Calgary Citizen Newsletter Tuesday Jan. 23

Good morning, there!

I’ve been spending a lot of time working on my photography, art, poetry, decor, and fashion passion projects and I’ve been enjoying tapping into my creative side in different ways. It can take a lot of time to see these projects to fruition so I’m looking for podcast recommendations to get me through the hours. I’m a big fan of true crime and non-fiction, but also like to learn more about trending topics such as aliens and world events! Send me your podcast ideas and what you’re enjoying to [email protected]. Thank you!

Krista Sylvester, Managing Editor

👀 In today's edition:

• Matriarch finds kidney match

• Lottery winner to spoil grandkids

• 12 ways to enjoy Chinook Blast

Today’s read time: Approx. 4 minutes

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WORTH KNOWING

☁️ Today: High 6C, Low -7C. 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.

A happy ending for a family matriarch who needed a kidney donation to live. “Thank you.”

A heartwarming update to a story we brought our readers last year.

Poonam Hamal moved to Canada in 2001 with her family, starting a life in the country as she and her family settled down in Vancouver. where she worked long shifts at two jobs. In 2011, Hamal was diagnosed with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and her body was ravaged by the illness that has no cure.

Hamal’s family was left devastated and confused by the news, especially as one of the only options was to replace her kidney. Organ donors are hard to come by, especially since Hamal’s blood type, B+, is the rarest in Canada.

That’s why Hamal’s sons took initiative and started a campaign, creating a website and spreading posters around the community to gain the support of any Canadian willing to help — including right here in Calgary where one of her sons lives.

And it worked! According to the family’s recent update, Hamal was given the gift of life through a gracious donor who reached out to the family after seeing the posts. They say their mom is doing well and they thank the medical team, the donor, and the community for its support.

“Words can’t describe the appreciation that we have for all of you at this moment,” they said in a post.

Related Story

Need to know

💰 Calgary’s latest millionaire lottery winner looks forward to spoiling her grandchildren with her winnings.

🏠 New report finds very few Airbnb rental homes could be returned to Calgary housing market. This is why.

🏭 Environment Canada issues a special air quality statement for the city due to polluted air.

🏒 Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube has been granted indefinite leave from the team for mental health reasons. Meanwhile, Oliver Kylington is back with the team after a year and a half away.

🚰 Climbing temperatures bring messy water main breaks throughout the city.

❤️ 'Enhance lives across the spectrum': Calgary organization aims to set autistic children up for success.

👮 Four people charged in death of Calgary woman Tara Miller.

✈️ Clearer disability policy needed for airlines, says man denied boarding at Calgary airport.

☎️ Two charged after copper theft knocks out internet, phone for thousands of area residents.

SPONSORED BY ARCHOIRS

Try something new! Sing with ARChoirs

ARC is a non-auditioned adult showchoir that provides 3 diverse programs for adults in Calgary. Whether you want to perform on stage, sing in an all-women's group, or go out into the community and share the joy of singing, you can do it with ARC this January to June!

THE CALGARY GUIDE

12 ways to enjoy the best of Chinook Blast

Chinook Blast has something for everyone this winter as the new favourite winter tradition hits its stride in its fourth year. With no shortage of art, culture, sports, recreation, and theatre to enjoy, we wanted to bring you our top 12 events to check out over the next few weeks.

• Catch a show at High Performance Rodeo 

• Catch another show at BIG Winter Classic

• Taste the City with the Chinook Blast Taste Tour

• Check out the free art installations at Olympic Plaza and Stephen Ave

• Learn how to skate for free at Olympic Plaza’s Winsport Try Skate Activation 

• Catch a show at Block Heater

• Turn up the adrenaline with the Nitrocross

• Watch the ISU World Speed Skating Championships

• Catch some curling with the Scotties Tournament of Hearts

• Enjoy the Ethnik Festival of Arts and Culture 

• Peruse the Four Winds Indigenous Showcase and Market

• Partake in Inglewood’s free Snow Eater outdoor party

Things to do

🎟️ Jason McCoy concert and conversation: National Music Centre and the CCMA will be presenting a concert with Jason McCoy on Feb. 2, in celebration of his induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

🎟️ Fitset Ninja: Check out this free trial and with it, three different and unique ways to give your young athlete the after-school workout they look forward to.

🎟️ Easy & Healthy Mediterranean Cooking Feb 7 – Discover great flavours and improve your nutrition with recipes and tips for heart health, brain health or general well-being. This free virtual class is led by registered dietitians.*

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

*Sponsored Listing

Where to eat & drink

🍴 Marda Loop Brewing: There’s excitement almost every day at Marda Loop Brewing! Wings are on special every Monday, trivia night is every Tuesday, there’s 20% off takeout beers on Wednesday, and live music every Saturday.

🍴 Made by Marcus: You scream, we scream, we all scream for ice cream Made by Marcus. One of our favourites!

🍴 Milpa: This new Beltline restaurant and cocktail bar is led by Top Chef competitor Chef Elia Herrera and boasts striking turquoise arches and serves creative dishes as well as tasty cocktails.

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

Local specials

💸 Monster Mini Golf: Did you know that there are not only birthday specials but monthly and daily specials, too? Enjoy some glow-in-the-dark monster golf!

💸 Plato’s Closet: Sign up to the email loyalty reward program and be the first to know about special promos and sales events at this popular thrift shop.

💸 Bottlescrew Bill’s: Hosted by Trivia Daddy, stop in for trivia night on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 7pm. Trivia is free to play, prizes to win, and half-priced wings all night!

Know of any hot specials or deals? Message us and we might share it!

That’s it! Thanks for reading. If you have a hot story tip you want to share, feel free to reply back anytime. We’ll see you back here on Thursday, same time, same place 🫡

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