Tag Calgary
Desperation, Daring, and Despair: Adventures in Executive Power
The Calgary municipal election is today, and it got me nostalgic of the class elections I used to take part in. Mocking school authorities, running a banana tree for class president (and nearly winning), and the shit-show campaigning were great experiences. However, by the end of high school, I didn’t have a single win to show for all the effort, and looking at my old speech, it was obvious that my back was against the wall.
Public Enemy Plays Calgary
I listened to Public Enemy a lot in high school, so when the opportunity came up to see them at the Whiskey, I was there in a flash. They let Flavor Flav into Canada this time, but Terminator X wasn’t able to cross the border. Fortunately, they had Keith Shocklee of the Bomb Squad on hand to DJ. Flavor appeared to have a keeper on stage who kept him from leaping off, which may have been for the best - the bouncers at the Whiskey had no sense of humour.
A more local flavour - The Whistlestop Bistro and the Calgary DIY food scene
Hidden away near Sunnyside is a bistro with fantastic food, innovative menus, and arguably one of the best views of the Calgary downtown. Unfortunately, unless you know the right people, getting in is pretty much impossible. But here’s the thing: a bistro of your own is attainable if you’re willing to put in the effort. My friend Graham started ‘The Whistlestop Bistro’ on a whim, and it’s now a culinary destination within the growing DIY food scene.
The Beaches of Calgary - Glenmore Resevoir
When someone tells you that there are no beaches in Calgary, laugh. They are there, and we’re not talking tiny little spots of pebbles. As summer approaches, now is the time to acquaint yourself with the awesomeness that is the Glenmore Resevoir. Having fond memories of playing at the beach as a child, moving to Calgary seemed like a bummer - I figured the only way of getting my beach fix was to hop a jet to the BC coast.
Another fine indoor garden - Western Canadian Place
While looking for an indoor lunch retreat, I stumbled upon the Western Canadian Place, a building that happens to have a great indoor garden and lunch area. Attached to the Centennial Parkade via the Plus 15, this building has an abundance of art, plant life, and sunlight. The gardens are very well tended, and as you can see in the picture above the gardeners have added quite a bit of colour to the greenery.
Nose Hill Park - A Calgary Religious Experience
Nose Hill Park is the closest thing Calgary has to holy ground in the city. Like Mount Fuji for Tokyo, one can be in the busiest parts of the city, and with a quick glance to the hills be filled with instant serenity. Kept untouched through the years (save for the few bare power lines), it’s one of the largest urban parks in Canada, and holds a mystique that continues to this day.
Tomkins Park - The Cultural Crossroads of Calgary
The wind whistles through the Calgary night. Sitting on a bench sipping tea, one absorbs the majesty of the surroundings. The homeless shuffle by with their carts full of loot, the drunks stagger home, and the indie kids smoke joints while singing Death Cab for Cutie songs. Yes, it’s a night sitting on the bench at Tomkins Park. Don’t think of Tomkins Park as a bad place to relax: far from it.
A Spring Walk in Calgary Through Lindsay Park
Springtime is beaming in the parks of Calgary, and the gentle beauty of the Canadian West is once more radiating from the ground. Seeking fresh air and a retreat from the indoors, I wandered to Lindsay Park and had an excruciatingly pleasant afternoon. Lindsay Park is just off of Rouleauville Square, next to the Talisman Centre. It has several pathways winding through it, and some bridges with really great views. There’s also a picnic area that has a nice woodsy feel.
Nexen Building Gardens
With the indoor Devonian Gardens out of service indefinitely, you’ve probably been looking for a good garden to lunch in on the cold, dreary days. The Nexen Building is one d-spot that so far has been filling in the role quite nicely. There’s plenty of seating available, and a nice little koi pond in the center of the garden. The decor is relaxing, and since the garden is on the corner of the building it doesn’t have the busy feeling that other corporate gardens have.
Calgary (Still) Has Christmas Spirit
On a sojourn to the Glenmore Reservoir, I was struck by the holiday cheer that seems to have maintained its grip on the Mount Royal area. I took a few pictures on my walk of some particularly well-lit houses and trees. Snow crunching underneath my feet as my hands flirted with frostbite, it genuinely warmed my heart to see how much effort was put into decorating in this neighbourhood. It’s a nice change from the sterile apartment buildings in the downtown.