New offer for BVCAA members posted by BVC alumna

In response to a newly introduced initiative which enables BVC Alumni to promote their businesses* through the BVCAA, alumna Lanis Anderson of R & R Promotions is offering a special discount to BVC Alumni and Friends.

If you are interested in promoting your own business with eco-friendly products are made with sustainability in mind, take a closer look at R & R Promotions and save 15% just for being a BVCAA member!

*Businesses eligible for promotion by the BVCAA must have a BVC Alumni owner or employee and be approved by the Office of Alumni Relations at Bow Valley College.

H1N1 Virus Update to BVC Alumni

The second wave of the H1N1 influenza virus (2009) is currently hitting North America and continues to be present within the Calgary area, and while we do not need to be unduly alarmed, we do need to be prepared for the potential impact. Alberta has enough vaccine for every Albertan who needs and wants to be immunized. Those who need it most should get it as early as possible.

H1N1 influenza virus (2009) vaccine clinics will be available starting October 26, 2009 and will be open from 8:30AM to 8:00PM (Monday to Friday) and 8:30AM to 3:30PM (Saturday and Sunday). It will be available at four (4) locations and more information can be found on the Alberta Health Services website (http://www4.albertahealthservices.ca/Immunization/):

1. Avenida Village Unit 303, 12445 Lake Fraser Drive SE
2. Brentwood Village Mall Unit 302, 3630 Brentwood Road NW
3. EMS Whitehorn - North Side Entrance 100, 3705 - 35 Street NE
4. Richmond Road Diagnostic Treatment Centre 1820 Richmond Road SWUse entrance at south side of building off 20 Avenue SW.Calgary

Those who will benefit most from immunization include:
People under 65 with chronic health conditions and their caregivers.
Pregnant women.
Children six months to less than five years of age and their caregivers.
People living in remote and isolated settings or communities
Health care workers involved in pandemic response or the delivery of essential health care services.
Household contacts and care providers of persons at high risk who cannot be immunized or may not respond to vaccines.

What is the difference between adjuvanted and non-adjuvanted vaccine?
An adjuvant is a substance that is added to a vaccine in order to boost the individual's response. It also means that less of the actual virus or "antigen" is needed to make a dose of the vaccine.
Non-adjuvanted vaccine has no "booster" element, and more antigen is needed to create this kind of vaccine.
Non-adjuvanted vaccine is recommended for pregnant women and small children but both vaccines are considered equally safe. Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of PHAC - that the adjuvant is safe, and the risks posed to pregnant women who get the flu are far, far greater than any the vaccine may pose.

Does AHW recommend the adjuvanted vaccine for pregnant women?
Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health agrees with the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada - that pregnant women receive one dose of an unadjuvanted vaccine wherever possible.
However, in cases where unajuvanted vaccine is not available, and rates of pandemic influenza disease is high, women in the second half of their pregnancy (more than 20 weeks) should be offered adjuvanted vaccine.

Once approved by Health Canada, both H1N1 vaccines will be considered equally safe.
Ultimately, this is a personal choice for women – Alberta Health Services recommends getting your shot as soon as possible.

How is H1N1 influenza virus (2009) different from seasonal influenza?
There are many strains of influenza circulating each year during the influenza season, and most people have some degree of immunity from previous exposure to related strains. The yearly influenza vaccine provides protection against the three most common strains identified during the previous season. This season, H1N1 influenza virus (2009) is expected to be the predominant strain.

H1N1 influenza virus (2009) is an entirely new strain of the influenza virus to which people do not have any immunity - and therefore is the priority for mass immunization. All Albertans over six months of age will have access to the H1N1 influenza virus (2009) influenza vaccine, expected in mid-November.

The most important factors in controlling the spread of the virus, according to Alberta Health and Wellness, are early identification and self-isolation of individuals exhibiting symptoms of the H1N1 influenza virus (2009), and promotion of self-care practices such as cough/sneeze etiquette and frequent hand cleansing with soap and warm water. In areas where soap and water are not readily available, the use of hand sanitizers is recommended.

