A Message from Bernard Sévigny

Transcription

1 A Message from Bernard Sévigny Sherbrooke continues to play a leading role as an Age-Friendly City In this issue of the InfoSherbrookois, I would like to focus on the recent achievements of the Sherbrooke, Ville amie des aînés (VADA or Age-Friendly City) committee, chaired with great enthusiasm and conviction by city councillor Mariette Fugère. The year coming to a close was particularly productive in terms of progress on this worthwhile social project that we began in 2008, at the request of the Quebec government s Secrétariat aux aînés. The Ville de Sherbrooke held its first ever Forum sur la participation citoyenne et sociale des aînés this past September, an event that proved to be a great success! This Sherbrooke premiere brought together not only 125 people at the Borough of Jacques-Cartier office, but also an additional 800 who participated through a simultaneous Webcast. Interest in our Ami des aînés (friend of seniors) kit has been growing since its launch on October 1, the International Day of Older Persons! Within less than a month, some 40 businesses expressed an interest in being a friend of seniors and training their staff with the humorous short video clips, encouraging them to adopt more respectful and compassionate attitudes toward this client group. I would like to thank our partner, the Association québécoise de défense des droits des personnes retraitées et préretraitées (AQDR) Sherbrooke division, which is responsible for promoting the kit among businesses. Over the past several years, the Ville de Sherbrooke has trained its customer service employees to better serve seniors, and each borough has undertaken its own senior-friendly initiatives, including the creation of walking paths, rest areas, petanque courts, and community gardens. I would be remiss if I did not mention the valuable partners in the community unfortunately there are too many to mention here who have shown great passion and enthusiasm in getting involved in the Sherbrooke, Ville amie des aînés project to promote the active aging of our population while working together to build an environment adapted to their needs and ways of life. While Sherbrooke s population is aging at a steady rate, as is the world s population, this major initiative is not only a formula for success but also powerful evidence that the well-being of an entire population can only be ensured by taking into consideration the needs of its seniors. We must acknowledge that each step taken towards improving the quality of life of seniors is another step towards improving the well-being of all Sherbrooke residents. InfoSherbrookois is published by the communications department of the Ville de Sherbrooke and is delivered to all homes by Le Sac Plus du Journal de Sherbrooke. Director: Colette Ouellet Editor-in-Chief and Co-ordinator: Stéphanie Doyon Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Co-ordinator: Isabelle Gauthier Editor: Élisabeth L Anglais Graphic design and advertising: IMACOM Communications, Translation: Stevenson & Writers Inc., Photos Martin Blache François Lafrance Jocelyn Riendeau Claude Roussel Photo archives Cover photo: François Lafrance Printer: Imprimerie Norecob inc. Legal deposit with the Bibliothèque nationale du Québec Information: , ext sherbrooke.ca Postal address: P.O. Box 610, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1H 5H9 communications@ville.sherbrooke.qc.ca To convince you of this, I invite you to check out the following two sections of the Ville de Sherbrooke s Web site: sherbrooke.ca/vada and sherbrooke.ca/amidesaines. Bernard Sévigny Mayor City Council Meetings January 14, February 4 and 18, March 4 and 18, April 2 and 15, May 6 and 21, at 7 p.m. at city hall, 191, rue du Palais. The public is welcome to attend council meetings. Call us first as dates may change: A Message from Bernard Sévigny services INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

