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Last week we asked whether you'd been to a Calgary Wild FC game — and the answer was overwhelmingly “not my thing.” A few readers cited cost and location as barriers, and one reader called out the "drama king" delays on the pitch — an interesting choice of words for Calgary's professional women's team. With the team's new majority owner in the news last week, maybe it's time to give them a chance.

👀 In today's edition:

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☀ Today: High 18C, Low 8C. 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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Alberta is making a significant push into Canada's growing defence industry, with both provincial and federal governments committing major funding to help Alberta companies develop and bring defence technologies to market.

On the provincial side, the Alberta government is investing $21 million to launch DEFENDS — the Dual-Use Ecosystem for Future Engineering, National Defence and Sovereignty — a program led by the University of Alberta that will connect Alberta companies, universities, and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The goal is to help Alberta businesses, many of which already make advanced products for energy, environmental monitoring, and construction, adapt and certify those same technologies for defence use. Three new secure facilities will also be built through the initiative to test advanced manufacturing components, develop microchips and communication systems, and evaluate radar and wireless technologies.

The $21 million is part of a broader $127 million, 10-year initiative. For every dollar Alberta invests, approximately $6 in partner funding follows. Over 10 years, DEFENDS is projected to support more than 8,000 jobs, more than 200 Alberta companies, and generate more than $7 billion in GDP growth.

Earlier this month, the federal government announced its own investment in Alberta's defence sector, committing more than $9.3 million in repayable funding through the Regional Defence Investment Initiative to six Alberta-based small and medium-sized businesses. Five of the six are Calgary-based.

The largest single investment — $3 million — went to Canadian UAVs for a deployable drone platform designed for long-endurance reconnaissance operations. VizworX received $2 million to commercialize its Virtual Reality-based Command and Control solution for the Canadian Armed Forces and NATO allies, and Microlynx Systems received $2 million to improve radar amplifiers supporting Arctic domain awareness and NORAD modernization.

Alberta is already home to Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, 4 Wing Cold Lake, and Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield, making it one of Canada's most strategically positioned provinces for defence innovation.

🚨 A Calgary high school volunteer coach has been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation after allegedly grooming and abusing a then-15-year-old student over nearly two years. Drew Alan Robertson, 50, will appear in court Wednesday.

🏫 Alberta's substitute teacher shortage has reached a critical point, with roughly 200 teaching jobs going unfilled daily in Calgary's public school system. In April, 20 per cent of substitute positions went unfilled, up from 16 per cent last year.

🛴 Free 10-minute e-bike and e-scooter trips are now available to and from eight Calgary Transit LRT stations through a new partnership with Bird Canada and Neuron Mobility.

🏔️ University of Calgary students recently measured snowpack in Kananaskis, finding above-normal levels upstream of Calgary. Researchers say water supply looks strong for 2026, though long-term variability remains a concern.

🛷 Calgary's Dennis Marineau has been named head coach of Canada's national bobsled team. The 63-year-old competed for Canada at the 1992 Olympics and has spent three decades coaching Canadian and American sliders.

🧑‍🍳 Tasty, Low Salt Cooking (Dips & Sauces) June 3 - Learn how to cook delicious meals with less salt (Free ONLINE class from Registered Dieticians).

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Few summer concerts in Calgary have the staying power of the Oxford STOMP, and this year's 36th edition at Prince's Island Park on Friday, July 10 is shaping up to be one of the best yet.

Headlining the evening are the Arkells, one of Canada's most celebrated modern rock bands, known for delivering what the band themselves describe as the soundtrack to the greatest night of your life. Joining them are Grammy Award-winning American rock band Portugal. The Man, and Los Angeles-based indie pop trio Cannons, whose sun-soaked, 80s-infused electronic sound and nostalgic vocals have earned them a devoted following. Canadian blues rock duo The Blue Stones kick off the night.

The Oxford STOMP has a track record of bringing marquee talent to Prince's Island Park — last year's edition featured Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Sheryl Crow alongside the Sheepdogs, Dear Rouge, and Hotel Mira.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Calgary Food Bank, and the legendary after-party with free entry for concert-goers returns at Wildhorse Saloon.

🍴 Holy Grill: A fast-casual spot built on bold brunch, paninis, burgers, and fries, Holy Grill prides itself on being the kind of neighbourhood restaurant people recommend, revisit, and remember. Multiple locations across Calgary.

🍴 Deane House: One of Calgary's most thoughtfully run restaurants, Deane House sources directly from local growers, farmers, and ranchers, grows its own herbs, greens, and edible flowers on-site, and runs entirely on green energy. The kind of place where the food tastes as good as the ethos feels.

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

🎟️ Serbian Festival at St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church: The Calgary and Foothills County Serbian community is hosting a free two-day cultural festival on May 23 and 24, featuring multicultural folk dancing performances, authentic Serbian food, cultural exhibits, and sports. Free admission.

🎟️ Little Wonders Festival at Werklund Centre: A magical arts and storytelling festival designed for little ones aged 1-6, running May 22-24 at the Arts Learning Centre. Families can expect hands-on art activities, interactive storytelling, and playful exploration, all developed in collaboration with the University of Calgary's School of Creative and Performing Arts.

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

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We’ll see you back here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time, same place!