Give the city its three names
“A city needs three names; the public one, the priestly and a secret, sacred name for the God we do not realize protects us.” So begins a poem of Edmonton by Alice Major, our City’s first poet laureate from 2005 to 2007.
Poetry is meant to be heard, the human voice’s connection to the ear. Welcome 2020 by listening to this this poem and others, many of them recorded with Nora Bumanis, principal harpist of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, at https://www.alicemajor.com/about-2/poems-for-the-ear/
Merlin falcon thrives with urbanization
Merlins were nearly wiped out a few decades ago in Alberta by pesticides, but they bounced back. They've also started overwintering here, feeding on flocks of bohemian waxwings drawn to the city by berry trees. This very small species of falcon hunts by knocking their prey out of the air, or by grabbing it on the wing (in flight).
They have increased in numbers as towns and cities were built on the prairies, as this development has created significant increases in nesting habitat (planted trees) and food (small birds). Since this falcon is tolerant of people, they have thrived in urban areas across western Canada. Learn more about Merlins and other Alberta birds of prey at http://www.burrowingowl.com/learn/profiles.php
Connors Hill open for skiing and snowboarding
After a two-year hiatus, the Edmonton Ski Club celebrated a Boxing Day grand re-opening featuring Olympic skiing medallist Jennifer Heil. The hill is located on Connors Hill, a slope of the North Saskatchewan River valley, in downtown Edmonton in the community of Cloverdale. It is open to both skiers and snow boarders and is offering a new carpet lift this year.
The accessibility of the hill in Cloverdale allowed Heil’s family members to be part of the early days of her skiing career. "Most people don't believe that you can be a world-class skier from Edmonton," Heil said. "The fact that I had access to this facility, and these coaches allows me to prove them wrong."
One of Heil's favourite memories is her grandpa coming to watch her train in his Cadillac. "I think the more opportunities we have in big cities to go out and play and be active, the better," Heil said. "I'm pleased that its reopening and its legacy will continue." Read more at https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-ski-club-opens-1.5407164
Share river valley event, job posting, or news
If you have a river valley event, job posting, or news that you would like to see published in this newsletter, please send the info to nsrivervalley@gmail.com
Sincerely yours,
Harvey Voogd
North Saskatchewan River Valley Conservation Society
780.691.1712
nsrivervalley@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/NSRVCS/
http://www.edmontonrivervalley.org/