2 In Brief services In Brief TABLE OF CONTENTS Services A Message from Bernard Sévigny 3 - City Council Meetings 3 In Brief 4 - Société de Transport de Sherbrooke board meetings 4 - TV broadcasts of city council meetings 4 - In Sherbrooke, skating is a family affair! 5 - Sherbrooke s Ombudsman 5 - Sherbrooke welcomes age-friendly cities 5 Human Resources 6 Fire Protection 7 Hydro-Sherbrooke 7 Legal Affairs 8 Maintenance and Roads 8 Environment 9 Sports & Recreation Aquatic Activities 13 Aquatic and Nautical Activities 15 Sports Activities 17 - Open Badminton 17 - Open Hockey 22 - Open Skating 27 - Open Racquetball 28 - Open Squash 28 - Open Tennis 30 - Open Wallyball 31 Parks, Outdoor Rinks and Skating Ovals 32 Cross-Country Ski Trails 37 Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding 40 RECREATION CENTRES 42 Recreational Activities 43 Destination Sherbrooke 55 Excellence Sportive Sherbrooke 57 Canada Summer Games Sherbrooke UPCOMING EDITION OF THE INFOSHERBROOKOIS: Week of April 14 Meetings of the Société de transport de Sherbrooke board of directors For the dates of public meetings in 2013, go to the sts.qc.ca Web site or contact customer service at or service.clientele@sts.qc.ca. Cultural Life Libraries 61 Exhibitions 66 Dance 69 Music 69 Singing 70 Theatre 71 Media Arts 72 Cultural Events 72 Socio-Cultural Activities 73 Cultural Column 76 In the Boroughs 77 Community Life Community Organizations 83 In the Boroughs 89 Youth Organizations 100 Organizations for Seniors 110 Festivals, Celebrations and Special Events 123 The Boroughs Your Borough Council 127 Services Offered in Borough Offices 128 Borough of Brompton 129 Borough of Fleurimont 133 Borough of Jacques-Cartier 141 Borough of Lennoxville 147 Borough of Mont-Bellevue 151 Borough of Rock Forest Saint-Élie Deauville 157 TV BROADCASTS OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Sherbrooke, le conseil municipal is a 60-minute show that presents a summary of decisions and debates by Sherbrooke s elected officials, as well as the question period reserved for residents at the beginning of each meeting. The four information segments are interspersed with public service announcements on current topics. BROADCAST SCHEDULE On COGECO: Sunday, 2:30 p.m. On MATV: Sunday, 2 a.m. and 5 p.m. Wednesday, 7:30 and 11 p.m. Thursday, noon Saturday, noon 4 INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

3 In Brief In Sherbrooke, Skating is a Family Affair! Learning to skate is a real adventure for children. Often, parents look for the best method to teach their children. Many choose to use skating supports and the Ville de Sherbrooke is pleased to announce that this winter it will make these supports available in its arenas and on its outdoor rinks. For safety purposes, we strongly suggest that children learning to skate wear a helmet and gloves or mittens. If, in some locations, a section is reserved for children learning to skate and their families, other skaters are asked to slow down to ensure the children s safety. This equipment will generally be available during all freeskate periods. However, at some locations, specific times when the equipment will be available have been predetermined. At the Aréna Philippe-Bergeron in the Borough of Brompton, skating supports will be available Friday, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., and during school holidays. For the Aréna Ivan-Dugré in the Borough of Mont-Bellevue, the set time is Sunday from 2 to 3:45 p.m. For information on the free-skating periods in Sherbrooke arenas and at outdoor rinks, consult page 27 and the Parks and Outdoor Rinks section on pages 32 to 36. Please note that the outdoor rinks at De la Saint-François and Marie-Victorin parks, the arena at the Centre récréatif Rock Forest, the pond at Domaine Howard, and the skating oval at André-Viger will not offer this equipment. Sherbrooke welcomes Age-Friendly Cities The Ville de Sherbrooke has been a pioneer in the province of Quebec s Age-Friendly Cities (villes amies des aînés or VADA) initiative. On November 1 and 2, Sherbrooke had the honour of welcoming representatives from six other cities involved in this pilot project established in 2008 by the Quebec government s Secrétariat aux aînés. Before an audience of researchers from the CSSS-IUGS Research Centre on Aging, elected officials, and members of VADA committees from Granby, Rivière-du-Loup, Rimouski, Drummondville, Témiscamingue, the Ville de Québec s Borough of Charlesbourg, and of course Sherbrooke, Mayor Bernard Sévigny and VADA-Sherbrooke committee chair Mariette Fugère had the opportunity to present some of the greatest achievements accomplished by the Sherbrooke, Ville amie des aînés committee. Sherbrooke s Ombudsman Do you have a problem with one of the Ville de Sherbrooke s departments? Complaints processes exist for many departments, but a situation can occur where you are unable to resolve your problem using these processes. It is at this point that you may call upon the services of the Sherbrooke Ombudsman, who will review your file and support you through the process of settling your complaint. Complaints may be related to public works, the issuing of permits, zoning, or any of the city s other services. Listening and respect It is the Sherbrooke Ombudsman s responsibility to respond carefully and promptly to your requests, in addition to ensuring respect for the services and benefits to which you are entitled. The Ombudsman acts according to clearly defined values: respect, accessibility, listening, and empathy. You can be assured that your file will be treated in a confidential and impartial manner. All Ombudsman services are free. An office of last resort First of all, it is important to know that the Sherbrooke Ombudsman is an independent and apolitical office of last resort. If you are a resident of Sherbrooke who feels that you have been unfairly or improperly treated by a decision, act, or omission of the administration, you may contact the Sherbrooke Ombudsman. Information services In Brief INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

