Tonight’s presentation will focus on downsizing and decluttering.

We will be sharing strategies to downsize with ease! Our professional organizer will cover the 5 stages of organizing, tips for decluttering with confidence and how to rehome your old treasures.

PRESENTER BIO

My name is Shannon Foster. I am the Senior Organizing Consultant at Sort & Simple Professional Organizing. At Sort & Simple we assist overwhelmed families, busy professionals and seniors that are downsizing. We have a focus on sustainability and enjoy helping our clients repurpose and donate their items.

Volunteer needed

We need one volunteer for tonight’s presentation! If you have great social skills and attention to detail, we would love for you to you host our welcome table. This role ensures all attendees feel welcome and know the logistics of the evening, after you log their registration upon entry.

Time: 1 hour

Accessibility: Sitting, reading, writing and speaking English. Additional languages - especially French - are a bonus, but not required.

If you’re interested, sign up now!

Learn about the radical history of zines and then build your own! Let’s celebrate all the fun things you did this year in this ZINE WORKSHOP at Ritchie Hall.

2024 is quickly coming to an end (yikes!) and you’re already lamenting the things you didn’t do. Friend! Don’t despair!

You did a lot this year, we know you did! Let our expert instructor help you relive all your special moments - and build a mini zine scrapbook to memorialize them for. ev. ah.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• You are a beginner

• You want to get started in scrapbooking

• You want to make their first (or 100th) zine in community

• You want a chill, afternoon hang out opportunity for you and your friends

• You want to meet other crafters in Edmonton!

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

Admission includes:

• Coffee, treats and a pump up playlist

• Borrow our tools: scissors, corner rounder, pens, markers, pencil crayons

• Consumables: stickers, colourful paper, magazines for collage

• Step-by-step instructions on creating a zine - multiple patterns!

• Caring guidance from our expert teacher Lisa - a published scrapbooker and long-time instructor!

You will leave with at least one completed zine with lots ot tips and strategies for building more at home. Discover enhanced confidence in your crafting skills, and new friends.

WHAT TO BRING?

Most of the supplies will be provided (included in the cost of the workshop), but here are some extras you can bring for your comfort.

• A water bottle or cup for hydration

• Mask for safety

• Sweater or layers - it can get drafty in our hall!

• Magazines or flat ephemera you would like to share with the class!

You do NOT need to bring printed photos of your special memories. Lisa will walk you through a process to capture them through doodles, collage, and writing!

BARTER OPTION

If $10 is out of your budget right now, never fear! We have a barter option available for admission. If you select that when checking out, Lisa will contact you in advance to make arrangements for your barter offering. Some popular options are:

• contribute a box of cookies or package of tea to the snack table

• volunteer for set up or at the welcome table - for Ritchie Community League members (use this link to sign up for a volunteer shift)

• and more…

Please note: the barter option is limited to 4 registrations at this time, and it is only available until November 11.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are recruiting 3-4 volunteers to help us host this event! Does this sound like you?

• Admissions and welcome table

• Snack station maintenance

• Photography

• Crafty folks who can offer attendees tips on using the materials

• Set up and tear down

Shifts vary from 30 minutes to 2 hours, and relevant training/supervision is provided. If you have questions about volunteering, please email secretary@ritchie-league.com

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR!

Lisa loves all arts and craft media, but is a papercrafter at heart. She spent 10+ years teaching and working at a popular Edmonton scrapbook store. She loves helping her students break out of their comfort zone!

ABOUT NOT LADYLIKE COMMUNITY

This Workshop is presented alongside Ritchie neighbour Not Ladylike Community. Their mission is to bring folks together, to build community care and resilience, and offer a reliable "third space" in a time where those options are lacking. Visit their website to learn more about the various clubs, meetups and events they host that align with their values of creativity, nature, and justice.

Join Ritchie Community League and New Grocery Movement for a community pickling workshop!

This event will take you through the steps of making your own pickles, using whatever vegetables you have left from your garden harvest. Cucumbers, peppers, beets, your choice!

Join your friends from the Ritchie community gardens at the Ritchie Community League kitchen for this exciting workshop!

DETAILS

• BYOV (bring your own vegetables)

• Canning materials are supplied

• Kitchen space is limited, so please register in advance to save your spot!

TICKETS

This event is FREE, but registration is required to hold your spot.