Symptoms of the H1N1 influenza virus (2009) in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza infection and include:
Fever
Cough
Muscle aches
Lethargy
Lack of appetite

Some people with the H1N1 influenza virus (2009) have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea in addition to a cough and fever symptoms. The vast majority of cases have recovered completely.

Bow Valley College is adhering to guidelines outlined by Alberta Health Services. This message is intended to inform alumni of their options for protection against the H1N1 virus.

PERSONAL SAFETY REMINDER

It that time of year again where darkness falls before most of us finish our work day, so we would to remind alumni of a few tips concerning personal safety and security:

Where possible, do not walk alone.

Use only well-lit, well-travelled, and highly visible areas. Never use “shortcuts” such as alleyways, abandoned lots, or narrow passageways between buildings.

Always be aware of your surroundings.

Don’t plug into electronic devices such as I-pods.

Don’t display your wallet or attractive items such as I-pods.

Carry purses close to your body.

When travelling late at night, or very early in the morning, ensure that someone else knows your schedule and expected time of arrival. Set up a check-in time if necessary.

Carry a cell phone if you have one.

Remember, all C-Train stations and cars have emergency call boxes.

If an individual, group, or situation makes you uncomfortable, or if you feel that you are being followed, immediately proceed to a public area with high visibility and other people.

If someone verbally or physically threatens your personal safety, the police advise that you make as much noise as possible, immediately leave the area, seek help, and contact the police as soon as it is safe to do so.

Do not give money to panhandlers or engage in conversations with them.

Always park vehicles in highly visible and public locations. Where possible, park in lots with attendants and on-site security. Do not park in alleys, behind buildings, or areas that are screened from public view.

HUGE Fall Garage Sale hosted by the Calgary Association of Self Help, October 30 & 31

Living in Calgary isn’t cheap.

We all know people in our communities at work, school and church who are struggling to create comfortable homes for their families.

You don’t have to be wealthy to make an immediate impact on the everyday lives of others in need. Let everyone know about the household items, toys, dishes, bedding, kitchen appliances, furniture and thousands of quality used books being sold for very modest prices at

Calgary Association of Self Help’s HUGE Fall Garage Sale

Friday October 30th (11 am – 5 pm)
Saturday October 31st (10 am – 3 pm)

1019 7th Avenue SW

Not only can you save yourself money, you are encouraged to shop on behalf of those who are most in need but can’t attend due to physical, financial or social challenges.

Enjoy FREE parking behind the building during the sale.
The10th Street City Centre Station is right out front.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Cory Wilson, Fund Development/Communications Officer
Phone 403-266-8711 ext. 247
Email cory.wilson@calgaryselfhelp.com

Interior Decorating and Merchandising Alumnus Alykhan Velji Launches Afera Carpet Line for Rug Shop

Best known for his roles on CityTV’s My Rona Home and HGTV’s Style Department, Alykhan Velji is expanding his design work once again by launching a new line of carpets for Rug Shop. Inspired by motifs found in Islamic architecture, Velji’s Afera collection of hand knotted Nepalese carpets merge traditional geometric design and the modern, bold style he is known for.
Jamie Yamchuk, owner of Rug Shop, approached the Calgary-based interior designer with the idea to create a signature line earlier this year. “I’ve always dreamed of creating my own product line,” says Velji, “and this partnership with Rug Shop is the next step in reaching that goal.”
Afera, is an Islamic name meaning “Colour of Earth.” The bright colours and untraditional placement of the motifs are a modern twist on traditional Islamic design. Made outside of Katmandu, Nepal, each rug is hand-knotted and made of 100% New Zealand lamb’s wool.
“I love the idea of blending old and new styles to create something original and dynamic. Canada is full of contrast and I wanted to develop a line reflective of that.” Velji, a Tanzanian Canadian moved to Calgary when he was eight. Now, at 29, Velji has been working for himself for the last seven years on both commercial and residential interior design projects.
For more information on products visit http://www.rugshopcalgary.com/ or contact Jason Krell at jk@jasonkrell.ca or 403.862.7380.

Third Annual International Thanksgiving for Alumni a great success!

