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The health and wellness of our people and our NW e community is always our top nu ve A Unive r s it ypriority. At this time, Show Suite Tours are by individual appointment only.
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CO N TE N T S 12
EDITOR’S NOTE
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THE SOURCE
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WORK OF ART
S e pte m b e r 2 0 2 0
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76 D E P A R TM E N TS
ON THE COVER Our annual look at the city's top spots to live starts on page 44. I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y
17 DETOURS
59 MOUNTAINS
Find out what two of Calgary’s most interesting poets, Wakefield Brewster and Sheri-D Wilson, have been up to lately and dig into some numbers on the significance of Calgary’s arts sector. Plus, expert advice from a fly fisher, as well as the latest restaurant and shop openings.
Seize the day and go check out these must-see sights and must-do activities in Banff and Kananaskis right now while the isolation protocols have eased but the tourists are still away.
MARIA HERGUETA
51 DINING Brunch cynics beware — this list of top spots might make even the most stalwart amongst you into believers. By Gwendolyn Richards 10
avenue September 20
FE AT U R ES
76 DECOR This home built for graceful aging in place puts a premium on style.
23 MADE IN ALBERTA AWARDS 2020
44 BEST NEIGHBOURHOODS
See the winners and runnersup from across the province in 10 product categories in our second annual Made in Alberta Awards. by Meredith Bailey, Colin Gallant, Travis Klemp, Nathan Kunz, Sara Samson and Alana Willerton
What makes a neighbourhood a great place to live? We asked, you answered and then we crunched the numbers — see the results of this year’s survey. by Diane Bolt and Käthe Lemon
Photo Michel Gibert: for advertising purposes only. Special thanks: Lotus wall installation, Valeria Nascimento, www.valerianascimento.com. *Conditions apply, ask your store for more details.
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BACK INTO THE SWING OF THINGS
I
t seems like a very long time that we’ve been on pause and now after the long strange summer (how many weeks was the school break? 83?) we’re even more ready than usual for autumn and the “return to normal” that it brings. That said, the promise of normal, even the definition of “normal,” is elusive right now. And in so many ways, we won’t and indeed shouldn’t, go back to how things were before. In addition to the changes brought about by the pandemic and the economic effects of both COVID-19 and the continued slump in oil prices, the Black Lives Matter protests have helped to encourage many companies and individuals to examine their biases and processes and make much-needed change to support social justice. At Avenue we are trying to diversify our sources and contributors and ensure that we are listening to the questions and feedback from our community of readers and collaborators. It is an ongoing and necessary process to evolve.
Käthe Lemon Editor-in-Chief klemon@redpointmedia.ca
Are you an Alberta maker? Find out more about our upcoming conference to help you grow your business — MadeinAlbertaAwards.ca For us, that starts with looking at how we select the stories we cover and the businesses and organizations we highlight. In this issue, we celebrate the winners and runners-up of the second annual Made in Alberta Awards (starting on page 23). While it wasn’t a question that we asked in our entry forms, a number of BIPOC- (Black, Indigenous, Person of Colour) owned businesses are among the companies featured here. And all of the products, across 10 categories, are of course made in Alberta. We know that many of you have long been interested in supporting local makers and retailers and that is why we started the Made in Alberta
Awards. Supporting Alberta businesses helps grow and diversify our economy. While locally crafted birdhouses and amazing things to eat won’t replace the GDP of the oil industry, buying local does keep dollars in our communities and helps support the growth of real and rewarding jobs. Avenue is also a local business — one that has operated in Calgary for 25 years. As local businesses continue to struggle, we expect the advertising that has supported Avenue will also continue to decline. The business model that many Alberta magazines, including Avenue, was built on depends on high oil prices and free distribution in busy restaurants and shops. It’s a model that is unlikely to continue working as it has in the past. And so we’re asking you to subscribe to Avenue — get the magazine to your door, get invited to subscriber-only launch events (online for now) and help ensure our continued coverage of Calgary for all. When you buy an Avenue subscription, you support more than just the magazine — you support our coverage of local restaurants, shops, events and organizations. You support local writers, photographers, stylists and other content creators. You amplify your local spending by helping us continue to bring stories of the city to Calgarians, both in print and online. This isn’t true for only Avenue, which is why we’ve partnered with a number of other locally owned and operated independent media outlets to encourage Calgarians to subscribe or become members, to #SupportLocalYYC and #ReadLocalYYC. When you support locally owned media, like Avenue, the other members of the Alberta Magazine Publishers' Association, The Sprawl or LiveWire Calgary, you help ensure quality coverage of local businesses, organizations and issues. Subscribe today at redpoint-media.com.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR SUPPORTING THE 2020 MADE IN ALBERTA AWARDS, CONFERENCE AND MARKETS. TO FIN D OUT MORE, V ISIT MadeIn A lber ta Awards.ca /events
