http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=xGV2brMNPiw
The Kinette Park was developed in partnership with the City of Lethridge, the Lethbridge Kinette Club and Healthy Communities Association of Lethbridge and Area.  The park opened in September 2012 and is available for free access to anyone over the age of 12 years.  The instructional video demonstrates the proper use of the equipment for a full body workout.

The Urban Farmer - Sheet Mulching

The Urban Farmer, Ron Berezan, returned to Lethbridge again this year. Ron demonstrated how to plant a garden using the Sheet Mulching Technique. Here are notes from Cheryl Deringer, Manager of Garden View Lodge.

Sheet Mulching – it’s sort of like baking a cake

by Cheryl Deringer

Sheet mulching is the term used for no-dig gardening that will destroy weeds, replace existing lawn and generate a healthy environment for plants.

You will need – spades, rakes, edger, dried leaves, grass clippings, well rotted manure or compost, coffee grounds, plants for planting, soil and mulch. You will also need a water hose with a hand sprayer attached. Have ready a 4 foot stack of newspapers with no glossy print and several broken down boxes with tape removed.

The steps for turning a patch of grass into a garden bed are as follows:

Lay out your plot – this can be curved into any shape that appeals to you. A garden hose can be used to define the shape of your plot.

Edge the plot – dig a nice edge about four inches wide around the plot to separate the rest of the lawn from your bed. Throw the clumps of grass and dirt into the plat.

With a sharp spade make a number of cuts through the grass in the plot. In 100 square feet of grass you need no more than 30 quick cuts.

Dig holes for bushes or trees at this point. If you are planting something that requires an acidic soil (such as blueberries, enhance the hole with coffee grounds. Plant the bushes and trees.

Now, starting at the cut edge (with the garden hose and sprayer ready to go) start laying down newspaper. Three or four sheets thick are good. Overlap and wet down as you go. Work from the edge towards the centre of the plot working the newspaper up against but not over the plants. Thoroughly wet down.

Take your broken down cardboard boxes and do the same. Overlap the edges and put down in one layer over the newspaper. Wet down thoroughly as you go.

Over the cardboard put a good layer of coffee grounds. Filters will break down over time so they can go in also. The rake may come in handy to distribute the grounds.

Over the coffee grounds spread a thick layer of old deciduous leaves and grass clippings.
Over this spread compost. Add more leaves and grass clippings.

Top the whole works with a thick layer of rich soil to which has been added compost or well rotted manure. We used potting soil from Bos Sod that was already enhanced with compost and manure. For 100 square feet you will need 1 to 1.5 cubic feet of soil. The rake was used to spread the soil around the plants. Hands are also a tool and be prepared to get dirty.

Now plant your bedding out plants and seeds. Put a layer of mulch such as cedar chips on top of the soil but do not cover the plants with it.

Water well. Enjoy.

The Urban Farmer Returns to Lethbridge - May 12, 2011

The Urban Farmer - May 12, 2011

Creating an Edible Landscape Thursday, May 12th ~ 2-4 pm @ Garden View Lodge - 751 - 1st Avenue South, Lethbridge You can grow food and have a beautiful yard too! Come explore a range of strategies for growing herbs, vegetables, fruits, berries and more in aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sustainable ways. From back yard and front yard gardens to public spaces, community gardens and edible forest gardens, we will consider numerous models and techniques for growing food successfully in this climate. This session will include an indoor presentation and slides followed by an outdoor demonstration.

Please note that space is limited to 80 for this session.

Please contact Lisa Hurrel to register: 403-388-6677 or lisa.hurrell@albertahealthservices.ca

The Growing Revolution – Lessons in Food Security From Cuba Thursday, May 12th ~ 7-9 pm, Room PE250 1st Choice Centre for Sport and Wellness, University of Lethbridge Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990’s, Cuba quickly lost most of their fossil fuel and agricultural imports resulting in widespread food shortages and the breakdown of their agricultural system. In response to the crisis, Cuba underwent a dramatic shift towards low-input, ecological agriculture encouraging more citizens to grow food in rural and urban areas alike. This “experiment” in post-fossil fuel agriculture has produced some very surprising results. What lessons can we draw from Cuba’s experience to increase our own food security and resilience in cities like Lethbridge? http://www.theurbanfarmer.ca/

Does the Built Environment Influence Health?

