An Urban Hike for the Uptown Appetite

(I admit, it's been a while... )

Here is a fun and awesome opportunity from The Cookbook Co.

If Super Train wasn't already going on, I would be doing this 100%

Saturday April 20, 11 am-5 pm

An Urban Hike for the Uptown Appetite

Karen Anderson, owner of Calgary Food Tours

Special Event, $135

Spend a Saturday afternoon strolling and tasting your way through the cutting edge food of Calgary's trendiest neighbourhoods.

Meet at The Cookbook Co. Cooks to learn about fine ingredients that elevate your cooking with tastings of olive oils and salts.
 

This will be followed by a private wine-tasting at Metrovino, goody bags from Brûlée Patisserie, coconut cupcakes at Decadent Desserts, an epiphany about chocolate at Epiphanie Chocolates, a cheese-tasting at Janice Beaton Fine Cheese, pizza and wine at CIBO, Vieniosserie at Itza Bakeshop, a sample of green groceries at Old School Emporium, a glorious salad and wine pairing at Brava Bistro, a bison and elk charcuterie platter at CRMR at Home. The tour concludes with paella, wine and churros at Ox and Angela, not to mention a renewed appreciation for Uptown Calgary's culinary community.

Bring your appetite and your backpack and wear comfy shoes!

 

For complete class calendar and a list of the special events that are happening at The Cookbook Co., Visit the website for details.

 

 

Choose Yer Own Festival 2012

guerrilla marching band with homemade instruments 2011

I have a few things I look forward too every year...

Stuart McLean Christmas Concert
Folk Festival
Free Pancake Breakfasts
Any time Feist comes to Calgary

AND..

Choose Yer Own Festival (!!) I've posted about it a few times in the last few years.

Happening August 31st - September 2nd 2012

What is fantastic about this festival is you can do anything. It's like a weekend to be, do, create whatever you desire. Some of the things done last year were:


Insomniac’s Art Party
Stay up making art all night with Bogdan, who believes that insomnia and art go together like dogs and bones. Whatever state your skill is in and whatever form it takes, come spend the night making art, watching movies and cooking food, in an attempt to focus on the relationship between insomnia and art.
Duct Tape Duels
Make your own padded sword and wage war against friend and foe to the sounds of pummeling drums.

Pajama Making Workshop
Skipped out on Home Ec.? Interested in dinosaur-print flannel loungewear? Learn the art of pajama-making from a mother of four.

Jurassic Park: The Ride
Universal Studios comes North! Follow a tour guide through the Jurrasic Park of your dreams. Raptor shooting range, full-sized inflatable garbage bag dinos, suspense and mystery… it will be the best!!! Bring your bikes or something to roll on.

and that's only a few of the creative and fantastic things to expect. Each year is different and it reminds us to love the city we live in, the people we know and don't know yet and just to play as long as you can.


NOTE: I haven't seen a schedule for this yet so check back at Choose Yer Own Festival often for the publication of it and subscribe to their blog. Enjoy! xxoo

Watch The Perseids Meteor Shower This Weekend

Every year around this time, the Earth is pelted with fiery stones from the frigid depths of outer space. Instead of as being as terrifying as that concept has every right to be, it is beautiful and awe-inspiring. For skywatchers, this year’s Perseid meteor shower should be a particular treat, with Jupiter and Venus getting in on the action as well.

ProTips on how to view the coolest light show of the year and a video from the smart folks at NASA, who when they are not sending robots to perfect 10 landings on another planet, are apparently getting other people to do their more menial tasks — like counting meteors — for them. Nice work if you can get it, right?

Get Out of Dodge: If you can afford to take a little late-night trip and, yes, lose a little sleep, getting away from city lights is going to make the Perseids a much more enjoyable show. Escaping light pollution will make for a lot more visible meteors. I didn't see anything particular set up at the observatory SW of the city but it might be worth while checking it out anyway.

Sunday Funday: This Sunday, August 12th will mark the height of the show, which goes on every year when the Earth passes near the comet Swift-Tuttle.

Coffee. Also, More Coffee: Though you can catch a glimpse of the meteors pretty much anytime after 10 or 11 pm, the best viewing is going to be in the early morning hours, just before dawn. So be prepared to either get up real early, or stay up real late. Hot coco is also nice or some kind of tea. Just something warm to put in your tummy and don't forget some comfy blankets to lay out on. This is one thing that is best enjoyed on your back.

Look to the East. Also, A Little North: The majority of the evening’s shooting stars will seem to radiate from the constellation Perseus. For those of you who (like me)  have no idea where to begin looking for that cluster of stars, it is to the northeast. For those of you who (again, like me) have no idea what direction northeast is, your phone probably has a compass that will come in handy.