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PHOTO BY JARED SYCH
EDITOR'S NOTE
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Do you love it for the crunch? The chewiness? The Incr eased fibre? Or its lasting energy? The deliciously. edible poss essive benefits it has for health and the flex ibilities of wh olesome food it puts on the table are always a tr eat. A
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avenue RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions
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NEXT ISSUE
OCTOBER
2020
Kunz, Gwendolyn Richards, Katherine Ylitalo Made in Alberta Awards Judges Michael Allemeier, Michelle Atkinson, Marie Bertrand, Dallas Garra, Rob Gaspar, Cheryl Greisinger, Kelly Jubenvills, Geoff
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25 Best Things to Eat
Published 10 times a year by RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions. Copyright (2020) by RedPoint Media & Marketing Solutions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
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Eating well is one of life’s most reliable pleasures. Do it right and support local businesses with our annual list of the city’s finest take-home treats from delightful baked goods, to locally made gin and everything in between.
Business of Fashion Local designers share the ins and outs of running a fashion brand from Calgary.
Director of Digital Content Jaelyn Molyneux, We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut'ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
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SUBSCRIBE by September 10 to get the October issue to your door. Three-issue subscription $15, one-year $27.95. redpoint-media.com
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Your generosity makes a difference You love your city and want to make a bigger impact in the lives of the people around you, but are not sure where to start... Abundance Canada can help. You can achieve your charitable goals and discover tax savings as you support the causes you love with a customized Generosity Plan™. We make your charitable giving easy and effective.
Learn more at abundance.ca or call us at 1.877.717.0708.
Generosity changes everything Abundance Canada is a public foundation, registered with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). We are authorized to receive charitable donations, issue official donation receipts and distribute funds to qualiďŹ ed donees in Canada through a donor-advised model we administer. Charity Registration No: 12925-3308-RR0001. avenuecalgary.com
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DETOURS LIVE AND LET FLY EXPERIENCED FLY FISHING GUIDE PAULA SHEARER’S CRASH COURSE ON THIS SOCIALLY DISTANT ACTIVITY.
W
PHOTOS BY STEVE LONGFIELD
hile the season for fly fishing runs from about April to October, for Paula Shearer, the owner and operator of PS On the Fly Outfitters, it’s a year-round activity. Shearer, who is also a Fly Fishers International-certified casting instructor, leads guided tours on the Bow River and Southern Alberta streams. Here she shares some insights into this storied pastime.
avenuecalgary.com
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DETOURS What is fly fishing? “Fly fishing is using a specialized weighted line to cast the lightweight hook that imitates insects or baitfish. Many insects come from the water, so they are a key food source for fish. The insects hatch and come out of the water. These immature insects, called nymphs, live in the water — wet flies mimic nymphs and go below the water surface. Dry fly fishing is where flies float on the surface of the water. People like dry fly fishing as you see the fish take your fly. How did you get into it? “I remember early mornings fishing with my dad and uncles when the mist was still coming off the lake. At 11 years old, I started fly fishing alone. Now I joke with my dad and uncles that I take them fishing. I’m
in prairies, foothills and into the mountain streams. You just have to have to get out and explore to find the fishable water. Rainy Ridge [on the border of Alberta and British Columbia on the Continental Divide] is unique. The lakes on top of the mountain are one of the few places in Alberta to fish for Golden trout.” the one untangling their flies and teaching them how to cast better.” How long have you been fishing, and what changes have you seen? “I’ve been fishing since I was a young kid. When I was younger, I never saw women fly fishing. But in the last seven years, I’ve seen lots of women on the water. Online and social media posts are driving other women to give it a try.”
