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Turns out we're not the only ones dealing with mosquitoes this summer. We asked how badly they've been bothering you, and readers were split pretty evenly between the occasional bite and constant swatting. A few noted their reactions have felt worse than usual this year — more swelling, more redness, more itch — while location made a big difference too, with those near creeks and green spaces reporting the toughest go of it. If you've been hiding indoors to avoid them, you're definitely not alone.

👀 In today's edition:

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☀️Today: High 30C, Low 12C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

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The Olympic Oval in Calgary is getting a much-needed refresh, with Ottawa and the Alberta government each covering half of a $52 million investment, The Canadian Press reports. The facility, built for the 1988 Winter Olympics and located on the University of Calgary campus, has spent nearly 40 years doubling as a training base for national speedskaters and a hub for university and community athletics.

The upgrade comes as the rink's ice-making system is on its last legs — leaking brine from worn-out piping beneath the floor has made the current setup unreliable.

The federal government also used the announcement to unveil two other investments: $7.67 million for ski and snowboard facilities spread across Quebec, Yukon, Alberta, and B.C., and an extra $3 million for the Athletic Assistance Program, which helps cover living costs for Canada's top athletes through monthly payments.

💰 A new analysis shows pay bands for Calgary's senior city positions, including the Chief Operating Officer and director-level roles, jumped significantly for 2026. City officials say the changes reflect updated salary ranges, not automatic raises for current employees.

🚂 CPKC's railway police say a man was seen "joyriding" on a train car before it derailed in southwest Calgary earlier this month, and has since been charged with mischief and other offences. The Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate.

🏄 A man is in critical condition after a paddleboard he was sharing with his 11-year-old son struck a bridge abutment on the Bow River Thursday. The child was pulled to shore safely.

🤸 Trampolines sent more than 2,000 Alberta kids and teens to the ER last year alone, with doctors citing fractures, dislocations, and even skull injuries. Experts recommend nets, one jumper at a time, and close adult supervision.

🛢️ A new report from TD Economics says a proposed Alberta-to-B.C. pipeline would boost the province's GDP, though likely by less than government estimates suggest. Alberta has applied to have the project fast-tracked as being in the national interest.

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A new five-day songwriting residency is coming to downtown Calgary this September, and the public will get to hear what comes out of it. Element Calgary Downtown is partnering with Blue Jay Sessions, the CCMA Award-nominated songwriters' series founded in Calgary in 2019, to launch "Composition: A Songwriters' Retreat," which wraps up with a free public showcase on September 3.

The residency will bring together one Alberta-based songwriter, three visiting artists from across the country, and additional local musicians. They'll spend five days living and writing together in Element's Studio Commons, a suite of four connected hotel rooms built around a shared central living space. Then, on September 3, they'll perform the songs they wrote that week at Bow & Bend, the hotel's rooftop bar and lounge.

"We're looking forward to this new evolution of Blue Jay Sessions and couldn't think of a better space than Element Calgary Downtown to bring a residency like this to life," said Blue Jay Sessions founder Dan Clapson. "Giving independent Canadian artists both a platform to shine and a place to hone their songwriting craft is more important than ever."

Tim Ostrem, general manager of Element Calgary Downtown, said the partnership fits the hotel's goal of creating experiences that bring people together. "This partnership allows us to support Canadian artists while offering our guests and Calgarians alike the chance to connect to the music and the community we're building here," he said.

Organizers see the residency as the start of an ongoing seasonal series, with future editions expected to bring in new lineups of Canadian artists throughout the year. Independent Canadian singer-songwriters interested in taking part can apply at thebluejaysessions.com, with applications due by 5 p.m. MT on July 30.

🍴 The Nash: Housed in a converted historic hotel in Inglewood, this restaurant and its Off Cut Bar serve a seasonally rotating menu built around locally sourced ingredients, backed by a strong focus on warm, attentive service.

🍴 One18 Empire: This downtown whiskey bar inside the Calgary Marriott shifts gears on weekends for brunch, serving dishes like lemon ricotta pancakes and espresso-rubbed brisket eggs Benedict. Brunch runs Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Have a food or drink suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

🎟️ Calgary International Blues Festival: The Confluence hosts three decades' worth of blues tradition from July 30 to August 2, bringing top blues acts to the city as part of Calgary's summer festival lineup.

🎟️ Taste of Calgary: This annual food festival returns July 30 to August 3, with local restaurants, drinks, live music, and artisan vendors. Admission is free; food and drinks are sold by ticket.

Have an event suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

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