Still working on the time machine?  Here’s the next best thing.  Featuring live jousting, mock battles, petting zoo, face painting, belly dancers, food and other fun activities at the old rodeo grounds next to the golf course, the Brooks Medieval Faire welcomes families of all sizes to travel back in time to a period where lords and ladies ruled.  Also featuring a trebuchet contest, forging demonstrations, and archery.

Tickets available at the gate or at the website.

Brooks Medieval Faire Website

As per usual, Canada Day this year will take place in Kin Coulee and last throughout the day with a myriad of activities, food, and entertainment. Fundraising for the recent flood is also expected. Lots of bands are set to play, including Alberta’s own Social Code and The Stampeders. Fireworks will conclude the festivities and hopefully set the Kin Coulee hills on fire again.

Click here for a complete list of events.

Enjoy!

‘Hatters now have a chance to be featured in our annual community report card, the 2010 Vital Signs.

The report, which will be released on October 5, 2010, features graded indicators to give the community an indication on quality of life in Medicine Hat. The full colour feature will have several categories, which may include: youth; gap between rich and poor; safety; health; learning, housing; getting started; arts, culture and recreation; environment; work; belonging and leadership; getting around; and economy.

Local photographers are asked to submit any photographs that may fit in to such categories. Photographers chosen will be recognized in the publication’s credits. Subjects of the photos are asked to sign a waiver form prior to publication.

Photographs should be less than seven megabytes and can be emailed to vitalsigns@mhcf.ca or dropped off at the Community Foundation office: room 104, 430-6th Ave. SE. Deadline is July 31, 2010.

Please be aware that only a limited number of photographs will be chosen, but we thank you for all submissions.

Last year’s report can be viewed through the Foundation’s website at www.mhcf.ca. For more information, please call (403) 527-9038, email info@mhcf.ca or join the Community Foundation’s Facebook group.

The Director of Emergency Management Chief Robinson reports that as of 11:30 a.m. Saturday June 26, 2010 the State of Local Emergency for the City of Medicine Hat and Cypress County is hereby lifted. The Emergency Operations Center will continue to work diligently on current objectives and align appropriate agencies to implement strategies in as timely a manner possible.

Municipal agencies are working both out in the community and behind the scenes to restore all services. The City of Medicine Hat is and will continue to do what is required to get our community back on it’s feet.

Access to homes and businesses that were restricted by the flood is being addressed as quickly as possible. Municipal Works is working to restore temporary access along Highway 41A over Ross Creek.

Residents are urged to continue using the Flood Information line (403-502-8900) for updates and information regarding available assistance programs.

Safety remains a concern. Citizens are reminded to stay away from coulee and creek banks as slope failure and sloughing could still occur without warning.

In continuing its rich history of supporting charitable organizations in the region, the Community Foundation of Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta today announced a grants distribution totaling $65,355.

Over half of the grant funds will go toward 11 community projects. Groups applied for these funds in March and the Foundation’s grants committee undertook the process of choosing the grant recipients. These community groups will receive $40,814 of the funds while the other $24,541 is allocated to pre-determined designated grants for charitable organizations in the region.

The Community Foundation has now awarded 619 grants in its 18-year history, worth over $2.7 million. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

It was a joint effort by fans of our city from far and wide. At an announcement on June 22, 2010 in Ottawa, Medicine Hat was informed that they now own a property on Canada’s newest edition of the famous Monopoly game board being released in July of this year.

Results of the Monopoly votes were unveiled by Mr. Monopoly and Hasbro representatives on June 22 at 9 a.m. MST in a live webcast from Ottawa. Medicine Hat made it into ninth place as the final Red Property on the board normally held by Illinois Avenue.

“We have been waiting with anticipation”, says Acting Mayor, Alderman Jamie White. “We held a pretty consistent top ten spot on the voting polls for the three weeks results were visible. We campaigned through newspaper, in the Mall, local schools and on our City website along with our Facebook and Twitter pages to encourage residents to vote, especially during the last week when results were blacked out.”

In December 2009 Medicine Hat was notified that Hasbro Canada was considering our city, depicting the Saamis Tepee, as one of the properties on their new Canadian edition of Monopoly which was celebrating Monopoly’s 75th Anniversary. 65 other Canadian cities were also vying for their own property on the new board as well.