Who are your clients? “It really is a family thing. Young and old. I’ve [guided] one of my regulars with his son, daughter, dad and wife.” What do you catch? “My specialty is trout — bull, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout.” Where are your favourite spots? “We don’t call out spots because it adds pressure to certain areas. There are fish all over, they can be found
What would you like every fly fisher to know? “I educate people on fish handling because we don’t want to overstress the fish; we want the fish to only be out of the water for a few seconds. It’s also important to respect regulations and river closures so that fish can spawn without being targeted. The better we look after our fish the longer we can enjoy the resource for years to come.” —As told to Diane Bolt
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I L L U S T R A T I O N B Y K E L LY S U T H E R L A N D C O U R T E S Y O F F R O N T E N A C H O U S E
S
heri-D Wilson’s new book and online exhibition YYC POP: Portraits of People is her legacy project as Calgary’s most recent Poet Laureate emeritus. The concept is at once simple and complex: Calgarians (current and former) write word portraits of fellow Calgarians without using their names. “I immediately thought about portraits,” says Wilson of conceiving the project. “Often, writers write about themselves, and I wanted to see what would happen if people looked outside themselves and saw everyone else’s contribution.” A call for submissions yielded 200 works, of which 77 poems and works of creative prose were chosen by a jury. Each work includes a literal portrait of its author by artist Kelly
PEOPLE WORTH POETIC WORDS Sutherland. The book includes notable figures like Jann Arden, Mayor Naheed Nenshi, each of Calgary’s Poet Laureate and others, as well as a few first-time authors. “There are really well-known people writing in the book and also
people that it’s their first time writing a poem or being published. There are people written about that are really, really well-known and also people who are not well-known,” she says. Wilson says that part of the spirit of the project is inclusivity, so when
it came time to narrow down the submissions, it didn’t feel right to omit anyone. That’s why she also launched an online exhibition to showcase every other submission. “The people who are not in the book still get to be seen and heard and highlighted as an important voice in the city, so that no voice is more important than any other voice,” says Wilson. YYC POP also had a second run of submissions following the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic from students of all ages — “from 6 to 120 years old,” quips Wilson. This second round will be published online early this month. The book is out now through Frontenac House and an online launch event will take place September 26th. Learn more at sheridwilson. com. —Colin Gallant
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DETOURS
Openings ACTUALLY PRETTY GOOD Our Daily Brett, which moved its market and café into a new location earlier this year, has opened a pizzeria in its former Bankview space. Try thin crust pizzas like The Duke (featuring charred pineapple, rosemary chili bacon, red onion and smoked cheddar) with an order of pizza frite with salted caramel dip for dessert. 2509 14 St. S.W., 403-475-9384 actuallyprettygood.ca
AGGÜDO COFFEE
COLLAB Located in Southcentre Mall, this new store is all about supporting local makers and businesses. Inside, you’ll find products from more than 40 Canadian vendors (more than half of which hail from Calgary) including ceramics by Teresa Wyss Pottery, leather bags from Madec Bags and more. Southcentre Mall, 403-724-7920 collabyyc.com
PAPER LANTERN Spend your next night out at this new subterranean Vietnamese tropical bar in Chinatown. Paper Lantern’s food menu features dishes like caramelized pork belly skewers, mango salad and chicken roti Vietnamese subs all made from family recipes, while the cocktails are carefully crafted with house-made syrups and a special ice program. 115 2 Ave. S.E., 403-457-7765 paperlantern.ca 20
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MEET WAKEFIELD BREWSTER
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Poet in Residence at The Grand
akefield Brewster became the poet in residence at The Grand in February, 2019, nearly two decades into his career. It’s been a tumultuous time, not only for the city as we’ve gone through the pandemic, but also for the theatre, which rebranded itself as The Grand in late 2018 after its previous operating company, Theatre Junction, disbanded, and then was forced to temporarily close due to COVID-19. Fittingly, Brewster describes his process as “writing your way to wellness.” Brewster, who describes himself as a “PoEmcee” — his own portmanteau of poet and emcee — moved to Calgary in 2006 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the city’s most energetic and accessible spoken word artists. “Toronto’s poetry scene, spoken word scene, was so crowded. I came out here and my impact was — boom — immediate. The city allowed me to grow and has given me so many options. There was room to move — physically and artistically,” says Brewster. Brewster’s spoken word style is energetic, it requires movement — from him or the audience. He is a renegade who oozes energy. Each of his powerful verses simultaneously flows through an audience with ease while pummeling each individual member in their seat. Brewster has made a living off of being an accessible artist, performing everywhere from