If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to garden@ritchie-league.com.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Community League Day offers an opportunity to celebrate our awesome community, get involved, and have fun with your neighbours!

Ritchie is a diverse and inclusive community - and we hope to see all of our members and their non-member neighbours out to enjoy the event!

• Pancake Breakfast

• Meet the instructors of some of Ritchie’s programs and classes - and sign up!

• Learn about various volunteer opportunites with the league

• Merch and Membership sales

• BBQ Raffle DRAW at 3:00 pm >  GET YOUR TICKETS

Volunteer to help

• Activity station

• Set up tables and chairs

• Food service

• Work at the Merch and Membership booth

• Clean up and tear down

Ritchie Community League is excited to announce our new hall fundraiser! - Grab your tickets now and enter to win a Traeger Pro 780 wi-fi enable wood pellet grill BBQ!

Ritchie Community League exists to create a welcoming and inclusive community for all Ritchie residents through advocacy, activities, programs, and supporting each other with opportunities to get to know our neighbours and have a sense of belonging within the community. We are based in Edmonton, Alberta.

Funds raised by this raffle will support our long journey to build a new hall! This community need was identified many years ago through direct consultation with Ritchie residents.

The winner will be contacted to claim their prize.

Thank you for your support!

Do you have questions about waste that keep you up at night?

“What do I do with my dead batteries?”

“Can I put dog poop in my green bin?”

“What does plastic # 7 mean?”

Ritchie found a few City of Edmonton Master Composter Recyclers to help you answer all of those questions, and more!

Join this evening presentation to learn about the various waste, recycling, and composting tools you have access to in the city, along with tips for reducing and reusing your household waste.

BONUS!

If you register before September 14 and submit your question about waste, we will incorporate it into the presentation!

EVENT DETAILS

• FREE and open to Ritchie members and non-members

• Material covered will be relevant to apartment and single family home dwellers

• Appropriate for mature teens and older

• Easy prompts provided for discussions with other attendees

• Presentation will be in spoken English only, but our MCRs are fluent in Urdu, Polish, German as well for questions and conversation; there is no sign language interpretation available at this time

• Light snacks and beverages provided

• Bring an item that you don’t know what ot do with, and we will tell you where it goes and why! (Please no hazardous items; items must fit into a shopping bag and you must take the item with you at the end of the presentation.)

If you have any questions about the presentation, please direct them to secretary@ritchie-league.com

PRESENTER BIOS

Our four presenters are fluent in Urdu, Polish, German, and English. We are excited to chat with you about waste and answer all of your tough questions!

Jolanta: “Being fluent in English, Polish and German, I am a proud Canadian with a strong Polish Heritage. I also have extensive training in Archaeology, having completed my Bachelor's Degree at the University of Alberta. On dig sites, we used to call ourselves rubbish collectors! I graduated in the 2024 Master Composter Recycler Program.”

Ehlam: “I am a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing an Honors Physiology Degree and a Certificate in Sustainability at the University of Alberta. I have a deep passion for innovative sustainability practices! Since Grade 10, I have been maintaining a tilapia aquaponics system and donating the fruits and vegetables grown to local restaurants. Additionally, I have made and sold over 500 beeswax wraps to fundraise for families affected by fires. My interest in waste reduction deepened after completing the 2024 Master Composter Recycler Program, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned with fellow Edmontonians!”

Lisa: “I can’t remember when I graduated the MCR program in Edmonton, but my son was a toddler and he’s 19 now! I still love talking about garbage and compost, though my activities now focus more on helping other folks address their climate anxiety, spreading awareness of climate injustices, and connecting people with their peers. You’ll most often find me hosting events and clubs at Not Ladylike Community, and volunteering with Ritchie Community League.”

What is an MCR?

Master Composter Recyclers are specially trained City of Edmonton volunteers and community advocates for waste reduction. These knowledgable folks help Edmontonians reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. This is a self-directed volunteer program, so the individuals you will meet tonight built the presentation themselves using their training! They love chatting about all things waste.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

We need one volunteer for tonight’s presentation! If you have great social skills and attention to detail, we would love to have you host our welcome table. This role ensures all attendees feel welcome and know the logistics of the evening, after you log their registration upon entry.

Time: 1 hour

Accessibility: Sitting, reading, writing and speaking English. Additional languages - especially French - are a bonus, but not required.

If you’re interested, sign up now!

In the movement against throw-away culture and fast fashion, rediscover and transform your favourite well-worn fashion items under the guidance of our volunteer experts.