For more tips, we turn you over to the capable hands and dulcet tones of the professionals at NASA. While you’re watching, the space agency would appreciate if you could count meteors for them to help determine the trajectory of Swift-Tuttle. They’ve even cooked up a smartphone app to make it easy for you — at that point, it’s kind of rude not to lend a hand, right? Right.

and for a special treat, watch this video!

and then check out this month's Star Chart from the TELUS Spark Science Centre.

(via Space.com, pic via Logan Brumm)

Trail Reports for Hiking in Alberta

One of my favorite things to do as a nature geek is go hiking. I'm lucky enough to have a family cabin on a lot of land south west of the city so for basic day hikes, I can go there.

When most of the snow melts and spring starts to pop her pretty little head up, I like to take things a little further west to the mountains.

But living where we do, the conditions can be unpredictable and unstable. It's not uncommon to go through all the seasons in a few hour trek up a ridge.

Usually, the best way to avoid this is by watching the weather and calling the visitor centres of the different areas you wish to hike in.

Until I found a page on Alberta Parks that had a recent trail condition review:

Trail Reports for both Summer Winter Trails

so take a gander before you head out this long weekend and make sure you are prepared for everything you can be.

Calgary Jane’s Walk 2012

Brought to my attention by the always informative and quickly becoming one of my favorite people in the social networking world, Mr YYC wrote a post about Jane's Walk in Calgary for 2012.


Here are a few of my favorite walks as posted by Mr. YYC:

Chinatown Tour

Guided by Jing Grace Wang

Want to know more about Chinese culture but never got a chance to visit China? Chinatown tour will be the best choice for you! Chinatown is a small reflection of China embedded in brilliant culture and exuberant history. We have murals that are painted to fight the graffiti in Chinatown, and in turn shares stories of how the Chinese started its roots in Calgary. The 100-year old Canton building, “dinning block” that serves tons of amazing traditional Chinese food, The Chinese Cultural Centre that holds lots of great Chinese events, Sien Lok Park that is always promoting Chinese language, philosophies and culture, and The Dragon City Mall that runs different business related to Chinese culture, these are all fantastic places you don’t want to miss!

 

 

Unique Food Shoppes of the Beltline

Guided by Paul Chambers

Don’t know where to get that unusual ingredient or favourite treat? The Beltline has a food store for that!

We’ll spend two hours exploring the diverse range of specialty food and grocery stores in the Beltline, all within walking distance of each other. We’ll meet the passionate owners and staff who contribute to the Beltline’s unique gastronomic culture. We’ll learn the history of the stores, where they source their products and even get some tips for cooking your dinner!

We’ll be visiting Community Natural Foods, Epiphany Chocolate, Kalamata Grocery (Greek), Matrioshka Grocery (Russian), Boyd’s Lobster Shop, Rustic Sourdough Bakery, Janice Beaton Fine Cheese & Wine Ink.

[I have writen about Epiphany Chocolate before]

 

 

The Calgary That Could Have Been

Guided by Jason Markusoff

In a city with a mythology of risk-takers, dusty shelves are full of proposals and blueprints that promised a very different-looking Calgary. This walk starts at the Prince’s Island Museum that never existed, retraces the path of the expressway that almost flattened Eau Claire and Chinatown, and ends near the canal that didn’t dissect East Village. We’ll ponder how these alternative realities would have transformed our city.

[This walk reminds me of a post I did in 2009]

For further details check out the inspiration for this post Mr. YYC's post on Jane's Walk

Or Check the Jane's Walk site for info on all the tours.

 

"This is My City" Photo Walking Tour

 

 

This is My City: Photo Walking Tour

 

March 24th, April 21st — 11:00am to 1:00pm

Meet in front of City Hall, Macleod Trail SE

Cost: Pay what you can
 

Bring your camera and join artist Cat Schick and a photographer who has experience of homelessness on a walk through downtown areas that are off the beaten path. See the city from a new perspective and receive guidance on how to capture it in pictures.

Part of This is My City Festival on through May 3.

**

This is My City was a project initiated by The City of Calgary, Arts & Culture, which provided Calgary’s homeless community with increased opportunities for creative expression and engaged Calgarians in a dialogue about the issues surrounding homelessness and the place of art and culture in society today. The City of Calgary, Arts & Culture, has worked extensively with This is My City, (TMC) which is now a not-for-profit society that picks up where the original program left off. Many members of the artist-mentor team combined their talents and vision to take TMC to the next step through the creation of This Is My City Art Society, so that it might continue to grow and share this work with all Calgarians.