classrooms and theatres to political fundraisers and pharmaceutical conventions. COVID-19 has changed that landscape. “With COVID, I am restricted to social media and recordings,” he says. “It has been a difficult time for everyone. But I will continue to write my way through it and emerge from this cocoon of creativity stronger.” Brewster’s latest poem BLACKOUT is dedicated to his late friend Patrick Shand Jr. and Shand’s family. According to a 2004 inquest, Shand died in Ontario of accidental restraint asphyxiation after being handcuffed and pinned to the ground by a security guard. Brewster says that’s partly why the death of George Floyd impacted him so deeply and helped inspire BLACKOUT. It’s a powerful homage and a call to action for everyone in light of the Black Lives Matter movement. The performance was recorded on The Grand’s stage floor and, while some of Brewster’s signature energy is slightly subdued in a video format, the raw recordings still provide a plethora of life and passion. The new recordings will be available on YouTube and on all of Brewster’s social media channels. “If there is any event put on by The Grand where a poetic component is warranted, there I’ll be. A mixed performance night, there I’ll be. If they need someone to speak on behalf of The Grand in a lyrical way, there I’ll be. Basically, I’m a vocal smoking gun — whenever poetry is needed, I’m there,” he says of his role. —Travis Klemp
P H O T O G R A P H B Y T R AV I S K L E M P
This new coffee shop opened in downtown Calgary in June. Aggüdo offers a range of hot and cold drinks featuring organic Ethiopian coffee, as well as snacks like teff injera rolls and baked goods. Grab a seat on the patio to enjoy the scenic view of Olympic Plaza with your order. 113, 237 8 Ave. S.E., 403-690-3773 aggudocoffee.com
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CALGARY’S ARTS SECTOR BY THE NUMBERS When COVID-19 took Calgary by storm it immediately became clear that the arts sector would be tested. We spoke to some local organizations — as well as Calgary Arts Development — to learn about their impact on the city and some specific challenges and triumphs they have experienced during the pandemic.
3.18 9,820
million people attended Calgary arts activities in 2019, per Calgary Arts Development (CAD) artists were hired in Calgary in 2019, a 15% increase over 2018, per CAD
$132,450,827 was the total revenue of local arts organizations in 2019, up 5% from 2018
917
individual artists across music, film, comedy and visual arts were hired by Sled Island in 2019, 434 of whom are from Alberta
800+
tickets, worth an approximate total of $50,000, were donated back to Calgary Opera for events cancelled due to COVID-19, not including paid tickets transferred to later shows
Gift Guide 2020 1
40-55% of Calgary Folk Music Festival’s annual revenue comes from festival sales, not including critical cash sponsorships also rocked by the pandemic
2
100,000 audience members (on average) attend each season of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
120+
95%
local artists were exhibited in more than 20,500 square feet of space upon Contemporary Calgary’s grand opening in January 2020
of Indefinite Arts Centre’s artists received services remotely while it was closed due to COVID-19
71%+
of ticket holders for two cancelled Theatre Calgary shows refused refunds and instead donated the cost or put it toward a gift certificate
$1.15 million and $2 million was allocated to artists as a
1
The Fibre Ark Wool Shop Located in Millarville, Alberta. Gnome Needle Felting DIY Craft Kit available at thefibreark.com
Instagram/Facebook/Pinterest/Etsy: TheFibreArk
2
TrueBüch Kombucha Calgary made with locally sourced ingredients. Bottles & draught now available for free delivery right to your doorstep from truebuch.com. @true_buch
response to COVID-19 by CAD and the City, respectively —Colin Gallant and Travis Klemp avenuecalgary.com
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M A D E I N A L B E R TA A W A R D S 2020
We love local and now more than ever supporting local businesses and makers is a vital way to help our province thrive. This year, the Made in Alberta Awards highlight winners and runners-up across 10 product categories including food, drink, craft, fashion and more. You’ll be sure to find something that you’ll love to eat, drink, give or enjoy yourself. M A D E I N A L B E R TA AWA R D S J U D G E S M I C H A E L A L L E M E I E R , M I C H E L L E A T K I N S O N , M A R I E B E R T R A N D , D A L L A S G A R R A , R O B G A S P A R , CHERYL GREISINGER, KELLY JUBENVILLS, GEOFF KRAMER, BRIANNE LARSON, MELANIE LOVE, NICOLE MACKAY, TONY MARSHALL, KAMLA MCGONIGAL, BUTCH MCPHERSON, JESSIE RADIES, DEB ROWLAND, JULIE VAN ROSENDAAL, NOLIN VEILLARD
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BLADE FLEX f rom Blade Flex MADE IN EDMONTON
$199 bladeflex.com
Joe and Matt Hamill’s Red Shed malts are an unsung hero of Alberta’s craft beer scene and the evolution of agricultural tradition in their family.