Bring your apparel items needing repair, and use our machines, various tools, and diverse scraps to repair, mend, and reimagine your own items. We will help you every step of the way, offering tips and tricks, training on the machines, and general mending advice.

Please pre-register at link below so we know to expect you and have the supplies required on hand. Registration is also available at the door.

This is a FREE community event supplemented by The City of Edmonton’s Waste Reduction Grant.

Join Ritchie Community League as we start our 2024-2025 year of presentations with a timely topic - getting ready for extreme heat.

This gathering is for people who:

• Feel anxious about climate impacts that are at their doorstep

• Want to help their family and community deal with extreme heat

• Are looking for hope and connection in these difficult times

Using information from the City of Edmonton’s Neighbouring for Climate Toolkit and 350.org’s Community Climate Circles template, we have crafted an evening for you to talk with your neighbours about how to stay safe when facing extreme heat and start to take action to make sure everyone can stay safe.

Agenda

1. Welcome and land acknowledgement

2. Sharing our stories

3. Keeping your home safe

1. Climate Safety Tips

4. Keeping our community safe

1. Mapping

2. “Climate Safety Buddies”

5. Keeping everyone safe

1. “New normal”

2. Who is most impacted

3. City of Edmonton extreme weather response

4. 350.org “Heat Pumps for All” campaign

5. Next steps

6. Wrap up and goodnight

1. Time for casual conversation before we head out for the night

Depending on the number of people in attendance, we will be doing some small group work to brainstorm safety tips and map the resources already in place in our community. This will be most impactful if you are a Ritchie resident, or from the surrounding communities, but everyone is welcome!

about our presenterS

Lisa Kercher wears many (sustainable) hats in our community! She is the founder of Not Ladylike Community, Secretary of the Ritchie Community League, Waste Free Edmonton volunteer and host of their Climate Chats program, and a Master Composter Recycler. Her mission in life is to create opportunities for people to meet each other, build resilience in their communities, and get connected to climate actions. By day she works with impoverished and houseless folks who face significant barriers to healthcare and are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Check out Not Ladylike Community for some of her other community building efforts!

Chelsea Boos lives as a guest on Treaty 6 territory and the homelands of the Métis Nation. She works at the intersection of creativity, climate justice, and community development. As a decorated cultural worker, arts non-profit administrator, and neighbour of Edmontonians, she is passionate about co-creating this city with her community. Check out chelseaboos.com for a portfolio of writing, lens-based art, and illustration.

Crafternoon is an opportunity to hang out with likeminded crafters and work on your projects, maybe get some tips, and definitely get inspired!

Bring your favourite craft supplies or a project on the go. We'll set you up at a table, and you can craft the afternoon away! There will be snacks, and friends new and old. Admission is "pay what you can", and this event is open to members and non-members of Ritchie.

“The perfect way to spend a Sunday. I made a lot of progress on my craft/hobby, got inspo for new crafts/hobbies, got to engage in a supply swap, meet new people and see old friends. It's a win-win”

Pre-registration guarantees you a friendly reminder email two days out, but is otherwise no obligation. Things come up, we get it! Crafternoon is a low barrier way to spend some time creating for you, in a friendly and safe environment, with rad folks who also love crafting.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

• Any and all type of crafts and crafters.

• Folks who are looking for a craft community, and who value safe and accessible spaces.

• Heads up: Your photo might be taken to use in future Ritchie Community League and NLL marketing. Please inform a volunteer immediately if you have any concerns.

WHAT TO BRING

• A mask; these are required in the crafting space to help keep us all safe

• Your own supplies or project to work on. We do not provide materials or instruction.

• Arts and crafts supplies for our Swap Table! You are welcome to take items from the table, even if you didn't bring any. Anything leftover at the end of the day will be donated to the Reuse Centre.

• We are an environmentally minded group (and Community League), so we ask that you bring your own refillable water bottle or cup.

• Cash or card, "pay what you can" admission is payable by either at the door (minimum $5)

ACCESSIBILITY

• This building is wheelchair accessible, but please be aware of these constrictions: there is a small lip on the front door, the vestibule is tight for turning, and the powered door is currently inoperable.

• Wheelchair accessible, gendered washrooms.

• Free parking immediately outside in a paved parking lot.

• Bus access on 99 street or 77 avenue.

• Bikes racks.

