Youth across Canada are using their creativity and their digital cameras to promote a message of inter-racial harmony.
In Okotoks, the Sylvan Learning Centre and the Baha’i Faith are promoting the national video competition called “Racism. Stop It!” which is organized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for youth between ages 12 and 20. Participants are invited to mail a 45 to 60-second video on DVD, CD or Mini-DV tape to the competition headquarters in Ottawa.
The Sylvan Learning Centre is also providing cameras and help with application forms. They are also hosting …

A group of 38 Holy Trinity Academy students have started a Students Against Drunk Driving (SADD) chapter and they will be out in the community over the holidays spreading the message.
Students at the Okotoks high school made posters during lunch hours and will be placing them in local restaurants, bars and liquor stores during the Christmas holidays letting people know that anyone can be a victim.
Jason Olynyk, a teacher at the high school, got involved with SADD after a friend was killed in 1984.
“I know just by these kids showing …

The titanic of the foothills is making the rounds and despite heaping piles of food, the “Sociable” has proven unsinkable.
The Grand Banks Dory, named the “Sociable”, has been filled three times and its load dropped off at the Okotoks Food Bank. The boat docked last at Big Rock School in Okotoks where students and parents filled the dory with goods.
The fundraiser is part of the school’s monthly character building activities.
Grade 1 teacher Gwen Fredriksen said the boat added an extra element of fun to the fundraiser.
“It’s a novel way to …

After teetering on the brink of extinction, Black Diamond’s second affordable housing complex is still in the works.
Last week it looked as if the $5 million project would be shelved because the Town of Black Diamond wouldn’t offer the developer tax breaks. But after a visit with the town’s tax assessor, the project is still a go.
“It was a great relief for us, we were on a rollercoaster,” said Dave Brown, director of 961481 Alta. Inc., the project’s developer.
Brown said after visiting with Black Diamond tax assessor Doug Jensen, the …

Danny Cooper tears up when he talks about the recession.
Cooper is a self-employed pressure welder and his bread and butter was work with the oil and gas industry, but when the economic downturn hit, his contracts dried up.
Cooper said he stands to lose everything and is so far in debt, taking on a job that pays minimum wage would not help.
“It’s terrible,” Cooper said choking up. “I’ve worked hard for what I’ve got and I’m about to lose it.”
Cooper’s wife, who has been a stay-at-home mom for their two daughters …

Christmas may still be more than a month away, but the Okotoks Food Bank is hard at work to ensure those in need will be able to celebrate a happy holiday.
The food bank is taking registrations for families who will need help and for anyone who wants to sponsor a family for the Christmas campaign. Sponsors and families are asked to register by Dec. 10, but Carter said this deadline is not written in stone.
“We’re gearing up for the Christmas hamper season,” said Leah Carter, food bank director. “We’ll take …

A decade of telling youngsters the evils of doing drugs has been the life work of a small group of foothills residents who brought the D.A.R.E. program to local schools.
The program is celebrating its 10th year and Jackie Chalmers, who poured her time and effort into getting the program up and running, is thrilled the message is still being heard.
The idea of bringing D.A.R.E. (Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education) to the foothills was raised by a group involved in rural crime watch. They had seed money and a vision, but …

Parents left enlightened after attending a speech by author and speaker Barbara Coloroso at the Okotoks Recreation Centre.
Coloroso, author of books on parenting and mother of three herself, gave parents tips to improve communication with their children and what to do if your child is being bullied. Janette Messer, community programs team leader with the Town of Okotoks was impressed by Coloroso’s style.
“It was done with such humour that you didn’t feel like you were being lectured to. You felt like were experiencing her parenting,” said Messer.
Coloroso has volunteered in …