World’s largest bouncy castle sets up in Calgary

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Good morning !

We hope you had a lovely long weekend! The summer fun continues this week as the world’s largest bouncy castle sets up shop at Spruce Meadows. Plus, a family-friendly indoor option for rainy days, a South Asian dance show, and two Italian restaurants serving up some of our favourites.

👀 In today's edition:

• Complaints about CTrain ticketing

• Prefab housing provides low-income solution

• Calgary companies feeling the uncertainty of the steel sector

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WORTH KNOWING

⛈️ Today: High 23C, Low 14C. 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.

QUICK POLL

Calgary Zoo brings climate education home

The Calgary Zoo is making waves across Canada with a homegrown initiative to help teachers better tackle climate change in their classrooms. With $1.56 million in federal funding over five years, the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is on a mission to reach nearly 5,000 educators nationwide by 2029, starting right here in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.

The program has already connected with nearly 1,000 local educators through workshops and partnerships with Mount Royal University and the University of Calgary. "Equipping educators is one of the most powerful ways we can create long-term impact," says Steven Ross from the Zoo, emphasizing their focus on supporting educators in equity-seeking communities.

Last month's Environmental Educators' Summit perfectly captured the community spirit behind this effort. Held right here in Calgary and at Waterton Lakes National Park, the five-day event brought together teachers and community educators to share ideas and learn from each other. With partners ranging from Parks Canada to local nature centres, it's a true team effort to inspire the next generation of environmental champions—starting in our own backyard.

Need to know

🔥 Wildfire smoke from the Prairies was forecast to spread hazardous air quality conditions across much of Canada, causing Toronto to temporarily rank among the world's worst air quality cities.

🚌 Calgary Transit faced criticism from riders who complained about the newly installed mobile ticket validation machines causing congestion, technical difficulties, and unnecessary complications to the boarding process.

🚧 The City of Calgary doubled its investment in road rehabilitation, resulting in 30 paving projects across 320 locations throughout the city to address pavement deterioration caused by heavy traffic and harsh winter conditions.

💔 Police identified 16-year-old Carter Spivak-Villeneuve as the victim of a homicide investigation after his body was discovered in northeast Calgary's Abbeydale community in the early morning hours.

🗳️ Calgary's mayoral candidates have begun actively campaigning throughout the summer ahead of the October 20 municipal election, with some focusing on door-to-door outreach while others organized community events and festivals.

🏭 Calgary steel-dependent businesses expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding potential trade tariffs and their need for relief from ongoing trade tensions.

🏠 Cranes assembled 84 prefabricated studio apartments in downtown Calgary as part of a modular housing project designed to provide affordable rentals under $1,100 per month for residents earning $44,000-$50,000 annually.

💻 The City of Calgary expanded its program to donate refurbished municipal computers to low-income residents through the Fair Entry program, partnering with United Way and Technology Helps Foundation to address digital poverty in the community.

World’s largest bouncy castle sets up in Calgary

Calgary families have something epic to look forward to this August. The Big Bounce Canada is bringing the world's largest bouncy castle to Spruce Meadows for two weekends, Aug. 9 through 17. The massive 24,000-square-foot inflatable stands 32 feet tall and features giant slides, ball pits, climbing towers, and basketball hoops.

The experience includes seven different attractions beyond the record-breaking bouncy castle. Visitors can explore City Xscape, a space-themed metropolis with friendly aliens, tackle the Giant's 900-foot obstacle course with 50 challenges, or compete in Sport Slam's arena. The airSPACE attraction offers a three-piece space wonderland complete with a 25-foot inflatable alien.

Sessions are organized by age groups, including adult-only times, making it fun for everyone. All-access tickets start at $32 for three hours of bouncing and are expected to sell out quickly. With summer winding down, this could be the perfect way for Calgary families to squeeze in one last big adventure before school starts.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 L’Olivo Cicchetti & Lounge: Enjoy a cozy evening of Venetian-style small plates like crostini and grilled octopus, paired with Italian wines in an intimate, softly lit lounge.

🍴 Mille: Savour handmade pastas like lemon-butter spaghetti and beef ragù tagliatelle in a bright, modern space that’s perfect for a relaxed lunch or elegant dinner.

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

Things to do

🎟️ Telus Spark Infinity Dome: Step inside a breathtaking 360° theatre experience where science and storytelling come alive in immersive, full-dome films you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Samar Gala Dance Show: Experience an evening of vibrant South Asian music and dance that brings community, culture, and celebration together on one stage.

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

That’s it!

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We’ll see you back here on Tuesdays and Thursdays, same time, same place!