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UNIQUE THESE LOCAL PRODUCTS MAY NOT EASILY FIT INTO ANOTHER CATEGORY OF OUR AWARDS, BUT THEY’LL FIT RIGHT INTO YOUR HOME OR LIFESTYLE.
R E D S H E D S P E C I A LT Y M A LT S by Re d She d Ma lti ng MADE IN RED DEER COUNTY
Prices vary redshedmalting.ca
I
n December, 2013, the Alberta govmoisture in the barley from roughly 13.5 per cent to ernment changed a number of regula- about 44 per cent. Once the right moisture level is tions for breweries and paved the way reached the barley undergoes a germination process for the vast and booming craft beer and the kernels start to grow at a controlled temcommunity to flourish. Anticipating perature and moisture level for four days. Finally, the growth of local craft beer and the grain goes through kilning for approximately home brewing, brothers Joe and Matt 24 hours. This is where it finds its identity in both Hamill recognized that they could use colour and flavour. As the heat in the kiln rises and their family farm in a new way to create specialty the water evaporates from the barley, the maltsters malts to serve this new local market. choose the desired profile and then the malt is In beer making, malt provides the quickly cooled. sugars that are needed to ferment into Red Shed malts are available in alcohol. Using specialty malts allows small batches as little as one-pound both craft brewers and home brewbags and up to 50-lbs bags, and are OVERALL ers to create flavour, colour and used by home brewers as well as GRAND PRIZE aroma profiles. dozens of Alberta companies inWINNER The Red Shed story however, cluding Blindman Brewing, Annex starts long before Joe’s passion for Ale Project, Olds College Brewbrewing and the current craft beer ery, Alley Kat Brewing Company, trend. In 1929, Joe and Matt’s greatBridgeland Distillery, and this year’s grandparents, Bernard and Madge, immiAlberta Small Brewers Association Brewgrated to Penhold from Ireland. The farm has been ery of the Year winner, Cabin Brewing Company. in operation across four generations of Hamills, for Matt says that community building and kinship 90 harvests and more than 745 acres of barley. have been a focus since the beginning and remain Fast forward to 2020 and the Hamills praise guiding principles for how the Hamill farm and Red the Alberta soil and growing conditions that have Shed Malts operate today. allowed them to harvest some of the most desired “We wanted to be able to give back to our family barley varieties in the world. but also be involved with the Alberta companies like While the process of malting has remained much Alley Kat and Blindman and Northern Girls Hops,” the same for centuries, the Hamills use a unique he says. “They welcomed us into the community, malt plant of their own design that produces up to and we have been lucky enough to contribute to it in four tonnes of malt each week. Steeping raises the a positive way.” —T.K.
RUNNERS-UP
DIRTY WORK DISHCLOTHS BY BOLDFACED MADE IN CALGARY
$7 boldfacedgoods.com These compostable cellulose and cotton cloths add fun to cleaning. Choose from more than 100 designs with cheeky word play on each such as “Clean me up before you go, go” or “Another one wipes the dust” to cheer you up while you clean up. Now you’ve got 99 problems but a cloth ain’t one. HANDS-FREE TOWEL BY ONEBERRIE MADE IN PINCHER CREEK
$40 oneberrie.ca The bamboo terry and cotton flannel Oneberrie hands-free towel keeps parents connected to kids and reduces bath time tears.The towel hangs from the parent’s neck and swaddles the child, keeping baby calm and parent dry — making them a necessity for young families of all types. LUXURY BABY PLAYMAT BY COCO BEAN MADE IN COCHRANE
$280 coco-bean.ca Coco Bean’s luxury baby playmats come in a range of patterns and are made of a thick foam for babies to lay on. The raised edges allow kids to safely play with the five handmade toys that are included with each order. UWINEMAKER BY UWINEMAKER MADE IN CALGARY
$170 uwinemaker.com UWinemaker eliminates all of the extra, confusing equipment, heavy lifting and mess involved with traditional home winemaking kits. This all-in-one kit consolidates the wine-making process into a single tank and also speeds up the process, getting your homemade wine on the table faster. —T.K.
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BEAUTY THESE PRODUCTS COMBINE LOCAL INGREDIENTS AND LOCAL INGENUITY TO BEAUTIFUL EFFECT.
