| Outcry leads to new design
The Mount Royal Block on 17th Avenue S.W. will still be demolished in February, but developers are promising to change the proposed design of the building that will replace it, due to an outcry from Calgarians.
Tonko Realty Advisors Ltd. had planned to build a very modern-looking three-storey building covered in glass windows on the site. The 93-year-old Mount Royal Block is located between Seventh and Eighth Street S.W. and currently houses The Mercury bar, The Wine Shop and Manie’s restaurant, among other businesses.
Robert Proud, managing partner of Tonko, says the company has changed its plans after hearing concerns from local community members, the Uptown 17th Avenue Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ) and the city that the proposed design wouldn’t fit in with the character of the popular, trendy street.
"There’s been concern about the size of the building, and the amount of glass and the signage," says Proud.
He says the redesign will be "a significant change" from the first proposal and the company will present it to the BRZ and community within the next two weeks.
Climate change lecture
The director of the Melting Mountains Awareness Program, Ian Bruce, will give a presentation about the effects of climate change on Alberta’s mountains and what people can do to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions on Tuesday, January 11 at 7 p.m. at the W.R. Castell Library.
Bruce will discuss rapidly melting glaciers, lower water flow in Alberta rivers and how climate change is already having an impact on winter recreational activities, among other topics. Bruce says the target audience is outdoor enthusiasts and anyone else involved in Alberta’s mountain lifestyle.
"What we’re hoping to create is some leadership out of the mountain community to address climate change," says Bruce.
For more information, ]call Bruce at 604-306-5095.
Tsunami donations needed
The Red Cross is continuing to ask for donations from Albertans to help those devastated in the tsunami last month, which killed tens of thousands of people in Sri Lanka, Thailand and India.
To make a donation, call 541-6100.
There will also be a massage-a-thon fundraiser for tsunami victims at the Prema Sai Wholistic Living health food store and holistic clinic from January 14 to 16. Massage therapists will charge $1 a minute for neck, hand or foot massages. All proceeds will go to the Red Cross. For more information, call Charis at 243-4040.
The lure of the Big Top
If you’ve always dreamed of running away and joining the circus, your big break could happen next month.
The National Circus School, based in Montreal, will be holding auditions in Calgary in February. In order to audition you have to submit your application by January 15.
The circus school offers training in acrobatics, aerial, balance, manipulation and circus acting and dance, and has trained many of Canada’s foremost circus performers. For more information on auditioning, go to www.nationalcircusschool.ca. |
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