Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday May 11

TOGETHER WITH

Thursday, May 11 | ⛅️️ High 19C, Low 5C | 7-day forecast

Good morning, there!

There are a couple of cool community initiatives I wanted to shed some light on. The Inn from the Cold launched a new annual fundraising campaign dubbed A Village Can. Until May 31, all donations will be matched dollar for dollar in hopes of reaching $1 million to provide a safe space for families on the brink of homelessness. Since 2022, the Inn has seen demand skyrocket with larger families increasingly reaching out for help. Also, until May 25, a special Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids station will be hosted at The CORE, which is collecting monetary donations and inviting shoppers to decorate paper lunch bags on Thursdays over the lunch hour. Donations made will be matched by ARC Resources Ltd. up to a total value of $50,000. On May 25, ARC Resources Ltd. volunteers will pack 200 sandwiches in person at The CORE to donate to the organization.

Become a member to unlock full access to the newsletter and to get the special Saturday roundup newsletter.

👀 In today's edition:

• Everything you need to know to vote

• Weird and wacky Stampede foods

• Theatre brings Disney’s Newsies to life

Consider forwarding this to a friend so they can stay connected to Calgary, too! New here? Sign up for free.

COMMUNITY

A website designed to make voting easier ahead of the Alberta election is right at your fingertips

Laef Kucheran was only 15 when he came up with the idea to create a website designed to engage voters. The now 22-year-old noticed there was an information gap when it came to voting, especially among the younger generation. That’s why he created VoteMate.org, a website designed to engage youth and other voters in politics.

The stats: During the 2021 federal election only 76 per cent of Canadians voted, with the age group of 18 to 24 having the lowest turnout at 66 per cent, down two per cent from the previous election in 2019.

Social media savvy: Kucheran designed VoteMate much like other social media sites so that the profiles are easy to swipe and click through, meaning users can quickly learn about the candidates in their district.

We spoke with Kucheran about the website and how it will engage voters ahead of the Alberta election.

Related Story

Need to know

🥡 The Calgary Stampede announced more than 50 new foods that guests can try with a Chicken Kool-Aid Chicken burger, elkeroni pizza, and ketchup and mustard ice cream making the list.

🏠 Calgary has seen a record annual population surge and is expecting continued economic growth in 2023. (CBC)

👶 Two employees of a now-closed daycare centre face assault charges following a police investigation into suspected abuse. (Global)

💔 Human remains discovered at Banff National Park may be related to a Calgary homicide investigation.

🏥 Alberta NDP says a newly uncovered video of Premier Danielle Smith talking about selling hospitals to private companies is “highly problematic.” (CTV)

🏒 The Calgary Flames have chosen to nominate Mikael Backlund for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, an award given to an NHL player who best exemplifies leadership on and off the ice.

🏌️‍♀️ The city is re-opening holes 13, 14, and 15 at Maple Ridge Golf Course after their closure in the fall of 2022.

📚 A children's picture book about the true story of the 100-year-old tradition of Stampede Breakfast has been released by the founder’s granddaughter.

🚸 Bored kids? Calgary's Child Magazine is here to help! Calgary’s Child Magazine’s free weekly newsletter is packed with family-friendly activities, local events, excursions, and giveaways. Sign up here and never hear “I’m bored” again!

😎 Catch some rays and NHL playoff games this week(end) on one of Bottlescrew Bill's four dog-friendly patios! Home to the Around-The-World-In-80-Beers Passport. On the corner of 10th & 1st ST SW.*

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY PALETTE SKILLS

Join the Automation and Digital Agriculture Specialist Program from Palette Skills

Take your first step towards a career in agriculture technology and join a new innovative training program. Look no further than the Automation and Digital Agriculture Specialist Program from Palette Skills.

Recently launched in Alberta, this 130-hour program is designed to equip you with the latest industry knowledge and skills. You'll learn from top industry experts in technologies such as GIS, IoT, drones, AI, robotics, and big data. Not only will you receive hands-on training, but you'll also gain professional skills in project management, business development, problem-solving, and team-building to help you get a job in the industry following the program.

Apply now for the upcoming Alberta and Saskatchewan cohort from Jun. 12 until Aug. 4, for only $150 CAD plus tax.

COMMUNITY PROFILE

Disney’s Newsies hits the Storybook Theatre stage as the company wraps up its 46th season

Based on the 1899 Newsboy Strike of New York, Disney’s Newsies tells the true tale of the events through a Broadway show. The musical follows the story of the fictional character Jack Kelly, a rebellious newsboy who fights back against millionaire publisher Joseph Pulitzer who raised the price of newspapers at the newsboys’ expense. Closing out Storybook Theatre’s 46th Season of Inspiration, Disney’s Newsies is an inspiring story about fighting for what you believe. The show opens May 12 and runs until June 3.

Read the full story with director Aliza Sarian sharing more about the production.

THROWBACK THURSDAY

You’ve probably driven by it a hundred times on your way to Banff. The graffiti-adorned building off of the Trans-Canada Highway west of the city is hard to miss. The abandoned building near Canmore and Morley used to be the Fort Chiniki Gas Station.

Besides being a gas station, there used to also be a go-kart track beside the gas station. It has since been turned into a skateboarding park of sorts, with people crafting ramps inside the well-kept building.

Krista Sylvester

Subscribe to Premium to read the rest.