Happy December Neighbours!

We are SO EXCITED to let you all know that we are moving forward with the next steps of our building renovation! Your AGCL Building Committee was able to obtain three competitive quotes for the project contract, and we are pleased to announce that we will be partnering with Pemco Construction Ltd to revitalize our facility. As such, we wanted to let you know what you can expect in the coming months.

Our construction timelines will run from January through May 2024. During that time, there are a couple of impacts to be aware of. First, the League parking lot is going to be inaccessible to the public as we need to accommodate required areas for material disposal and lay-down, as well as construction site set up, worker access and accessible haul routes. For both safety and security reasons, the parking lot gate will remain locked, with the League and Pemco having access as needed.

Secondly, our ice rink operation is going to be impacted. The warm temperatures of November aside, with the significant cost of managing our rinks and the likelihood of our ice making equipment being inaccessible due to construction, the League was preparing to cancel our rinks altogether, for the entirety of the season. However we have had a couple of people come forward, who are willing to volunteer their time to try to get one surface up and running. They will be flooding the large boarded rink in the coming weeks, with the hopes of having a surface ready sometime in December. We will assess the situation in mid-January to see if we will be able to keep the rink operational, as once construction starts we will no longer be able to access our water lines. We will keep you posted as to whether this situation will be manageable; there is a chance our season could be shortened. That being said, I would like to stress a couple of important factors:

1) Our one usable surface will need to be shared use between our hockey enthusiasts and free skaters. Please be respectful of each other so we all have the opportunity to enjoy our rink.

2) This years flooding and rink clearing will be all volunteer based. Once the rink is built, you will likely see the call out for any volunteers interested in assisting with clearing in order to maintain it. If you are one of the enthusiasts in our ‘hood who enjoy this amenity, please consider chipping in to help out this year.

We will be documenting our renovation progress on our Aspen Gardens website. Check out https://www.aspengardens.ca/the-legacy-project/ for ongoing project updates! The AGCL Board recognizes that there have been hundreds of volunteer hours invested by many community members over the past couple of decades, that have assisted in getting us to this point - we hope you will all take some pride having facilitated this project!

Your AGCL Board hopes your holiday season brings you some moments of peaceful reflection and that you all have an opportunity to connect with the people that mean the most to you. We look forward to seeing you all in 2024!

Terri

Hello neighbours! It’s been two years and, once again, your Community League needs a few hours of your time to support its biggest fundraiser. The generous proceeds from our AGLC casino will be essential to the health of our Community League as well as all of its programs, events, and facilities. Casino volunteering is extremely lucrative: Your volunteering at the casino brings the League an average compensation of well over $300 PER HOUR of your time! That's remarkable, but true! It's easy work, social, and fun. You don't need any experience. You don't even need to like gambling. A free hot meal from the casino restaurant is provided during your shift, so don't pack any snacks. PLEASE NOTE: The casino takes place over TWO days, January 31st (a Wednesday, and an EPSB PD Day) and February 1st (a Thursday), with 17 shifts on each day. Please review both days' availability of shifts. Thank you in advance for supporting your neighbourhood and your Community League. Questions? Please email me, Masood, your League ’s Casino Coordinator: [email protected].  Thanks, neighbours!

Are you looking for some top notch Snow Shovelers?

Here's our lineup for the winter season that would be happy to assist you! Please contact these local youth directly to organize scheduling and payment. These kids are happy to work a steady schedule or just when needed.

Essien Kaida - 10 years old (grade 5). Contact at: [email protected]

Carter Pretzlaff - 14 years old (grade 8). Contact at: 825-459-8284

Nate Labbe - Contact at: 780 245-4092 or [email protected]

 David Xia - Contact at: 825-343-9968 or [email protected]

Ben Hartmen - In Grade 7. Contact at: [email protected]

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.*

LAPS would like you to know about their upcoming open house!

When: February 1st, 5:30-7:30 PM

Where: Royal Gardens Community League (4030 117st NW)

Learn more about Little Aspen Playschool and their incredible teaching team on their website littleaspenplayschool.com. Follow them on Facebook or Instagram to keep up to date on all the latest news and events, including upcoming registration in the new year.

Your AGCL Annual General Meeting will be coming up in 2024 and there will be a number of board positions available including (but not limited to) President, Vice President, Communications & SWAC Representative (South West Area Council of Community Leagues). These are exciting times for the League, and getting involved is a great way to help make our community what you want it to be! Stay tuned for more info on position responsibilities; food for thought for 2024!

The Board would like to give a blast of THANKS to friend-of-the-League Elly O’Greysik, who took it upon herself to initiate and run an apple fundraiser this past Fall, to offer additional support to the Legacy Project funding. With every dollar making a difference, we happily accepted her $337 and added it to our building reno funds.

Big THANKS also going out to Matt Rogerson, Ron Pretzlaff & Greg Meimar as this group volunteering their time and taking the lead to try and build our skating rink this season. If & when the call comes, please consider helping them out!



Another THANKS goes out to the person(s) who repaired the Westbrook community sign on 119St. We have reason to believe that this may have been undertaken by an anonymous community member(s), so if that is the case, please know that it has been noticed and appreciated!

Babysitters:

Brooke Tyson: Aged 16. 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 16. Maddy has completed her babysitting course and lives in Aspen Gardens. Contact Maddy @ 780-233-3890

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 [email protected]

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 [email protected]

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

Kennedy Milne-Onushko: Aged 16. She had completed her babysitting course, has first aid training, and has experience with kids. She is also open to assisting with homework such as Math, Social Studies, Science, English, and Band. Contact Kennedy @ 587-783-3821

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 [email protected], 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
• Good Stock Restuarant & Catering
• 10% at REP Physio for Therapeutic Massage
• 10% at Aspen Pharmacy, 20% for Seniors

Membership Fees

The 2023/2024 Membership Fees are $40 and include all of the benefits listed above, in addition to supporting your community.

How to Purchase a Membership:

There have been changes to our online purchasing platform for which we will be sending out more information soon. For now, memberships can be purchased in the following ways:

• In-person at any AGCL event
• At any Servus Credit Union
• Email the AGCL Membership Director at [email protected]

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 [email protected]

BLUE SKY DOGS PROFESSIONAL DOG WALKING AND PET CARE:

Dog walking, Pet Sitting, and Pet Visits. Licensed, Insured and Bonded. Visit blueskydogs.ca, email [email protected] 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), [email protected] 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. [email protected]

ALLISTER'S HANDYMAN SERVICES Ltd:

Experience with drywall repairs, painting, basic plumbing, basic electrical, roofing, flooring, tiling, appliance installation, and bathroom & kitchen renovations. [email protected]

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).DOG / CAT PET BLANKETS, Handmade, Non-Shed Chenille, extremely comforting, soothing snuggle softness, Easy Care... Machine wash and Dry… Approximately 24 inches by 25 inches. Contact Monica, email please at [email protected] Thank you, have a healthy week!

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 [email protected]. Please visit Happiness is You Photography on Instagram or Facebook for more information.

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.