Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Sept. 19

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Good morning !

We just want to do another call out for our readers to send their photos in that they have taken from in and around Calgary. Today we’ve got a stunning Northern Lights photo from a reader. Send your pics to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on Thursdays. Don’t forget to enjoy the Calgary International Film Festival which starts today, and Beakerhead takes over the Telus Science Centre!

👀 In today's edition:

• Taxpayers could be on hook for $2.1 billion—for nothing

• Missing donkey found dead

• Police search junkyard for two days

• One person’s baby is another person’s big break

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 21C, Low 7C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚿 Here’s the latest water update from the city and everything you need to know about water restrictions.

🚗 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.

Calgary’s Green Line debacle to cost city lots of money as province takes over: up to $2.1 billion dollars to be exact

After the provincial government pulled its share of funding for the project, Calgary City Council has decided to terminate the Green Line LRT project, but now faces billions in costs to wind down the work, according to Global News. In fact, it just might cost $2.1 billion dollars.

According to CTV News, Mayor Jyoti Gondek says city council is in "a very compromised position" after the derailing of the Green Line LRT.

Meanwhile, CBC reports that the Alberta Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors Devin Dreeshen says the province won't be footing the bill for the wind-down of Calgary's Green Line LRT project after he withdrew funding earlier this month.

Need to know

💔 Missing 28-year-old donkey found dead, believed to have been killed by cougar.

👮 Heavy police presence as officers search industrial lot in the city’s southeast.

🌊 Calgary water restrictions will be lifted 'sometime this weekend': city officials say.

🚑️ Motorcyclist dead, stretch of Macleod Trail shut down following two-vehicle crash.

💸 The city says some new changes will make electricity bills more affordable for Calgarians.

🚓 Man charged in relation to an alleged sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in southeast Calgary.

⚖️ Alberta police watchdog probes in-custody death that followed incident at Calgary hotel.

🎒 Be the first to know about the best events, insider tips, and jaw-dropping deals and contests — all delivered every Thursday straight to your inbox. Subscribe to Calgary’s free newsletter to find out what’s up!

🧵 Sponsor the Owen Hart Foundation’s Jerry Seinfeld event and become a “Friend of the Charity.” As a sponsor, you will be given recognition at the event and be provided with two main floor tickets to the 6pm or 9pm show on November 16. By supporting the foundation, you help empower individuals with limited opportunities but boundless potential.*

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Jubilations dinner theatre’s latest brings Grease to the local stage with a rising star getting his first starring role in an unforgettable way

Calgary’s Josh McInnis may only be 20 years old but he’s already carving a spot for himself on the Jubilations dinner theatre stage. Initially an extra cast member at Jubilations, the young actor has been turning heads through his understudy roles, notably stepping in for Ace Ventura/Ross on opening night for the last production when actor Dallen Girard’s wife went into labour.

This experience not only led to his role in the dinner theatre’s current production, More Greased, but it also has helped McInnis gain confidence. McInnis started at Jubilations as a character server in 2022 as a self-professed quiet guy with social anxiety. One of his peers recommended him to step in for a show when someone had medical issues because they knew he could sing. McInnis learned the show in two days and that solidified him as a backup tenor for the theatre company. Fast forward to More Greased and now the rising star has his own starring role, which we sat down to talk him about.

This latest production brings audiences back to the days of Sandy, Danny, and that first era of rock and roll music with the songs we all know and love. Jubilations’ More Greased is on until Oct. 16 and you can get tickets here.

Share with us how your understudy role from Ace Ventura led to this role in More Greased?

Yes, so Dallen (and his wife) had a baby on opening day, so at 11am I get a call from the stage manager. “Hey, Josh, When can you come in?” Because I was locked in to be the understudy for Ace and Ross… And after the show goes up, Bob, the artistic director tells me in the middle of the dressing room with everyone around; “I was already thinking about this, but now I know for sure. I want you in the next show. I want you in Grease.” I was absolutely terrified… I'd just seen it the night before for the first time. But thankfully, we split up the role, and it made it a lot easier on me.

How did you prepare for this production?

Because I have gone up on stage a few times already for Jubilations, it definitely helped get me ready for this. But I think just in general, that experience sort of primed me for what I was to face with a lot of hard choreography.

You said you were shy before, kind of like your character, did you find some similarities?

I definitely in some ways relate to my character in that way of just starting off, you know, barely able to put out a sentence, and then in the ending, fully confident in his abilities and knowing what he can do. Being in this show has definitely helped my confidence and self image. I have dealt with self image issues… and imposter syndrome. But being in this show has given me confirmation. Dallen having a baby was one of the best things that could have happened to me for Jubilations… and I appreciate every big chance that I've been given.

How familiar are you with Grease?

I'd seen the movie a couple times. You know, the music has definitely gotten stuck in my head. Many times, I found myself singing “Beauty School Dropout” in the shower. I didn't really have a personal connection with the musical because I hadn't seen it live at this point, but I still definitely knew it.

What can audiences expect?

This show is absolutely fantastic. The cast is just such a perfect crew of comedic people that are able to elevate it.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Beirut Bakery & Restaurant: We simply can’t get enough of the Zaatar bread at this local Lebanese delight located on 17th Ave. SW.

🍴 The Tea Trader: Did you know there is a tea importer and retailer right here in Ramsay, one of the oldest communities in the city. Check out the tea!

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

Things to do

🎟️ The Calgary International Film Festival: This 10-day film fest kicks off today and features more than 200 films playing at various venues. The Opening Gala returns to the Jack Singer Concert Hall at Arts Commons on Thursday, featuring the Calgary-shot feature film The Thicket, produced by Calgary-based Nomadic Pictures.

🎟️ Beakerhead: This weekend until Tuesday, Beakerhead is taking over the Telus Science Centre with daytime experiences suited for families or after dark for the adults with two premium night events.

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

From our readers

That’s it!

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And before you go, we’d love to know…

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