we need to slow down, become aware and connect with our kids.
In a recent article, Deepak Chopra noted that it is "Four intangibles which really bring people happiness":
1. Attention. Attention is deep listening. When we give our attention, we are completely present and open as we focus on understanding another person's perspective - even when we don't agree with it. We don't give advice (unless the other person directly asks for it) and we don't interrupt or try to get someone to hurry up and 'get to the point.'
Simply by listening attentively to someone, we are actually helping to calm their brain and reduce their stress, which has many benefits for physical and emotional well-being.
2. Appreciation. Appreciation is letting someone know that you value them and are grateful they are in your life. You notice the qualities you love about a person and share your appreciation for who they are, their unique gifts and the ways in which their presence and actions creates more peace, joy and fun in your life.
3. Affection. Affection is deep caring. We express our affection through our words, physical touch and other actions, letting someone know that we are there for them. Loving touch is particularly vital to health and happiness. It releases a shower of natural pain-relieving and mood-elevating chemicals throughout the body, calming the mind's busy chatter and promoting feelings of safety, comfort and relaxation. While technology allows us to see and hear each other from a distance, it can't create the true connection and fulfillment that comes from loving touch.
4. Acceptance. One of the deepest human needs is acceptance... that feeling of being completely seen and accepted, even with all of our weaknesses, inconsistencies and shortcomings. We can cultivate the ability to accept both ourselves and others exactly as they are.
Consider which of these four gifts you will share with your family members. Notice their reactions as you share attention, appreciation, affection and acceptance.
It's one thing to have parenting tools that help you tackle situations in the moment. It's another thing to have strategies that guide you through the 'real life' hurdles, and help you to prepare your kids by providing them with essential skills for their growth and development. Parenting Power can help. For more information, visit their website.
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"Chores and Allowances: What and When?" - Free Webinar with Judy Arnall
photo: PhotoXpress.com 
April 16, 8 to 9pm MST; Free Live Webinar, "Chores and Allowances: What and When?" Brought to you by Professional Parenting Canada and Calgary's Child Magazine. Register today!
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Save the Date: Spring Romp N Roll at Kayben Farms
Spring Romp N Roll at Kayben Farms: May 1 to 3. Introducing their newest attractions (details to be revealed on Kayben Farms' Facebook page on Friday, April 17) and Opening on Sundays this season! Participate in contests, take a Free tractor ride, enter to win awesome prizes and meet the new animals. Friday, May 1, 9am to 5pm; Saturday & Sunday, May 2 & 3: 10am to 5pm. For all the romping details, visit www.kayben.com
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Put a Spring in Your Step with The City of Calgary Recreation Contest!
photo: PhotoXpress.com
 The City of Calgary Recreation wants to help you get fit this Spring! One lucky winner will receive a Fitness Bag and 2 Family Leisure Centre Day Passes.
For your chance to win the Fitness Bag and 2 Family Leisure Centre Day Passes from The City of Calgary Recreation, enter here (contest code: Spring).
Entry deadline is Monday, April 13, 2015.
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Love our Contests? We Have Even More Ways to Win!
Our Facebook and Twitter followers look to us for details on upcoming events, information about the latest issue, see what's new & notable; they connect with parents around Calgary and even get help with dinner! Check out our "Enter to Win" Facebook Tab and our wall posts and tweets every day for new contests and giveaways. Join us!
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