June 19 Update - SRHT Radiothon, Fire Smart Square Butte, Upcoming Cycling Events and Foothills Tourism website launch

Note: If your are receiving this in your email and the video below does not show up, CLICK HERE to be taken to the website to view it.

Sheep River Health Trust "Together We Can Make A Difference" Radiothon (@ 0:56)

Join us this Thursday for the 6th annual Sheep River Health Trust Radiothon! 

Thursday, June 20th  5:30am - 7:00pm  on the Eagle 100.9FM and on location at Sobeys Okotoks

All proceed supporting:

·       Okotoks Health & Wellness  - Urgent Care

·       Literacy for Life

·       It Takes a Village

·       Rowan House Emergency Shelter

·       Baby It's Cold Outside

·       Dr. Morris Gibson School Inclusive Playground

·       Foothills Special Needs Association for Parents and Siblings

·       Oilfields General Hospital - RSLTC

How to get involved?   Make a donation by calling 587-576-HERO or join us at one of our fun day activities:

Charity BBQ at Sobeys Okotoks - 11am to 5pm for Smokies & Pop for $3. And on site activities such as Bouncy Castle, Mini Golf, and other games!

Chuckwagon Café  - 8:30 - 10:30am

Foothills Family Medical Center - 11am - 2pm- Charity BBQ. $2 Hotdog and Pop.

To get involved or make a donation call 587-576-HERO or www.bookwhen.com/radiothon

Fire Smart Square Butte Event Sat June 22! (@ 2:54)

It is finally here.  I've been telling you about it since November and this Saturday it is finally taking place at the Square Butte Hall on Highway 762.  Come and learn how to Fire Smart your home and buildings.  Details are below.

Upcoming Cycling Events Taking Place (@ 3:50)

These two events are taking place during the week during working hours as an attempt to minimize impact on the local residents.  I still want you to be aware that they will be taking place.

WSP Event - June 25th

Details: 50 participants

Routes: Highway 762, Plummers Rd, 1240 Dr, 240 St W, Hwy 549, Hwy 22 and 338 Ave.

Ernst & Young Event - June 26th 

Details: 120 participants in 12 groups of 10 cyclists 

Routes: 240 St W, Plummers Rd, Hwy 762, Hwy 549, Hwy 22, 192 St W, 2239 Dr. and 112 St W

Foothills Tourism Website Launch (@ 5:41)

www.FoothillsTourism.com

Foothills Tourism isn't just for bringing more people to the area but also a great opportunity for locals to experience more of what their own backyard has to offer.  

Yesterday, the new organization launched their official new website at www.FoothillsTourism.com and I must say, it is a MUST VISIT!  

Explore all different categories of what the area has to offer you based off your own interests!  

From Family Fun to Agritourism, to Sports and Recreation opportunities in the area.  I guarantee you will find something new that you will want to check out.  

Not to be left out for you "Foodies" out there, available is a listing of some of the best food establishments that are a must try.

June 12th - Busy weekend coming up! Millarville Farmers' Market Opening Day, Millarville "Run To The Market" Half Marathon, Chinook Gran Fondo & FireSmart Canada Event

Note: If your are receiving this in your email and the video below does not show up, CLICK HERE to be taken to the website to view it.

Millarville Market Opening Day!

Saturday, June 15th is the opening day of the famous Millarville Market from 9am - 2pm!  Be sure to come out support our local producers and enjoy some other great activities as well.  The market runs from June 15th until October 12th.

New program for kids this year as well!  For ages 5-12, the Market Buds program helps to educate children on where their food comes from and making healthy choices.  They earn tokens for spending on vegetables and fruit by completing a weekly activity in the Market Buds area located in the garden. They have also added a bale climbing pyramid, “barrel” horses with roping steers, horseshoes, games, and a weekly activity or craft. 