4 Human Resources services Human Resources 6 INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

5 Fire Protection Yvon Larosé helps with fire protection Yvon Larosé is the fire department s new mascot. Comforting and playful, he was selected to attract the attention of young and old and provide tips on preventing fires. On another note, the open house at the fire station on rue Léger was a real success. And of course, Yvon Larosé was there! The mascot serves as a very interesting teaching tool, enabling us to quickly make initial contact with people. Yvon Larosé helps us show children, in a fun way, the importance of checking smoke detectors. Young people will discover a mascot with a friendly face behind the removable breathable apparatus. The mascot therefore acts as a truly interactive training tool. Prevention is ongoing work and we are convinced that by using this mascot, our messages will have greater impact. We meet thousands of young people every year and we are aware of the positive impact that a mascot can have. Parents take photos, which helps the kids remember the character, along with the advice that he gave. When children learn something new, they share it with their parents and the whole family. Hydro-Sherbrooke Fire Protection Hydro-Sherbrooke A Reminder About Controlling Vegetation in the Winter Trees are part of our natural heritage. They make property more attractive, add to a property s value, and play an essential role in the environment. Despite their charm, large trees (e.g. silver maples, poplars, oaks, birches, etc.) are often the cause of power outages, in winter as well as in summer. Most of the damage caused by trees is due to three weather conditions or a combination of them: wet snow freezing rain strong winds. Each year, Hydro-Sherbrooke spends a lot of money on its life-cycle management policy for controlling vegetation near our power lines, i.e. within a 3- to 4-metre distance of power lines depending on the area concerned (speed of regrowth). Beyond this distance, it must seek permission from the owner of the property involved to carry out any trimming that may be required because, contrary to popular belief, it s the tree s owner who is responsible for its care and any damage it might cause (Civil Code). If you suspect any of your trees pose a danger, call in a specialist to trim them; avoid pruning them yourself. services WHAT TO DO IN THE CASE OF A MAJOR POWER OUTAGE IN THE WINTER The Hydro Québec Web site provides tips and advice in case of an outage. If the outage persists and it s cold outside, close all doors and gather family members in a single room. You ll be able to keep your food from spoiling for a period of 24 to 48 hours, if you avoid opening the fridge and freezer as much as possible. Above all, never use fuel-burning backup heating or lighting units designed for outdoor use inside your home. These units pose a risk of asphyxiation and poisoning (carbon monoxide) due to the lack of permanent ventilation pipes. The same advice applies to portable stoves and generators. INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

6 Legal Affairs SNOW REMOVAL Legal Affairs Maintenance and Roads Now that the cold weather is upon us, we would like to remind you of the rules for snow removal in the Ville de Sherbrooke. First, residents must remove snow from private or public areas in such a way that it does not impede or encroach on a neighbour s property or public space. It is prohibited to blow, push, or place snow onto a fire hydrant or municipal public area, including roads and sidewalks. It is also prohibited to blow, push, or place snow on a private area other than the one where the snow came from, without having prior written authorization from the owner. This rule does not apply to snow removal carried out by the city or its representatives on streets, alleys, lanes, or roads used for the public circulation of road vehicles, or sidewalks. RENEWING DOG AND CAT LICENCES DON T FORGET In January of each year, dog and cat owners living within city limits must obtain a new licence for their dog or cat. This licence is valid from January 1 to December 31. Late fees of $5 are added to the cost of the licence for owners failing to obtain a new licence by February 15. A person must blow or deposit snow from either side of a path or parking area onto the property that the snow came from. Failure to respect these rules may result in a ticket being issued. For more information about snow removal, we invite you to visit the city s Web site: sherbrooke.ca. On the home page, under Municipal Services select Legal Affairs and then By-law no. 1 (in French only). The relevant sections are in Titre 5. Protection de la personne et de la propriété, under Chapitre 7. Nuisances, especially sections and those that follow. Enjoy the pleasure of winter by respecting these regulations and maintaining friendly relations with your neighbours The Société protectrice des animaux de l Estrie is the organization responsible for issuing licences and collecting payment. It can be reached at services Maintenance and Roads Winter in real time! This winter, stay informed in real time of the road conditions. Is a big snowstorm expected or is there freezing rain in the forecast? Are parking restrictions in place to facilitate snow removal operations? Are there hilly streets that will be closed? The Ville de Sherbrooke now offers a new service that will let you know right away! To register, use your smart phone to text the word NEIGE to Or, visit sherbrooke.ca/neige and register to get alerts. Please note that fees may apply depending on your cell phone package and that messages will be in French. Call to report problems or if you have questions related to snow removal. We ll answer your calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Maintenance and Roads is seeking your cooperation with the following: place your bins by the curb the morning of the collection only and remove them as soon as you get home; respect parking restrictions in the areas and times indicated; adapt your driving to winter road conditions; avoid blowing or shovelling snow into the streets. 8 INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

