You're invited to come meet Ross Haynes, creator of the beautiful Ross Haynes Jewellery collection, who will be visiting Mitchell and Jewell, at 4910, 45th Street, Red Deer.

Downtown business owners are encouraged to apply for funding from The City of Red Deer’s Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Pilot Project. With this crime prevention incentive program, The City will pay half of the expenses (before GST) for any successful applicant’s crime prevention upgrades to a maximum of $2,500.

Downtown businesses and agencies that make crime prevention upgrades that follow CPTED principles can apply to The City for funding. The applicant will receive funding after the project is complete and a bill or invoice has been received and verified by The City of Red Deer.

“So far we have had eight applications that have received funding, ranging from smaller projects through to larger renovations,” said Dean Scott, Crime Prevention Coordinator with The City of Red Deer. “The principles of CPTED are simple and proven effective in many situations and environments to identity and reduce problems that may invite crime. We want to encourage business owners to take advantage of this funding opportunity.”

In January 2008, Red Deer City Council approved $50,000 in funding for a crime prevention incentive program for downtown business owners. All downtown businesses and social agencies are eligible to apply, and the $2,500 cap ensures the incentive fund will be spread over a minimum of 20 businesses. Guidelines require the project meets one or more CPTED design principles. This program will run until the funds are exhausted.

For information on CPTED principles or the CPTED Pilot Program, please visit www.reddeer.ca/crimeprevention or contact the Crime Prevention Coordinator at 403-342-8387.

On August 19, at The Scott Block, 4818 50 Ave, a meeting will be held to discuss the possibility of hosting a Year Round Public Market.  This idea has been discussed in some circles for quite some time, and if you are interested in having your voice heard on the issue, stop by The Scott Block between 5 and 6:30 pm, and join the discussion.

Interested in having a show in 2011? The Red Deer Arts Council operates the Snell Gallery at the Red Deer Public Library and is now accepting submissions. The deadline is September 24th, 2010 so lots of time to develop your concept.

For more info & to submit:
Red Deer Arts Council 111 - 4818 50th (Gaetz) Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 4A3 Phone (403) 348 2787 (ARTS) Email: rdalliedarts@gmail.com.

July 31st and August 1st saw Ross Street and Gaetz Avenue closed down for the eighth annual CentreFest Street Performers Festival invading the downtown core.  CentreFest has grown to become Central Alberta's largest festival, with an estimated 25 000 people over the weekend to check out the festivities and experience the performances of some of the most outlandish and wild street performers in the world.  With a solid and diverse line up of performers, a plethora of interactive artists, and an exotic and unique street market, CentreFest 2010 was a weekend filled with excitement, amazement, and most importantly, enjoyment for all.