RUNNERS-UP
JACKED SHAMPOO BAR BY JACK59 MADE IN EDMONTON
$18 (other bars, $17 to $20) jack59.ca The sustainable, biodegradable Jacked shampoo bar is infused with caffeine and scented with essential oils like cedarwood and peppermint. Made for men, Jacked is a shampoo, body wash and shave bar allin-one. The company also offers several other bars for a variety of hair types — all pH balanced to align with hair’s needs. TOOTHPASTE TABLETS BY CHANGE TOOTHPASTE MADE IN EDMONTON
$5 to $25 changetoothpaste.com Change Toothpaste founders Damien Vince and Mike Medicoff consulted with a dentist to create this safe, effective, waste-reducing product. Packaged in a compostable pouch rather than a landfillbound plastic tube, the tablets work their magic with just a quick bite down and a wet toothbrush. HYALU RONIC RUBY S E RU M by P u ra Bota ni c a l s MADE IN EDMONTON
$144 for 33 ml bottle purabotanicals.ca
P
ura Botanicals Hyaluronic Ruby and director Lane Edwards. “The ruby adds Serum has a hidden treasure an energetic mineral infusion that is proinside. It’s not the lightweight tective and increases circulation. WINNER hyaluronic acid that provides The serum, handcrafted in Pura’s clean a long-lasting moisture lock — tailorbeauty lab in downtown Edmonton, made for Alberta’s dry climate. Nor is it the which opened in 2015, was inspired by rare, naturally sourced gromwell root, which The Wizard of Oz. “It’s my favourite movie,” repairs skin and offers the serum its signature pink Edwards says. “Dorothy uses her ruby slippers to lemonade hue. It’s not even the combination of mul- liberate the oppressed people of Oz, and our whole tifunctional natural botanicals, including restorative brand is about self-empowerment. Now, more than bilberry and soothing cucumber nor the addition of ever, people are taking the time to look after themantioxidant-rich vitamin C — although all of these selves. We’re skincare, but we’re spirit care, too.” ingredients are “gems” in their own right and magic In line with Pura’s focus on sustainability, cuswhen combined. The treasure in the serum is quite tomers can repurpose their rubies into jewellery or literally a jewel — a sustainably sourced ruby placed refill their empty serum bottles at the beauty lab and inside each handblown Italian glass bottle. keep their rubies in place. “We felt it was really important to immerse the “It’s not just a throwaway product,” Edwards says. ruby in the formula,” says Pura Botanicals founder “It really does keep on giving.”
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SOAP BY FIELD KIT MADE IN CALGARY
$10 fieldkitco.com Field Kit’s soap comes in two formats: a four-ounce half cylinder that is smooth and easy to grip, and a chocolate barsized travel soap that can be snapped off into pieces for easy use and portability. Beautiful and function in both sizes, the soap comes in a variety of natural scents — think bergamot and ginger and more. ALL-NATURAL SKIN OILS BY ELLIE BIANCA MADE IN CALGARY
$45 to $90 elliebianca.com Ellie Bianca is passionate about nourishing the skin with sustainable earth-friendly ingredients while also empowering women through ethical sourcing, profit sharing, education and more. The company’s all-natural skin oils reflect these values in a luxurious blend of 12 balanced oils, including shea oil from Africa and vitamin E. —M.B.
Country Living Furnishings & Design
FA S H I O N AND ACCESSORIES
GET DRESSED UP AND READY TO GO SUPPORT LOCAL FASHION DESIGNERS AND CREATORS. THERE WERE SO MANY GREAT ENTRIES WE COULDN’T PICK JUST ONE WINNER IN THIS CATEGORY.
