Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Jan. 23

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Good morning !

There's going to be a lot more Olivias and Noahs walking around Alberta in the future. The province released its annual most popular baby names list for 2024 and Olivia was the most popular name for girls for the 12th year in a row, while Noah topped the boys list for a sixth straight year. Oliver, Liam, Theodore, Henry, William, Ethan, Leo, Levi, Jack, and Lucas rounded out the top boy names while Charlotte, Amelia, Sophia, Emma, Ava, Harper, Sophie, and Ellie were the other most popular girl names.

👀 In today's edition:

• Calgary outpaces its peers in top 5 cities for filmmakers

• U of C prof warns about AI dangers

• Teacher charged with sex offences

• Outdoor skating rinks to check out this winter

Get your story told! Promote your business, event, or restaurant in front of 34,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

WORTH KNOWING

⛅️ Today: High 3C, Low -6C. See the 7-day forecast.

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

QUICK POLL

Calgary makes MovieMaker Magazine’s top 5 list for best North American city to live and make movies in

Calgary has claimed fifth place on MovieMaker Magazine’s 2025 list of the Best Places to Live and Work as a Filmmaker in North America. It’s the city’s fifth consecutive year in the rankings and first appearance in the top five. Calgary was second among Canadian cities on the list, only behind Toronto, and finished ahead of Vancouver in ninth.

Calgary Economic Development says the city’s unique combination of diverse filming locations, world-class infrastructure, and a supportive business environment has contributed to its growing reputation as a top filmmaking destination.

"Calgary's continued rise on this prestigious list is a result of our commitment to fostering a creative economy that supports filmmakers and productions of every scale,” says Luke Azevedo, Calgary film commissioner and VP of creative industries at Calgary Economic Development.

“From our unparalleled landscapes to our globally competitive incentives, we’ve cultivated an ecosystem that empowers local and international productions alike. This recognition is a nod to the collaboration between industry partners, government and Calgary’s vibrant creative community.”

MovieMaker bases its annual ranking on criteria including financial incentives, cost of living, feedback from filmmakers, overall happiness and personal visits from their editorial team. Calgary’s top-tier performance is attributed to its friendly business environment, diverse filming locations, award-winning crews and world-class infrastructure.

"Calgary is very welcoming toward filmmakers — even those looking to move there permanently," MovieMaker Magazine's description of Calgary read. "And its many attractions include a lovely and modern downtown that gives way to stunning natural beauty nearby, from prairies to badlands to the Rockies.”

Read the full MovieMaker article here.

Related Story

Need to know

👮 RCMP charge Calgary-area high school teacher with child luring, sexual exploitation.

🏗️ New program aims to tackle substance use in the local construction industry.

🚧 Calgary construction companies ordered to pay thousands in fines for incident that left man with life-changing injuries.

💻️ University of Calgary tech expert cautions about embracing Al, warns more regulation needed.

❤️ The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is hoping it'll have a bundle of joy to celebrate this summer as its four-year-old female Malayan tapir named "Sempurna" is expecting.

🥡 Many restaurants close when they can't afford to stay open, but that's not so with Wonton King. It's going out on a high note.

🎒 A new policy for school enrolment could mean your child’s designated school could change, even if they live across the street.

⛸️ Built for the 1988 Winter Games in Calgary, the Olympic Oval was meant to last 25 years. Now 37 years later, it's in need of significant repairs.

❤️ January is Mentoring Month! The time is now to become a volunteer mentor. Apply today and make an impact in your community.*

*Sponsored Listing

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Get some outdoor skating in before winter is over at these five outdoor rinks

Outdoor skating is one of those things we always want to do but winter is often done before we get a chance. We thought it was a great time to remind you about some great spots to get some skating in before the ice and snow are gone. Here are five spots to get on your skates and enjoy the outdoors.

Bowness Park Lagoon: A shallow lagoon running along the Bow River between Stoney Trail and 85 St. NW, Bowness Park offers a ton of winter activities from ice trails and ice bikes to an outdoor rink and cross-country skiing.

Carburn Park: Another park along the Bow River, Carburn Park has an outdoor rink along with picnic tables for a sit down after a day of skating. Additionally, there is tons of wildlife in the area for a family to see.

North Glenmore Park: Bordering the northern side of the Glenmore Reservoir, North Glenmore Park has an ice trail, a shinny rink, and cross-country ski trails.

Barb Scott Park: Named after councillor Barb Scott, the park features the Chinook Arc and an outdoor skating rink that provides the Beltline a space for people who work and live in the area.

Prairie Winds Park: A staple of northeast communities, Prairie Winds Park provides two outdoor rinks for the public to enjoy. Located at 223 Castleridge Blvd., NE.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Congress Coffee: This cute northeast coffee shop has a limited small batch of an incredible Papua New Guinea Peaberry in stock, which is a rare mutation found in 10% of coffee beans. This coffee offers a sweeter, rounder flavour with lovely citrusy notes.

🍴 Morning Brunch Co: With a location in Airdrie and Okotoks and two in Calgary, this breakfast spot has something for everyone, every day of the week.

🍴 The Coup: Nestled in the heart of the Beltline, the Coup offers a diverse menu loaded with locally sourced ingredients aiming to redefine plant-based dining by offering dishes that not only satisfy cravings but also leave you feeling wholly nourished.

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

Things to do

🎟️ The Great Skate Registration: Families are invited to join this Family Day fundraiser on Feb. 17 at WinSport to help raise money to support Inn from the Cold. The first 100 registrations get a chance to win a pair of Flames vs. Canadiens tickets.

🎟️ Cooking When Fatigued January 29 - Learn strategies to be more successful in the kitchen and to support eating well, despite living with fatigue. (Free, virtual class led by AHS Registered Dietitians and Occupational Therapists)*

🎟️ Tasty, Low Salt Cooking February 6 - Learn how to cook delicious meals with less salt in this FREE virtual cooking demo with registered dietitians from the South Health Campus Wellness Kitchen. Recipes included!*

*Sponsored Listing

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

From our readers

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