Hey Neighbours - time for an update! Your AGCL Board has had a busy couple of months since the close of Summer. Many of you came out to enjoy Harvest Fest in September, which was hugely successful! The food trucks remained steady, the green space was packed to give Martin Kerr a great audience, our vendors provided a few offerings to take home, our games area was was chock full of kids (and notably a bit chaotic!), and we almost sold out our beer gardens! Not only that, but you showed your League amazing support and bought a pile of Memberships, and you stopped by our information table to find out more about our Hall renovation plans…it was SO GOOD to see so many people out enjoying what our community has to offer :) So a big thank you to you guys for your participation, and also a big thank you to our Board members and community volunteers who gave their time to help us set it up and take it down - many hands make for easy work :) And lastly, I also want to thank and acknowledge the City of Edmonton, who awarded us a Community Connections Grant, to contribute towards the costs that such an afternoon brings.

      Your AGCL Board has also been in the pursuit of a new Ice Maker for this upcoming season. A boat-load of gratitude goes out to Aspen’s own Tracy Carson (& crew) who have been managing this for years, but is now taking well-deserved leave. Our new Ice Maker came highly recommended from other Leagues, and we are looking forward to being able to offer the same level of great amenities that we have had in the past. Along these lines, once the snow flies and we are able, the League will again offer Snow Shoe sign out days as the weather permits. Keep an eye out for our social media posts and email notices as to when these will be. Also, in September we had a new Social Director crew come on board. They have been getting their feet under them and are looking forward to planning a holiday family skate night and Winterfest - stay tuned for details in the coming months.

       As for our ongoing work towards our building renovation, we continue to move forward step by step with this project. While we have both municipal grant money and League savings available, there are some items in our design plan that grant money doesn’t cover. To that end, our Board is exploring some options for a short & sweet fundraising campaign, where we could really use some community support (& investment) to get this project completed with as many things on our wish list as possible. Stay tuned in the New Year to see how you might be able to help be part of contributing to our new community hub that will be accessible year round to all Aspen/Westbrook residents!

   It goes without saying that we have a BOO-tiful community to live in - wishing you all a Happy Halloween with more treats than tricks!

- Terri

The Board sees many of you out there enjoying this beautiful weather, and working on your Fall chores in the yard, so we wanted to send a reminder about the Fall 2022 Yard Waste Collection Dates for the pick up of extra bags of leaves, branches etc.

Upcoming dates:

Monday, October 31 and Monday, November 28

Set out yard waste in double-ply paper or see-through plastic bags before 7am on collection day. There is no limit to how many bags you can set out.

Sticks and branches over 0.3 m (1 ft) in length must be tied into bundles no more than 1.2 m (4 ft) in length and 0.75 m (2 ft) in diameter and set out beside the yard waste bags.

With colder weather approaching, Edmonton’s curbside collection is shifting to its winter schedule starting November 1. Up until April 4, 2023, food scraps carts will be collected every two weeks. Residents receiving curbside collection are encouraged to visit edmonton.ca/waste, use the WasteWise app or check their printed calendar to confirm their waste collection schedule. 

Driven by a sharp decrease in yard waste, less organic waste is produced in the winter months. By coordinating collection schedules to align with the volumes of waste produced throughout the year, the City of Edmonton can help our environment by reducing fleet emissions. It also helps manage the cost of waste collection to keep utility rates stable.

There are no changes to other curbside collection schedules. Food scraps and garbage carts will be alternated for collection each week, while recycling bags are collected every week. Residents can set out one cart and their recycling bags for collection every week in a convenient space, like on or in front of their driveway.

To make winter waste collection easier for everyone, including collectors, residents can:

• Clear snow and ice off their carts - don’t forget the wheels!
• Use a paper liner or a compostable (BPI/BNQ certified) liner to stop food scraps from freezing to the cart.
• Shovel a one metre space around their cart.
• Set carts out for collection one metre beside or in front of windrows.
• Store carts when not set out for collection against a fence or wall, away from cold wind.

Residents can visit edmonton.ca/waste for additional tips and information. 

To never miss a collection day, download the WasteWise app on the Google Play or Apple App stores or use it online at edmonton.ca/WasteWise.

Upcoming Petrolia Seniors Events:

PETROLIA SENIORS GROUP (55+) hopes you will come to enjoy LUNCH and a PROGRAM ($25) at Greenfield Community Hall - 3804 -114 Street

11:45 am - 2:00 pm. (Please be seated no later than 11:40)

November 15th -“Protecting Yourself from Fraud and Scams” - ECP Constable Corinne Kline

December 13th – Turkey Dinner with all the Trimmings Entertainment – Braill Tone Singers and Carol Sing

For more information or to CONFIRM your attendance PLEASE CALL: Betty 780-434-0711 or Claire 780-435-3051

An additional “outing” is offered each month for your enjoyment

For information call Joyce 780-435-6388

Community Swim!

Show your Membership 

Swim for FREE!

