Alpine Community Alpine Community

Neighbourhood
Association Neighbourhood
Association
ACNA NEWSLETTER APRIL 2010
contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com http://alpine-cna.blogspot.com

Earth Day Event

Please come out on April 24th (Rain Date = April 31st), when ACNA holds our third annual
Earth Day community clean-up. The past two clean-ups were very
successful and noticeably reduced the amount of garbage lying
about in the neighbourhood. On the 24th, we start at 9:00 AM and
continue to 1:00 PM, but you can come help at any time during
this period, for as long as you want. We meet at Alpine Public
school and provide supplies and gloves for you to use when
cleaning up. We appreciate everyone's participation each year, in
keeping our neighbourhood clean and safe.

Earth Day at Huron Natural Area

During the afternoon of Earth Day (Saturday April 24th, 1-4 PM) there will be special activities
at the Huron Natural Area, 801 Trillium Drive, not far from the intersection of Bleams Road and
Strasburg Road.

That day, there will be events for the whole family including live birds of prey, bird house
building (limited quantities), crafts, entertainment and tree planting.

This park/natural wilderness area incorporates woodland, grassland, ponds and marshes.
Walking trails permit access to many of these features. More information can be found at
http://www.kitchener.ca/pdfknap_park_series_huron_natural_area.pdf

Annual General Meeting:

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Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 1 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
 Recip
Banana Bread e Cor
2/3 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder ner
1/3 cup soft margarine 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, unbeaten 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup mashed bananas
Preheat your oven to 350ºF.
Mix the sugar, margarine and eggs for 3 minutes. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda,
salt, walnuts and mashed bananas.
Grease a regular size loaf pan. Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for 1 hour or until a
toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool, slice and serve.
Tips and Variations:
Replacing the sugar with a sugar substitute like Splenda turns this into a great Diabetic dessert
or a treat that those of us watching our calorie intake can enjoy in moderation.
Add extra walnuts on top of the bread before baking for extra crunch.
Here’s a simple but great tip. To avoid those pesky strings when peeling bananas, peel them
from the bottom end. No strings! It really does work.
○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Í
W e thank Ann Zeiger, Graham Jeffery,
Colleen Coulson, Dennis Haid
Constables Lisa Nyusa and Mark
Koiter for their contributions to this
newsletter.

The Mayonnaise Jar When things in your life seem, almost
too much to handle, When 24 Hours in a day is not enough,
Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A
professor stood before his philosophy class And had some
items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, He
picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and
proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students,
if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor
then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open
Areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again
if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next
picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course,
the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the
jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’
The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under
the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively
filling the empty space between the sand. The students
laughed. ‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.
The golf balls are the important things - family, children,
health, Friends, and Favorite passions – Things that if
everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life
would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter
like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else —
The small stuff. ‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ He
continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.
The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy
on the small stuff, You will never have room for the things
that are important to you. So... Pay attention to the things
that are critical to your happiness. Play With your children.
Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to
dinner. There will always be time to clean the house and fix
the disposal. ‘Take care of the golf balls first — The things
that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.’
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the
coffee represented. The professor smiled. ‘I’m glad you
asked’. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your
life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of cups of
coffee with a friend.’ Please share this I just did.......

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 2 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
Graffiti Busters
On this site and in the ACNA newsletter, we regularly feature the Graffiti Busters Hotline telephone
number. (519-741-2320)

The City of Kitchener Graffiti Busters Program does more than just cleaning up graffiti. The program
also promotes enforcement and educational initiatives aimed at reducing the amount of graffiti in
Kitchener, and raises awareness about actions that can be taken to prevent graffiti.

Fast reporting and removal of graffiti means the site is less likely to be "tagged" again.

If you witness graffiti vandalism in progress, please call 911 immediately and report the crime to the
police.

When you see fresh graffiti on property in the City you can:
1) call the Graffiti Busters HOTLINE at 519-741-2320
2) or you can go on the Graffiti Busters web page...
(http://www.kitchener.ca/graffiti_busters/graffiti_main.html)
...to e-mail Graffiti Busters or complete the online reporting form.

Police HQ Open House

Waterloo Regional Police are having an Open House of their Headquarters on
May 8th, 2010, between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Headquarters is located at 200
Maple Grove Road in Cambridge. For more information, you can contact
Catherine Wilkinson (519 650 8500 ext. 8768)

Several booths from within the community, information sharing.

Climbing wall, Live band, WRPS band, Kids Motorcycle pictures, Face Painting, Tattoos, ERU
demonstrations, Hockey shooting radar speed tracking, Chip Truck and BBQ with
Hamburgers/Hot Dogs/French Fries/Chips/Pop – all money donated to the Children’s Safety
Village, Pony Rides, Children’s Safety Village has a puppet show, jeeps, Matrix.

What can you do to get more involved in your neighbourhood?

