Thanksgiving walk and dance party returns to support Calgary Food Bank

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The Alberta teachers' strike continues, and we heard from many of you about how it's impacting your lives. More than 40 per cent of readers said they're following the situation but not directly affected, while others shared they're juggling grandparent duties, supporting teacher family members, or volunteering in classrooms. One retired teacher told us she's back helping out after striking for the same reasons over 25 years ago, saying "nothing has changed." Several readers expressed frustration with the provincial government's handling of education funding and called for better support for overcrowded classrooms. Whether you're scrambling for childcare or watching from the sidelines, it's clear this strike is touching Calgary families in different ways.

👀 In today's edition:

• Charges laid in Forest Lawn shooting

• Mayoral candidates discuss transit solutions

• Cultural institutions offer programming during strike

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QUICK POLL

Thanksgiving walk and dance party returns to support Calgary Food Bank

Calgarians are invited to celebrate Thanksgiving Monday with a free community walk and dance party that supports the Calgary Food Bank. The event, called theWALK.ca, features a five-kilometre walk along the Bow River starting at 10 a.m., followed by the "POWER hour" dance party at Eau Claire Plaza from 11 a.m. to noon. The family-friendly event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities to walk at their own pace.

Founded in 2023 by Calgary partners Doug and Paul Lavoie, the annual tradition has raised more than $705,000 for the Calgary Food Bank in just two years. "Thanksgiving is about community, gratitude and generosity," Doug Lavoie said. "We wanted to create something joyful and unifying that directly helps Calgarians who need it most." This year's event is expected to be the largest yet, featuring food trucks, live music, community activations and a performance of the national anthem by the Calgary Men's Chorus.

The fundraiser comes at a critical time for the food bank, which is heading into the holiday season with urgent shortages of peanut butter, canned tomatoes, pasta, nut-free snacks and diapers in sizes four and six. Registration is free at theWALK.ca, with donations encouraged to help Calgarians facing food insecurity.

Need to know

🦁 The Calgary Zoo, Telus Spark science centre, and Contemporary Calgary introduced special programming and experiences for students during the province-wide teachers' strike.

🎭 A Calgary theatre production imagined a final meeting between literary friends C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, exploring how the creators of Narnia and Middle-earth might have reconciled their fractured friendship before Lewis's death.

💔 Seventy-five victim impact statements were read at the sentencing hearing for John Sproule, who was found guilty of manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of 27-year-old Ryden Brogden outside a Banff nightclub in 2022.

📚 Alberta teachers participating in the historic strike looked for ways to supplement their income without strike pay, with some returning to side jobs like waitressing, photography, and selling personal items to make ends meet.

🚇 Calgary mayoral candidates presented different approaches to improving transit safety and efficiency ahead of the municipal election, with proposals ranging from station-by-station audits to increased transit officers and reconsidering turnstiles at CTrain stations.

🔫 Calgary police charged a 28-year-old man with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 62-year-old Michael Vesterfelt in Forest Lawn nearly one year ago, with investigators saying the two men didn't know each other.

🧑‍🧒 Over 120 boys are waiting for a male mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is calling on men to step up. Volunteering a few hours a week can be transformative. Be the reason he stops waiting.*

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Mexican taquería pop-up opens for limited 100-day run

Calgary diners have a new spot to get their taco fix, but they'll need to move fast—it's only sticking around for 100 days. Los Taqueros opened October 4 in the former Sensei Bar space next to Olea on 14th Street SW, bringing authentic Mexican street food to the intimate 46-seat restaurant. It's the second pop-up from the team behind OLEA, following this summer's Japanese handroll concept. The restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. until mid-February.

The menu focuses on hand-pressed tacos made in traditional styles like barbacoa, al pastor, birria and cochinita. Guests can also order sides including guacamole and quesadillas, plus mezcal and tequila cocktails like craft margaritas and carajillos. For dessert, there are paleta bars—ice cream bars with different dips and toppings. Tacos and appetizers are available for pickup too.

Culinary Director Ryan Blackwell says the pop-up honours Mexico's taquería tradition while offering something fresh for Calgary. "The taquería is an institution in Mexico—not just a place to eat, but a gathering of spirit, soul and flavour," he said. The rotating pop-up series lets the team test new ideas and keep the local food scene interesting.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Silver Dragon: Experience award-winning Cantonese and Szechuan dishes from a Chinatown institution serving Calgary since 1966, where Hong Kong-trained chefs prepare over 200 menu items including daily dim sum served from rolling trolleys.

🍴 Masala Bhavan: Discover authentic Indian cuisine crafted by a certified Red Seal chef with over 15 years of international experience at five-star establishments, offering customizable spice levels and meals tailored to dietary needs.

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Things to do

🎟️ The Dinner Detective: Solve a hilarious true crime murder mystery while enjoying a plated dinner, with undercover actors hidden among the audience ready to turn you into a prime suspect at any moment.

🎟️ The Coming Out Monologues: Celebrate storytelling, music, and community with an evening featuring personal narratives, live drag performances, and a queer arts exhibition with market access available throughout the weekend.

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