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

WIN a Fitter First: Balance and Fitness for Life Package
Schools that send a minimum of 10 students to represent their school to The Weight of the World evening session on November 24 at the Public Library will be entered to Win the below B.A.S.E.C Body Program Package/FitterFirst (Balance and Fitness for Life). See below package from the Be Fit for Life Centre.

Description:

B.A.S.E.C Body Program- Students get a lot of variety with this introduction to circuit training. They will learn basic fitness through balance, agility, strength, endurance and core training using a variety of FitterFirst (Balance and Fitness for Life) equipment to challenge their bodies in a fun, safe and appropriate manner. Delivery of the program can be done in two ways:
1. a BFFL representative will visit the school and take each classroom through the program
2. A BFFL representative will visit the school for a professional development session teaching the teachers and staff how to present the information to their students.

Please contact Stephanie @ 403-320-3202 x 5379 or blocked::mailto:stephanie.wierl@lethbridgecollege.ab.ca to book your session.

Lethbridge Healthy Communities Presents:

The Weight of the World

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009
6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery

Are you wondering what can be done about the "Obesity Epidemic"?

Join us for an interactive evening to Build Solutions for your Healthier Life. We’ll view “Weight of the World”, a Fun and Informative David Suzuki movie that looks at how we got into the shape we are. Families, Parents, and Youth, create practical ways to take immediate Action and Enjoy Doing It!

Take home your FREE Toolkit and start taking action.

Join us for a FREE Movie & Popcorn Night. The first 50 people to register will receive a FREE pedometer from Alberta Active, Creative, Engaged Communities.

To register please contact Lisa @ 403-388-6677.

For more information go to the Weight of World Website at: www.weightoftheworld.ca

Summer Garden Party with the Lethbridge Bridge Brass Quintet

Summer Garden Party Celebration with the Lethbridge Bridge Brass Quintet