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We asked how Green Line construction might affect your daily commute, and for most of you, the answer was simple: not much, since you're not near the construction zones. Plenty of others took the long view, saying the delays and detours will be worth it once the line is actually running. A few pointed out Calgary's already dealing with no shortage of construction as it is, so this is just one more thing to navigate for now.

👀 In today's edition:

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☀️ Today: High 23C, Low 6C. 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.

Calgary students got a head start on the new school year last week, thanks to EducationMatters' annual Pack Hope Backpack Challenge. Volunteers, corporate partners, and community supporters gathered at Highfield Warehouse on August 20 to fill 2,000 backpacks with essential school supplies for Calgary Board of Education students, with the finished backpacks distributed to more than 70 CBE schools.

The campaign is meant to ease the financial pressure back-to-school costs can put on families, giving students one less thing to worry about as classes start. "A backpack filled with school supplies is about so much more than pencils, notebooks and other essentials," said Stephanie Washbrook, Executive Director of EducationMatters. "It's about making sure CBE students walk into their classrooms feeling prepared, confident and included. No child should have to worry whether they have the supplies they need to learn."

CBE Chief Superintendent Joanne Pitman echoed that sentiment, saying every student deserves a fair shot at starting the year on equal footing with their peers, and thanked the donors and volunteers who made the initiative possible.

🇺🇸 Premier Danielle Smith says her upcoming personal trip to Tennessee isn't sending the wrong message amid the ongoing trade war, framing meetings with local officials there as part of her broader diplomacy efforts with the U.S.

💔 A 79-year-old man has died after a rear-end crash on Crowchild Trail last month. Police say speed, alcohol, and drugs don't appear to be factors, and are looking into the driver's medical fitness.

💰 A Calgary man has been charged with fraud and money laundering after allegedly running a $164-million Ponzi scheme that misappropriated funds from more than 1,000 investors between 2020 and 2024.

🪶 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says a "glitch" led to Indigenous Peoples being briefly removed from her Alberta Day statement, sparking criticism from First Nations leaders amid tense relations ahead of the fall referendum.

💧 The federal government is investing up to $29 million in the first phase of Calgary's North Calgary Water Servicing project, part of a broader push to modernize the city's water system as the population grows.

🧑‍🍳 Easy & Healthy Mediterranean Cooking (Everyday Meals) September 17: Improve nutrition for heart health, brain health or general well-being. (Free in-person class from Registered Dietitians).

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Calgary Zoo lost a longtime member of its animal family this month, with the death of Fabio, a 15-year-old free-roaming peacock who had lived at the zoo since hatching there in June 2011. Fabio was struck by a third-party contractor's vehicle on a back service road following scheduled work, and despite treatment from the zoo's Animal Health team, he died from his injuries. A necropsy confirmed he succumbed quickly and did not suffer.

The zoo's Environment, Health & Safety team investigated the incident, including a review of available security footage, and determined it was a tragic accident that couldn't have been prevented under the circumstances at the time. In response, the zoo says it's taking a closer look at how it manages the risk to its free-roaming animals, from refreshing contractor training to making sure staff and vendors alike know to watch for wildlife when driving through zoo grounds. Free-roaming peafowl have been part of the zoo since the 1930s, and the zoo has cared for blue peafowl continuously since 1966.

The update comes a couple of weeks after the zoo's grizzly cub, Fitz, briefly got loose from his habitat, climbing above his enclosure's containment barriers before staff safely returned him to his back-of-house space. At the time, the zoo said it was reviewing what improvements might be needed. This week, it confirmed the fix: reinforced fencing around the habitat, plus a new 90-degree overhang designed specifically to stop the bears from climbing over the top. While the zoo hasn't explicitly tied the upgrade to Fitz's escape, the timing and details make the connection hard to miss.

Fitz and his brother Turner, who've been kept behind the scenes since the incident, are set to return to their main habitat tomorrow. Staff will keep a close eye on the pair as they settle back in, and the zoo says the two may occasionally be out of public view while they adjust. "We're confident these changes will prevent a recurrence," the zoo said, adding it will keep monitoring the cubs' behaviour and make further changes if needed.

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🍴 Padmanadi: A family-run vegan restaurant with roots in Jakarta, now serving plant-based Indonesian, Chinese, Thai, and Indian dishes across three locations, including a newer Calgary spot. What started as a dream to recreate a beloved family restaurant has grown into a longtime favourite for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.

🍴 Golden Sands Chinese Restaurant: A Calgary spot known for fresh, daily-made dim sum served until 3 p.m., with a dinner menu running into the evening. Fully licensed, with catering, private functions, and takeout available; closed Wednesdays.

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

🎟️ Halloweekends: Calaway Park kicks off its family-friendly fall festivities on September 5, with Hallotown strolls, costume contests, and a Boo Crew Costume Party on September 13 and 14. Weekends and holiday Mondays run through October 12; regular admission applies.

🎟️ By the Bridge Pop-Up Market: Inglewood's Worn Studio hosts its final pop-up market of the season on September 6, with more than 10 vendors selling vintage clothing, jewelry, pottery, and handmade goods. Free to attend and pet-friendly, running from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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

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