Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday March 27

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Good morning !

It’s election season in Canada, and on Tuesday, we asked if you had felt politically engaged in high school. While some had a vague idea of what was happening, 50 percent of you weren’t thinking about politics at that age.

Some of our readers’ comments:

• “Our neighbour was running for a seat. We studied about elections and government in class and held a mock election.”

• “Never thought I’d be so concerned about politics as I am now! Unfortunately! So stressful!!”

• “Socially aware of economic disparity, and because I went to an inner-city high school I experienced ethnic diversity to some extent.”

• “Probably knew which party was in power, who the PM was. Maybe the name of area MP. Knew the city Mayor. Think was Don MacKay? 1961-63.”

👀 In today's edition:

• Shortage of affordable seniors living

• Near-miss in playground zone speeding incident

• Warning to stay out of avalanche zones

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 5C, Low -5C. 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.

QUICK POLL

Calgary transit rider attacked midday Sunday

Calgary transit users would be forgiven for feeling a bit anxious this week, following an altercation on a CTrain platform on Sunday. A young woman was left physically unharmed after being attacked in broad daylight in an attempted robbery.

On Twitter, the Calgary Police wrote that the young woman had been “approached by an unknown man who grabbed her water bottle and splashed her in the face with it. He then grabbed her and began shaking her while demanding her cellphone. The man fled the scene without the victim’s cellphone and the victim subsequently called police.”

Shortly after and with the help of witnesses, Braydon Joseph James French was detained and charged with one count of attempted robbery.

Video of the attack was widely circulated across social media and news sites.

Global Calgary reported that while transit safety is a high priority for city officials, riders are still voicing concerns that “late at night, there is no safety.”

Need to know

💵 The federal minimum wage will rise slightly next week, from $17.30 to $17.75 per hour.

🛑 An 11-year-old girl was almost hit by a vehicle speeding through a playground zone in SW Calgary. The near-miss was caught on camera.

🐎 Equestrian centre Spruce Meadows is celebrating 50 years in the community. The facility also recently announced a concert series, featuring well-known artists such as Leon Bridges, Dallas Green, and Brett Kissel.

🏡 A Calgary senior is highlighting housing challenges for her demographic after being put on a two-to-five year waitlist for low-income seniors housing.

👀 According to the 2025 Canada Rental Market Trend Report, a survey of landlords in Canada, almost fifty percent indicated that they’d like to have a higher asking rent.

💥 In February, homes in Ranchlands, Sundance, Point McKay, Glendale, and Millrise sold just 10-12 days after being listed.

🏔️ Experts warned against entering avalanche terrain, as Avalanche Canada reported “very dangerous” conditions. Three heli-skiers were killed on Monday in an avalanche in the West Kootenay region.

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Calgary Opera’s main stage season closes with a double bill

Opera fans will be smiling with news of a double bill (back-to-back shows) at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium on April 5, 9, and 11. The Calgary Opera is closing its main stage season with performances of Bluebeard’s Castle and Gianni Schicchi, two works packed with secrets, lies, and consequences.

“Our audiences are in for an incredibly powerful emotional journey: the tensions and conflicts in the first half will be released and sublimated with irresistibly healthy laughter in the second half,” said Jonathan Brandani, artistic director of the Calgary Opera, who is also conducting these works.

In Bluebeard’s Castle, the newly-married Judith discovers seven locked doors in the castle of her husband, Duke Bluebeard, prompting her quest to uncover his dark and mysterious past, one door at a time.

In Gianni Schicchi, the recently deceased aristocrat Buoso Donati has left a large inheritance to a monastery, and his greedy relatives must enlist the help of the clever Gianni Schicchi to alter the will. When he does, it's not quite what they had in mind.

“Performing a double bill is always an exciting event in an opera company because it allows the audience to experience two very different styles of opera in one evening. While Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle suggests an introspective quest and darker atmospheres, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi offers lighter situations and almost burlesque comedy,” said stage director Alain Gauthier. “I believe the eclectic mix will appeal to a broad audience, providing something for everyone, in addition to creating a unique and entertaining opera evening.”

Bluebeard’s Castle is sung in Hungarian, while Gianni Schicchi is sung in Italian with projected English translations.

Tickets are available now.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Missy’s This That: For a laid-back drink this weekend, try this casual bar on 14th Avenue SW. Missy’s features small bites, such as a charcuterie board and various toasts, beers, ciders, non-alcoholic drinks, and an enormous wine list. Last year, the bar was listed 13th on Canada’s 100 Best, a listing of the top restaurants and bars in the country.

🍴OEB Breakfast Co: Bright, open, and located in the university district, OEB Breakfast Co is a popular choice for a weekend brunch. Established in Calgary in 2009, the team’s philosophy, “learn, teach and inspire,” has resulted in creative takes on familiar classics. You’ll now find OEB in cities across Canada.

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

Things to do

🎟️ The Horizon of Khufu: A Journey to Ancient Egypt: Where do you go to experience the wonders of the ancient world? CF Chinook Centre, of course. The mall is home to an immersive virtual reality experience that will take you 4,500 years back in time to explore Egyptian pyramids.

🎟️ Poppy Innovations: Give your kids a head start to healthy eating and cooking and sign them up for a multi-week cooking program. Poppy Innovations offers classes for students as young as four!

🎟️ Tasty, Low Salt Cooking April 1: - Learn how to cook delicious meals with less salt in this FREE in-person cooking demo with registered dietitians from the South Health Campus Wellness Kitchen. Recipes included.*

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

That’s it!

Thanks for reading today. If you found something interesting, please forward this email to another Calgarian and tell them to sign up!

And before you go, we’d love to know…

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