ˆ Come out to our monthly meetings. See above.
ˆ What would you like to see in your ACNA newsletter?
ˆ We’d like to have your input: anything new or noteworthy that happened?
ˆ Like to pay tribute to a special neighbour?
ˆ Got an interesting story you’d like to share?

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 3 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
McLennan Park Update
As presented in the February 3rd public Open House, the McLennan Park development plan
has been finalized for construction starting in the summer, to be completed by the end of 2010.

The second phase of McLennan Park improvements includes...

* Playground Area, including accessible playstructure and splash pad.
* Skateboard Park with bowl and street elements.
* McLennan Park Gate roadway, centralized drop-off and parking areas.
* Entrance Feature off McLennan Park Gate at Blackhorne Crescent / Block Line Road.
* Pedestrian Trails and Landscaping.
* Basketball Courts and Beach Volleyball Courts.
* Washroom Building and Picnic Shelter.
* Great Lawn for picnics, ice skating and field play.
* Public Art sculpture

For details about these improvements, you can go to the City's website and download plans.
http://www.kitchener.ca/parks/

Annual Community Garage Sale: Saturday June 12, 2010

For the last two years we have been promoting a community garage sale for
the weekend before Father’s day. Last year we had approximately 27 homes
participating in this community event. It is a good time to get rid of old stuff you
no longer want and find new treasures. This is a good way to meet your
neighbours too. I continue to meet new neighbours each year and enjoy getting to
know them and visiting with them. There are some places that do not allow garage sales. If
you want to participate but cannot do so where you live, you can call me and set up at my
house. Colleen Coulson 92 Geneva Crescent. Phone # 519-749-1424.

Are you a good neighbour?

I know our area has many good neighbours, as I have encountered many of them.
I would like to thank the neighbour ;
- who found our dog who ran away this winter and who took him to the humane society so we
could retrieve him.
- who uses his big snowblower to clear out the end of our driveways after the plows have gone through.
- who returns my mail when it is delivered to the wrong address
- who smiles and waves at meet as they go by
- who keeps an eye on my house when I am away

It takes only a minute to smile or say hi to our neighbour. I encourage everyone to think about this;
“Do your neighbours think you are a good neighbour?”.
One of residents recently had a problem with rats coming on his property. He said their was
nothing on his property to attract the rats, so it was concluded that something in the
neighbourhood was attracting them. Be a good neighbour and make sure there are not attractive
garbage etc… to attract mice, rats, raccoons and skunks. See article in our newsletter regarding
animal problems.

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 4 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
West Nile Virus
When mosquitos return this Spring, they can potentially transmit West Nile Virus (WNV) to
humans. Most people who are infected do not show symptoms, but the disease can have very
severe or even fatal consequences for a few.

The Region of Waterloo has a program to monitor the prevalence of this disease and to
educate residents on how to reduce our chances of contracting it. You can read the details on
the Region's website.

Here are some things we can do:

1) Remove pools of open standing water that mosquitoes use to breed in...
* Don't allow outdoor objects to collect water. Drain tin cans, plastic containers, toys, buckets,
barrels and flower pots.
* Change the water in birdbaths twice a week.
* Cover rain barrels with a fine mesh screen.
* Remove standing water from pool covers and flat roofs.
* Clear eaves troughs and down spouts of twigs and leaves.
* Fill in low spots on your property so water can't collect.
* Clear out dense shrubbery where mosquitoes breed and rest.
* Turn over compost frequently.

2) Keep mosquitoes out of your home by using screens and filling gaps.

3) Prevent bites by...

* Wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants; light-coloured clothing
* Applying repellent to your skin and clothing
* Minimizing outside exposure between dusk and dawn

The Region is also monitoring West Nile Virus in the area, controlling mosquito populations in
the area by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and spraying insecticide (larvicide) when
appropriate

For a number of years, the Region government wanted residents to report dead birds. As
WNV is here to stay, this reporting program has been discontinued. If you find a dead bird,
please dispose it properly, by double bagging the bird and placing it in your garbage for pick-
up, or burying it at least two feet deep in an area that will not be disturbed (not in vegetable
gardens). Wash your hands well after handling a dead bird.

Some important numbers

If there are problems at the schools:
Alpine School: Bestel Services Security Service: 519-749-3838
Our Lady of Grace School: 519-749-3869

