September 2015

Two of our youngest competitors surprised everyone by finishing ahead of the pack in this weekend’s Griesbach Amazing Race. Congratulations to Jack and Donalda for using their heads and their legs to take the title.

The teams started off searching for worms before heading to the highest point in the neighborhood to drink (yum, pickle juice!) Next they had to go to school (on the weekend) to find the next clue. There they puzzled together an address and had the choice to BUILD or BLOW – build a house of card or blow up Diet Coke with Mentos! The next task was to find a horse in a circle, and memorize and perform the first verse of the poem “In Flanders Fields.” Racing to the finish before the first rain drops landed, Jack and Donalda took home first prize, $50 iTunes cards each! There were no losers, as ever team member received $15 in Cineplex gift cards for taking part!

All of the teams had a great race, and we look forward to making it even bigger and better next year! We hope everyone had as much fun as our volunteers did watching!

Special thanks to Melissa, Chris and Justine Carvalho, and Justin Ferreira for all of their hard work organizing this event.

Please send any feedback for next years race to Program Director, Melissa Carvalho, so we can have a bigger, better AMAZING RACE GRIESBACH 2016!

The Griesbach Soccer Program urgently needs coaches for the upcoming indoor soccer season. We’re looking for people who love working with kids and share our values of fair play and good sportsmanship.

We require coaches at the following levels:

The Griesbach RCAF Commemorative Society is a dedicated group of former airmen who came together to create a park to honour the valiant members of the RCAF – past, present and future.

The Griesbach Commemorative Park Dedication Ceremony took place on September 20, 2015. Over 300 were in attendence. Special guests included Alberta Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell and several of the surviving RCAF veterans for whom local streets were named. Among them, Robert Morgan,Russel Bannock, Keith Rodgers Greenaway and Bill Newson.

As residents of Griesbach, we are extremely honoured to have such a fitting tribute in the heart of our community. We will ensure it is treated with honour and dignity.

Click here to check out the great story that aired on Global.

Last year, we added a new twist to the Griesbach Shake at the Lake. The Art in the Park art walk was a big hit with residents. So we are pleased to make it an annual event.

This year we have attracted 27 Edmonton artists, whose work will be on exhibit and available for sale. So if you have an empty wall or shelf in your Griesbach home begging for art, this is your opportunity.

We’re thrilled to share a group of artists that represent a very diverse range of styles. Whatever your tastes, you’ll find a canvas or craft that captures your imagination. Everything from the quirky candy-themed prints and paintings of Carmen Gonzalez to the angular landscapes of Trueman Mcdonald. Brilliant hand crafted jewelry to original portraits.

As a new feature, this year we are honoured to have Griesbach resident Corey Ralph and the Edmonton Quilting Guild displaying their gorgeous quilts on the ships bow at Bedford Basin.

Participating Artists

Click highlighted names to visit their websites.

Meghan Macmillan

Jan Fraser

Carmen Gonzalez

Art by Betty

Elliot Engley

Griesbach’s most fantabulicious day of all ages entertainment is just around the corner. Figuratively and literally! Join us in Perron Berger Park (by the naval lake on Pegasus Blvd) on Saturday, September 26th between 1 and 6 pm.

For the little tykes and kids too old for trikes…

We have a mind-blowing mishmash of games, bouncy castles, face painters (Totally Twisted), balloon artists (Twisted Shapes), a hair painter (Whair Kids are #1) and a purveyor of spray-on tattoos. This year we’ve doubled the number face painters and balloon artists to shrink the lineups. Plus, we will have fire trucks on display.

Note: This year, children’s activities will be free for families with current Griesbach Community League members – and $5/child (or $10/family) for non-members. Wristbands will be provided. Spray on tattoos are not included. Griesbach Community League annual memberships are $25/household and will be available at the event.

For adventure-seeking teens & tweens (8 – 14)…

The Griesbach Amazing Race offers and opportunity to take on a number of challenges throughout the community and compete for some wicked prizes – including your fave gift cards. Grab your bestie… because we’re looking for teams of two. Individuals will be paired up.  For registration and details click here. Hurry, registration deadline is Sept 23 at 4 pm. Free entry for GCL members. $5/non-members.

For the 18 and over – but far from over the hill – crowd…

May we suggest strolling our expanded Art in the Park art walk – sponsored by Pacesetter Homes. Featuring 27 astoundingly talented artists with stunning work for sale.

As a new feature this year, the Edmonton Quilting Society will be displaying an exhibition of quilts on the ship’s bow at Bedford Basin.

To learn more about the artists in attendence, click here.

The Roomers

If you have a young face, don’t forget to bring your ID.

Finally, we will have food trucks on site for growling tummies of all ages.

The Shake at the Lake & Art in the Park is our signature event. Come join your friends and neighbours and see why it’s become the talk of the Village… and the town.

