Getting ready to be your councillor

My name is Valdene Callin and I am running for Red Deer City Council. On Thursday at the Real Estate, Construction and Land Development forum, all candidates were asked one final question, “What have you done to prepare to be on City Council?”

This was an excellent question asked to all candidates.

My answer was I have been preparing for this job since I moved here in 1997.

From the moment we moved here, I chose to be active in this amazing community and become a part of the Red Deer Newcomers club. The Club allowed me to meet other people new to the area and provide and opportunity to explore everything Red Deer to offer. I was the President of the Club for 2 years and made some life long friends along the way.

I worked for Family Services of Central Alberta for 13 years. During my time with the organization, I collaborated to operate prenatal, parenting, couples, senior’s programming as well as opening the Kinsmen Playspace, Intergeneration Centre at Park Plaza, Parent Link Centre and Central Alberta Children’s Festival.

I have been active in the community on various boards and committees:

• Red Deer Childcare Society Board Member 2004-2008
• Scotties Tournament of Hearts (Community Relations) Volunteer 2004/2012
• Red Deer Public Library Board Member (Vice-Chair 3 years)2003-2010
• Foundation for Red Deer Public Schools Board Member (Chair 5 years)2007-2016
• City of Red Deer Crime Prevention Advisory Committee Member 2009-2011
• Only Women’s Fitness Fun Run Organizing Committee 2012-2017
• 2019 Canada Winter Games Bid Committee (Co-Chair Community Engagement and Marketing Committee) 2013-2014
• United Way of Central Alberta Community Impact Council (Chair Wellness Priority 3 years) 2013-2017
• City of Red Deer – Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) Community Representative 2015-2017
• 100 Women Red Deer Community Member 2015-2017
• Festival of Trees Preview Dinner Committee Member 2015-2017
• Memorial Cup Volunteer (Community Relations) 2016
• Children’s Wish Breakfast Founding Committee Member 2016-2017
• 2019 Canada Winter Games (Volunteer Co-Chair Community Relations) 2016-2017
• Against the Wall Theatre/Bullskit Board Member 2017
• Urban Spirits Rotary Club Member 2017

Working with these community organizations, I am a part of a team of people who are responsible and accountable for budgets worth millions of dollars and make informed decisions about both spending and balancing these budgets.

I won the 2014 Red Deer and District Community Foundation Community Builder award. I am a collaborator who believes in working together, ultimately making any outcome stronger for our community.

I have a strong passion for our community and am running for City Council because I believe that we need to put the people of Red Deer first. I have a proven track record of building community by looking through social, economic and environmental lenses to see how issues impact on our citizens and work towards solutions that will be in the best interest of all Red Deerians.

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Getting ready to be your councillor

Community

New Documentary “Cooking with Hot Stones” Explores History of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta

Published on February 14, 2025

Todayville Edmonton

February 14, 2025 – Alberta, Canada – A compelling new documentary, Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine, is set to air on Wild TV, RFD TV Canada, Cowboy Channel Canada, and you can click here to stream for FREE on Wild TV’s streaming service, Wild TV+. This engaging one-hour feature will take viewers on a journey through time, exploring Fort Assiniboine’s rich history from 1823 to 2023.

Fort Assiniboine is a significant landmark in Alberta, playing a crucial role in Indigenous history, the fur trade, and the western expansion of Canada. This documentary captures the spirit of the region, illustrating how it has evolved over two centuries and how it continues to shape the cultural fabric of the province today.

Wild TV will make the documentary free to stream on Wild TV+ on February 14th so that it can be easily accessed in classrooms and other educational settings throughout the region, ensuring the historical significance of Fort Assiniboine reaches a wider audience.

Produced by Western Directives Inc., Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine brings historical moments to life with vivid storytelling, expert interviews, and breathtaking cinematography.

“We are very excited to partner with Wild TV as part of our one hour documentary production. Based in Alberta, we respect the hard work and quality programming that Wild TV brings to a national audience. With the broadcast opportunity, Wild TV gives our production the ability to entertain and educate Canadians across the country on multiple platforms,” said Tim McKort, Producer at Western Directives.

Scott Stirling, Vice President of Wild TV, also expressed enthusiasm for the project: “At Wild TV, we are passionate about telling Canadian stories that resonate with our audiences. This documentary not only highlights a crucial piece of our nation’s history but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, traders, and settlers who shaped the land we call home today. We are proud to bring Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine to our viewers across Canada.”

Airtimes for Wild TV can be found here.

For airtimes on RFD TV Canada, click here.

For airtimes on Cowboy Channel Canada, visit CCC’s schedule.

Community

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership

Published on November 27, 2024

Todayville

L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer

After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.

Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.

Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:

“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”

Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.

In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:

“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.

To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.

For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca

About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.

The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.

Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.