A owner on Toronto Cres experienced an odd event this morning around 11am. A man in his 20s walked up their driveway, gave a pleasant greeting, then turned around and left. Soon after, the owner found a strange setup next to their garage. It was an upright shopping cart with a leanto built around it. The setup contained sleeping items.

When they mentioned this to their neighbour, they learned about someone else who had been in the same area near the garage at about 9:30am. The descriptions of the two people were different. The 9:30am person had said he was ‘going back to the hospital’ and seemed to move in that direction. The owner has since dismantled the leanto and moved everything out to be discarded.

Another neighbour (not connected to the above event) was away for a few days. When they returned last Thursday, they found a what looked like a duffle bag in their yard. It turned out to be a rolled up sleeping bag. They suspect someone was sleeping in their yard while they were away.

SAHCA is committed to helping increase awareness in order to decrease opportunity for those causing trouble in our community. We encourage residents to:

• secure their homes, garages, vehicles, yards and other belongings,
• to install cameras and alarms where possible, 
• to report to police as needed, and
• to watch out for each other.
  

Okay, there is no hot tin roof. However, there is a black and white cat. And it's running around St Andrew's Heights. It is also frequently visiting one yard where two big dogs live.

The dogs are contained within the yard, but the cat is regularly entering the yard. The owner cannot guarantee their dogs will not act on their base instincts - which likely won't end well for the cat. The owner would also prefer not to call animal control. There are, of course, also coyotes around - who don't get fed nearly as promptly as the two big dogs. 

PLEASE ... if this is your cat, keep it at home.

The dog owner will wait a couple days from sendout of this notice. If the cat is still hanging around, they will be calling animal control to come get it. If the cat is a stray, this will help it find a new home (and ensure its safety). However, if the cat belongs to you, you'd probably prefer not to have that hassle.

Please keep it at home.

Recently a neighbour on University Drive had their car alarm go off. The car was parked in their carport. They went outside to see someone in a gray hoodie walking away. They did not pursue the person, but are obviously concerned. This happened one day after their immediate neighbour had their detached garage broken into and things stolen (yes, that owner did file a police report). 

SAHCA is committed to helping increase awareness in order to decrease opportunity for those causing trouble in our community. We encourage residents to:

• secure their homes, garages, vehicles, yards and other belongings,
• to install cameras and alarms where possible, 
  
• to report to police as needed, and
• to watch out for each other.
  

This person was caught on a neighbour's doorstep at 4am three days ago. He was looking around, banging on the door and testing the doorknob. When asked by the owner, he said he thought this was 'where he was supposed to stay.' For obvious reasons, including other recent breakins and thefts, this is a disturbing experience. 

If anybody recognizes this guy, or knows anything more, please send a message (or report to police). Of course, we don't know his actual plan - but we are doing our best to make SAH a more difficult 'opportunity' for those with criminal intent.

Another person found stealing from properties in our neighbourhood. If you can identify this person, please send a message to us, or report to police. 

You can see full video here and here.

While it may be disturbing to hear about so many negative events in our neighbourhood, we feel there is benefit to getting the word out (and possibly catching these guys). As well, the more eyes on our community, the less appealing it becomes for this sort of activity. Please help if you can.

This bike was recently stolen from one of our neighbours in St Andrews Heights. If you see the bike, please let us know (and the location), so it can be collected (and/or reported to police).

SHARED BY ONE OF OUR NEIGHBOURS: Last March I had my garage broken into (in the alley west of Hamilton St). A bunch of tools were stolen. Access was gained with some kind of coat hanger/hook forced through the weather seal at the top of the door. They were able to catch the red pull line that releases the door from the chain, then lift the door by hand. 
 
There are a lot of youtube videos on how to prevent this. Easiest is just to shorten the pull string (or remove it altogether) and zip-tie the little lever so it can't be pulled without cutting the zip-tie.
 
Here is a quick (3 minute) video that explains more:
 
https://youtu.be/rwQiDu3lP0Q

One of our neighbours had a garage break-in recently. Access was from the alley north of 13th Avenue and in the 2900 block.
 