Thanks to our 2015 sponsors:

Art in the Park sponsor

Ad Astra Monument Ceremony
Sunday, September 20, 1 pm
Flanders Fields Park – McCrae Avenue NW
Griesbach, Edmonton

Public Welcome

The vibrant Edmonton community of Griesbach is proud to be the new home of a towering monument dedicated to the valiant members of the Royal Canadian Air Force: past, present and future.

Ad Astra Plaza will be officially dedicated at a public ceremony scheduled for this Sunday.

As as special treat, the ceremony will feature a low (and thunderous) flypast featuring an impressive procession of aircraft with historical ties to Edmonton: including a Hercules, CF 18s and Griffon tactical helicopters.

The Ad Astra monument is a 10-metre-high stainless steel sculpture representing a “star burst” – an aerobatic manoeuvre familiar to many from military air shows. “Ad Astra” is part of the RCAF motto and means “to the stars.”

“Looking up at this monument inspires dreams,” says former RCAF commander, Bill Buckham. Buckham has been a driving force behind Ad Astor Plaza.

In addition to the monument, the site feature four laser etched granite plaques tell the story of Canada’s airforce from WW1 to present. If you look down at the sidewalks at the plaza and around Roundel Lake, you’ll notice the silhouettes of several well known aircraft associated with the RCAF.

As a former military base, the Village at Griesbach is divided into areas celebrating the various branches of the armed forces. The north west corner around Roundel Lake is themed around the air force. A number of the streets will be named in honour of air personnel selected by Buckham and his team. Several of these veterans are still with us today… and will be attending Sunday’s ceremony.

(You can learn about one of them – Cold War era pilot Bob Morgan – by clicking here for a recent CBC story.)

The plaza and the ceremony that is being planned are first-class all the way. We encourage you to attend and show your appreciation for all those who have served in the RCAF over the past 100 years. And, of course, to see some amazing aircraft sure to awe kids and adults alike!

Below: Bill Buckham supervises the installation. Plaques honouring two airmen who will be in attendence.

Griesbach Amazing Race
Saturday, Sept 26, 2:00- 3:00 pm
Perron Berger Park
Ages 8 – 14

Too old for bouncy castles? Too young for the beer garden! Too energetic for the Art Walk?

Don’t worry. We have a Shake at the Lake event just for you (and a friend!)

The Griesbach Amazing Race is back. Come prepared to show off your mad skills as you race across your community for a chance to win some AWESOME prizes (including your fave gift cards!) There are a number of fun stations and activities along the way to test your skills.

It’s free to enter for Griesbach Community League members or $5 for non-members. You’ll receive a wristband that is also good for free facepainters, balloon artists and bouncy castles.

Register Today!

Please click here contact our program’s director, Melissa, to register your team of two! Individual application are fine too (we’ll find someone to pair you up with). We encourage adults or older sibblings to accompany children under 10.

Registration closes September 23 at 4:00 pm.

Parents… if you’d like to volunteer we’d love to have you join our team of supervisors. We have taken steps to ensure this is a safe and fun event. Contact Melisa at the above email link.

The Village of Griesbach has created a stunning aerial video of our community. Click here to watch!

Village at Griesbach Jazz in the Park
Saturday, September 12
Noon – 5 pm

Know anyone who’s curious about moving into our amazing community? Have them drop by this Saturday for the Village at Griesbach’s Jazz at the Park event. There are a number of activities taking place at the showhomes. Music will be provided by the Erica Dawn Quintet and there will be activities for the kids.

If your friends like what they see – they MUST come back for The Griesbach Community League’s SHAKE AT THE LAKE – Saturday, September 26. With our bouncy castles, food trucks, beer gardens, live band and children’s entertainers… they’ll be your new neighbours in no time!

Jazz in the Park details at:

http://www.villageatgriesbach.com/jazzinthepark.aspx

Saturday, Sept. 26, 1 pm to 6 pm
Perron Berger Park (Pegasus Blvd.)

Twice the balloon makers and face painters! More of Edmonton’s most touted artists! More bounce in our castles. Mouth watering food trucks. A beer garden buzzing with live music!!! The Griesbach Shake at the Lake just keeps getting bigger and better.

This year marks the return of the AMAZING RACE for kids aged 8 to 14. (Click here for details and registration.)

If you know any local artists who may be interested in participating, have them contact griesbachgardensdirector@gmail.com. All art will be available for purchase.

Bring your 2015/16 Community Membership card!

Because The Shake attracts many people from outside of the community, this year we have decided to make all activities FREE for Griesbach Community League members – and charge a modest fee of $5/child or $10/family for non-members.

It’s our way of thanking those who support GCL and the activities we offer.  An annual membership is only $25/family, and will be available at the event.

We hope you can come and shake it up with us on the 26th!