Soccer Slip Up?

If soccer registration slipped your mind last month, don't worry! The late registration session is being held on:

Sunday March 12
from 1 to 5pm
Ottewell Hall - 5920 93a Avenue.  

Here's the drill:  
Similar to last year, parents will need to complete registration online atwww.emsasoccerportal.com prior to heading down to Ottewell Hall. We know, you might want to skip this step, but you can't. Plus, you missed your local sign up so don't test their patience! 

The gang at Ottewell will need to see that online registration has been completed. They'll also want to  check your community league membership (or help you purchase a new one), take payments and sign you up for your mandatory volunteer duties.

Here's the thing, if you don't remember to register online, you'll have to fill out a hard copy at the hall and then take home a copy and fill out all the same details in the online version...it will be a pain and major waste of your time. Don't do it. 

Visit www.emsasoccerportal.com and follow the easy steps.
You've got this!!!

Noxious Problems in Millcreek!

Okay don't panic, but word on the street is that Millcreek Ravine is infested with garlic mustard - and we're not talking about something delicious for a hotdog. Below is a message from the City of Edmonton about this pesky species.
 
Be aware of noxious and prohibited noxious weeds.

Not all flowers are friendly!

Noxious and prohibited noxious weeds grow and spread quickly. They invade entire ecosystems; push out native plants; infest streams, riverbanks and waterways; and impact natural animal habitats and biodiversity. These plants compete with native species, making properties look unsightly and causing significant damage to parks and green space in the city.

Noxious weeds must be “controlled”, which means to remove the risk of spreading. The easiest way to do this is by mowing the weeds.

Here are the top 5 noxious weeds to watch for this year!

• Canada Thistle
• Perennial Sow Thistle
• Oxeye Daisy
• Creeping Bellflower
• Scentless Chamomile

Prohibited noxious weeds must be “destroyed”, meaning all growing parts of the plant must be killed. To do this, remove and dispose of the weed according to the plant-specific instructions at edmonton.ca/weeds.

Here are the top 5 prohibited noxious weeds to watch for this year!

• Purple Loosestrife
• Tamarisk Species
• Japanese Knotweed
• Himalayan Balsam
• Garlic Mustard

   
Control invasive weeds

Landowners are required to control noxious weeds and destroy prohibited noxious weeds on their property under the Alberta Weed Control Act. Download the Alberta Weed Spotter App to see if you have noxious and/or prohibited noxious weeds in your yard.

Property owners who do not control or destroy invasive weeds may be issued a local authority’s notice to control or remove the weed. The City has the authority under the Act to enter onto private property to start weed control measures. Cost for this varies on the amount of infestation and area to be cleared and gets added to the landowner’s property tax bill.

For information on weed identification, visit edmonton.ca/weeds

For information on the related legislation, visit www.agriculture.alberta.ca/weed-act

Spring Shack

Calling all Ritchie rascals! Green Shack is gearing up for spring. Check it: 

Saturday May 6, 13, and 20
Monday May 8 and 15
Wednesday May 10, 17 and 24

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Free Swim

Community League Swim! Change of location and time due to Bonnie Doon year-long renovation. Show your Ritchie Community League Membership and gain free entry at:

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Commonwealth Recreation Centre
11000 Stadium Road
Saturdays: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sundays: 1:00-3:00 pm 

Ritchie Bike Rack Project

Ritchie Community League has partnered with Jasper Place High School students and CITYlab in an exciting new project to bring creative bike racks to our neighbourhood. The design students have designed the bike racks, the welding students will manufacture the bike racks, and CITYlab will install them in Ritchie! Please help us by click here and voting for your two favourite bike rack designs. The top two choices will be installed this June on Bike Day, June 10th, 2017. Thank you for your time and consideration in selecting your favourite two bike rack designs! Please vote by April 1, 2017.

Ritchie Public Realm Improvements

About the Project

The proposed project area is within city road right of way and includes:

• Converting the grassed boulevard to a hard surface with paving stones and planting area
• Adding a porous surface such as mulch or pour-in-place material around existing trees to keep them healthy and vibrant
• Adding a space to accommodate bike racks
• Adding a seating area with benches

The project budget is $250,000, which breaks down to $101,000 for capital infrastructure improvements and the remainder for decorative streetlights. Decorative lighting was installed in 2016 as part of public realm enhancements.

Click to give your feedback on the Edmonton City website.

Click to give your feedback on Edmonton City website.

Kids 'Acting' Up???

We suggest you harness their talent and register for some legit classes! Youth theatre is coming to Ritchie this month. Weekly classes start on February 9th, with the final production in mid-May. Participants will get a chance to perform in a reimagined and uniquely staged production of William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” taking place in our very own Ritchie Park and Community Hall. 

Who: This program is aimed at students aged 12-17, and may involve up to 16 participants.
When: Classes run on Thursdays from 4 - 6 pm. 
Cost: $190 per participant, or 20% off for Ritchie Community League members, ($150). 
More info: Contact callawright@gmail.com.

