Good morning, Calgary!
We have heard you loud and clear: the Local Gift Guide is happening! We started working on it and aim to ship it with Monday’s edition. If you know an artist, maker, or business based in Calgary that deserves to be included, please share them with us.
In today’s edition:
Money matters: The final verdict on 2026 taxes and transit fares.
History saved: Downtown's oldest wooden building survives a scare.
Local genius: A 15-year-old Calgarian wins a global AI award.
Weekend mode: Market Collective, Teddy Bear Toss, and 16 more events.
Let’s get to it.
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The budget is done (and our taxes aren’t going up as much as we feared). After eight days of debate, City Council officially approved the 2026 budget with a 1.64% property tax increase. That is significantly lower than the proposed 5.8%. To make the math work, transit fares are jumping to $4.00 per ride starting in 2026. However, that extra cash is coming with a promise: the City is pouring $6 million into better service for 11 crowded routes (including the 57, 61, and 115) and adding $9 million specifically for transit safety. Read the budget breakdown
The "Pain Block" survives another close call. The oldest wooden building in downtown Calgary just cheated death for the second time. The Pain Block on Stephen Avenue (currently home to Canadian Impressions) caught fire on Tuesday morning, but firefighters managed to save it. This building is legendary because it was the only wooden structure to survive the massive fire of 1886. After that inferno, the City realized wood was a bad idea and mandated that all major buildings be built with local sandstone, effectively birthing the "Sandstone City" we know today. Read the full story
A Calgary teen just outsmarted impaired driving. While most 15-year-olds are trying to pass their learner's test, Aryan Sharma is making roads safer. The Queen Elizabeth High School student just won the "Impact for Good" award at the Intel Global AI Fest for his system that detects impaired driving in real-time. He was the only Canadian finalist. Sharma said he was inspired to build the tech after the tragic deaths of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, deciding he needed to use his skills to prevent similar heartbreak. Read the story
Sunday is the Teddy Bear Toss. It is the most chaotic five minutes in sports. The Calgary Hitmen host the Wenatchee Wild this Sunday at the Dome (4 p.m.). When the Hitmen score their first goal, thousands of bears will rain onto the ice. If you are going, bring a bear, bag it up (so it stays clean for the kids), and aim for the ice, not the person in row 3. Get tickets
The Caesar was born here (and originally, people hated it)
The news about the Pain Block this week inspired me to start the rubric I was planning for quite a while now: The History Nerd. I want to dig into the depths of the internet or actual archives, find interesting photos, and bring the pieces of Calgary history alive in a short but punchy feature at least once every two weeks. We will start with the Caesar today.
It is the most Canadian drink in existence, and it started right here in 1969. Walter Chell was working at the Owl’s Nest Bar at the Calgary Inn (now the Westin) and was tasked to create a signature cocktail to celebrate the opening of their new Italian restaurant, Marco’s.
Chell wanted to capture the flavor of spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), so he spent three months mashing clams and mixing them with tomato juice. Sounds gross? Maybe. But when he added vodka, Worcestershire sauce, and a celery salt rim, it worked.
An Englishman at the bar tried it and reportedly said, "That's a good bloody Caesar." The name stuck. But it wasn't an instant hit—locals thought the clam juice was weird. It took a while to catch on, but today, Canadians down over 400 million of them a year. You’re welcome, Canada.
The interior of a guest room at the Calgary Inn. Estimated Date: 1964–1965.
Let me know what you think of this new rubric. And which stories should I share next?
Thursday, Dec 4
Handel’s Messiah at Jack Singer | It’s the official start of the "fancy" holiday season. The Calgary Phil and Chorus take on the Hallelujah classic. Tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Flames vs. Wild at the Dome | Thursday night hockey against Minnesota. Puck drop is at 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Under $100 Art Show | Art Spot’s massive sale kicks off tonight (5–10 p.m.) at 1111 9 Ave SW. Grab original local art without emptying your savings. Runs through Sunday. See details
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Untold Stories Theatre brings the Wonka magic to the stage. Runs through Saturday. Get tickets
Friday, Dec 5
Market Collective at BMO Centre | The holiday giant returns to Hall D. 150+ vendors, live music, and food trucks. Runs through Sunday (4–9 p.m. tonight). Check lineup
Enchanted at Spruce Meadows | The market is done, but the lights are on. This year it's a walking-only tour through millions of lights. Starts tonight and runs through Sunday. Get tickets
Winter Wishes at Central Library | Catch a free Rozsa Arts showcase with local musicians (like the ICON Twins) over the lunch hour (12 p.m.). Info here
grandson at MacEwan Hall | High-energy alternative rock to shake off the work week. 8:00 p.m. Get tickets
Hitmen vs. Raiders | If you can’t make the Sunday game, catch them tonight at 7:00 p.m. Get tickets
Saturday, Dec 6
Mayor’s Holiday Storytime | Mayor Farkas is reading stories at the Central Library (11 a.m.). Afterwards, stick around for festive tunes and snacks. Register free
Santa Comes to Lougheed House | A vintage Christmas photo op. Santa is there from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. It’s free, but you need to bring your own camera. Register here
Steven Page + Calgary Phil | The Barenaked Ladies co-founder joins the orchestra for a night of hits and holiday tunes at the Jubilee. 7:30 p.m. Get tickets
Skate with Santa at the Oval | Bring a non-perishable food donation for $2 entry and skate on the "fastest ice in the world." 12:00–4:30 p.m. See info
Once Upon A Christmas | Heritage Park opens its gates for the season. Wagon rides, vintage bakery treats, and old-school vibes. Runs Saturday & Sunday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.). Get tickets
Flames vs. Utah Mammoth | An early 5:00 p.m. start. Perfect for taking the kids (or getting to bed at a reasonable hour). Get tickets
Sunday, Dec 7
The Teddy Bear Toss | The Hitmen host the Wenatchee Wild (4 p.m.). Bring a bagged bear and wait for that first goal. It’s chaotic and amazing. Get tickets
The Barn Artisan Market | Head to the historic Shawnessy Barn (11 a.m.–4 p.m.) for a cozy market with local makers. See vendors
Baroque & Beyond | The Calgary Civic Symphony performs festive gems by Handel and Bach at the Jack Singer. 2:30 p.m. Get tickets
Want your event to be featured? Hit reply and send us the details. If it's cool, we'll share it with Calgary.
Poetry Night | Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar | Thu, 6:30 PM | Info
The Steadies (Album Release) | Ironwood Stage & Grill | Thu, 8:00 PM | Tickets
Elliot C Way & The Beauties | The Blues Can | Thu, 8:00 PM | Info
Kootenay & Co | Gravity Espresso & Wine Bar | Fri, 6:30 PM | Info
Blake Berglund & Lachlan Neville | Ironwood Stage & Grill | Fri, 8:00 PM | Info
Paul Kype & Texas Flood | The Blues Can | Fri & Sat, 9:00 PM | Info
Brayden Lowe (Acoustic Afternoons) | King Eddy | Sat, 11:30 AM | Info
Tom Waits Tribute | The Ship & Anchor | Sat, 2:00 PM | Info
Me realizing I have 20 days to buy gifts, finish work, and bake cookies.
Have a great rest of the week.
P.S. Forward this to someone who is brave enough to try and find parking at Chinook Centre this weekend.