7 Environment WASHABLE DIAPERS Financial assistance program Are you expecting a visit from the stork in the next few months? Thinking about using washable diapers? Check out sherbrooke.ca/coucheslavables (and click the English tab at top right) for the eligibility criteria. The site also outlines the refund procedure for reusable diapers and presents the list of accessories now covered by the subsidy. Throughout the year, you can consult the Web site regularly to determine how many subsidies are still available (data is updated monthly). Please note! Only 150 requests will be accepted. What to do with your roll-out bins in winter During a storm, wait until the following collection! If you have no other choice, put your bin out the morning of the collection and remove it quickly following collection so as not to hinder snow removal. On other winter days, set out your bins the morning of the collection, no earlier. You ll make life easier for the operators assigned to snow removal and the various collections. NEVER put a bin on the sidewalk! Bins left on the sidewalk impede pedestrian traffic and hinder snow removal and the spreading of abrasives. Waste collection schedule during the holidays Please note: December 25 and January 1 fall on Tuesdays. The collections scheduled for these days will be delayed until the following Friday, i.e. December 29 and January 4, as indicated on your collection calendar. Thank you for your cooperation. Reminder: Garbage collection every four weeks As of January 1, garbage will only be picked up every four weeks, and this schedule will continue until April. Please promote reduction at source and participate actively in recycling and composting! Christmas Tree Pick-up Week of January 7 Place your tree by the curb before 8 a.m. on your regular collection day. A few guidelines to follow: Remove all decorations. Do not cover the tree with a plastic cover. Leave your tree in a sheltered place until the collection date. Place your tree at the side of your driveway, free of ice and snow. Don t leave it in the road where it could interfere with snow removal operations. Missed the collection? You can bring your tree to one of the ecocentres where it will be recycled. Unsold trees Businesses are invited to bring their unsold trees to one of the ecocentres. The usual fee will be charged. services Environment Ecocentre information and schedules Winter schedule (November 20, 2012 to April 13, 2013 inclusive) Tuesday to Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plan your ecocentre visits: No access to the site 15 minutes before closing. Thank you for your cooperation! Holiday schedule Ecocentres will be closed on Tuesday, December 25 and Wednesday, December 26 as well as Tuesday, January 1 and Wednesday, January 2. Unlimited free service for Sherbrooke residents Proof of residency is required at each visit. Remember, the easiest way to get rid of waste is not to create it in the first place. Always try to reduce at the source, reuse, and make responsible purchases! INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

8 Environment Styrofoam recycling pilot project at the ecocentres Environment The Ville de Sherbrooke s ecocentres are currently testing the recycling of a well-known but infrequently recycled material: Styrofoam. The pilot project, which began this fall, is one of the measures put in place by the Ville de Sherbrooke to recycle a new material and help reduce what ends up in the garbage bin. This is especially true during the holidays when a great deal of Styrofoam packaging ends up in black bins. How can I participate in this pilot project? By bringing the following three types of Styrofoam to an ecocentre: Styrofoam food containers (number 6) that have been rinsed and cleaned (ex. meat trays) Styrofoam packaging (ex. moulded Styrofoam that protects electronics) Styrofoam insulation (ex. Styrofoam slabs and panels) Materials that will be refused: Small bits of Styrofoam used for packing (ex. Styrofoam peanuts ) Styrofoam included in the manufacturing of construction products The Styrofoam collected at the ecocentres is sent to companies that recycle it. Safety glasses, rulers, CD cases, and park benches are some of the products that can be made from recycled Styrofoam. Thank you for helping contribute to the success of this pilot project! Écocentre Rose-Cohen 365, rue Pépin (access via boulevard de Portland) Écocentre Michel-Ledoux 1000, rue Léon-Trépanier (access via boulevard Lavigerie) Info-compost Until April, compost collection will take place once a month in all boroughs. Consult your collection calendar or sherbrooke.ca/collectes (and click the English tab at the top right) for all the details! Brown bins available for apartment buildings with five or more units Requests should be made by the building s owner or superintendent, by calling services Does your compost stick to the sides of your brown bin? During the winter, compost may stick to the inside of your brown bin because it freezes. If this happens, it may be impossible for the collection truck to empty the bin. Please be patient and wait for the next collection. We tend to end up with less compost during this time of year, so the capacity of your roll-out bin should be sufficient to collect compost for two or three months. Here are a few simple tips to avoid these hassles: Immediately after your compost has been picked up, when your bin is still empty, place a piece of flat cardboard (e.g. cereal box) at the bottom. Use a paper yard-waste bag. Open the paper bag and put it inside the bin and then add compostable matter as you have it. Avoid placing liquids in the brown bin (milk, juice, soup, etc.). BNQ-certified plastic compostable bags are accepted! You can use compostable plastic bags certified by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ) as well as paper bags to collect your compost. Compostable bags are available in most big-box stores. Compostable and biodegradable are not one and the same! Biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable plastics are not compostable or recyclable and should be put in your black bin. They are made from a material that uses a chemical additive mixed with traditional plastic to speed up the process of breaking down plastic. They will contaminate both recyclable and compostable matter. 10 INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