The key thing missing is the wife’s folding, electric scooter, and its red and green hockey type bag. If one googles “TravelScoot” they may be able to see an image of this particular model of scooter.
 
Considering the thieves have neither its battery nor its seat, the police thought it may have been abandoned somewhere in the neighbourhood or nearby. 

If you see the scooter (or the bag) - or you have other related information - please report to the police or let a member of the board know. The owner is hoping to get the scooter back soon.

We have a lost dog in St Andrews Heights. Neesha ran off from the west end of the off leash park Saturday morning. She is medium size, white and fluffy. If you see her please call Karen at 403-399-7171. Don't chase! You can also put her in Liz Murray's yard at 1208 Kingston St and she will get her back to her owners. Thank you

These past few days have felt like spring (try not to think about the snow in the forecast for the next couple of days), and that means we must be getting close to the start of the SAH soccer season!  With the removal of the final COVID related restrictions, the path is now clear to hold our first season since 2019!  Sign up your kids and come on down to play at the fields at Chief Crowfoot school. 

If you're interested you can find further information about the SAHCA soccer program on our Soccer page.

The SAHCA Board has approved the addition of pickleball lines to one of the tennis courts in the community. The lines will be professionally applied and pickleball nets are being purchased.

The plan is to have 2 pickleball courts on one of the tennis courts with portable nets that can wheeled onto the court when it is being used for pickleball. The nets can be moved to the side when players want to use the court for tennis.

Initially the pickleball nets will be available from Monday to Friday and the court will be available for tennis only on the weekends due to high demand.

Stay tuned for more details!

Skating continues at the community rink! The Rink Crew worked hard to revive the rink after the latest warm period so if you haven't had a chance to check it out this skating season there is still time.

Exciting times for St. Andrews Heights!  We have been granted funding for the hall renovations.

Some of you may have noticed construction began on Monday this week - we are ahead of schedule!

Construction will take approximately 8 weeks. 

Stay tuned for updates and (hopefully) grand opening events!

The Calgary Grizzlies Speed Skating Club (the "Grizzlies") invites you to learn to speed skate!

All ages and skill levels are welcome, including those who have never skated before.  The Grizzlies will provide nationally certified speed skating and high performance speed skater coaches skilled at providing a fun and exciting program for student skaters and their families delivering a high quality, low cost Learn to Skate program on our community's outdoor rink. See Skating - St. Andrew´s Heights Community Association (standrewsheights.ca)

Start Dates and Times, January 22 or 23 (To Be Determined) Saturdays between 9 am and 10 am or Sundays between 10 am and 11 am.  The program will run for 4 weeks and end on February 12 or 13. Preference for Saturday or Sunday lessons to be  noted in the  'Additional information' box of the online registration form.

• Registration fees for the program is $26.05/skater with community association membership and $36.50 for non-members.
• Each skating student will need skates (any skates will do), CSA approved helmet, mittens/gloves (ideally waterproof), and be appropriately dressed for the weather.  
• A temperature cut-off for rescheduling lessons is -20°C.
• Participants must provide a signed waiver form (on the SAHCA webpage). Either email a signed copy to Fun@yycspeed,ca or bring the signed copy to the first session lesson at the ice rink.

Please note that for each Grizzlies 1 hour session, the outdoor rink will be dedicated to the Learn to Skate Program and closed to non-participants. The entire length and breadth of the rink will be in use.
Please visit the St. Andrews Heights Community web page  St. Andrew´s Heights Community Association - About (standrewsheights.ca) 'Activities'--> 'Skating' for more information and links.

As we prepare for another skating season at the SAH community skating rink, it is evident that we require more ice rink maintenance volunteers for snow removal and flooding. A typical rookie crew member’s time commitment is just 3 outings in total (2 hours each).

Please consider joining the ice rink maintenance crew, no experience is required, as the crew offers on the job training to learn the art and science of ice making. We have a snowblower and a power brush to make the job easier.

In a typical year, our most experienced members start building-up the ice surface in late November (weather dependent) and the rink is ready for skating in early December. The bright Calgary sunshine and Chinook winds usually end our season by early March. Here are some of the benefits of being on the rink crew – giving back to the community by providing a healthy outdoor activity for all ages;  obtaining fresh air and exercise (no need to go to a gym);  end of season volunteer party (held at a secret location).

