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NOMINATE for the CARA Awards

If there is one thing that Clarenville is noted for in the rest of the province it is the fervor in which its sports teams take to the ice, the field, the Hill, the trail or the gym.   This does not happen by accident.   In fact it is the dedication of key volunteers in each sport that has made Clarenville athletes so dominant in their fields.    The coordination of this tremendous pool of volunteer talent is embodied by the Clarenville Area Recreation Association – CARA.   Now in its 41 st year, CARA is a an association of sport leaders and sports visionaries who work with The Town of Clarenville to help ensure that the right people with the right resources contribute to making organized recreation work and grow in this town (even more, they contribute greatly to the high quality of life that makes Clarenville such an attractive place to live and work).     Each year CARA celebrates its success (our success) with an Awards Night .   This year, CARA will be holding its Awar

Potential – Shoal Harbour River Trail/Green-Space

Last week, I attended the Town’s branding review meeting . While there, there was a clear recognition of the potential that exists in this town...I’ve been thinking about that. On this beautiful Earth Day, my wife and I took a walk along the short, but picturesque trail that runs from the Shoal Harbour River Bridge, up the river, to Riverview Drive Extension.  (Watch the video and come with us along the trail!) It’s a lovely trail with all kinds of potential.  The Friends of the Shoal Harbour River (FOSHR) recognized and acted on this  potential of this trail a few years back. They upgraded the trail head, installed a couple of heavy duty trash containers and a picnic table.    Now this area gets lots of use and in the summer it’s become a real mecca for kids and their parents who want to cool off in the river on summer days.    FOSHR has done a great job, and most importantly,  their work has proven the worth of doing more.   The Town - or a group in the town,  has a go

Buildings - Creative or Not

Paul's post about a community centre for Elizabeth Swan Park reminded me of  this article by Taryn Sheppard I read in The Scope about a community centre in Denmark.   The community centre pictured here serves a neighborhood of 600 families. The bottom of the structure has a half-pipe skate ramp and going up one side there's a climbing wall.  Herstedlund Community Centre in Albertslund, Denmark. Photo by Adam Mørk The inside includes multi-functional spaces that could serve many different groups at the same time. With spaces on various levels with many entrances, there's lots of ways to access various rooms and to create different spaces with moving walls and hatch doors. A kitchen can transform into an outdoor patio or bar. A performance space has a stage that can be divided into smaller stages by sliding walls. The top level of the facility is an open roof terrace and basketball court, which can be accessed without crossing paths with other groups.  Pretty creati

A SIGN of Things Coming?

CBC Picture In the trade they are called Vehicle Management Systems.  I call them a good idea. The Town of Gander has just purchased this sign.  It’s portable and it can serve a number of roles including making people aware of just how fast they are driving (it has a speed radar). It's particularly good for those drivers who insist in driving through our town at rate of speed that shows little regard for live (you, me and our children) and Newton’s laws of physics. I first saw these signs used by the RCMP’s highway patrol in Halifax a few years ago and I am told by good authority (my Mountie brother-in-law) that they work. They aren’t cheap at $19,000, but the fact that they work so well as a proactive driver education tool, coupled with the fact that they can serve many purposes including communicating key traffic or event messages (Targa Day: ROAD CLOSED, Clarenville Day: FIREWORKS TONIGHT, or CONGRATULATIONS CARIBOUS) means that such a sign could be a good investm

Volunteer Week and Volunteering in Clarenville

It's Volunteer Week in Clarenville. One of the biggest and most successful Co-ops in Atlantic Canada - the Clarenville Co-op embodies the spirit of volunteerism. Further, Clarenville Co-op is a key corporate sponsor of the 2014 NL Winter Games - which will be hosted by Clarenville.  Many Volunteers will be needed and we want you to get involved. The Host Committee is looking for volunteers.  Here's some Questions and Answers about this volunteer opportunity. Hope you can join us - it will be an outstanding opportunity for our town. How do I get involved? People interested in volunteering can contact the Games committee by: - Phone: Caroline at 466-4165 or 427-2433 - Facebook: www.facebook.com/Clarenville2014 - Twitter: Clarenville2014 @nlwg2014 - Email: clarenville2014@gmail.com Isn’t it early to be recruiting for volunteers? The NL Winter Games is a major undertaking. Our town of almost 6,000 will host 1,500 athletes, coaches and officials.

Sizzle & Steak - A Brand Aid for Clarenville

On Monday the Town of Clarenville held an information session to update people on the progress and direction of their efforts towards developing a new “Brand” for Clarenville.  For the layman this means that Clarenville is working to find a way to better talk to people and for people to talk to it.  Branding helps contribute to the sizzle that helps promote the steak – us. Towards this goal the Town has contracted with Pilot Communications.  Over the past few months Pilot has consulted and developed a new Logo, designed a new Website and is developing a communications strategy for the Town. The Sizzle Pilot’s research has revealed some key points that most of us would easily agree with such as: Clarenville is growing and there’s lots of economic potential in the town There is not a lot of “push” of information about Clarenville out to the rest of the world. We have a good balance of urban pleasures and rural tranquility. We have a great hockey team!

