City and the Region

Red Deerian lands ‘Central Alberta Idol’ title

Red Deer local wins Central Alberta Idol Joe Bauman was named the Central Alberta Idol on Friday April 29th, at the Capri Hotel in Red Deer.

The top three finalists, Bauman, Halley Ginter and Amanda Westgate,

competed for the grand prize of $1,000 and a ten-‐song recording

contract.

The contest, sponsored by Knights of Columbus, ran at various venues throughout Central Alberta, with the

top three finalists competing as the pre‐show entertainment for Shane Yellowbird on Friday.

Bauman, originally from Chilliwack, B.C., made Red Deer his home in 2009.

Travelling and working throughout Western Canada eventually led Bauman to make his home under

the open skies of the Albert prairies.

Bauman found his voice early on in his life, singing in church and in the local community.

His talent and desire to entertain Eventually led him to larger stages.

In 2008 he was crowned the

B.C Talent Search winner

In the provincial finals at the Merritt Mountain Music Festival.

He continued to sing and entertain audiences at various events and

competitions, from local county fairs to national contests on CMT.

Bauman plans to utilize the studio prize from his latest victory to record some of his original music.

“My songs are penned out of the adventures and misadventures throughout my life,” Bauman says.

”I’ve been told a good song

is a real song. Well, I’ve got

lots of real, and this studio time will reveal if any of it is good.”

Simplify your utility bill payment process 


Red Deerians are reminded there is an easier way to pay their utility bills each month. The City offers the Pre-Authorized Withdrawal (PAWS) program which simplifies the utility bill payment process for residents.

By signing up for the PAWS program, the amount of residents’ utility bill will be automatically deducted from their bank account each month. Residents’ only monthly responsibility will be to quickly review their bill.

Residents are encouraged to monitor their monthly bill and your water usage to ensure that problems such as leaky faucets and running toilets do not drive up the cost of their utilities.

If residents simplify their utility bill paying process between May 1 and 31, they will have a chance to win one of six City of Red Deer prize packs.

For more information on the PAWS program, please phone 403-342-8110 or visit www.reddeer.ca.

Work on Veterans’ Park continuing this spring 


Starting Monday, Shunda Consulting and Construction Management will be on site at Veterans’ Park to carry out some seasonal work. This includes removal of the temporary concrete surface adjacent to the Cenotaph, to be replaced with a permanent granite surface.

A Construction Fence will be erected around the perimeter of the construction site to keep pedestrians out of the work areas but there will be no impact to pedestrian travel around the site at anytime.

With Veterans’ Park wrapping up this summer and the Gaetz Avenue Revitalization project getting started, it is going to be a busy construction season in the downtown core. The patience and cooperation of motorists and pedestrians is much appreciated.

Lions Campground opens for season

Lions Campground opens today for the 2011 season.

“Located along the Red Deer River, close to trails and amenities, Lions Campground is one of Red Deer’s gems,” said Deb Comfort, neighbourhood facilities community development supervisor.

In order to accommodate all campers, the City of Red Deer strictly enforces a two-week maximum stay at Lions Campground for the months of July and August.

The campground is secured daily from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and all visitors are expected to check in with the campground operators.

While the City is working toward providing a reservation option at the facility, camping reservations are still not accepted at the campground at this time. Campers are registered on a first-come, first-served basis only. Lions Campground is not a part of the Province’s campground reservation program for provincial campgrounds and recreation areas.

The Lions Campground is open to the end of September. For more information call 403-342-8183.

The City announces 2011 naturescaping contest




The City of Red Deer is once again encouraging gardeners to embrace water-wise principles and display their accomplishments by entering the 2011 Naturescaping Contest. Residents that already use water-wise landscaping or those who are planning to use naturescaping in their yards are invited to enter the contest. 



“The goal of naturescaping is to create a visually attractive yard that you can enjoy while reducing your environmental impact,” said Bailey Doepker, environmental program specialist with the City.

“Using water efficient native plants and smart design will result in a beautiful low-maintenance yard that saves time, money and water.” 


The 2011 Water-Wise Naturescaping contest is open to Red Deer citizens who naturescape residential properties located within City limits. Entries will be judged on water conservation, landscape design and biodiversity. All entries must be located within Red Deer city limits, and the contest applies to residential property only. 



All applications must be received by Aug. 12. Entries must include a minimum of five and maximum of 10 colour photographs. Digital or hard copies are acceptable. Also, a plant list, including common and/or scientific names of plants used, an explanation of water-efficient features within the landscape.

Entries and photographs may be submitted to the Environmental Services department at the Civic Yards; please mark entries ‘Attention: Naturescaping Contest.’ Entries may also be emailed to environmentalservices@reddeer.ca. Entry forms are available at www.reddeer.ca/environment under the 2011 ‘Naturescaping Contest tab.’

South Bank Trail re-opened

The South Bank trail between the Red Deer River and The City’s Water Treatment Plant re-opened April 30.

Construction of the new intake, screen building, trail and fencing is complete.

Although the trail has re-opened, pedestrians and other users are reminded to use caution on the new section of the trail as landscaping has not been completed. Final completion of the trail, landscaping and other amenities in this area is expected later this year and minor disruptions to trail use may occur during the summer and early fall.

Pedestrians and other users are also strongly encouraged to use caution on this new section of the trail until they become familiar with its design.

Make sure your family is prepared for an emergency 


May 1 to 7 is National Emergency Preparedness Week, and although the campaign is only a week, it’s important for your family to be prepared year round. 



Proactive planning includes knowing the risks in your region, making a plan and assembling a 72-hour preparedness kit.

Some of the things to include in your kit are flashlights, a radio, water, non-perishable food and a can opener, first aid kit, pet supplies if needed, candles, matches or a lighter, a change of clothes for you and your family, toilet paper and garbage bags. “In addition to these basic survival items, Red Deer residents should take into account any special needs that individuals may have, like medical conditions, and ensure that required items are included in the kit,” said Karen Mann, emergency management coordinator with the City of Red Deer. 



Write down all of the details about medical conditions, allergies, medical history, prescriptions and insurance information and keep this information with your 72-hour preparedness kit. Consider having hardcopies of important documents like photographs, passports and birth certificates on hand as well. 



For more information, please visit www.reddeer.ca or www.getprepared.ca. 


-compiled by Mark Weber