FFWD Weekly
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News by FFWD Staff · The University of Calgary is holding its fourth annual Book Drive to help universities in other countries. This year, all unused and out-of-date textbooks donated by faculty, alumni and students will go to aid students at the University of Hargeisa in Somaliland. Former recipients include Zimbabwe, Ghana and Cuba, and more than 30,00 books collected over the last three years. Salan Ahmed, co-ordinator of International Assistance Canada, chose the University of Hargeisia this year because it is in desperate need of resources. The university is only one year old and hundreds of students are hoping to continue their studies. Textbooks newer than 1980 can be dropped off at MacEwan Centre, Social Science building and Murray Fraser Hall from November 1 to the end of the fall semester. For more information contact Matt Lauzon of the Students’ Union at 220-3907. · The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is welcoming the passing of a new National Parks Act which puts the ecological welfare of national parks ahead of human use. The steps toward managing our national parks include: wilderness zone designation for the majority of the land base of the four mountain parks; policies applicable to further development of the ski areas; and management plans for the parks. The act caps the number of users at resorts and limits further development to ski runs and the expansion of existing ones. Projects like upgrades to Lake Louise for World Cup, and downhill requirements and improvements at Marmot Basin and Sunshine Village will still be allowed to continue through the approval process. · Canadian Pacific Railway and The City of Calgary have partnered up to begin underpass enhancements at 1st Street and 9th Avenue S.W. Improvements will include a new railing, improved lighting and upgraded iron artwork by Bob Stowell. The railway tracks create a distinct boundary to define where downtown begins and ends, and this boundary provides unique access, safety, esthetic and directional challenges. Larry Clausen, president of the Calgary Downtown Association, is optimistic that the project will be the first in a series of upgrades. The enhancements are scheduled for completion in 2001. · The Calgary Area Outdoor Council (CAOC) has released a new resource directory that’s a lot cheaper than hiring a guide. Getting There – Accessing the Outdoors In and Around Calgary is a 48-page soft cover booklet that is intended to be an invaluable reference tool for people of all ages and activity levels. It has information on Calgary’s pathway and bikeway system as well as the cross-country ski areas located within the city. Additional information includes lists on Kananaskis Country, local ski resorts, tourism bureaus, wilderness travel and a map of Southern Alberta. To purchase a copy, contact the Calgary Area Outdoor Council at 270-CAOC. · The Alberta Motion Picture Industries Association (AMPIA) presented the David Billington Award to Andy Thomson at a ceremony this week. The prestigious awared, named after the late Billington, an award-winning hournalist and strong supporter of the film industry in Alberta is presented annually in recognition of lifetime achievement and outstanding contribution to the film and television industry. Thompson has made significant contributions to the industry for the past two decades, as a past president and member of the AMPIA board of directors, an Academy Award nominee during his tenure with the National Film Board, and architect of the National Screen Institute, among others. · CBC Television has announced the creation of a new regional program development fund that will result in the infusion of an additional five million dollars over five years to to television program development in Canada’s regions, nearly tripling the current financial commitment. The fund, which will assist in seeding and kick-starting new television program concepts outside of Toronto, will take effect April 1, 2001.

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