On Tuesday, October 6 the Bow Valley College Alumni Association hosted its 3rd Annual International Thanksgiving for Alumni. The event began in 2007 in an effort to connect with the large International community that are alumni members. The idea to share a traditional Canadian Thanksgiving meal as a way of bringing alumni from many different nationalities and cultures together in a celebration of thanks has caught on, in its three years the event has more than doubled in attendance from 32 guests in 2007 to 72 in 2009.

In past years each guest was given the opportunity to share their message of thanks with the entire room, an activity that created a powerful sense of perspective on our collective thanfulness for everyone in attendance. As the event has grown, the opportunity for everyone to share has become limited so this year a Wishing Tree was brought in that guests were encouraged to hang a note with their blessings for 2009 on. A video which included messages of thanks from Bow Valley College alumni, learners and staff was also shown at the dinner as ways to maintain the sense of perspective from other years.

The following messages were placed on the Wishing Tree throughout the evening:

• Please accept my special thanks for all the event holders and volunteers. Happy Thanksgiving!


• I am thankful to Bow Valley College and my family.


• Thank you so much, you are a great team!


• WEIP is a really successful program!


• I'm thankful for the opportunity each day to learn about people, the world we live in and how to make the world better for all of us.


• New family, new job, new friends, and old friends. I am very thankful as 2009 has been a great year for me.


• Thank you for everything you have done for us, you (BVC) have really changed my life.


• Thanks for giving me the opportunity to participate in CRTP. It gave me a lot of new knowledge about job search and communication.


• Thank you for a perfect dinner!


• Great thanks to all (BVC) teachers and directors. I am very happy being with you and feel like a family member.


• Thank you for life, health, happiness, a lot of money, love, kindness, direction.


• I am thankful for God for all the blessings I have and thanks for you (BVC) and my family.


• I am thankful for my learners in the IPNDIEN program and my family.


• Thank you Canada you gave us this opportunity to make you our new homeland.


• I am thankful for the opportunity to work with amazing people in the CRTP program.


• I am thankful for the “I love you mom” messages that my son leaves on my voicemail, I am thankful for being part of a large extended family, I am thankful for the warm summer we just had.Thank you BVC, my classmates and my family.


• Staying healthy and enjoying my family.


• Thank you for my lovely husband. Thank you for my mother, sister, aunts. Thank you for my friends old and new. Thank you for my job and boss. Thank you for my health. Thank you for my prosperity. Thank you God for being always with me.


• Thank you Bow Valley College CRTP, I learned lots from CRTP.


• Thank you for a wonderful night.


• I am thankful for attaining CHRP status, for my family, for my daughter and wife, for being alive to witness another spring, for good health and successful completion of the CRTP program.


• A special thank you to all CRTP team for a great support encouragement and teaching. Happy Thanksgiving.


• I am glad for my family and to be a part of the LPN program.


• Thank you very much for a nice event. Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.


• I wish Calgarian’s will have a nice Tanksgiving dinner with food on their tables.


• I thank God for my family, my health, and all my opportunities.I am thankful for the opportunity to raise and love a group of people and animals that I call family.


• I am also grateful to have God in my life.


• I am thankful for wonderful friends, and family.


• I am thankful for my health and this wonderful country we live in.Thank you Bow Valley College, I am wishing for all of you , what I'm wishing for me, follow your dreams!


• Thank you for a wonderful dinner, great party and the Bow Valley College LPN program.


• Thankful for family, friends. Life , Love , Laughter.


• I am thankful for everything God has given me in my life. My family, parents, my career, and for my new country which I call my home. Also thanks to Bow Valley College and all the wonderful people I met here.


• I am thankful for my family, friends. Health, home and job. Happy Thanksgiving.


• There are a lot of things I'm thankful for:family, friends and an awesome life.


• Thank You Bow Valley College for helping make these things possible.


• So nice to meet with previous classmates. I hope this tradition will go on.


• I am thankful that my family and I are all well and happy regardless of the fact we all live in separate areas of the world.


• I am thankful for being able to attend BVC and meet the fabulous people there. It is such a blessing to meet and be a part of Alumni. Colleen and Amanda are amazing people.


• Thanks you Bow Valley College for giving me the chance to get in my career.

Many thanks to all those who contributed to the Wishing Tree. Happy Thanksgiving to all!