• Treats are free of most common allergens (vegan, gluten free, no nuts), non-dairy milk for coffee and tea, caffeine free tea options

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer sign up coming soon!

Presented in partnership with Ritchie neighbour, Not Ladylike Community.

CHECK OUT THE TIME CHANGE! Join Ritchie's community gardens as they link up to bring you a summer bike crawl through the neighbourhood! 

Did you know that the Ritchie neighbourhood is home to three community gardens? Join us on a summer day as we crawl (bike or walk) between each garden, getting the chance to meet your fellow gardeners in the community and show off your garden boxes! 

Stop 1: Mill Creek Healing Park with the New Grocery Movement (NGM) Garden Club. Join in field games and activities, or just lounge on the grass. Learn about the NGM Garden Club and the Mill Creek Healing Park. 

Stop 2: West Ritchie Community Garden. Learn about West Ritchie's journey and how to get involved in the Ritchie Community League. 

Stop 3: Trinity Community Garden. There, we will learn about their story while grabbing drinks and settling in to the Grindstone patio for a night of dancing and entertainment.

Space is limited Register today!

Questions about this event? Please email west@ritchie-league.com

Potluck time! Will your secret recipe steal the show?

RITCHIE MEMBERS ONLY*
Connect with your neighbours and try a new food! All ages, all types of dishes!

Bring your famous mac and cheese, or Grandma’s recipe for rhubarb crisp. At least 10 servings, so there’s plenty to share!

YOU decide what dish to bring:

• Main course

• Side dish

• Salad

• Appetizer

• Dessert

• Snack

• Your speciality!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please use the Alberta Health and Safety Guidelines when preparing your food.

2. Print out your POTLUCK FOOD CARD to bring with you. (Or fill one out at the event.)

3. Confirm your Ritchie membership in advance or purchase one at the event. (Here are instructions to LOOK UP YOUR MEMBERSHIP)

*Due to Alberta Health Services guidelines and our insurance coverage we must restrict this event to Ritchie members only. You will have the opportunity to confirm or purchase your membership at the door.

Can’t cook to save your life? We’ve got you covered!

In lieu of bringing a dish, you can help out as a volunteer. We always need extra hands…

• Set up tables and chairs, forks and serving spoons

• Welcome your neighbours, and check their memberships; help them fill out their ingredients cards and find a place to display their dish

• Put away tables and chairs, wash dishes, tidy up the hall

Questions about volunteering? Check in with volunteers@ritchie-league.com

Every Tuesday starting on June 4.

The Public Farmers Market will operate from 3:30 to 8:00 every Tuesday until September 24.

As in the years prior, the market will host fruit, local veggies, artisan handicrafts, meats, seafood, etc.

The Ritchie Community League will also be hosting a table at the Market selling merch and memberships. SIGN UP to volunteer at the table.

Let's not forget the food trucks that will be there as well. We hope you have enjoyed the market in the past and look forward to having you visit us often this summer.

Questions about the market or any vendors wishing to join, can call 780-913-2586.

Please email, tweet, instagram or whatever you use to pass this great news along.

See you at the Market

Sign up to volunteer at the Ritchie Community League merch table

No experience necessary

Hey Ritchie, you know what June is!?

The Community League Bike Month Challenge!! Get your bikes tuned and your neighbors to join our STRAVA group over the next couple weeks so we are ready to roll!! We’ve got an undefeated title to defend!!

Ritchie community members can join the fun by either logging kilometers as part of the Ritchie United STRAVA group or emailing their totals for the week to ritchie-united@ritchie-league.com after your last ride for the week on Sunday.

More information on the Bike Month Challenge Page

You're invited to Crafternoon!

Bring your favourite craft supplies, or a project on-the-go. We'll set you up at a table, and you can craft the afternoon away with friends and neighbours!

See you at the hall on Sunday, May 26, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

Crafternoon is a low barrier way to spend some time creating for you, in a friendly and safe environment, with rad folks who also love crafting.

Important details:

• Masks are required

• Admission is pay what you can at the door, cash or card (minimum $5)

• Open to Ritchie members and non-members from any community

• All snacks are free of most common allergens

What to bring

• A mask; these are required in the crafting space to help keep us all safe.

• Your own supplies or project to work on. We do not provide materials or instruction.

• Arts and crafts supplies for our Swap Table! You are welcome to take items from the table, even if you didn't bring any. Anything leftover at the end of the day will be donated to the Reuse Centre.

