Volume 46 Issue 12 Fall 2020
Aspen News
Making the neighborhood you want to live in!
Message from our President
As the evenings get cooler and we head back to school, re-designed fall activities, etc. I’m sure many of us are wondering how summer, once again, has flown by. I’ve so enjoyed seeing more people around the neighborhood in the past few months. I hope this becomes a permanent part of our new normal in Aspen/Westbrook.

The AGCL board decided not to take a break from meetings this summer as each month brought new realities and new paths forward, including:

  • Grab & Go Food Truck nights: we’ve hosted two great food truck evenings (despite a glitch the second time, details later in the newsletter).
  • Fall Harvest: featuring our third grab & go food truck event with food and beer for a toonie.
  • Fall programming: we’ve though hard about what we should offer and decided to keep things on hold for the fall.
  • Winter activities: we’re working with the City, and provincial guidelines, to determine how to safely reopen our rinks this winter, and we’ve got some ideas for new activities – stay tuned!
  • AGCL grounds: We’ve hired a lawn company to trim things between times when the city cuts the grass.
  • Little Aspen Playschool: we’ve worked closely with LAPS on reopening plans. As of the end of August there are spaces available. www.aspengardens.ca/programs/little-aspen-playschool-society-laps/  
  • We’re updating the AGCL website and Face Book page. If you have questions, etc. email me at president@aspengardens.ca.
  • September is membership month, so if you haven’t already, please join/rejoin to support AGCL. You can sign up online (see below) or at the Fall Harvest.

Thanks to all the board members who volunteer their time to help make Aspen/Westbrook wonderful communities, and thanks to each of you for keeping our community safe, inclusive, and welcoming.

See you at Fall Harvest Grab & Go Food Truck evening!

Shauna
Sometimes we hit a home run and sometimes we miss...
Thank you to our wonderful community for supporting our Food Truck events over the summer. We try to carefully pick and plan which food trucks to invite, but unfortunately, we can not control how the events turn out. We know that at the last event the dinner truck was late, and not prepared. This was very disappointing for us as we do try to carefully plan this. Thanks to everyone who came out to support our community league grab & go food truck nights. We are sorry to those who were turned away last time or did not get what they came for because the food ran out. We hope this experience won’t deter you from stopping by for our next food truck night.
Fall Harvest
Date: Thurs Sept 24
Where: AGCL Hall (outdoors only)
Time: 5-8pm

We are going to have a mini Fall Harvest this year. Due to COVID, we will not be planning any formal activities. At the event:

  • Two food trucks
  • Brews for twos (toonie drop for a beer - clearing out our stash. While supplies last)
  • Membership Table to buy your new 2020/2021 membership
  • Plant swap

Please practice safe physical distancing and please wear a mask when distancing is not possible.

Swap them perennials
Bring your give away plants to the Fall Harvest! We’ll have a space set up near the community league parking lot for a physically distanced plant swap.

*During COVID times, please don't be handling all items you see and maintain physical distancing and/or wear a mask.

FOOD TRUCKS:
Coast LunchBox
  • accepts cash, debit & credit
We proudly use the freshest, local ingredients possible. Our meat is hormone & antibiotic free, our seafood is wild & sustainable & our produce is island grown, whenever in season. We are local, so we buy local!
  • Korean BBQ Pork Wrap $12
Slow roasted pork shoulder rubbed with hoisin & chilli, shaved & served with
Coast slaw, cucumber & miso-scallion aioli.
  • Jerk Chicken Club Naan Wrap $12
Charred chicken thighs, smoked bacon, Coast slaw & cumin-lime aioli
  • Sesame Crusted Pacific Albacore Tuna Wrap $12
Tuna seared rare with Coast slaw, pickled onions, cucumbers & miso-scallion aioli
  • Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich $12
Coast Slaw, tomato, greens, pickled onion & Sriracha aioli
  • Organic Chickpea Falafel Burger $12
A crispy curry scented fritter with fresh veggies & dill tzatziki on a local sesame seed bun
  • Rosemary Garlic Fries with Truffle Ailoi $6
Fresh cut B.C. potatoes fried & served with lemon truffle aioli.
  • accepts cash, debit & credit
  • The Originals ($6)
Imagine a baker's dozen of hot & fresh mini donuts, leave them plain & perfect or have them showered with:Cinnamon & Sugar, Icing Sugar, White Sugar
  • The Gourmets ($8)
This is where we take things up a notch... The gourmet donuts are served up hot & fresh in a tray, with a fork (or forks? Will you share?). Which one will you choose?