Police: 519-653-7700

By Law: 519-741-2230

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 5 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
Living with Coyotes in Kitchener
Kitchener has a large number of green spaces, many of which are preserved in a natural, wild
state. This gives the coyote an opportunity, especially in the south end of Kitchener, to live in
close proximity to people. Coyotes are most active at dusk, overnight
and dawn. They very seldom carry rabies and do not form large
packs, like wolves do. Coyotes usually do not pose a direct threat to
humans and help keep down the population of small rodents.
However, they have been known to attack and kill small pets, like
dogs and cats. They are also attracted to garbage.
Here are some tips for keeping coyotes from being a nuisance
around your home…
- Never feed coyotes and do not leave out food for other animals that they can steal. Even bird
feeders can attract rodents that, in turn, attract coyotes.
- Make sure your garbage is stored in sealed containers, and placed on the curb on the
morning of pickup.
- Never compost meat products.
- Keep your pets indoors, don’t let them roam and keep dogs on the leash when walking them.
- A solid wood six-foot tall fence will generally keep them out of the yard.
Coyotes generally avoid direct contact with people. If you do encounter a coyote…
- Don’t approach them, but don’t turn your back on them, or run away. Stand still or back away
slowly. They usually want to move away from you.
- If you live in an area where coyotes have been seen, carry something to frighten the coyote,
like a whistle, flashlight, or an umbrella you can pop open.
Homeowners, and not the City or Region government, are responsible for the removal or
destruction of any nuisance animal on private property. The homeowner may use the services
of a commercial wildlife exterminator or trapper to do so.

Here some event calendar info

Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus Fish Fry

Wednesday April 21, 2010
4:30-7:00 p.m.
Parkminster United Church
275 Erb Street East, Waterloo
Advanced tickets only
Tickets available by email at chorus@wrps.on.ca or 519-208-9326
tickets adult $14.00 Child $7.00 (12 and under)

Meet our Recruiters on Campus

March 24 2010
10:00 a.m. till 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga College on - Campus Job Fair
Location: Recreation Center, Doon Campus, Kitchener

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 6 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
LAKE SUPERIOR FACTS
· Lake Superior contains ten
percent of all the fresh
water on the planet
Earth.
· It covers 82,000
square kilometers or
31,700 square miles.
· The average depth is
147 meters or 483
feet.
· There have been
about 350
shipwrecks recorded
in Lake Superior .
· Lake Superior is, by surface area, the largest lake in the world.
· A Jesuit priest in 1668 named it Lac Tracy, but that name was never officially adopted.
· It contains as much water as all the other Great Lakes combined, plus three extra Lake
Eries
· There is a small outflow from the lake at St. Marys River (Sault Ste Marie) into Lake Huron.
but it takes almost two centuries for the water to be completely replaced.
· There is enough water in Lake Superior to cover all of North and South America with water a
foot deep.
· Lake Superior was formed during the last glacial retreat, making it one of the earth’s
youngest major features at only about 10,000 years old.
· The deepest point in the lake is 405 meters or 1,333 feet.
· There are 78 different species of fish that call the big lake home.
· The maximum wave ever recorded on Lake Superior was 9.45 meters or 31 feet high.
· If you stretched the shoreline of Lake Superior out to a straight line, it would be long enough
to reach from Duluth to the Bahamas .
· Over 300 streams and rivers empty into Lake Superior with the largest source being the
Nipigon River .
· The average underwater visibility of Lake Superior is about 8 meters or 27 feet, making it the
cleanest and clearest of the Great Lakes. Underwater visibility in some spots reaches 30
meters.
· In the summer, the sun sets more than 35 minutes later on the western shore of Lake
Superior than at its southeastern edge.
· Some of the world’s oldest rocks, formed about 2.7 billion years ago, can be found on the
Ontario shore of Lake Superior.
· It very rarely freezes over completely, and then usually just for a few hours.
Complete freezing occurred in 1962, 1979, 2003 and 2009.

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 7 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association - Who Are We?

We are group of motivated Kitchener, Ontario residents living within the following
boundaries:
- Ottawa Street
- Strasburg Road
- Homer Watson Boulevard
- Block Line Road

We want to work together to protect and ensure a better social, economic and
business climate in the neighbourhood.

A neighbourhood association like ours may produce a neighbourhood newsletter,

organize events/picnics/recreation activities, clean up a neighbourhood park or
focus on problems in the neighbourhood.

For further information, contact Colleen Coulson at 519-749-1424.

ACNA Aims and Objectives

1. To work to foster pride in our neighbourhood, to maintain a safe and
environmentally friendly community.
2. To encourage and facilitate resident participation in all issues affecting the
neighbourhood.
3. To provide information and awareness of community problems/issues and
provide a forum for their resolution.
4. To preserve and enhance the quality of life in the Alpine Community
neighbourhood.
5. To provide an open forum for members to voice opinions on neighbourhood
concerns in a supportive and impartial manner.
6. To be a voice for our neighbourhood interests by acting as a liaison with
government bodies, schools and businesses in and around our neighbourhood
and to work with other neighbourhood associations on common concerns.
7. To represent the residents within the boundaries of ACNA in areas concerning
existing situations, proposed changes or planned changes which affect the
neighbourhood.
8. To be non-profit.

Alpine Community
Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association Newsletter April 2010 Page 8 of 8
Neighbourhood Contact: Colleen Coulson, tel: 519-749-1424 colleencoulson@msn.com
Association