Where: Confederation Leisure         Centre (11204 43 Avenue)

When: Saturday: 4:00pm-5:30pm Sunday: 4:00pm-5:30pm

Community swims do not take place on Statutory Holidays or days the facilities close early (Christmas eve, Christmas day, New Years eve, New Years Day, Canada Day, Easter Sunday)

*Valid Community League Membership must be presented at facility.*

SPACES STILL AVAILABLE

It's not too late to register your child for playschool! Little Aspen Playschool has spaces available in their Tuesday/Thursday afternoon class, a 3/4 split. Register today and join in on the fun! Check out :

www.littleaspenplayschool.com for more information and to learn more about what makes Little Aspen great.

The League could really use your help!

 The South West Area Council (SWAC) Casino is scheduled for December 7th & 8th, and every League is asked to provide 2 volunteers to take a shift. For each person who takes a shift for their community, SWAC will give back $1000/per person to the League in funding! Your Board has decided that the funds generated by Aspen/Westbrook volunteers will go straight to our Building Project fund, essentially doubling the dollars as these are funds for which we can get matching grant revenue - we can turn your $2000 into $4000! If you think you can spare the time for a shift, grab a friend and make a night of it! Your AGCL would be eternally grateful! See the sign up link provided to find out what shifts are still available: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LBmQDNR3wGrHic3JvGjbaJmcXwOThreXIyiZ9sa2XbQ/edit?usp=sharing

If you have any questions, please contact coordinator Richard Falhman @ 780-235-2522

Babysitters:

Brooke Tyson: Aged 14. 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

Maddy Dublenko: Aged 14. Maddy has completed her babysitting course and lives in Aspen Gardens. Contact via Nicki @ 780-267-4277.

Matthew Herd: Age 14. Lives in Aspen Gardens (west half). Matthew has completed Babysitting and Home Alone courses and has prior babysitting experience (references available). Keen interest in basketball, Lego, and all things Star Wars. Please contact via Emily @ 780-655-7508

Megan Tyson: Age 13 Megan is a very responsible babysitter 780-451-3095

Adrian McCurdy: Aged 19 - They love band, art and being creative. Adrian has a part time job at Build-A-Bear and is in their first year of a Bachelors of music. As well as a child development assistant certification, they have completed 2 babysitting courses. Contact Adrian @ 780-935-2803 or adrianmcc@gmail.com

Jack Hamm: age 12 has completed his Red Cross babysitters training course and is interested in babysitting children aged four and older. He attends Vernon Barford junior high school and is offering to walk kids home from Westbrook school and babysit until parents are home from work as well. If interested please contact Lisa at lisamichellehamm@gmail.com

Juliet Robertson: Age 12 has completed her Red Cross babysitters training course. She is a qualified babysitter with experience taking care of children of age 3 - 9. She has excellent communication skills, is enthusiastic, responsible, safe, and patient. She charges $10 an hour. If interested please contact 780-433-7972

Tutors:

Summer/ongoing weekend tutoring and mentoring available for grades 5-8 students. Teacher is one of the top students in Grade 9 at VB, headed for Grade 10 at Old Scona in Fall 2022. Contact Saras Agrawal agrawalsaras0714@gmail.com, or phone 7802677298.

*If you wish to be added to the Youth For Hire please let us know.

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 Stone & Wheel Pizza
• 10% at Roma Pizza & Donair
• 10% at Anava Esthetics Studio
• No GST at Westbrook Drycleaners
• Good Stock Restuarant & Catering
• 10% at REP Physio for Therapeutic Massage

Membership Fees

The 2022/2023 Membership Fees are $40 and include all of the benefits listed above, in addition to supporting your community.

How to Purchase a Membership

• On-line at https://efcl.org/membership/ (Note: There is a $5 administrative fee. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.)
• In-person at any AGCL event
• At any Servus Credit Union
• Email the AGCL Membership Director at membership@aspengardens.ca

WESTBROOK TUTORING SERVICES:

Nicole Gilbert, and her company Westbrook Tutoring, which holds a 30 year legacy of learning, is continuing to partner with families forming the next generation of leaders. Nicole and her team believe that every student possesses an innate level of genius which we nurture. We celebrate student success by encouraging a disciplined work ethic and a commitment to obtaining individual levels of excellence. We offer online and in-home tutoring and mentoring services. Please contact us at 780-218-1319 or westbrooktutoring@telus.net

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.

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

HANDMADE CROCHET NECK COWLS, WRIST BANDS, & NECK WARMERS:

100% Alberta grown ALPACA wool. Eco-friendly, hypo-allergenic, soft & soothing. Great for gifts! See some of the Alpaca products on Kijiji, under the heading of Alpaca Cowls (buy and sell section). Contact Monica: mmerrikka@gmail.com

HAPPINESS IS YOU PHOTOGRAPHY

Family, maternal, newborn and personal branding photography sessions offered. 10% off for all AGCL members. 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.