How do You Create Community?
Monday, February 22nd, 2010This below article is meant to be used as my editorial in South Calgary Community News – March 2010
Community
I’m sitting in the lobby on the guest computer at the Dalewood Inn, Port McNeill, BC. (The Scanners publisher has given me my last deadline to review this month’s newspaper and submit an editorial.)
My buddy Greg Kolodziejzyk and I just pedaled from Nanaimo over the last three days on the Inside Passage. We went 24/7 taking 4 hour shifts between pedaling and napping. Greg built this Human Powered Boat in his Garage …. and will take it Solo to Hawaii in July. We were just doing some sea trails to work out any glitches. (Cool project supporting distribution of 3000 free bikes for kids.)
We’ve been off the water for just a few hours, and it was an incredible experience. We saw whales breaching, spy hopping, eagles, countless gulls, auks, seals, huge tidal currents and amazing stars!
Sea Trials - Pedal The Ocean
While training for this epic adventure I joined Luke Way (triway.ca) at Tri It Multisports for some bike training/spin sessions. I asked Luke why he was doing these training events.
His simple response, “I love creating community. It’s cool to bring people togeather.”
Luke’s a super fit uber tri-athlete guy – under 30 … creating community. That’s cool.
Within the pages of this month’s South Calgary Community News you can find lots of ways to create and help create our stronger community. Perhaps March is the month you get to the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival Night, join the Wine Appreciation night, attend a civic meeting, give your name to assist with our outdoor rinks, pool, or graffiti program … or way more.
Better yet, perhaps March is the month you decide how you’ll make a bigger effort to know the neighbours on your block. (I need to do this.) I think I might be able to find ways … I could host a ReMax Community Yard Sale (I don’t think so), invite neighbours on a Jane’s Walk (May 1st weekend – organized by The Calgary Foundation as part of its vision of a community with citizens engaged in community building at all levels.)
Be strong … and help make your community strong.
Bryon Howard
-editor-
Add me as a friend on facebook: Bryon.Howard
