Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Feb. 1

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Good morning !

It’s day one of February’s YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, with more than 100 vendors putting their own spin on hot chocolate while raising money for charity. Calgarians are encouraged to download the app to track and rate their favourite hot chocolates along the way. Last year’s winners included Master Chocolat with the top rated hot chocolate and Hexagon Café with the best selling. See our community spotlight section for the drinks we are most excited for. Happy Hot Chocolating!

Krista Sylvester, Managing Editor

👀 In today's edition:

• Flames player charged as team comes under fire

• Council votes to repeal controversial single use bylaw

• Check out these tasty hot chocolates during festival

Today’s read time: Approx. 4 minutes

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WORTH KNOWING

⛅ Today: High 8C, Low -1C. See the 7-day forecast.

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

The Flames say they “had no knowledge of pending charges” at the time of player’s leave

“We have now become aware of the charge of sexual assault that has been laid against Dillon Dube” says the Flames statement this week regarding charges against the player. The team is coming under fire for granting mental health leave last week. Now, Dube has been charged by London police.

According to Daily Faceoff, reps for Dube released a statement that the forward will plead not guilty and defend the allegations in court. The team had just granted the player an indefinite leave of absence from the team “while he attends to his mental health.”

Associated Press is reporting more about the case itself, which has some disturbing details when it comes to Hockey Canada’s role in the investigation. A woman sued Hockey Canada in 2022, alleging she was sexually assaulted by eight members of Canada’s world junior team in 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, and then an investigation revealed the organization had two secret slush funds to pay out settlements on claims of sexual assault and abuse.

Dube and four other players from the 2018 Team Canada junior hockey team are facing charges.

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Need to know

🥤 'It's a pain in the butt': Calgary councillors vote to repeal single-use items bylaw. But it’s not in effect… yet.

🏥 A couple of podiatric surgeons are sounding the alarm about a concerning change at the hospital they say is spurred by the city's housing crisis.

🥫 Self-guided tours, eclectic experiences and new dishes: Calgary startup reinvents food tours.

💸 Calgary city council rejects controversial tax cut proposal as votes are almost split.

🪧 Alberta proposes parental consent for name changes in schools, age limits on gender affirmation care.

🔥 Low snowpack and warm temperatures raise concerns about the continued Alberta drought.

⚖️ Serial sexual assault suspect Richard Mantha fires his lawyers midtrial in a surprise move.

🎒 Sign up for Calgary’s Child Magazine’s free weekly newsletter, which is packed with family-friendly activities, local events, excursions, and giveaways.

Here are five (plus two spirited) YYC Hot Chocolate Fest “must try” drinks according to us!

My sister and I make it an annual tradition to take part in the YYC Hot Chocolate Festival every February, so I thought I would share some of the spots we are excited to check out over the next four weeks. Our picks are below and check out the slate of options here.

Tiramisu Hot Chocolate by Alforno Bakery located at 1327 1st St. SW

Liquid Oreo by Bike and Brew located at 921 - 1 Ave. NE

Salty Tokyo Cocoa from Odyssey located at NN120 Senator Burns SAIT Main campus 1301 16 Ave. NW

The John Wick by Choklat located at 3601B 21 St. NE

 The 64' Maple Sea Salt Hot Chocolate by Heritage Park Historical Village located at 1900 Heritage Dr. SW

Elvis' Shake, Rattle & Roll HC (spirited) by Boogie’s Burgers located at 1 - 908 Edmonton Trail NE and 2129 33rd Ave. SW

The Nut House (spirited) by Peanuts Public House located at 9030 Macleod Trail South

Where to eat and drink

🍴 National on 10th: This beloved hot spot is open again and unveiling its shimmering new look, updated menu, and new features and offerings. You’ll have to see the new look and feel for yourself!

🍴 GoodFood meal kit: This Canadian meal-kit company teamed up with Bumble to create third date meal kits for lovebirds to order by Feb. 7 to receive in time for Valentine’s Day.

🍴 TOUS les JOURS: A French-Asian bakery café chain offering more than 300 artisan pastries, gourmet cakes and desserts baked in-store daily has a location in Calgary on Sarcee Trail and you need to try it!

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

Local specials

💸 Mount Engadine Lodge's Cross Country Ski Rental Program: For a daily rate of $30, guests can rent a complete set of equipment on a first come, first serve basis from a fleet of 25 sets of cross country skis, boots, and poles.

💸 Plaza Theatre: Students and seniors can enjoy discounted tickets at the Plaza Theatre in Kensington with students paying $9.99 and seniors paying $6.99.

💸 Hayden Block: What is better than fine smoked-meats? Half-price meats of course, every day after 10pm. What a deal!

Have a promo suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ Nitrocross: Due to warm weather, this weekend’s Nitrocross events at GMC Stadium are switched to Sunday Feb. 4 only with a full slate of exhilarating track action.

🎟️ Wakefield Brewster Presents, Pt. 2: Calgary Poet Laureate Wakefield Brewster leads a diverse lineup of genre-defying Black artists for Black History Month on Feb. 9 and 10.

🎟️ The Inglewood BIA presents Snow Eater: On Feb. 3 and 10 from 2pm to 8pm, Inglewood is embracing winter and celebrating the outdoors with DJs, live music, dancing, and more as part of Chinook Blast.

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

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We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, same time, same place!