Death by Donut - donuts smothered in caramel and chocolate sauce, sprinkled with Skor bits and topped with mounds of real whip cream.

Strawberry Shortcake - donuts bathed in strawberry pie filling, dusted with icing sugar and topped with mounds of real whip cream.

Maple Bacon - donuts drizzled with hot maple syrup and real bacon bits, dusted with icing sugar and topped with mounds of real whip cream. 

  • Fresh Squeezed Lemonade ($4)
Soccer Director Needed
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Love the Beautiful Game? We Need You!

AGCL is looking for a new Soccer Director for the upcoming 2021 season (season and play rules COVID dependent).

Our soccer program is run 'in house'. This means that we play at the same field in our own community and your child gets to play with children from the community (and surrounding area) and you get to mingle with parents from the community as well. It's a lot of fun and a great non competitive environment.

Interested in helping? Or know someone who might be?! Email Shauna at president@aspengardens.ca

*New* Community Plant Swap Page on Facebook
On Facebook? Check out our new pant swap page!
Time to separate overgrown perennials? Need something new for that empty space in your garden?

Check out the AGCL Facebook Plan Swap album and give/get what you need.
Community Programs
HOME ALONE
Unfortunately this course remains on hold due to the ongoing concerns with the COIVD-19 pandemic, and it is unknown when it might proceed. 
COMMUNITY SWIM
As of September 6, 2020 the Exclusive Pool Use and Unified Community League Access Program will be suspended for the remainder of 2020, as per the City of Edmonton.

Community League Members still have the opportunity to use the Community League Wellness Program. This Program allows access to those facilities that are open, at any time. The Wellness Program includes:
  • Annual Membership - 20% discount on Adult, Family, Child, and Youth/Senior Annual Memberships
  • Multi Admission Pass* - 15% discount on our already discounted multi admission pass (5+ visits)
  • Continuous Monthly Membership - 20% discount off an on-going monthly membership using our convenient Pre-Authorized Debit Program.

These discounted memberships can be acquired by presenting your valid Edmonton community league membership card at any one of the City of Edmonton's sports and fitness facilities. Community league members who purchase one of the options will be issued a photo access card to be swiped at each admission.
* Applies to new purchases only. Please visit the City of Edmonton’s Activities, Parks & Recreation website to see what facilities have opened.
Building Update
As you may remember, we have plans to update and do a modest expansion of the community league hall. We have secured $400,000 from the city from the community league infrastructure program. We needed that show of support from the city to strengthen our provincial grant application in June. We find out in December if the provincial funding will come though or not. We will move forward or revisit the project based on the December outcome. We are excited to see the support from the city and hope that we can continue along. We will be providing updates as soon as we hear back. 

We have been awarded $3500 from Tree Canada to install edible fruit trees into our park space close to the VB teachers parking lot. We are working with the city right now to either plant this fall or next spring. We have their permission to plant up to 6 trees currently. Tree Canada and the community league will offer an outdoor education planting session during the installation to show residents how to successfully grow fruit trees in our zone. Keep posted for details and sign up. 
For our 55+ Neighbours
Babysitting Corner
Looking for occasional child care from teens right in your neighborhood? Look no further!

Brooke Tyson: Aged 12. She has completed the Red Cross babysitting course. She is very good with children and can do housework (e.g., dishes, cleaning, cooking) when kids are asleep. Contact Brooke @ 780-720-9067

Casey Needham: Aged 12. He has completed his babysitting course and has been babysitting for over a year. He loves to bring games to play with the kids and playing sports with them if they are interested. Contact via Tara @ 780-916-3294

Casey and Claire Nerdahl: Ages 13 and 12. Casey and Claire are sisters and both have completed the Red Cross babysitting course. They enjoy babysitting together when there are 2 or more kids and are great with pets and pet sitting too. They are available most weekends and occasionally after school. Contact @ 780-993-9677

Jonas Jaggard. Aged 14. He has completed the babysitting course through Breath for Life. He prefers working with children ages 3 and up who are potty trained.Contact via Janice Baskin (c) 780-232-1747 or janice@camelotinteriors.com

Maddy Dublenko. Aged 12. Maddy has completed her babysitting course and lives in Aspen Gardens. Contact via Nicki @ 780-267-4277.