9 Environment Optimal residential wood heating With the return of cold weather, are you starting to use your residential wood-burning appliance? Would you like to limit the odours and air pollutant emissions associated with this type of heating? Did you know that a US EPA-certified* wood-burning appliance and sound combustion practices will considerably reduce the impact of heating with wood on air quality? The following tips will help you increase the efficiency of your wood-burning appliance while reducing air pollutant emissions: Remove your old wood stove or replace it with an EPA-certified model. Subsidies are available through the Changez d air! program, administered by the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA). Visit to find out if you are eligible for the program and for more details about the different grants available. Have your certified appliance installed by a professional to ensure that it respects the standards. Follow the manufacturer s maintenance instructions. Avoid using your stove or fireplace during times when there is smog or poor air quality.** Learn to detect the signs of poor combustion: - Install a thermometer on the flue pipe; - Make sure the flue pipe temperature stays between 350 and 400 F (between 150 and 200 C); - Eliminate creosote as much as possible. Charging stations for electric cars Last September, the Ville de Sherbrooke officially opened four electric vehicle charging stations in public parking lots, one at the Marché de la Gare, one at Plateau Sylvie-Daigle, one at the Grenouillère parking lot, and one at the Centre récréatif de Rock Forest. These charging stations mean that electric car owners can recharge their vehicles for $2.50, regardless of how long it takes to charge. Always use clean, dry wood: Use dry wood that has been cut, covered, and allowed to dry for at least six months. Logs that are grey and cracked at the ends are ready to use; Burn hard wood (oak, maple, yellow birch) rather than softwood (spruce, pine, fir); Use only clean newspaper, compressed cardboard, or dry kindling to start a fire. Never use gas, kerosene, or other accelerants. Don t burn garbage, plastic, or painted or treated wood as they will emit toxic fumes into the air. For more information about residential wood heating, consult sherbrooke.ca/chauffageaubois. *The United States Environmental Protection Agency s (US EPA) environmental standards require that stores sell only appliances that have been approved and certified as advanced technology. New appliances that meet EPA standards reduce smoke particle emissions by 60% to 90% and consume 33% less fuel to produce the same amount of heat as a conventional appliance. **Info-Smog By joining the Electric Circuit, the Ville de Sherbrooke is promoting the development of electric cars, vehicles that emit no greenhouse gases. To find out more about the Electric Circuit, visit services Environment INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter

10 THINK GREEN FOR A WHITE CHRISTMAS p Impress your friends with 100% disposable and compostable dishware p Offer an environmetally-friendly gift p Create a warm and comforting setting Your holiday gift shop Merry Eco-Christmas Pierre Bolduc, Owner NO DISHES = MORE TIME WITH GUESTS Complete line of 100% disposable and compostable dishware. Efficient, economical, and environmentally-friendly. LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE GIFT? Check out our gift ideas for the whole family. COZY UP BY THE FIREPLACE Enjoy a fire that causes 57% less pollution with our Éco-Logic logs. Receive a $10 gift card with every purchase of $50 or more before taxes when you mention this ad. Valid until January 15, , rue King Est, Sherbrooke INFOSHERBROOKOIS Winter