FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.
NEWS
by FFWD StaffCalgary downtown arts district established
The Calgary Downtown Association (CDA) has announced the formation of an Arts District in the downtown. The distinguished list of world class arts facilities within this four-block area include: The Arts Centre, Convention Centre, Glenbow Museum, Olympic Plaza and W.R. Castell Central Library. Few Calgarians know that our Arts Centre is the biggest theatre complex in Western Canada with over 3,600 seats and the Glenbow is the biggest museum with a collection of over 1.5 million artifacts. The district is also home to numerous international festival organizations, private galleries and public art.
"This new dimension to downtown will add to its reputation as an international centre for both business and the arts," says Richard White, CDA executive director. "The Glenbow Museum, Calgary Philharmonic and One Yellow Rabbit are just a few of the arts organizations with international recognition. And, events like PlayRites, Children's, Piano and Organ festivals all have an international focus and reputation."
According to the CDA, the downtown has one of the highest concentrations of world class attractions in North America - over six million square feet of arts, retail, entertainment and recreational facilities call downtown home.
Earlier this year the CDA helped form a retail district which supports two million square feet of retail space from 4th Street to Centre Street linked by the world's largest elevated walkway system (Plus 15) and Stephen Avenue. This district is now called Downtown on 8th.
"Downtown on 8th is Calgary's largest shopping mall - comparable to retail spaces such as the West Edmonton Mall," notes White. "The partnership behind this downtown attraction is between the CDA, The Bay, Eaton's, Bankers Hall, Calgary Eaton Centre, Scotia Centre, Penny Lane and Stephen Avenue merchants."
To celebrate the unique history of downtown, the "Stephen Avenue Walk on 8th" brand was created. The Stephen Avenue district boasts the highest concentration of historical buildings in Alberta, which combined with the retail, arts, dining and tourist attractions makes this a great place to walk, stroll and browse.
The CDA initiatives are designed to capture the imagination of Calgarians and tourists. They will encourage more people to venture downtown to enjoy the unique urban ambience of arts, shopping, recreation and entertainment activities.
Special Places recommendation for Castle site condemned
A coalition of groups and individuals working to protect the Castle Wilderness is condemning the draft recommendations of a local committee working under the Special Places process.
"The purpose of the Special Places process is to protect representative examples of Alberta's diverse landscapes and places providing critical homes to wildlife species," says Wendy Francis, conservation director for the Calgary / Banff chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). "These recommendations essentially preserve 'business as usual' in the Castle and don't go nearly far enough to achieve the goals of the Special Places program."
The draft recommendations were made by the Castle local committee, a group convened by the Municipal District of Pincher Creek to review the boundaries and recommend management guidelines for a proposed Special Place in the Castle area. "The draft recommendations provide minimal new protection for the Castle," states Cliff Wallis, past president of the Alberta Wilderness Association. "They do nothing to address the ongoing deterioration of the Castle's ecology being caused by the steady pace of oil and gas development, timber harvesting, uncontrolled off-road vehicle use and the over grazing of cattle."
The Castle site is one of only four sites being considered in the Rocky Mountains for protection under the Special Places program. A majority of the members of the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) recommended the Castle site for consideration because of its unique and significant features, including bighorn sheep habitat of extremely high quality, outstanding berry crops, accessible hiking opportunities and breathtaking scenery. The area features 33 alpine lakes, 26 headwater streams, the highest plant species diversity in the province and 170 species of rare plants.
The Castle site also contains two of only three critical movement corridors that connect internationally important populations of grizzlies and wolves. The PCC notes that currently more bears are removed from the Castle - through hunting, poaching, kills by ranchers and management removals - than are born there - which threatens those bears in Waterton Lakes National Park and the remaining populations of the northern US with extinction.
Castle also contains representative examples of the Montane subregion, an area of the Rocky Mountains that provides an essential home to wildlife during harsh winter months.
"Unfortunately, the recommendations of the Castle local committee are symptomatic of flaws inherent in the Special Places process," says Francis. Although Special Places purports to be a protected areas strategy, the fact that local interests are allowed to override the need to preserve an area of international biological significance and that new industrial development and resource extraction may occur in Special Places, such as the Castle, mean this is not a protected areas strategy at all."
Wallis suggests the municipality should focus on sustainable economic activities, such as ecotourism, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing, instead of extractive, environmentally damaging activities.
Castle-Crown Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) spokesperson Dave Sheppard acknowledges that the recommendations contain some small improvements to the status quo, however, he says they don't go far enough to address the widespread concerns.
CCWC plans to continue its ongoing campaign to gain real legislated protection for the unique place that is the Castle Wilderness.
Fund-raiser planned for Pamela George Trust Fund
Calgary artists and Aboriginal entertainers will come together in Honoring Life, a special event to support the Pamela George Trust Fund, on Saturday, July 26 from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Calgary Indian Friendship Centre (140 - 2nd Avenue SW).
George was 27 years old when she was assaulted and beaten to death by two university students in Saskatchewan. The Pamela George murder trial generated enormous support in Calgary - exposing issues of race, class and gender - with more than 25,000 people addressing petitions and attending rallies.
George is survived by two daughters, Chelsea and Cory, aged 12 and eight, who are being raised by their grandmother. The trust fund has been established to help meet the ongoing financial needs of the children.
The fundraiser will include family-oriented entertainment from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with singer Peggy Ward, face painting, storytelling and puppets. From 8 p.m. to midnight, entertainment includes recording artist Wendy Walker, Peggy Ward, flutist Trevor Naatowapo and storyteller Tobias Provost as well as other members of the Mountain Song Theatre Troupe, dancers from the Red Thunder / Pitaa Native Dance Troupes, and many others. A celebration dance will take place from 10 p.m. to midnight. The master of ceremonies will be Native television journalist Paul Kuster.
A silent auction will also be held, featuring Aboriginal art and crafts, donated products, sports and entertainment event tickets, and clothing. Native foods will be available.
Tickets are available at most native agencies and organizations throughout the city and at the door. For more information call 275-2002.
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