Local business Edmonton Signarama is accepting applications for the 2016 Signs of Support Grant Program. Grants are available to help non-profit and charitable organizations replace or create facility, event and identification signage. The information package provides full details of the program and an application. The application deadline is March 31. Email Ricki Mercier at [email protected] or call her at 780-448-1944 if you have any questions.

Applications from employers are now being accepted for the Summer Temporary Employment Program (STEP). STEP provides a wage subsidy of $7/hour for eligible employers to hire high school or post-secondary students to work 4-16 week summer jobs from May to August. Eligibility requirements, application forms and program guidelines can be found at www.AlbertaCanada.com/STEP.  The application deadline is February 29. 

Every ten years a White House Conference on Aging is held to identify and advance actions to improve the quality of life of older Americans. The 2015 conference focused on four themes: retirement security, healthy aging (including aging in place and falls prevention), long-term services and supports (including support for caregivers) and elder justice (including financial exploitation).

The final report contains policy briefs on the four themes, stakeholder input gained from extensive consultations held in the year leading up to the conference, and information about initiatives addressing the identified themes. Although some of the information in the report relates specifically to American government policies and programs, the report may provide seeds of ideas for something similar that we can do in Canada.

Canada's leading fall prevention conference will bring together experts from across Canada and around the world to share research excellence, clinical advances and policy innovations in fall and injury prevention among older adults. It is a chance to find out what's new, learn about successful programs from across the country and connect with leading practitioners and valued colleagues. The conference will be of interest for those who work with older adults in all settings, researchers, practitioners and policymakers in the field of seniors' health and injury prevention. 

This Annual General Meeting is an open meeting to the public and all who are interested in hearing loss and issues relating from hearing loss.

On February 6, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada decided that Canadians should have the constitutional right to choose physician assistance in dying, and gave one year for the government of Canada to revise the Criminal Code. On January 15, 2016, the Court allowed a four month extension, along with a legal avenue for application in the meantime.

The panel will provide information on matters of law arising from both decisions, the protocols required by medical personnel to ensure correct compliance, and ethical considerations for family and patients applying to this process. Question and answer will follow.  The panelists are:

• Jon Rossall, QC, of the law firm McLennan Ross of Edmonton, who specializes in legal issues surrounding this matter
• Dr. Trevor Theman, Registrar of the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons
• Dr. Brendan Leier, professor at the Dosseter Health Ethics Centre, U of A

ELLA has decided to make this event open to non-ELLA members, because of the timeliness and importance of the issue. Admittance will be on a donation basis to defray expenses.

Riquette Sherman will play some of the wonderful music of the past. $3. Call 780-488-4241 for information.

In this workshop you will explore the versatile medium of coloured pencil through demonstrations and one-on-one guidance. You will learn different mark-making and blending techniques and how to layer colours to create depth and richness in your drawings. You are welcome to bring a lunch or use the cafeteria. Call 780-483-1209 to register.

Edmonton Seniors Centre proudly hosts the second in a series of local senior authors - Larry Loyie & Constance Brissenden. Larry is an award winning author of both children's and adult literature. A compelling storyteller, his latest work compiles his own and others experiences in residential school. Register by February 11 by calling 780-342-8625.

This half-day mini-retreat hosted by Audrey Seehagen is where you'll find fun with words, inspiration, and best of all, an opportunity to be a poet. Pre-registration is required. Call 587-987-3200 or email [email protected].

City of Edmonton is offering a free registered education/support group for women and men, 60+ years having challenges in their relationships with their adult children and wanting to make changes. This group will help you to:

• Connect with others having challenges with adult children
• Identify differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships
• Set limits with your adult children
• Create different choices in resolving family issues
• Get some support as you make changes in your relationships

For more information and to register call the City Assessment Line at 780-496-4777.

Some University of Alberta students are seeking to interview adults aged 65 and older for a project for Human Ecology 212: Later Life Families. Each one-time interview will be audio recorded and will last about one hour. The interviews will be focused on topics about family such as:

• Family history
• Marriage and close relationships
• Children
• Other family members
• Family caregiving

If you would like to participate, contact Jonathan Lai at [email protected] or call/text 780-994-4579.

The Aphasia Research Lab at the University of Alberta is currently recruiting participants for a study on reading. Tasks will include reading sentences on a computer screen while an electroencephalography (EEG) cap records your brain activity. You may be eligible to participate if you:

• Are 50 years old or older
• Speak and read English as your primary language
• Have no history of stroke or other brain injury or disease
• Have no history of reading/learning disabilities

It will take 1-1.5 hours (one time only). As a token of appreciation, you will receive a Tim Hortons gift card. Parking/transportation cost reimbursement is available. The study is recruiting participants until the end of March. For more information, contact Shrida Sahadevan at [email protected] or 780-263-0515.

A settlement has been reached in a law suit filed against the government of Alberta representing children who were subject to either Permanent Guardianship Agreements, Permanent Guardianship orders or Temporary Guardianship orders between 1966 and 2008. 

 
The letter and legal notice explain more about the settlement of the class action lawsuit and how class members can apply for compensation to the Victims of Crime Benefits program. Contact the office of Nancy Munro or Brenda Young at 780-427-7217 or [email protected] if you have questions.

The Community, Business and Residents Committee (CBRC) is a group of people invited to act as representatives of the community, businesses, residents and stakeholder groups who may have an interest in Jasper Avenue. 

The CBRC is intended to act in an advisory role, assisting the Project Team (made up of City staff and consultants) in the development and testing of the project vision and design options. The CBRC will be asked to provide background information and local knowledge that the Project Team may not be aware of otherwise. The CBRC may also be asked to provide feedback on public engagement materials and approaches.

Apply online at edmonton.ca/ImagineJasperAvenue. Applications are open until 11:59 p.m. on January 31. Contact the Project Team at [email protected] if you have questions.