IR ENE RAS ETTI by Irene Rasett i MADE IN CALGARY
$80 to $500 irenerasetti.com WINNER
I
rene Rasetti got her start in fashion during an eight-year stay in Milan, Italy, where she attended the fashion design school L’istituto Marangoni before working at Versace and Gianfranco Ferré as a designer. After returning to Canada, she took a natural dyeing workshop at the Alberta College of Art + Design (now AUArts) that set her on her current course. “I loved how every piece would come out differently and that there was no real structure to it. It was very organic,” she says. “There was something about the connection between nature and creating with nature that really felt nice to me. I started getting into using flowers and weeds and pigments and incorporating those things into creating colour on cloth that kind of led into making garments again. There was something that translated there, like that there was beauty in decay and relinquishing control over the result of something being perfect.” Rasetti launched her eponymous line of naturally dyed garments, which today includes robes, slip- and wrap-dresses, scarves and tops all made of natural-fibre fabrics, in 2015. After her production assistant does the pattern drafting and sewing, Rasetti tackles the one- to four-week process of preparing and dyeing the fabric in her Calgary home studio. She generally uses an eco-printing or bundledyeing technique, incorporating flowers and plant matter largely sourced from her own garden and Calgary florists to bring dreamy shades of pink, orange, purple, grey, brown and more to the garments, as well as leaf and plant prints. The final result is always one-of-a-kind, producing a piece that is as much art as it is fashion. —A.W. 28
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WINNER RUNNERS-UP
AURUM RING BY B HEER JEWELLERY ORIGINALS MADE IN COCHRANE
Starting at $3,000 bheer.com Bayot Heer’s custom Aurum rings capture the beauty of the prairie landscape. To create these eye-catching bands, Heer alloys the golds, then forges them and finally solders the layers of four to six colours of 18 karat gold — yellow, orange, red, peach, green and white. Customers can further customize with a sprinkling of diamonds. THE KARMEN JUMPSUIT BY GUS SLOAN MADE IN EDMONTON
B LUF F POCKET BLAZER IN FLORALZ SE RI E S: P RA I RI E ROZ E by Anneke Forbes and Nat a l i e G e r be r Stu d i o MADE IN CALGARY
Jacket starts at $985; fabric $290 per metre annekeforbes.com, nataliegerber.ca
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ith neighbouring design studios in Calgary’s cSpace King Edward building, fashion designer Anneke Forbes and surface designer Natalie Gerber have long admired each other’s work. So collaboration just made sense for the pair. “We respect each other as artists and value the same things in our business: a luxurious quality but also a bit of a sustainable ethos,” says Forbes. “The concept of small, slow business that is intentional and authentic, I think we both live those. And we just connected as artists and as friends.” Elegant yet modern, the Bluff Pocket Blazer in Floralz Series: Prairie Roze is a high-quality, meticulously crafted garment. Gerber’s beautiful rose print fabric — a nod to Alberta’s provincial flower — was inspired by connection and place. “The way that I could explore
place was through the things that I can see and the things that are around me. Those things that are natural to our environment and that have been here longer than us,” Gerber says. Gerber starts her prints by hand drawing the image that she then turns into a pattern and layers digitally before silkscreening it by hand using a water-based print system. Forbes, who is known for her structured winter coats and leather jackets, used the finished fabric to create a made-to-measure silk-lined blazer for her line. Forbes’ attention to detail is particularly on display in eye-catching details like the blazer’s bound buttonholes, covered buttons and inside chest pocket. The blazer style is also offered in at least six additional colours. Together, the pair have created a striking wardrobe staple that showcases the strength of Alberta’s design talent. —A.W.
$220 gussloan.com Created with input from a company giveaway winner, the Karmen jumpsuit has a vintage-meets-modern vibe with flowy pant legs, coverall-style straps and pockets. Available in a wide range of sizes (XS to 3X), customizable inseam length and sustainable fabric choice — this jumpsuit is destined to be a favourite of many. LUXURY ROBES BY MONOGRAPH MADE IN CALGARY
Starting at $90 shopmonograph.ca Monograph’s luxury robes capture the sophisticated side of loungewear. Monograph founder Natasha Mansueti handmakes each robe with moisturewicking lyocell fabric. Available in kneeand floor-length options in 15 colours, they’re equally fitting as a treat for yourself or as gifts for a bridal party. MALIGNE COAT BY LUMBERJILL APPAREL MADE IN EDMONTON
$365 lumberjillapparel.ca LumberJill Apparel created the Maligne coat to balance style and practicality. The red buffalo flannel plaid coat includes well-developed features like a Sherpa fleece lining, thumbhole cuffs, a three-piece hood and more. LumberJill is passionate about manufacturing locally and the coat gets its name from Jasper’s Maligne Canyon. —A.W.
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S, RD A AW F TA R LO E L B A AL RTS IN O RS E P AD UP FTE S M A LY HE , CR UD FT NS O O A R TA. TIS LP OR R L R S E A A N M LB L SPO CA RE FA T O A O L N AS RS CE TED CE TH N U U E D SO AL RO ET DP TH N A
INTERESTED IN SEEING YOUR BRAND AT SOUTHCENTRE MALL? EMAIL US AT INFO@SOUTHCENTREMALL.COM!