• We are an environmentally minded league, so we ask that you bring your own refillable water bottle or cup.

• Cash or card, admission is payable by either at the door (minimum $5).

Presented alongside Ritchie neighbour, Not Ladylike Community.

Volunteer Opportunities available at Crafternoon!

Volunteer shifts run from 30 minutes to 2 hours. We provide all the training you need, and welcome ages teen and up of all abilities. Enthusiasm is the top requirement! This is a great, low barrier way to get involved with Ritchie. We can't host events without our dedicated volunteers!

• Greet attendees and take admission at the door - comfortable with phone apps and making change is essential

• Set up tables, chairs, snack table ahead of the event - ability to follow directions, lift folding chairs, and/or make coffee is essential

• Take photos and videos throughout the event - familiarity with a camera phone is essential

• “Tear down” involves putting everything away and leaving the hall as tidy as we found it!

The Ritchie Community League Annual General Meeting is coming soon!

Join us May 23 at 7 pm as we reflect on the past year, and choose a new board.

We will be celebrating all the amazing things we accomplished in 2023, a review of our financials, and board member elections. Oh, and snacks! All members of the League are welcome to attend.

Interested in Volunteering?

We are looking for a number of volunteers to help us out during the event.

Come Join the West Ritchie Community Garden Block Party!

Find us at the end of 79 Avenue at 101 Street

We are hosting a block party on May 19 to celebrate the OFFICIAL opening of the West Ritchie Community Garden! There will be local vendors, businesses from the neighbourhood, activities for all ages, and a formal introduction to the Community Garden.

We look forward to seeing you there!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

Help us with all the things it takes to make this event great!

• Set up

• Selling memberships and merch

• General helping

• Tear down

Click the button to choose a spot on Sign Up.com

Let’s gather together and share a meal and great company

RITCHIE MEMBERS ONLY*
All ages, connect with your neighbours and try new foods.
bring your own food and food to share.

Bring a dish to share with at least 5 other people besides your family.  (10 servings)

• Main dish

• Side dish

• Salad

• Appetizer

• Dessert

• Snack/appetizer

• Your speciality!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please use the Alberta Health and Safety Guidelines when preparing your food.

2. Print out your POTLUCK FOOD CARD to bring with you. (Or You can fill one out at the event.)

3. Confirm your Ritchie membership. Here are instructions LOOK UP YOUR MEMBERSHIP (OR you can purchase a membership at the event)

*Due to Alberta Health Services guidelines and our insurance coverage we must restrict this event to Ritchie Members only. You will have the opportunity to lookup or purchase your membership at the door.

Other Volunteer Needs:

• Set up

• Check in

• General assisting

• Clean up

In leu of bringing a dish or in addition to

Thursday, May 16 7:00 to 8:30 pm

• Doors open at 6:45, presentation begins at 7 pm

• Free event, no registration required.

• Residents from across Edmonton are welcome to attend.  

Worried after hearing of another dry summer? Looking for ways to make environmental improvements in your garden? This is for you. In this two-part presentation, first learn about the City of Edmonton's Neighbouring for Climate program and toolkit. Then, the focus will shift to specific information about how we can manage our spaces for drought conditions, including how the city manages its urban forest. City staff will present and answer questions to help you get started on climate action in your own garden! Find out how we can work together for the planet, for your garden, and your community. The best climate action is community climate action.

agenda

6:45 | Doors Open
7:00 | Welcome & announcements - Hanna @ Ritchie League
7:10 | Climate Projections and Neighbouring for Climate (Heather @ City of Edmonton)
7: 25 | A quick look at the kit contents
7:30 | Q&As
7:40 | Urban Forests and Planting for Drought (George @ City of Edmonton)
8:05 | Q&As
8:15 | Wrap-up Register to participate in the Neighbouring for Climate program / pick up a kit .
8:30 | END

Presenter Bios

George Szilagyi is an ISA-certified arborist with a Municipal Specialist qualification who is part of the City of Edmonton Urban Forestry, working in the Community Forestry team. Community Forestry is a regular advocate for trees as part of the response to the climate crisis, and believes that community and individual actions are an indispensable part of the solution.

Heather Wheeliker’s formal training in environmental science, adult education and community development have grounded her approach to her work in mobilizing Edmontonians to take climate action. As the current lead for Change for Climate at the City of Edmonton, she works on both climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. 

