Sheriffs close northwest Calgary drug house

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On Tuesday, we asked how you feel about Calgary's rapid residential development downtown. Most of you were concerned about infrastructure keeping up, with one reader warning that our infrastructure is already behind before we encourage more people to move here. Others were split between excitement over new housing and hope for better affordability, though several pointed out that real affordability requires government intervention—not just more construction.

👀 In today's edition:

• Gold prices hit record highs in Calgary

• A mentorship program seeks more volunteers

• Auto theft claims surge across the city

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Alberta Sheriffs close northwest Calgary drug house after months-long investigation

Alberta Sheriffs have shut down a northwest Calgary home linked to ongoing drug activity following a months-long investigation that started with neighbourhood complaints.

The property at 2836 Brentwood Boulevard attracted 26 complaints to Calgary police about suspected drug activity, with residents reporting frequent short-term visits, discarded needles, visible drug use, and social disorder in the area. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit launched an investigation in May 2025 and issued a warning letter to the homeowner, but the disruptive activity continued.

Officers later discovered the elderly property owner was being financially exploited by people using the home. SCAN worked with a family member starting in July to try to bring the property into compliance, but illegal activity persisted despite their efforts over several months.

Earlier this month, SCAN secured a community safety order from the Court of King's Bench requiring the property to be vacated, secured, and monitored. The order takes effect at noon on January 27 and remains in place until January 2028. The investigation is ongoing.

Since the SCAN unit was created in 2008, it has investigated more than 10,000 properties and issued over 140 community safety orders, though most complaints are resolved by working with owners to stop illegal activity without going to court.

Need to know

💰 Alberta authorized its oil and gas marketing commission to borrow up to $900 million for market investments, which one expert suggests could backstop a private investor for a pipeline to the B.C. coast.

🇨🇦 More than 3,000 people gathered at Calgary's Stampede Park for an Alberta independence rally as organizers collect signatures for a separation referendum petition, though recent polls show only 28 per cent support leaving Canada.

🚗 Auto theft insurance claims have jumped 85 per cent in Edmonton and 73 per cent in Calgary over four years, with the Insurance Bureau of Canada calling the cities epicentres for organized vehicle theft.

⛷️ The $27.1 million expansion of the Canmore Nordic Centre is complete, featuring upgraded biathlon facilities that meet international standards and the world's longest engineered snow trail.

🪙 Gold retailers in Calgary are seeing huge lineups as precious metal prices soar, with gold reaching around $7,000 per ounce and silver hitting $150 per ounce this week.

🏘️ Calgary city council unanimously set March 23 as the public hearing date to decide whether to repeal the controversial city-wide rezoning policy approved in 2024.

🚨 Calgary police are investigating two suspicious deaths in northeast Redstone, near where a targeted shooting linked to South Asian community extortion happened days earlier.

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SPONSORED BY KAREN LIGHT REALTOR®

Downsizing’s Hidden Emotional Side

The sentimental side of downsizing is one of the greatest challenges homeowners face when selling a longtime family home, and it’s rarely talked about until the downsizer and those helping them are in the middle of it.

Sorting through decades of memories can transform a practical decision into an emotional experience.

A home holds stories, traditions, and moments that shape a family’s identity, and deciding which physical reminders to carry forward can be stressful. Every keepsake represents a memory, and the process of choosing what to save and what to pass along can feel overwhelming. Downsizing, therefore, is both a logistical transition and a deeply sentimental journey.

With thoughtful guidance and supportive resources, homeowners can navigate this emotional process with greater clarity and calm.

Big Brothers Big Sisters aims to match nearly 200 Calgary youth with mentors

Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary is trying to raise money to match nearly 200 local youth who are currently waiting for mentors.

The organization has set up an installation at Southcentre Mall called the 94 Doors Campaign. Visitors can open physical BBBS-branded doors in the mall's Centre Court, meant to show how mentorship opens up possibilities for young people. The campaign runs from January 26 to February 14 and wraps up with a Valentine's Day photo booth where people can get a novelty keychain for a donation.

It costs $5,000 to fund one mentoring match, and the campaign is named for the 94 matches the organization hopes to fund. Ken Lima-Coelho, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Calgary, said the organization supported 1,571 children and youth last year, but plenty more are still waiting.

The campaign also highlights the Big Couples program, where pairs of adults—partners, friends, siblings, or family members—can mentor a young person together instead of going solo. All programs are free for families, with fundraising covering the screening, training, and support that goes into each match. Volunteer mentors typically spend about an hour a week with their mentee doing activities like sports, arts, or reading.

SPONSORED BY ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES

Free Wellness Kitchen Classes

The Wellness Kitchen at South Health Campus (Calgary) is a teaching kitchen that offers classes to learn about healthy food preparation, and good nutrition.  It is a place to practise healthy cooking skills using basic ingredients and kitchen equipment.  Free live online and in-person classes are open to all Albertans.

 Info & Registration: www.ahs.ca/shcwellnesskitchen

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Grumans Britannia Catering & Deli: This Montreal-style deli serves classic sandwiches including Montreal smoked meat and Reuben sandwiches, bagels and lox, chicken matzo ball soup, and New York cheesecake, open daily from 10 AM to 4 PM with catering available.

🍴 Fuwa Fuwa: A Japanese fusion brunch and dessert cafe with locations in Kensington and CrossIron Mills specializes in fluffy soufflé pancakes, matcha roll cake, French toast, and specialty drinks like strawberry lavender iced tea and matcha beverages.

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

Things to do

🎟️ Jaime Rojo: Chasing Monarchs: National Geographic Explorer and photographer Jaime Rojo presents never-before-seen visuals of monarch butterflies and their winter migration to Mexico on the Jack Singer Concert Hall's 48-foot screen, highlighting conservation efforts and the species' threats, with ASL interpretation provided at all presentations.

🎟️ Harry Popper and the Frozen Princess: Jubilations Junior presents a musical comedy about a wizard who discovers a time-turner to meet princess sisters from the Frozen Kingdom, running Saturdays at 11 AM from January 31 to March 21 with a bonus show February 15, featuring a multi-course lunch included with tickets.s.

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

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