Crime Prevention..with a twist

It was an interesting day today.  I ended up in jail! Oops Yes, it was JAIL AND BAIL-Catch and Release day here in Clarenville on Friday the 13th, sponsored by the  Clarenville Area Citizens' Crime Prevention Committee .   Y ou are either on the "let's get someone arrested" side of the fence (jail cell) or the other "let's lay low and hide" side to keep from being arrested.  I  as sitting on that fence early this morning.... Then I became an instigator and with our students we managed to help get my friend and collegue Rick Martin arrested.  Then I hid. The Mounties always get their man. All too shortly after getting Rick in the squad car, I found myself in the back seat of another one.  I was charged on two counts: - Too Vocal on Council matters     (I wonder who put me up to this....hummm? ) - Decorating without a licence.      (Not sure on this one!) Anyway, an hour or so later, Rick and I raised about $250 for Crime Prevention thank

It's Time For a "Community Centre" for ES Park

Summer's Coming! And when I think of summer in Clarenville, I think about some of the great community events that we hold in Elizabeth Swan Park on Tilley's Road.  Elizabeth Swan Park has proven to be a hub for Clarenville town based activities.  During the Summer, Canada Day, Clarenville Day and Arts Under the Stars events take place there and during the fall and winter, Bonfire night and Winter Carnival activities take place in the park.  I’m sure if you were out to any of these events you enjoyed yourself - each of them bring a greater sense of community to the people who came.  Then there’s the weather. Rain, sleet, snow, wind and cold have plagued the turnout of too many events and as many of our townspeople age access to the park is becoming more restricted.   Rather than a problem, this presents a wonderful opportunity to make the park space more user friendly by building a larger shelter to replace the small one that has served its purpose.   A multipu

Putting the "Friendly" in Aging: Random Age Friendly

In 2007 Clarenville was designated an "Aged Friendly Community" and since then the Random Aged Friendly Board has been engaging seniors in numerous activities and advocating for seniors on numerous fronts.  One of the most successful initiatives has been the "Computers for Seniors" classes that are offered at the Clarenville Campus of the College of the North Atlantic. In Fall and Winter semesters, Random Aged Friendly and the College offer a free 8 week evening course to seniors that teaches basic computer skills such as searching the internet, composing and sending emails, Google earth, on-line banking and many other computer functions. Each evening, 5-8 volunteer facilitators from the College, the Community and the local High School work with the class of 12-16 seniors - who come from all over Clarenville and surrounding communities. On March 27, 2012 another 17 seniors graduated to bring the number up to 127 graduates since the program was launched.

Where There's Smoke There's Fire: Whose Decision is it to Provide Fire Services to Milton/George's Brook

Co-contributer Paul Tilley wrote an excellent posting about the issue of the Clarenville Fire Department providing fire protection services to the Local Service District (LSD) of Milton/George's Brook. I didn't think there was much to add to the topic until I read this week's Packet . The story doesn't seem to be posted on the website, however, the article is about the request of the LSD for a tanker truck from the provincial government. The LSD had requested that Clarenville Fire Department provide them with services and one of the conditions was a tanker truck to be stationed in the area to ensure adequate water supply. The Minister responsible indicates that should Clarenville become the regional fire department, an analysis would then have to be completed to determine the necessary resources required.  Fair enough. What caught my eye, however, was the last few paragraphs. The article indicates that "while the final decision to negotiate comes down to council

Disappearing Snow, Ice and Road Markings

While spring means bulbs will start to appear in the garden, it also means that something  has disappeared from our streets. The snow and ice on the roads have disappeared as have the road markings.  Each year, road surface markings seem to disappear almost as quickly as they are painted on. You are taking your life in your hands while driving down Manitoba Drive these days. While the regulars know where the lanes are, there are many people coming off the TCH who have no way of knowing. Over the past few days, it has been a free-for-all with cars in turning lanes going straight and straddling both lanes. This has been a problem in many towns for the past few years.  Surely there's a solution to increase safety on our streets?

Kiwanis Highlights Concert - Applying Technology to Community Engagement

Over the past ten days we have been treated to one of the most well organized, entertaining and energizing events of the year - the annual Kiwanis Music Festival. A small band of volunteers create a fantastic talent showcase that rivals any other festival in the province. What truly makes it successful though is the talent - our region's children are awesome!! Paired with their highly skilled music teachers these kids are a talent tour-de-force. To appreciate the talent that I speak of here, you really need to see it and hear it. The technology that you are using here helps you do that. Through my job I have a lot of occasion to use technology and share its application with my students and the greater community. In our Business program at the Clarenville Campus we use this same technology extensively in the classroom and outside to teach (hands on) communications and media skills. What you are seeing here and in other pages/projects that we are involved in is a sample of some of

