YYC Snowgeddon

The crack of dawn it was the smoke alarm that woke me up. The power of the note for who knows how long and it was beeping to let me know. Take a quick look outside because I realize it was a little too quiet. It was dark out there as it was inside. Immediately I noticed there was a problem, snow is falling but not only that it was a wet and heavy snow. Take me only an instant to realize that they have a snow is bending trees and there was damage already at five in the morning. Quickly putting on my snow pants and jacket, the work to save trees began in earnest lasting until noon. Entire neighborhoods lost significant tree cover, especially older neighborhoods, as Calgarians woke up to Snowgeddon 2014. The trees still have their leaves so the accumulating snow just toppled mature branches. Damage to trees alone is hard to estimate, but we'll be cleaning this one up for a month.

Calgary 2014 Stampede Wraps

For a July (which is a Summer month), this one was to remember (at least up to this point). Last year only 1 or 2 days above 30 degrees. This July? SUnny skies nearly every single day. Limited rain in June. That means a lot of happy people hanging out in the streets. More neighborhood parties, more people going to the mountains, and also lots of people heading to the Stampede. If you're from Calgary then you do one of three things during the 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'. 1) You leave the city, 2) you do all the Stampede events, 3) you say you're not going but then you cave and head to eat the scorpion pizza. The events from rodeo to the midway to the games to the chucks to the grandstand show attract millions. There's millions of dollars to be won and free food (not on the grounds!) in those delightful tiny wieners and pancakes. The city really does transform as I was taking in this year. People really do wear way more denim and cowboy hats. It's nice to see how folks gather around a particular event and take in its identity. Some take it way too far, but most genuinely have a great time in the sunshine. Cheers to good weather for the remainder of Summer! Yahoo!

Calgary's Post Flood one year later

Seems like yesterday for some, but it was one year ago that the floods hit Calgary. Some stunning before and after photos here. http://traveltalesoflife.com/2014/06/17/calgarys-flood-of-2013-then-and-now/ The city was certainly changed by the damage, but also by the resilience of our citizens. The rebuild continues, but the strength of the communities, especially around the damaged areas, has grown. hey, keep you ears peeled for a local neighborhood block or community party. Quite a few celebrations happening across our city.

Lilac Festival 2014 YYC

That;s a lot of people. Shows our city really enjoys and needs more of these types of festivals, and maybe more than just tents from the local businesses on the strip, that's boring, but more music, performances, art, etc. Because so many people came out it felt like an outdoor sardine can.

Another Flames Season Done

Well that concludes another professional hockey season in Calgary. If you're a sports fan then it'll be another 6 months till the puck drops. Fans around town are actually quite happy about the team, which is interesting since they're almost the worst in the league. But I guess everyone expected that they would be THE worst in the league, and since they weren't, and were better than Edmonton, it's somehow a success. There will be more expectations next season we can be sure.

When Will Winter End in YYC

Probably no time soon, although the first day of Spring is tomorrow, most meteorologists say we've got a good bunch of time left. Plus, remember, you do'nt take your Winter tires off until after the May-long. So yea, an even shorter planting season this year, but why are we surprised every year that we see snow in May (two months away!)

Remember when

We were winning Winter Olympic medals every day. Yea, that was fun. But in all seriousness, this is probably our best year ever. Sochi2014!

Winter in Cowtown

I saw this picture and I laughed. Then I cried. Because it's true.

Happy New Year

December brought the most snow the city has seen in 100 years. July brought the most rain in the same amount of time. For the first time ever there will be residential snow removal. The cost will be astronomical (same folks who hate higher taxes scream for better residential snow removal in the deep deep suburbs.) Check out the picture of some of the work being done: