Archive for October, 2009

seriously heartbreaking… Today I picked up the Herald to check out the 2009 Reader’s Choice Awards, and after reading only a few of the category winners I had to put it down. If you too read it, you know exactly what I am talking about. It was the worst composition of “best’s” i have seen in a long time, so I decided to write a letter to the lady in charge.

Below is a copy of it for you to enjoy. I will let you know if I get a reply:

“Good evening Barb,

Hope this finds you well. Today I found time to read through the 2009 Readers Choice awards. I have to admit I was quite disheartened when I began to read through our great city’s picks for each category. This wasn’t because I felt others should have won, but that it was very irrelevant to what Calgary has to offer.

Having lived here my entire life, I have seen several great independents come and go, and some falling victim to the wide-spread franchise and box store phenomenon. This is why I strongly feel that the focus of such a prestigious annual event should focus more on local talent, rather than some idea that was bought and sold on the premise of following a schematic while paying a percentage for that idea.

As a local business owner myself, I find it increasingly frustrating to hear the consensus of Herald readers admitting they do not support small business. The only categories that saw a local business take the Gold were ones that fall into a category that has not yet been tapped by a franchise or corporate America.

In conclusion, my motivation for writing this is in hopes that next year you can use this seemingly great idea to help suggest to reader’s more appropriate selections to choose from. If I were new to Calgary and picked this up for some handy tip on what this wonderful city has to offer, I would be shocked to find Walmart, Tim Hortons, Cheesecake Café, Dairy Queen, Mcdonalds, Swiss Chalet, and Subway as the top picks in categories that obviously someone in town is doing a much better job of. I sincerely appreciate your time in reading this, and hope that you can agree that the best cup of Coffee, florist, or ice cream shop is not found with a global name on the front door.

Regards,

James Boettcher”

Nation Toys and Tees is gearing up for its latest exhibit, Wear, Wash, Repeat. The collaborative art show is the brainchild of Michael Mateyko and Hans Thiessen and together they form KOMBOH. The KOMBOH display demonstrates an artistic process that goes beyond canvas and involves medium-fit, 100% cotton t-shirts. Come check out these ready-to-wear art pieces when it launches November 5th, 2009. The exhibit runs until November 28th.

Nation Toys and Tees can be found on the lower level of Art Central (100 7th Avenue SW). For more info on Wear, Wash, Repeat, check out the Nation website.

Have you ever found yourself on an Amazing Race to find true love with a Bachelor/ette on The Hills or in The City? Or dreaming of the day you become more than an Apprentice for the (Project) Runway? Or have you been left wondering what is The Real World?

The blurring lines in reality  has been not only been affected by reality television but by Photoshopped images, social media and the numerous gadgets that allow us to update our lives instantaneously. The Glenbow Museum’s latest exhibit asks, “What’s real to you?”

In conjunction with their latest opening, Real Life: Ron Mueck and Guy Ben-Ner, the Glenbow is launching its 1-Minute Video Challenge. All aspiring filmmakers are encouraged to make a 1-minute video about the reality of their life, whatever that may be.

The grand prize includes a lunch for two with filmmaker Sandi Somers, a $300 gift card to The Camera Store and the winning video will be screened at The Plaza Theatre.

All videos can be submitted to www.youtube.com/theglenbowmuseum. For more information go to www.glenbow.org/videochallenge.

Photo credit: Guy Ben-Ner, Stealing Beauty, 2007, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.

Make it Calgary will be taking place at the Chinese Cultural Centre from November 6th to 8th. It’s a great chance to see Canadian artistsans & designers just in time for Christmas.

C.I.A. has ANOTHER 20 tickets to give away, so we are offering pairs to the first ten readers that send in an email to events@calgaryisawesome.com.

Aspen is a family services agency that has been serving NE communities in Calgary for over 25 years. On November 19th, 2009, the agency will be hosting a one-of-a-kind interactive evening to open dialogue on key issues surrounding poverty.

Guests will experience an interactive discussion circle led by one of Canada’s most engaging hosts, Jian Ghomeshi of CBC’s Q (You may remember him from his much-publicized radio interview with a very taciturn Billy Bob Thornton). The evening will be complimented by an address from Stephen Lewis, one of the world’s leading thinkers and activists in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The event will be held on November 19th, 2009 at 7PM at the Palomino Room in the BMO Centre (formerly the Roundup Centre) . Tickets are $200 each and you can find more information at www.aspenfullcircle2009.com.

CJSW 90.9FM is in the middle of their annual funding drive! All donations will receive a CJSW friends card with amazing discounts at over 100 local businesses all over the city- from The Coup, and Broken City to Casablanca Video and Sloth Records- the list is elaborate and the card worth every penny! Click HERE for a full listing of businesses offering discounts and support to CJSW and friends. Along with the card, they have a great line up of swag for different pledge denominations. A real treat to add to your t-shirt collection, or great gift idea’s with Christmas sneaking up on us.

Click HERE to donate online, call 403-220-5000 to donate over the phone or stop by their office during office hours to donate in person.

Photo: Necopunch (Panda & Umi’s shared account)
Representing: Fall colurs at Prince’s Island Park
http://www.flickr.com/photos/necopunch/
http://ky.necopunch.net/

Submit to our flickr pool for your chance to be featured on POTW!

Winter is on the way. For all you skier and snowboarders we are getting excited. For all you die hards you already know that COP is open and ready to shred. The mountains are getting hammered with all that white stuff so soon they will be ready to attack. I have made a list here of the opening days for the hills hat are around us.
Nakiska November 7th, Sunshine November 11th, Fernie December 5th, Kimberley December 19th
Of course there are a lot of other resorts around us but these are just the ones that have their sites updated. Make sure to check the site out later for updates about the other hills and events to come.

Chow Down in Cowtown is an (almost!) weekly account of Calgary’s most awesome eats from Ceci n’est pas un food blog.

I didn’t eat these. Seriously.

Most people, after finding out that they ate 2,000 calories (the amount that an average person needs in one day) and 7,000 mg of sodium (almost 3x the recommended daily upper limit) in one sitting, would probably take it easy with their diet the rest of the week, maybe squeeze in a few more workouts… Me? I skipped tap class this week to go for burgers.
Read more

The inaugural Calgary Arab Film Festival (CAFF) begins tonight at the Uptown Stage & Screen. The festival runs from October 23rd -25th, 2009, and was created to entertain and enlighten Calgarians about the beauty and diversity of the Arab world.

To launch the festival, CAFF will be holding VIP opening night Sahra at the Marquee Room preceding the feature opening film. Live Arab musical performances and delicious Arab food will all be a part of the evening.

For more information on the festival, visit CAFF’s website:  http://www.calgaryarabfilm.org/