It’s Time for Age Friendly Parking in our Age Friendly Community

Over the past week or so there has been a lot of talk in the media of the wrong people parking in designated Disabled (Mobility impaired) Parking spots.    These are prime spots that serve a definite purpose – making building access easier for people who face more than their share of mobility challenges.  Stores, Banks, Hospitals all have them and generally people are courteous enough to leave these spots for people who really need them.   I see here in Clarenville that Wal-Mart has taken this idea further by adding designated parking spots for people with toddlers – good on ‘em! Taking Wal-Mart’s cue further, there is a large and growing group of aging people who are finding it increasingly difficult to walk any distance.  As early baby boomers push into their late 60’s,70’s & 80’s they too should be considered for special parking treatment in key places such as health care facilities.   As my mother-in-law points out, it’s hard to find a spot to start with, let alone one that

He who Pays the Piper Calls the Tune? It's County time.

Clarenville is on a  slippery   slope if it assumes the role of the George's Brook - Milton Fire Department - even if there is compensation for doing it.  The implications go well beyond fire protection to affecting the future of our town.   It is my contention that some of the most available and best developable land in the greater metropolitan Clarenville area is located in Georges Book – Milton.   Smith Sound provides a “million dollar view” and thanks to its location in Georges Brook – Milton, you can get that view for a lot less than a million dollars and a lot less than you can in Clarenville.    Georges Book – Milton is not, in law, part of Clarenville. Georges Book – Milton is a separate entity known as a Local Service District (LSD). In NL, LSDs are not independent as Towns are; rather they are “children” of the Provincial government.   They have advisory committee’s made up of five to seven residents whose decisions need to be approved by the Minister of Mu

Community Development Fund

Community organizations take note... Eastern Health recently announced that it is accepting funding applications from non-profits who are planning to work on projects that support community health. If you or your group are interested - read the press release below. NEWS RELEASE Eastern Health Accepting Applications for Community Development Fund March 16, 2012: St. John’s, NL - Eastern Health encourages non-profit and community-based groups to apply for funding under its Community Development Fund for 2012. The Community Development Fund, valued at $50,000, was established in 2008 by Eastern Health’s Board of Trustees support the organization’s vision of Healthy People, Healthier Communities. “There are numerous groups in our region who make great contributions to their communities and we value those efforts,” said Michael O’Keefe, Chair, Board of Trustees. “Through the Community Development Fund, Eastern Health can support those projects that promote healthier communitie

Targeting Targa

Each year the Targa arrives in Clarenville and each year there is a debate about it that lasts at least twice as long as the actual race.   Meanwhile other more pressing decisions are put aside or neglected. It's time to make a decision once and for all. The Economic Benefit versus Safety Issue has been beat around too long. There has neither been a quantifiable benefit established by the town, nor have we seen the promises of enhanced safety. You be the judge on the benefit versus safety issue....

SIFE for LIFE: Clarenville’s Team Takes 1st and 2nd Place in Regional Competitions.

Top LR Beaton Winsor, Kyle Tysler, Gorvin Greening Bottom Tracy Holloway (Advisor), Nathan Vey, Sherry Smith, Paul Tilley (advisor), Krista Skiffington, Olivia Best, Sherrell Penney and Debbie Strong Members of my class and I just got back from a Regional competition in Halifax (March 7-10).  This was the ACE Canada (Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship) Regional completion in which students from post secondary institutions from across Atlantic Canada came together to showcase some of the projects that they have been involved in on their campuses over the past few months.   Most of the projects highlights had an Economic development focus – team members in their respective regions partnered with local businesses and organizations to develop and ran projects that helped people in their communities.   Over 300 students participated from 11 schools: Acadia University (NS) Cape Breton University (NS) College of the North Atlantic - Clarenville (NL) College of the North Atlantic - G

Clarenville Area - Bloggeriffic

The Discovery Zone area (Bonavista-Chapel Arm area) has a number of bloggers that make for interesting reading or can keep you uptodate on local activities. Here's a few to check out: Clarenville Campus Life - By Paul Tilley Concoction: Blending Technology in Teaching and Learning  - Theresa Pittman Welcome to Pardy House - By John Norman Random Thoughts - By Lisa Browne Others out there? Let us know!

Community Development Fund

Eastern Health has just announced its Community Development Fund for 2012.  The Community Development Fund provides grants to community organizations/groups to identify and take action on priority needs that contribute to a healthier community.  Priority will be given to applications that contribute to a healthier community by: Building a sense of community, Strengthening social support networks, Developing community connections,  Addressing a priority need in your community  Creating supportive environments Strengthening community action Funding is available for non-profit community based groups and organizations .  An organization is considered not-for-profit if it meets all of the following conditions: it is organized and operates solely for not-for-profit purposes in the province and it does not make any of its income available for the personal benefit of any of its members or volunteers. Applicants must serve the population within the geographic boundary of Eastern Healt