Active Airdrie is building momentum!!!

Congrats go out to Active Airdrie and the launch of their new website: www.activeairdrie.com.  As one of the participating communities in ARPA's Active Community Strategy (ACS) Development Initiative, Active Airdrie used their seed funds to create this online resource aimed at helping the community of Airdrie live an active lifestyle.  This resource is an online search engine that allows local citizens to find events sorted by interests for seniors, adults, youth, and families. It also allows users to find activities in their area and on certain days.

The goal of this fabulous resource: "To increase and sustain a physically active Airdrie by encouraging and promoting activities that support a healthy lifestyle".

Hurrah! Check it out at: www.activeairdrie.com

Bring the Family Back to the Table Together with the Sobeys 21 Days to Healthy Eating Challenge!

With after school activities, working late and busy schedules it’s no wonder that families eat fewer and fewer meals together. Yet eating meals together as a family is beneficial for the entire family’s health. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or supper at home in the park or the arena, families can still enjoy a nutritious meal together! Family meals not only improve nutrition, and encourage better communication and socialization for family members, but they also help save money and even have been linked to children doing better in school. Healthy eating means to eat nutritious and balanced meals.

Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide categorizes food into four food groups: i) vegetables and fruits, ii) grain products, iii) milk and alternatives, and iv) meat and alternatives. Foods from the four food groups are rich in the nutrients needed to support the health of people of all ages. Families should aim to include foods from 3-4 food groups at breakfast, lunch and supper. Filling their plates with nutritious foods like colourful fruits and veggies, whole grain products, and low fat dairy products will ensure that families are eating healthy meals and getting the nutrients needed to maintain both long and short term health. For more information on healthy eating go to Health Canada’s site (www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide) and learn more about healthy eating with Canada’s food guide. Healthy U (www.healthyalberta.ca) is another great website full of resources, recipes and articles to help families understand nutrition and make healthy eating easy!

Communities ChooseWell values the importance of family meals and invites you and your community to take part in the Sobeys 21 Days to Healthy Eating Challenge and to eat at least one home-cooked, healthy meal together every day for 21 days. The challenge is happening across Alberta from September 9-29th, 2013. Families can pick up a logbook from any Sobeys or IGA store and register online at www.arpaonline.ca/choosewell/events to win some great prizes, including grocery gift cards, cookware, family activity kits and more! Participating ChooseWell communities can also win a healthy living grant!

Be sure to encourage people and organizations in your community to “Like” the Communities ChooseWell Facebook page (www.facebook.com/communitieschoosewell) and follow us on Twitter (@ARPAChooseWell), where they can share stories, recipes, meal conversation ideas, tips, etc. with ChooseWell and others. Also check out the resources on our website to help you get your community excited about the Sobeys 21 Days to Healthy Eating Challenge!

Trochu officially launches their trails

Congrats to the alumni ACE Community of Trochu who recently hosted the official launch of their Trail systems. Not only was the sun actually shining for the event, the planning committee received congratulatory messages from ACE Communities, Crowfoot MP, the Honorable Kevin Sorenson, Reeve Bob Long of Kneehill County, and  Mayor Tim Shearlaw of Three Hills in addition to Trochu's own Mayor Barry Kletke.

One of the town's community leaders, Pastor Alan Powell, did a great job of being emcee for the evening and ACE leader Darla Gagyi presented a brief history of our Trails journey. Also included was a lovely letter from Trochu's ACE Coach Carol Ohler as well as representation from Encana and various other supporters.

All members of the Trails Committee were there with the eldest two ladies on the committee having the honour of holding the ribbon for cutting. These formalities were followed by the town's third annual Movie in the Park, with popcorn again, supplied and served by Elnora Servus Credit Union andout local Fire Department….the tradition continues!

We can't wait to pop into Trochu and check out the trails ourselves!  Great work as always, Team Trochu!

Longview gets active for the summer!

Congrats to the ACE Community of Longview who has now completed the 2^nd installment of their Xtreme town makeover! This accomplishment included the installation of their skateboard park as well as the remainder of the fitness equipment in Centennial Park.

The residents of Longview and their ARC Society would like to send out special thanks to 16-years old Austin Caumartin. Austin worked especially hard and was a key factor in helping assemble the whole skate park! Well done, Austin... this skate park is for you!

This means that Longview’s free Summer exercise-in-the-park program called GO ME!  (Go Out Move and Exercise!) is now up and operating.

The Longview ARC Society has been successful in securing funds from the Alberta Government and Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Association to run a 15-week fitness program in Centennial Park from June until mid September. This program, entitled GO ME!, will show local residents how to use the newly installed exercise equipment and participate in regular exercise classes tailored to meet all ages, levels and abilities.

Please register for classes online at http://www.longviewaceprojects.weebly.com

Way to begin the summer on an active note, Longview!  You are as inspiring as always!