Challenging the influence of the built environment on sedentary living

The Alberta Centre for Active Living, Mount Royal University and the Healthy Communities Association of Lethbridge and Area are proud to co-sponsor this important half-day Physical Activity Forum in Edmonton, Calgary and Lethbridge.

The recent literature in public health and health promotion implies that the built environment influences physical activity and through that, individual health. Although this concept seems reasonable, we need to be able to test it.

This presentation will address the challenges of including the study of physical activity patterns in the context of disciplines where there is little history of doing this. Dr. Doyle Baker will make particular reference to the relationship between sedentary behaviour and the built environment.

When: Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Where: Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery

To register, contact Dianne Livingstone
dianne.livingstone@lethbridge.ca or 403-320-4768

Register early, as seating is limited! There is no cost for this event.

Dr. Doyle-Baker is a doctor of Public Health, and an associate professor at the University of Calgary, in both the Faculty of Kinesiology and Environmental Design. Her research is in the field of clinical exercise physiology and her lab group is passionate about primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and obesity. Her students' skills set revolve around analyzing the impact of energy expenditure on blood and bone biomarkers.

Dr. Doyle-Baker is a mother of three boys and enjoys writing, public speaking, and playing ice hockey. She is known for her engaging style of speaking.

The Urban Farmer

The Edible City – How We Can Grow More Food in Urban Areas

Given the opportunity, you would probably choose to live in a beautiful natural environment. You would prefer to eat healthy, locally grown organic food. You would feel good about supporting other species and would enjoy seeing them in your yard. Along with countless others, you are likely looking for ways to do your part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to conserve life-giving resources like water and healthy soil. You may be about ready to chuck your gas powered lawn mower and the endless hours of watering, cutting and weeding … .

If any of this is true for you, you have come to the right place!

The Urban Farmer (http://www.theurbanfarmer.ca/) is an Edmonton-based organic gardening and specialty landscaping service. Our mission is to support the development of natural, sustainable, and edible landscapes in urban areas. We work with homeowners, families, individuals, community groups and organizations who have the desire to integrate environmentally sustainable landscape practices into their own yards and communities.

Not sure where to begin? Don’t feel like you have the knowledge or the skill to take this on? Feel overwhelmed with the yard you already have? Your intentions are good but your time is in short supply? You have already started on this path but would like to take the next step in creating a truly sustainable landscape?

Sponsored by the Lethbridge Healthy Communities Committee and Active, Creative, Engaged Communities (ACE) in association with AB Parks and Recreation.

Date: Thursday, March 11 - New Date
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Fee: No fee
Location: U of L Student Union Building B
Presenter: Ron Berezan
Register with: Lisa Mitchell at 403-388-6677

Promoting Physical Activity for All in Your Community

Discussions Towards Inclusion: half-day information session and group discussion

Date: Wednesday, January 27th, 2010.
Time: 11:00 am – 3:30 pm (lunch provided)
Location: Lethbridge College Canbra Room


What makes physical activity easy in your community? What makes it difficult? What changes could your community work towards?
Discuss these questions and much more at this special session facilitated by the Alberta Centre for Active Living.

This session will help you:

· understand the many barriers to physical activity that are often faced by people or groups of people in your own community

· brainstorm on approaches towards inclusion, network with your peers and community leaders, and consider practices and policies that support inclusion

· think about practical means in which you or your organization can work to create supportive environments that contribute to inclusiveness

For more information, contact:
Sherri Sterling
Lethbridge Healthy Communities
Building Healthy Lifestyles
Phone: 403-388-6521
sherri.sterling@albertahealthservices.ca

Angela Torry, Education Coordinator
Alberta Centre for Active Living
Phone: 780-415-8885
Alberta toll-free: 1-800-661-4551angela.torry@ualberta.ca