FREE Learn to Skate

Okay, so there isn't any snow or ice yet...but we are pretty certain it will be coming soon enough. Come to the RCL rink on the following days for some free learn to skate drop-in lessons:

• Feb 4     2:30-5:30 pm
• Feb 11   2:30-5:30 pm
• Feb 18   2:30-5:30 pm

Oh and just so you know, Ritchie's Karma Krew will be treating skaters to free hot chocolate and cookies during the February 11th session. Gotta fuel up right??? Thanks for the early Valentine's treat Karma Krew...we love you!!!

We are looking for ACE People

We know Ritchie is full of great people that are super helpful,  friendly and fun.

Last month, we talked a little about something that we think is pretty cool. The Abundant Community Edmonton(ACE) program is a neighbourhood engagement and organization approach that we are planning to adopt in Ritchie.

To get started however, we are going to need to hear from some potential Block Connectors.

If you don't know what that is, or you do and you are ready to sign yourself up for a great local initiative, visit our website. While you are there, please check out the Abundant Community Ritchie survey.  

Pho Yo' Info - Local Business Boost

We've got some awesome Vietnamese food in the hood y'all! Head on down to Pho Boy for a little deliciousness.
 

Tempt yourself by checking out www.phoboy.com then make your way to
10037B - 82Ave  
The restaurant is open from 11 am to 9 pm daily.  

Mill Creek Ravine Shines Bright!

So last month we got busy making awesome paper lanterns and now our handiwork will be on display for all to see. 

What: The Flying Canoe Volant
When: February 3 and 4
Where: Mill Creek Ravine and La Cité francophone
Time: 6:00 - 10:00pm (ravine) / 6:00 - midnight (La Cité francophone)

The Flying Canoe Volant is a creative, interactive, and cultural event that celebrates local history and everything that is great about a long winter's night.

Loosely based on the legend of the Flying Canoe, and on French-Canadian, First Nation, and Métis traditions, the Flying Canoe Volant invites you for a nighttime adventure in Edmonton's French Quarter and along the illuminated trails of the Mill Creek Ravine.

Extending from the Mill Creek Ravine to La Cité francophone, this large-scale community offers something for everyone. In the ravine, you’ll step into a magical surrounding as you encounter artistic lighting installations and engage in Métis jigs/reels, bannock making, storytelling, drumming, and conversation. Emerging from the ravine, hop on a horse-drawn carriage towards La Cité francophone. On the way, a community stage, snacks and snow carvings await at Rutherford School. Finish off the night in celebration at La Cité francophone with bilingual musical performances in the cabaret, children's activities, multi-disciplinary Aboriginal artist representations, a winter patio, outdoor DJ and a snow slide.

Put on your Ritchie toque and mittens and come brave the cold! We are indeed fortunate to have this kind of winter festival right at our doorstep.  

RCL Board Member Spotlight

If you think Jeff Ollis looks familiar it is probably because he is everywhere! This guy is the local hero that lobbied for a heated skate shack, refilled your pretzels at Oktoberfest, coached your kids in soccer, served you beer at the Chilli Cook-Off, barbecued a thousand hotdogs and then found time to raise 3 of the cutest kids in Ritchie. Oh yeah, did we mention he is also the clever guy leading the charge for our new Hall? Jeff's certainly made a lot of time for Ritchie so please take a minute or two to learn more about him.  

1. What is your Role on the Board?
Chair of the RHRC (Ritchie Hall Revitalisation Committee)

2. Why did you volunteer?
There was such a collection of cool people working so hard to make our community better, I just had to get involved!

3. How long have you lived in Ritchie?
Since July 2013

4. Why did you pick this neighbourhood?
To be within walking distance of Escuela Mill Creek; and it's close to everything, especially the ravine!

5. What is the best thing you’ve discovered in Ritchie?
Ritchie community league

6. What is your wish for the next 5 years in Ritchie?
It's already pretty awesome, but I wish for an even closer, more inclusive and supportive community. Check out how to get involved with the new Abundant Community initiative mentioned above. Oh...and also I'd like a stylish new eco-friendly, multi-use hall with space that meets the league's needs, augments existing programs and makes new and exciting programming possible--further enhancing the quality of life in our neighbourhood. ...With a roof-top patio. ....And espresso machine.

7. What is your favourite Ritchie Event/program and why?
There are too many to choose just one: community league day, soccer, summer barbecues, pub nights and any big event dreamed up by dallas! I really value events that bring large numbers of folks from the neighbourhood together. For example summer soccer is incredible, not just for the opportunity it provides kids to play in their own neighbourhood with school friends, but for how it brings the grown-ups together on warm summer nights laughing and sharing their lives.

8. What do you do when you aren’t volunteering?
I'm a stay-at-home parent with three kids aged 7 and 4 and 15 months.

9. What book did you read last?
I haven't read since before the baby was born...but I've recently picked up All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr, so wish me luck!

10. What’s the one thing you can’t live without?
Beer. Coffee. My kids' smiles.