This is a drop-in information session in the small hall.

Information will be available to members of the community in a self-guided walk-through and committee members on had to answer questions. There will be information on the following:

• The hall layout and design features that were considered for decision-making

• The Kitchen layout and features

• The site plan, the considerations that were made, the impact to operations, trees and amenities.

• The Energy Efficiency of the hall

PERMITS

In February, we successfully obtained approval from the City for our development permit, marking a big step forward in the Ritchie Hall Revitalization Committee efforts. We couldn't be more thrilled with this achievement, and we invite you to learn more about the design and site plan

news on funding

Unfortunately, we did not receive the federal grant we had applied for, which would have covered 60% of the project’s cost. Despite our best efforts and meeting all qualifications, we were left disappointed to learn we were not awarded the grant and disheartened by the lack of explanation provided. These funds, along with available City and Provincial grants would have had us starting the construction in January 2025.

We also learned that our project was not selected for funding under the Alberta Capital Plan for Federal Capital Plan, despite aligning with several mandates and important targets for the Government of Alberta and Canada. For the Alberta Capital Plan, the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women wrote Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues to encourage leagues to apply. Well…no league received funding through the Alberta Capital Plan.

On May 12th the Ritchie Volunteer Meetup crew will take on the litter in Mill Creek! Come and join us.

Area: west side of the ravine from Whyte Ave to 72 avenue

As all Ritchie neighbours know, we love our local creek for early morning runs, playing with family, and exploring with our pups. We are all also familiar with the amount of garbage it accumulates over the winter. Come lend a hand in our annual spring cleanup to help tidy up Mill Creek Ravine so we can all continue to enjoy it!

The league has some supplies to share, including garbage bags, gloves, and grabbers.

Please dispose of all garbage properly in your personal garbage bin. Do not leave it in the ravine.

If you find large or hazardous items, please call 311 to inform the city. Stay safe out there!

Or just show up!

May is spring cleaning season! Like you, we can’t wait to clean up our yards, sheds, and junk drawers.

There are THREE easy ways for you to participate in the Ritchie Community League Rummage Sale and FreeCycle event on May 5.

1) Residents can register for one of 22 tables to sell their items (or leave an appropriate item at the FreeCycle table). See terms and form below.

2) Volunteer to help out - a variety of roles are available and no previous experience is necessary.

3) Anyone is welcome to drop-in and snag a new-to-you item.

Ritchie league will have a table there as well! We will have pop-up tents, chairs, toys, sports equipment and more!

Volunteer to help out

Could you help set-up or take-down tables? Click the sign up button and choose a spot to help out.

Register for a table (full; waitlist only)

There are ~20 tables available - you can sign up to save a spot for selling household items that are still functional or you can add to the community FreeCycle table for items you are interested in giving away. Not enough for a full table? Join up with a neighbour and have a table together.

The registration is for Ritchie residents, not for licenced vendors.

Items must:

1. Completely fit onto the table or directly under the table. Table size is 244cm (8 feet) long and 76 cm (30 inches) wide.

2. Be in working condition and functional.

3. Be tested before arrival, if the item requires power.

4. Not contain fuel, not be paint, and not be or contain chemicals.

5. Not require a licence to carry and not be illegal to carry.

6. Not be clothing or linens (outdoor attire is welcome.).

Please note the league volunteers reserve the right to refuse entry of an item if the item is too large or inappropriate to display. Decision will be final at registration table. If you want to confirm ahead of time, you are welcome to email programs@Ritchie-League.com.

For waitlisted households, if a table becomes available, you will receive notice the evening prior or morning off.

Let’s gather together and share a meal and great company

RITCHIE MEMBERS ONLY*
All ages, connect with your neighbours and try new foods.
bring your own food and food to share.

Bring a dish to share with at least 5 other people besides your family.  (10 servings)

• Main dish

• Side dish

• Salad

• Appetizer

• Dessert

• Snack/appetizer

• Your speciality!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please use the Alberta Health and Safety Guidelines when preparing your food.

2. Print out your POTLUCK FOOD CARD to bring with you. (Or You can fill one out at the event.)

3. Confirm your Ritchie membership. Here are instructions LOOK UP YOUR MEMBERSHIP (OR you can purchase a membership at the event)

*Due to Alberta Health Services guidelines and our insurance coverage we must restrict this event to Ritchie Members only. You will have the opportunity to lookup or purchase your membership at the door.