Bee's Knees

 

 

Kirk Anderson: Hive Mentality

Mar 16, 2012

Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association
1418 7 Ave. N.W.
Calgary, Alberta

backyardbees.ca

The president and founder of Backwards Beekeepers shares stories about natural beekeeping and community development in the buzzing metropolis of Los Angeles.

7 p.m.

Tickets $10 each or PWYC, available at backyardbees.ca or at the door.

Ice Magic Festival

photo credits

Now two weekends. Twice the magic!

January 20 - 29, 2012

Now in its 18th year, this Banff National Park classic is more popular than ever. Experience Lake Louise at its winter finest during the Ice Magic Festival. Centerpiece to SnowDays, a new month-long celebration of winter in Banff National Park.

January 20 - 22, International Ice Carving Competition Weekend
Hosted by The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise,  this 34- hour competition is the most anticipated spectacle of the Festival. 24 internationally recognized professional ice carvers work in teams of two to sculpt towering one-of-a-kind works of art from imposing blocks of solid ice on the shores of Lake Louise.  With each ice block weighing a daunting 300lbs, this exceptional art form involves grueling physical labour in a delicate balancing act with precision artistry.

This years carving theme is "WordPlay: Where language comes out to play".

In addition to the International Ice Carving Competition this weekend also hosts the One Carver, One Hour, One Block speed carving event at the Lake Louise Inn, interpretive ice carving demonstrations by Ice Magic's Lead Judge Dan Rebholtz, an Ice Magic Judges Carve-Off at the Lake Louise Ski Area, horse drawn wagon rides, ice skating on Lake Louise beneath the towering gaze of the Victoria Glacier and much more that will particularly appeal to adult visitors.

January 28 & 29, Little Chippers Weekend
Join us as we celebrate the young and young at heart. Not only can you marvel at the finished ice carvings from the previous competition weekend, this weekend is filled with activities and experiences that are focused on family fun. 

The "NEW" Ice Playground is where your kids - and you - can learn the art and science of ice carving first-hand, play ice mini golf, crawl through an ice tunnel and cruise down an ice slide. You can skate with the Ice Queen on Lake Louise, witness the 10-block ice carving event and spend time in the Cozy Corner Kids Indoor Activity Centre.  All kids activities are free!

...

Visit the site for more info

Thing to do in Calgary this Fall

Whiskey Tasting at Kensington Wine Market
We love our wine tastings, but this fall, it’s all about whiskey. Check out the Kensington Wine Market’s tasting nights, focusing on rare whiskies that have been aged for more than 20 years from closed distilleries. You might discover a new old-school favorite.

Kensington Wine Market; 1257 Kensington Rd. N.W.; 403-283-8000

Heritage Park Historical Village
It’s your last change to enjoy the Historical Village as it closes for the season following Thanksgiving. Go back in time with costumed townsfolk and a collection of impressive antiques and artifacts.

Heritage Park Historical Village; 1900 Heritage Drive S.W.; 403- 268-8500

Calgary Collects
Fall means new shows in all of the city’s galleries – and until the end of the year, The Art Gallery of Calgary will be displaying rarely seen works of contemporary art acquired by avid Calgary collectors. Time to get gallery-hopping.
The Art Gallery of Calgary; 117, 8 Ave. S.W; 403-770-1350

Cooking Classes at The Cookbook Co. CooksCool weather calls for hearty, home-cooked meals. For some culinary inspiration, take a class or two at the famous downtown kitchen. Choose from a variety of options including couples nights, a class on how to cook with squash or the best of Moroccan meals (from $85). The Cookbook Co. Cooks; 722 11 Ave. S.W.; 403-262-3322

Autumn Birding Course at Fish Creek ParkNature enthusiasts rejoice: Alberta is the best for birding (a.k.a. bird watching). Get out and be one with nature (and the birds) this fall by taking weekly two-and-a-half-hour sessions, which include plenty of field trips. Fish Creek Provincial Park; 15975 Bow Bottom Trail S.E.; 403-238-3847

Karma Yoga at Heavens

Be an angel with Heavens!

August 14th at 12:00pm
The Heavens parking lot (637 11th Ave SW. Calgary AB).

Grab your wings and head on down to Heavens Elevated Fitness to enjoy a 75 minute yoga class. Your $2 admission will be donated to Feed-a-Need. DJ Wes Straub will be there along with the lululemon and Heavens crew. Also, bring your cans and bottles because the Feed-a-Need delivery trucks won't drive themselves! Don't worry about the weather, if it's raining we'll just head inside to Heavens studios!

Bowness Park

First of all, I have a confession. I haven't been writing over here as often as I should.

A) I've been busy.

B) I've been busy.

C) I've been lazy.

D) I've been writing over here more.

Basically, all that we really missed is I went to Folk Fest and I don't feel like writing all about that. It's too crazy and too much and the food was amazing and everyone should just go. Always. It's a must.