Dave Browne, the Ice Rink Coordinator, can be contacted at
ice@standrewsheights.ca 

Join in on the SAHCA Halloween Scavenger Hunt, Decorating Contest and virtual Costume Contest.

For details, click here.  Page 2 has all the details for all the ways to enter the fun. Thanks to Ellen for putting this together.

Deadline for submitting the contest entries/pictures will be Sunday at 3 pm. Prizes will be delivered before trick or treat time.

In the next week you will be getting a letter left in your mailbox outlining the membership drive. We are not knocking on doors again this year due to COVID. Please follow the instructions on the information sheet and support your community association. It helps us pay for the hall, the community insurance, upkeep on the tennis courts, the ice rink, etc. Soon we should be able to start holding community events again! Our revenues for hall rentals took a big hit this last year which is the major source of funds for the community.

Fees are $25 for families and $15 for seniors. Additional family members (18+) are $5. There are lots of options for purchasing a membership. You can e-transfer the money to info@standrewsheights.com using the answer Gwen21 or you can drop something off in the locked hall mailbox or my mailbox at 1208 Kingston St NW. You can also send us an email and we can pick it up. Make sure you include your name, address, phone number and email address.

A few years ago Liz Murray (Past President of the Community Association) started putting together lists of babysitters and snow shovellers in the community. If you would like to be added to the list to provide services let her know. If you're looking for services let her know!  She also had information on a day home in the community if you're looking for one.

Contact Liz via email at pastpresident@standrewsheights.ca.

Note - the community distributes the information but is not in a position to recommend any of the individuals on the lists. You need to do your due diligence.

SAHCA is participating in the upcoming virtual Ward 7 Candidates Forum being organized and hosted by Crescent Heights Community Association. You can join the forum on Wednesday September 29 at 7 pm by using this link:
https://linktr.ee/ward7forum

Please vote in the upcoming municipal elections on Monday October 18th. 

The 2021 membership drive will be a mailbox drop again and is a bit delayed until the middle of October. Please support us when the details of the membership drive are released next month.

Below are recent news articles about two invasive plants in our neighbourhood sent to us by a community member. 

I inherited a ton of creeping bellflower in my yard from the previous owner. It is not fun to deal with so pull it when you see it. I've also had foxtail spears work their way deep into my pet's skin. I have heard of dogs who have had undetected spears travel through out their bodies and into their vital organs so check your pets regularly when they've been out walking.
 
Foxtail grass alert for dog owners!
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/warning-for-calgary-dog-owners-be-wary-around-foxtail-grass-1.5079400
 
Creeping bellflower
https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/seek-and-destroy-beware-the-creeping-bellflower-the-attractive-and-invasive-garden-guest-you-can-t-get-rid-of-1.5518251

Some of you have reached out to say there's been a loud whine/humming noise coming from the FMC Site. The problem has been identified as an issue with a fumehood fan on top of the UofC HSC building. It is in the process of being addressed and the noise should be ending soon. 
 

Just a reminder that the community AGM will be held online Monday June 21st at 7pm.

Please tune into this and help us elect the new board (which is looking a lot like the current board), pass the 2021 financial statements and last year's AGM minutes, and appoint the auditor for 2021. This will be a short meeting and should take less than 30 minutes for the official business. 

The City of Calgary is widening the existing sidewalk to change it into a pathway on the east side  along the 29 Street N.W. service road to improve the experience for people  who walk and cycle through this area.  

Currently, there is an existing pathway at both ends of the 29 Street N.W. service road. The new  pathway upgrade will connect to the existing pathway at both ends of the service road to complete  the gap in the pathway network.  

To complete this work, the roadway width will be reduced to accommodate the new pathway. The  two-way vehicular travel lanes and parking along the street will remain. Also, the intersection at  13 Avenue N.W. and 29 Street N.W. service road will be converted into an all-way stop to allow  for safe turning movements from all directions.  

For more information, please contact 311.