A kick off on January 11, 2010 by our own “Mr. Monopoly look-alike” Alderman John Hamill, saw Medicine Hat consistently maintain a spot on the Top 10 most voted cities. After three-weeks of voting the results were blacked out during the final week so final results were unknown by all but Hasbro.

Hasbro Canada advises that the Canadian Cities Monopoly edition of the famous board game will be available in stores starting June 28, 2010.

The City of Medicine Hat wants to thank all the residents and supporters of our Monopoly vote that helped us maintain a consistent hold on the Monopoly property all the way to the end. To view the results from Hasbro Canada please visit the following link: http://www.hasbro.com/en_CA/monopoly/search.cfm?N=191&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall

*UPDATED June 21st*

There has been a huge amount of press releases coming out from the city regarding the flooding issues around and in Medicine Hat, below are a complete archive of all of the releases so far (listed newest first):

June 20th – 2:50PM – Flood Status Update #2

An update received from Alberta Environment indicates that the Medicine Hat area can expect rain starting tonight and continuing for most of tomorrow. Approximately 40 to 50 mm is expected.

The rain will cause the water flow levels of the creeks to increase to the maximum levels reached on Saturday. The South Saskatchewan River is currently cresting and the impact of the rain on the river in Medicine Hat will not been seen for a couple of days.

Residents are reminded to follow all road and park closure signs. At this time Police Point, Kin Coulee and Strathcona parks remain closed. Although the water may have receded in some areas, a safety concern still exists until crews have had time to clear debris and conduct proper safety assessments. A complete list of road closures is posted on the City of Medicine Hat website.

Residents affected by evacuation are being advised not to return to their homes at this time. The situation remains uncertain as the impact of the rain is unknown. Prior to returning to their homes they are encouraged to contact Alberta Health Services at 403-502-8205 for information about safety precautions to follow. In addition safety code inspections should be conducted. A complete list of service providers that home owners should consult prior to returning to their homes will be posted on the City of Medicine Hat website Monday.

Due to the road closures, the City will be making necessary adjustments to the transit routes. Once alternative routes have been determined, maps will be posted on the City website or residents can call 403-529-8214 more for information.

The Evacuation Centre will close tonight but will remain on standby to reopen if necessary.

The Volunteer Centre will remain open until 10:00 pm tonight and anyone interested in volunteering can call 403-502-8565 to register. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

In the wake of the 2010 flood in southeast Alberta many are left with massive property damages, ruined homes, and even some without homes. A Facebook group has been created for people to unite and help out those who have been affected with donations. Additionally, over 300 photos have been uploaded to show the totality of the damage. To support the group or make a donation, please check out The Medicine Hat/Irvine & Area Flood Relief Facebook Group.

*This is an outdated advisory, please view our Flood Updates (Complete Listing) post for more up-to-date information.*

With the recent rain fall, Medicine Hat and Cypress County Emergency Management staff are monitoring the water levels in the region.

A High Streamflow Advisory has been issued by Alberta Environment for the South Saskatchewan River including the City of Medicine Hat. This means that stream levels are rising or expected to rise rapidly and no major flooding is expected. Minor flooding in low lying areas is possible. Anyone situated close to the streams affected is advised to be cautious of the rising levels.

A Flood Warning has been issued by Alberta Environment for all tributaries flowing north out of the Cypress Hills. This means that rising stream levels will result in flooding of areas adjacent to the streams affected. Anyone situated close to the river should take appropriate measures to avoid flood damage. THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »

The City of Medicine Hat released its 2009 Annual Report today. Download it directly in PDF form.

The Annual Report covers activities from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2009. The City produced a separate Financial Report, which was also presented to Council today.

“We hope to build on our many successes in 2009 when Medicine Hat prospered and the community was able to witness some great opportunities for their city,” Mayor Norm Boucher stated in his Mayor’s Report. “The Ernst & Young report, Medicine Hat Advantage, Finlay Bridge rehabilitation, solid waste collection program and the Downtown Redevelopment Plan are just a few of those highlights. As always, we will continue to focus on the needs of our citizens.” THE JUMP – Read the rest of this entry »