Yesterday I went to Bowness Park. I think it was my first time-- maybe. Anyway, I pretended it was. I've been aching to go there for about a year now and being that I am careless and I tend to date boys who prefer to stay indoors (my goal is to stop that because it's not working out for me)... I just haven't had a chance.

So my friend CW and I headed over there after a tasty brunch (I'll talk about that LATER) and went for a walk. Upon arriving I noticed that there were lagoons filled with family's in canoes and lovers in paddle boats. It was adorable.

Rental rates:

• Canoe: $15/hour
• Pedal boat: $20/half hour, $30/hr
• valid photo i.d. and $20 deposit required on all rentals
• half hour rentals only on busy weekends

When walking along the paths you shouldn't be surprised to cross a set of railroad tracks. Apparently, there is a mini train that chugs it's way around the park. It wasn't running when I was there but I want to go back to see it.

Miniature train:

Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend (closed during winter season):

• 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• 7 days/week
• Train runs every 30 minutes
• Cost: $3/person - 2 years and older, under 2 free

Bowness Park isn't like any other park in the city (that I am aware of), it is very people friendly. Regardless of who you are, as long as you are not allergic to air you'll find something to do. They have two places in which you can obtain things to fill your belly with.

Coffee shop:

Summer Hours: Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 7 days/week

Winter Hours: December to end of skating season (Closed from Thanksgiving to early December to prepare for the winter skating season) and first weekend in April to Victoria Day:

• 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• 7 days/week

Ice cream shop:

Easter weekend to Thanksgiving weekend (closed during winter season):

• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• 7 days/week

I had a cookie from the Coffee Shop (classic chocolate chip, it was tasty!) and CW has a coffee. The pie looked amazing and they had a nice selection of posh looking loose tea. Much like what you might find venturing out to one of the tea houses in the city.

From the Ice Cream shop I picked up a Chocolate Milkshake, it was good. Basic little Ice Cream shop with other greasy treats... They have traditional junk food down pat!

In the winter time it sounds like they have a whole other situation on the go. Ice Skating.  You can bring your own or rent them if you like. How exciting is that! Nothing says romantic like an outdoor ice skate with the one you love.

Skate rentals:

Open during skating season only (typically mid December - mid March):

• 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• 7 days/week

Rates:

• $5/pair (size 1 and smaller), no time limit
• $8/pair (size 2 and up), no time limit
• half price rentals from 5 - 6 p.m.
• skate sharpening - $7/pair
• stabilization bars - $8/each, no time limit
• valid photo i.d. is required for all rentals

A side from that, the park offers lots to do. Stoles, picture ops, BBQ areas with those outdoor grills that you can toast your hot dogs on. It's the ideal place for families, children, couples and even by your lonesome. During the summer they have yoga by the water. How wonderful is that?

If you haven't been, you must go. It's a nice way to enjoy the outdoors without driving too far and getting too dirty.

ON EDIT: The park is currently under-going some major changes. Here is what they currently have planned...
Bowness Park Redevelopment



City of Calgary Bowness Park info
Picture borrowed from Google Images

Wall Climbing Calgary

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a little mountain goat that can easily jump from rock to rock and climb up anything you put in front of me. All while wearing a dress. This is why I am starting to consider wall climbing. For fun. I don't have anyone to do it with but I don't think that's an issue. The people at Stronghold Calgary should make it easy for me.

They have a 2 hour registered adult beginners course and then after that different levels of lessons are available if you wish. You can rent all the gear you require and they have a large selection of walls and courses to try so you never get bored. One of the reason why I like this particular place is because it's close to downtown and it's near where I get my hair done (plus Peters Drive Inn which has some of the best milkshakes in this city!). I don't have a car a prefer to walk everywhere so this place is within my walking radius.

I think it's a great way to keep yourself toned and active plus way more interesting in then the gym. Not that I have anything against the gym... okay... I kind of do. The gym and I are not meant to be together but that's a whole other post.

Kayaking in Glenmore

Tonight I'm taking the Kayak out to the reservoir in Calgary. It's probably the closest thing you can get to an ocean in these here neck of the woods. With a boat launch coming out of South Glenmore park, it couldn't be easier and it couldn't be better.

Being that I already have my own boat, there is an inexpensive way to spend my evening and with Glenmore Landing and Oak Bay Plaza just blocks away, it's easy to make it a social event by eating at one of the restaurants around. It's even nice enough to pack a picnic and watch the birds as long as you remember to pack a little mosquito repellent.

If you don't have a boat you can rent one from The Canoe Club

For more information on Water Sports check out Savvy Mom which has some good links

Nice, peaceful way to end the work day if you ask me!

Picture Credits