Bingo Volunteers Required
The Oakridge Community Association (OCA) is looking for volunteers to work monthly bingos at the Bingo Barn.
Each bingo worked can earn a $50 Bingo Buck which can be used to register for various OCA activities.
For more information, please call 403-238-0007 or email oakcomm@telus.net.
OCA launches Best Burb in the Southwest campaign
Following on the heels of CBC Radio’s Best of the ‘Burbs contest in June 2022, which saw Oakridge selected as the best community in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, the Oakridge Community Association (OCA) launched a campaign last summer to capitalize on the recognition.
Last summer, the (OCA) distributed “Best Burb in the Southwest” stickers to all neighbourhood businesses to proudly display in their windows and doorways.
Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society applying to become a “Nocturnal Preserve”
The Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation Society is applying to become a “Nocturnal Preserve.” This is a designation given by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) to areas where night-time light levels are low enough to support the nocturnal behaviours of local wildlife. This will protect the community’s enjoyment of the outdoors at night as well. The most recent nighttime light readings indicate that the park is on the threshold of the RASC’s night-time illumination level limit. We need the help of our “buffer zone” communities (Oakridge and Lakeview) to bring the “core zone” (the Weaselhead) below the illumination threshold and become Calgary’s first dark sky community.
Why is maintaining a dark sky so important? For the approximately 3.7 billion years life has existed on earth, composition of the atmosphere, global temperatures, and geological formations have changed dramatically, but earth’s daily cycle of light and darkness has remained constant. The introduction of artificial light at night (ALAN) is changing billions of years of adaptation, and we are just starting to understand how important these periods of darkness are to us and the species we share our illuminated spaces with.
In humans, even low levels of ALAN can disrupt our body’s ability to regulate the hormones and immune functions we need to stay healthy. This can lead to increased risk of developing cancer, autoimmune, and infectious diseases.1
As you might imagine, the impact of ALAN on wildlife can be harmful as well. Prey are not able to hide from predators as easily in illuminated spaces. Birds and insects that use the stars to navigate become disoriented and migration routes are altered. ALAN may also be a major contributor to the decline in moth populations, which are important nocturnal pollinators.2 The behaviours of our beloved robin are being disturbed, with birds singing earlier and louder resulting in changes to breeding behaviour and energy expenditure.3 Artificial light affects the behaviour of bats by delaying or preventing their evening emergence from roosts. Some bats will avoid hunting in illuminated areas (which attract insects) resulting in less food for bats, and more mosquitos for us!4 And it’s not just our urban wildlife that is affected by light pollution – city sky glow can be as bright as the full moon up to 100 km away.
How can you help? Go for a nighttime stroll and make some observations: How bright is the moon compared to your neighbourhood lighting? What wildlife do you see or hear? What feelings or memories does the night sky evoke for you? Consider the impact of your home’s lighting and what changes you could make. Some easy modifications include:
- Only have lights on when needed: consider installing a motion sensor or timer
- Direct light fixtures downwards instead of up or shield light to prevent it illuminating where not needed
- Change outdoor lights to bulbs that emit a warmer spectrum of light instead of blue/white light
Look for more DIY solutions to light abatement on our website and Facebook page. We hope to see you at our upcoming “night sky” events where you can learn about the wildlife that’s up and about while we’re asleep. We hope will join us to create Calgary’s first dark sky community and the first urban nocturnal preserve in Canada.
References
- Roberts, Joan E. “Light and Dark and Human Health.” Environmental Impact of Light Pollution and Its Abatement, 2012, www.rasc.ca/lpa-special-issue.
- Macgregor, Calum J. “Pollination by Nocturnal Lepidoptera, and the Effects of Light Pollution: a Review.” Ecological Entomology, 2014.
- Miller, Mark W. “Apparent Effects of Light Pollution on Singing Behavior of American RobinsThe .” The Condor, 2006.
- “Threats to Bats – Lighting.” Bat Conservation Trust, www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/threats-to-bats/lighting.
Oakridge News provided by the Oakridge Monitor
The Oakridge Monitor is a blog updated regularly to report on news and events within the community of Oakridge. The Monitor can be found at www.oakridgemonitor.com or you can access it through the RSS feed below.
Oakridge Monitor
- Free pumpkin pick-up on Oct. 13th September 28, 2023The Home Hunters are providing free pumpkins for pick-up on Oct. 13th as part of their annual pumpkin carving contest. The pick-up will take place at the Oakridge Community Centre from 3 to 6 p.m.There is a limit to one pumpkin per family. For more details on the pumpkin carving contest, follow @thehomehunters on Instagram.
- New Indian restaurant to open in Oakridge September 27, 2023Flavours of India will soon be opening in Oakridge, in the former location of Cornerstone Pizza in the strip mall on Palliser Drive.There are few details on the new establishment - no opening date or web site - but the new sign went up last weekend and construction activity is taking place within the location.This […]
- Rio-Can Developments looking to add high-rise condos around Glenmore Landing September 18, 2023A local developer plans to add a series of condominium complexes around Glenmore Landing that could see almost 3,000 new residents move into the area over the next decade.Rio-Can Developments, owners of Glenmore Landing, this past May quietly purchased from the City of Calgary parkland to the north, east and south of the shopping centre. […]
- Halloween Jellybean Dance comes to Oakridge on Oct. 27th September 12, 2023The Oakridge Community Association is hosting its inaugural Halloween Jellybean Dance on the evening of Friday, Oct. 27th at the Oakridge Community Centre.The event, which runs from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. is tailored to kids from ages seven to 12. Children at $5 and parents are free.There will be a DJ, dancing and snacks available […]
- Death Education Workshop starts on Sept. 12th September 11, 2023The Oakridge Community Association is hosting a six-week workshop on death education.Learn more about this difficult but important topic every Tuesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Oakridge Community Centre. For more information, visit www.oakridgecommunity.ca.
- New skating season starts on Sept. 12th September 11, 2023The ice is back in at the arena in the Oakridge Community Centre and that means public skating is back on.Tuesday, Sept. 12th at 3 p.m. marks the opening day of Members’ Skate at the arena. The skate is free for all Oakridge Community Association members.
- Speed limit on Palliser Drive reduced to 40 km/h August 16, 2023Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the Oakridge Community Association (OCA), the City of Calgary has reduced the speed on Palliser Drive S.W. – the main thoroughfare through the community – to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. The OCA has been lobbying for this change for a couple of years, to improve pedestrian safety in the […]
- Inaugural Oaktoberfest announced for Oct. 14th August 5, 2023The Oakridge Community Association (OCA) will host its inaugural Oaktoberfest at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 14th at the Oakridge Community Centre.Tickets for the event, which will feature food, music and beverages, are now available at https://www.oakridgecommunity.ca/oaktoberfest/. Tickets are $25 for OCA members and $35 for non-members. Each ticket gets you a bratwurst, a soft […]
- New pedestrian crosswalk lights on 90th Avenue and Oakside Gate now active July 31, 2023New pedestrian crosswalk lights at 90th Avenue S.W. and Oakside Gate S.W. were officially activated on July 23rd, making the area much safer for area residents.The crosswalk, which allows Oakridge residents to access South Glenmore Park, has long been a dangerous crossing for pedestrians without any lights in place. Since the opening of the Southwest […]
- Oakridge Community Garden hosts its Annual Open Garden on July 29th July 22, 2023Area residents can learn more about the Oakridge Community Garden (OCG) at the organization’s annual Open Garden on Saturday, July 29th. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.The OCG is located behind the Oakridge Community Centre, just east of the outdoor hockey rink. Those who attend will enjoy garden tours, speakers, and a […]