For More Information on the Millarville Market, visit: www.millarvilleracetrack.com/millarville-events/farmers-market/

Millarville "Run To The Market" Half Marathon

Opening day of the market also means the annual "Run to the Market" Half Marathon.  Going from Black Diamond to the Millarville Market.  There are three different events taking place.  The Half-Marathon (21.1 km) event, the Two-Person Half Marathon Relay and of course, a fan favorite, the Cobs Cinnamon Bun Run (12.8 km).  Since the race route goes from Black Diamond to the Millarville Racetrack, be sure to use Highways 22 and 549 if you are planning on attending the Market as the back route from Black Diamond will be closed to traffic!

For more information on the Millarville Half Marathon, visit: http://www.millarvillehalfmarathon.com/

Chinook Gran Fondo

This large scale cycling event is also taking place on Saturday, June 15th starting at 8am.  I am sharing so you are aware (and prepared) of any traffic interruptions due to the event.  This will NOT be like during the Tour of Alberta where roads were closed down for extensive time frames.  My understanding is there will be no road closures however, there will be officials for directing the cyclists to help keep both the motorists and cyclists safe.

There are three different routes that participants will be utilizing.  I will include maps below.  Please make note if you live in any of these areas.

The riders are directed to - “Stay to the Right”: Unless passing another rider, ensure that you stay as far to the right of the road as you can; making it easy for other riders to pass you safely on the left. (Taken from event website: https://platinumracing.ca/chinook-gran-fondo/chinook-gran-fondo-rules-regulations/).  

Route #1 - Piccolo Fondo 63km

View an interactive route map here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/838875

Route #2 - Medio Fondo 92 km

View the interactive route map here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/838868

Route #3 - Gran Fondo 140 km

View the interactive route map here: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/838797

Fire Smart Event at Square Butte Hall

With the heightened concern over forest fires, the Square Butte Hall will be holding a Fire Smart event.  Bring a potluck item and stay for lunch after and have some great conversation.

Details:

Date: June 22/19

Time: 9 am - 12 pm

June 5th Update - Traffic Interruptions, Spruce Meadows National, Gravel Haul, FireSmart Event, Trailer crackdown

Note: If your are receiving this in your email and the video below does not show up, CLICK HERE to be taken to the website to view it.

Additional Ring Road Traffic Interruptions

Ongoing Lane Closures 6th St and 22X

Impact: Ongoing Lane Closures in ALL DIRECTIONS approaching the intersection

Dates: Monday, June 3 to Saturday, June 8

Hours: Weekdays 9 am - 3 pm

           Saturday 7 am - 6 pm

To download full details, CLICK HERE.

Spruce Meadows National June 8-9th

In addition to the South West Calgary Ring Road traffic challenges, there will be additional traffic coming to the area for the Spruce Meadows National.  A fantastic event taking place but will compound the effect of the traffic issues.  If you are planning on attending, do make sure to give yourself some extra time to get to the event.

Gravel Haul to Be Aware of

Intersection Construction - 112 St West & 226 Avenue

Foothills County started construction at the intersection at 112 St West and 226 Avenue in early May. Part of this construction includes an extensive truck haul that started on June 3rd and will last until the end of June.

The truck haul route (providing granular materials) is from 192 St West, East on Hwy 549, North on 112 St W to the construction site at 226 Avenue.

Construction will take place Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 6:00pm. Motorists please obey posted signage.

Fire Smart Event at Square Butte Hall

With the heightened concern over forest fires, the Square Butte Hall will be holding a Fire Smart event.  Bring a potluck item and stay for lunch after and have some great conversation.

Details:

Date: June 22/19

Time: 9 am - 12 pm

Foothills Council Cracks Down of Advertising Trailers

Foothills Council provided 2nd and 3rd readings to a new bylaw cracking down on the roadside trailer advertising.  There has been a bylaw in place specific to roadside trailers since 2014 but Council updated the bylaw to increase penalties for those not in compliance.

The signs have been an ongoing problem and source of numerous complaints to the municipality over the past several years as the number of the signs have been steadily on the rise.  

Provincial legislation prohibits the placement of a sign within 300 metres of a highway, unless a permit has been issued.

First reading for the Bylaw was provided February 6, 2019.  Since then, sign inventory has been decreasing so we look forward to lowering this even further in order to protect the beautiful vistas our residents are so used to.