Other Volunteer Needs:

• Set up

• Check in

• General assisting

• Clean up

In leu of bringing a dish or in addition to

SAVE THE DATE!

Join your Ritchie neighbours on April 18 for a documentary film screening followed by a community discussion on the topic of community!

Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club—and why the fate of America
depends on it. Follow the story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of Robert Putnam, whose legendary "Bowling Alone" research into American community
decline may hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis.

This film is American-based, but we have seen similar issues pop up across Canada - social isolation, disconnection from our neighbours, widening gaps between empowered and disempowered folks. Community leagues offer a unique solution to the civic unraveling described in the film, and we will hopefully explore that in our post-film discussion!

Doors open at 6:00pm, with the film starting at 6:30pm. Come early and mingle with your neighbours, grab a snack and a seat. Following opening remarks, we will show the film in its entirety, then our volunteers will facilitate a community discussion.

Presented alongside Ritchie neighbour, Not Ladylike Community.

ABOUT THE FILM
Join or Die is a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it. In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America's civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking "Bowling Alone" research into America's decades-long decline in community connections could hold the answers to our democracy's present crisis. Flanked by influential fans and scholars as well as inspiring groups building community in neighborhoods across the country, join Bob as he explores three urgent civic questions: What makes democracy work? Why is American democracy in crisis? And, most importantly... What can we do about it?

ABOUT ROBERT PUTNAM:
Harvard professor Robert D. Putnam is America’s preeminent political scientist — and
one of the most widely read and cited social scientists living today. Author of fourteen
books, translated into twenty languages, his work focuses on asking big questions about American society and deploying immense, creative studies and analyses to unlock answers. His groundbreaking “Bowling Alone” research — which demonstrated that levels of American community connections were in decline over the past half-century — rocketed Putnam to national fame in the late 1990s. As more Americans turn on to the reality of our social isolation crisis, a consistent drumbeat of media interest in revisiting Putnam’s work has grown.

Let’s gather together and share a meal and great company

RITCHIE MEMBERS ONLY*
All ages, connect with your neighbours and try new foods.
bring your own food and food to share.

Bring a dish to share with at least 5 other people besides your family.  (10 servings)

• Main dish

• Side dish

• Salad

• Appetizer

• Dessert

• Snack/appetizer

• Your speciality!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Please use the Alberta Health and Safety Guidelines when preparing your food.

2. Print out your POTLUCK FOOD CARD to bring with you. (Or You can fill one out at the event.)

3. Confirm your Ritchie membership. Here are instructions LOOK UP YOUR MEMBERSHIP (OR you can purchase a membership at the event)

*Due to Alberta Health Services guidelines and our insurance coverage we must restrict this event to Ritchie Members only. You will have the opportunity to lookup or purchase your membership at the door.

Other Volunteer Needs:

• Set up

• Check in

• General assisting

• Clean up

In leu of bringing a dish or in addition to

SAVE THE DATE!

Are you concerned about a repeat of last year’s fire season?

Do you have questions about how wildfires impact you and your family’s health?

Do you value dialogue with your neighbours on how we can advocate for better preparedness?

This event is open to all Ritchie members, and friends of Ritchie. There is no cost, and no need to RSVP. See you at the hall on March 21!

The 2023 Alberta wildfire scenario has been described as “unprecedented”, with over 2.2 million hectares of forest burned, extensive damage to human and non-human life and property, along with record negative air quality readings.  Unfortunately, experts claim that this scenario may be similar or worse in 2024. 

We hold our breaths nervously about another predicted long and intense Alberta wildfire season in 2024. Alberta Forestry and Parks maintain that they are prepared. However, there is a lot of doubt about that among experienced Alberta wildfire personnel, municipalities, and other experts.

Please attend this public event to:

• hear the basics of wildfire in Alberta – damage, causes and responses

• express your own views on the question of “what should we be doing to reduce the extent and damage of Alberta wildfires?”

• contribute to public conversation and citizen oversight and input on the management of Alberta wildfires in 2024 and beyond

DOORS: 6:00pm

PRESENTATION: 6:30-8:30pm

Cost: $0

PRESENTED BY RITCHIE NEIGHBOUR RICHARD MERRY

For over 35 years, Richard has worked to reverse the destruction of our natural systems by consumerism, industrial activity and government policy. Since May 2023, he has closely followed Alberta wildfire activity and made efforts to mobilize ordinary citizens to speak out on wildfire impacts and the responsibility of government and industry in these impacts. He is conducting this Ritchie event, not as an expert in wildfire, but as one who believes in the power of the public and community to drive real progress in our society.