Patience McCurdy: Aged 17. She loves band, art and being creative. Patience has a part time job at an after school care facility, as well as a child development assistant certification and she has completed 2 babysitting courses. Contact Patience @ 780-935-2803.

Samson Pretzlaff: Aged 12. He has his babysitting certificate. He is very a very responsible teen, and has helped coach soccer and has been the Junior Representative on AGCL. Contact via Sara @ 780-983-4034

Sarah Veale: Aged 13.5. She has her babysitting certificate and lives in Aspen Gardens. She has 3 regular clients and is great with kids of all ages, babysitting for over 1 year.She is in French immersion and is a great singer so often sings with the kids. Contact via Jenny @ 780-699-1256

Sophie Paul: Aged 13. She has completed her babysitting course and she has experience babysitting toddlers and school aged children. Sophie is allergic to cats. Contact via Jody@ 780-966-7511 or email jodynicholson424@gmail.com
Community Membership
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Community Membership is available for purchase online and has it's benefits, including discounts at:

  • 15% on multi-admission passes to City of Edmonton recreation centres
  • 20% on annual passes to City of Edmonton recreation centres 
  •  discounts at the following local retailers:
  • 5% at Petrolia Liquor Store
  • 10% at Square One Coffee
  • 10% at Blue Sky Dogs
  • 10% at Stone & Wheel Pizza
  • 10% at Roma Pizza & Donair
  • 10% at Anava Esthetics Studio
  • No GST at Westbrook Drycleaners
  • Good Stock Restuarant & Catering

2020-2021 Community League Memberships will be available for purchase during the Food truck event in July. Depending on COVID this Fall, there may be no door to door sales this year, so please come by and grab your membership!
Community Bulletin Board

BLUE SKY DOGS PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKING AND PET CARE:
Dog walking, Pet Sitting, and Pet Visits. Licensed, Insured and Bonded. Visit blueskydogs.ca, email tim@blueskydogs.ca or call 780-903-8016. 10% discount for AGCL members!

WESTBROOK TUTORING SERVICES:
Certified Teacher with 25 years experience is interviewing new families for the Fall 2018 school year. Students of all ages and abilities welcome. I tailor my approach to the unique learning styles of each child. Committed to developing longstanding rapport with families in the community. References available, call Nicole @ 780-218-1319.

MUSIC LESSONS:
Piano lessons in your own home, beginners a specialty. Evening, afternoon, daytime spots avail. Richard Van oosterom, B.Mus, [M. Mus (courses)] piano, theory, harmony, RCM, and university exam preparation. 780-437-2391 (home), 780-292-3489 (cell), rjvano@primus.ca or www.mauranuimusic

JIM’S HOME MAINTENANCE SERVICE:
Experience with plumbing, painting, install and repair of toilets, faucet, drywall, cleaning roofs, gutters, grout and silicone bathtubs. $30/hr, 20% off AGCL members. Jimxu4808@gmail.com

TOOL MAN TIM (TMT), NEW HANDY MAN in the HOOD:
Light yard and home maintenance, rototilling, small projects, long time recently retired (early) AG resident, building a small local client base. Give Tim a call to see if he can help you. 780-940-6800, Bigtracker@shaw.ca

HANDMADE CROCHET NECK COWLS, WRIST BANDS, & NECK WARMERS:
100% Alberta grown ALPACA wool. Eco-friendly, non-allergenic, soft & soothing. Great for gifts! Contact: mmerrikka@gmail.com

ANDROMEDA INSPIRATION
2.5 inch wide crocheted wrist bands, with removable Angel Bear finger puppet. Also in Andromeda cowls and skinny wrist band party favours. Makes great You and Me gifts/ friendship gifts. Made with Merino wool, silk noil, mohair, firestar Art Yarn. Puppet in cotton and merino. Please email Monica at mmerrikka@gmail.com

HAPPINESS IS YOU PHOTOGRAPHY
Family, maternal, newborn and personal branding photography sessions offered. Please contact Tara Needham at 780-916-3294 or email happinessisyouphotography@gmail.com. Visit my website at happinessisyouphotography.com

MASSAGE THERAPY
Elena is a certified and licensed R.M.T offering mobile massage therapy in Aspen Gardens and the surrounding communities. Appointments available between the hours of 10 AM and 1:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Flexible hours available on the weekends. For bookings, please contact Elena via call or text at 780-655-1669.
Aspen Gardens Community League | www.aspengardens.ca