* To make this event really count, please review the links below as provided by our presenter. Most of these are media articles, but there is a wealth of detail that will be helpful for this public discussion on wildfires in Alberta. 

Canada should be on 'high alert' for 2024 after record wildfire season: scientist (CP24)

Alberta wildfire warns of extreme fire risk heading into spring 2024 (Global News)

‘We are a skeleton crew out here’: UCP cuts led to disastrous Alberta wildfire situation (The Narwhal)

UCP Gutted Firefighter Programs (Project Calgary)

Cuts to Alberta elite aerial firefighting team came despite pleas to keep them in service | CBC News

Alberta gov't must reverse UCP cuts to wildfire fighting operations (AUPE) 

Yellowhead County wants more proactive wildfire measures from province (CBC News)

Alberta to add firefighters for expected busy wildfire season: minister (CTV News)

Alberta committing more resources to battle wildfires in 2024 (CityNews Edmonton)

Alberta partnering with AI company to try to predict wildfires before they ignite (CTV News)

Prescribed fire (Gov’t of Alberta)

Alberta declares early start to wildfire season due to warm and dry weather (Global News)

Alberta fire chiefs call for provincial strategy as wildfire season looms (Edmonton Journal)

Alberta fire chiefs want provincial wildfire plan released before season begins (Canadian Underwriter)

Wildland firefighters’ union worried about 2024 season: ‘Albertans should be concerned’ (Global News)

Union says Alberta has lost experienced wildfire firefighters (Red Deer Advocate)

Union accuses Alberta government of being unprepared for 2024 wildfire season (CTV News)

Alberta Wildfires: More than 200 structures damaged; smoke causing poor air quality (Edmonton Journal)

Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire smoke and your health (Govt of Canada)

Smoky days, gloomy mood? How wildfire haze is affecting what Edmontonians do and feel (CTV News)

Wildfire smoke is hurting your health (City News)

Led by the NET Community Safety Liaison, we will take the opportunity during this workshop to learn about some of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, and then spend some time walking through the community league property and adjacent spaces to discuss practical ways that some of these concepts can be directly implemented. Participants will also have the opportunity, after completing the NET CPTED self-assessment, to access some free home security hardware items that may help them to implement any recommendations made.

WHAT IS NET?

NET (Neighbourhood Empowerment Team) responds to repeated or significant incidents that may impact the security and safety of Edmontonians across the city. Our aim is to reduce the fear of crime and social disorder amongst community members. This workshop, facilitated by a Community Safety Liaison with NET, will cover some basic Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles that Ritchie residents can apply in and around their own properties. CPTED is a proven method to reduce actual crime and fear of crime by changing the physical environment. By proactivity applying CPTED principles we can increase the safety of our property and our community.

The design and management of a space impacts human behaviour. When a space is well designed it helps reduce crime and increases perceptions of safety. However, when a space is poorly designed crime and antisocial behaviour is more likely to occur. This not only impacts our safety and willingness to engage in our community but it also affects our overall wellbeing.

Property owners can take proactive steps to protect their property by implementing target hardening strategies. These strategies follow the principles of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) and seek to design the physical environment in a way that helps deter crime. Good design increases the chances of an offender being caught and reduces the benefits of crime. It also makes us feel safer and more comfortable.

Resources: CPTED brochures available at workshop.

Ritchie Merch Online Store is open in MARCH

Pick up and shop in person every Sunday from March 3 - March 31

Order online and pick-up at the hall on Sundays (in March) from 12:30-2pm.

The Ritchie Merch Store will also be open for you to browse our stock in person.

Come and get your Ritchie Merch!

It is going fast!

Volunteer

Would you like to help run the Ritchie Merch Store? Sign up to help out.

Dream job: delivery driver?

Our exclusive 2024 merch is ready to go and we can’t wait to get it into the deserving hands of our Ritchie Crew. But we need your help on February 25 to assemble and deliver all of that sweet sweet swag to our subscribers across the community.

There are two shifts up for grabs, depending on your abilities and availability:

• 10am - 12pm: assemble the goody bags at the hall

• 12 - 1:30pm: door to door delivery in Ritchie