Southcentre Mall is doing everything we can to ensure your visit is safe, and enjoyable. Plan a visit to Southcentre Mall and experience some of our great local retailers including:
ADESSO / CGY TEAM STORE CHACHI’S / COLLAB / CRAFT HULA POKE / JOYDROP LAMOSE / OAK & TONIC ROCKY MOUNTAIN SOAP CO. TWISTED GOODS / VRKADE THOMAS JEFFERY
#MadeInAlberta
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DRINK TAKE IT EASY WITH THESE LOCALLY MADE SOFT SIPPERS. RUNNERS-UP
THERAPEUTIC LOOSE LEAF TEA BLENDS BY CHI’S TEA COMPANY MADE IN CALGARY
Starting at $16 chiteacompany.com Chi’s Tea Company keeps it honest and delicious with its lineup of loose-leaf tea blends. Each blend contains a variety of herbs and spices hand-blended with high-quality tea leaves — no added flavours or fillers included. The Cosmic Spice Chai, the company’s flagship blend, combines black tea with nine spices for a zingy flavour that is delicious served hot or cold. VILLAGE LOCAL NON-ALCOHOLIC STOUT BY VILLAGE BREWERY MADE IN CALGARY
KOM BUCHA by Tr u e Bü c h Ko mbu c ha MADE IN CALGARY
Starting at $5 for a 355 ml bottle truebuch.com
T
he idea for True Büch Kombupartners, J.R. Brooks and Shane Jackson, cha started when founders have joined to help handle the business. Louisa and Conrad Ferrel During peak production months, True WINNER took an extended trip to Büch now makes between 15,000 and China. Conrad lives with a variety of food 20,000 bottles a week. intolerances and allergies and found relief True Büch uses a blend of black and from his symptoms with kombucha, a fermentgreen tea, adds cane sugar and then ferments its ed tea packed with probiotics that has been popular kombucha with the use of a SCOBY (symbiotic culin China for centuries. ture of bacteria and yeast) and finally adds natural When the couple returned home, they couldn’t ingredients to create a variety of flavours. find a local company making kombucha, so they Giving back financially is an important part began making their own. of True Büch’s business model and the company As kombucha became a mainstream drink in partners with eight local organizations including North America, demand for their product grew and Mealshare, Camp fYrefly and The Alice Sanctuary. in just five and a half years True Büch went from “As we grow, we will have more partners and a single farmers’ market stall to being carried by continue to give back a good chunk of our bottom about 550 retailers across Canada. In recent years, line into the communities that have helped us grow. the company has added several employees, and two That’s what we are built on,” says Brooks. —S.S. 32
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$12 for a four-pack of tall boys villagebrewery.com Village Brewery proves that non-alcoholic doesn’t need to mean non-flavourful beer. The Village Local NonAlcoholic Stout is the second non-alcoholic offering from the beloved local brewery. Made with Alberta malted barley, this stout has notes of chocolate and roasted coffee, giving beer drinkers a lighter option (it’s just 70 calories) without sacrificing on taste. —S.S.
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ALCOHOLIC
DRINK ALBERTA HAS EXPERIENCED A BOOM IN DISTILLERIES AND BREWERIES. THESE ARE JUST A SAMPLING OF SOME OF THE BEST. WINNER
T WO BEAN BREW by The Fort Dist illery MADE IN FORT SASKATCHEWAN
$30 to $32 thefortdistillery.com
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hen it comes to craft spirits, there are plenty of unique products on the market, but figuring out what to actually do with these products
can be tricky. “If you make a really unique liqueur with some random berry, it might taste delicious, but if no one knows how to use it, they’re probably not going to buy it,” says Nathan Flim, who owns The Fort Distillery in Fort Saskatchewan with his wife Kayla. Their desire to make a unique product that is still familiar and approachable for consumers is partly what drove the team at The Fort Distillery to create Two Bean Brew coffee liqueur. “People know what a coffee liqueur is,” says Flim. “There are a couple of other coffee liqueurs out there and they all sort of taste the same: syrup with a bit of coffee in it. We wanted to make something a little different.” Two Bean Brew contains no syrups or artificial flavours. Instead, Fort’s head distiller, Julia Le, uses raw ingredients and infuses them into a house-made alcohol. Fort Distillery sources the coffee from Fort Saskatchewan café and roaster Cafe Bench, and chocolate made by Delicacies Valley in Calgary for the liqueur. Le also uses demerara sugar instead of white sugar for a more mellow sweetness and rounds out the liqueur with a hint of vanilla. When it’s served over ice, Two Bean Brew has a clean coffee flavour reminiscent of an iced coffee. It also mixes beautifully in cocktails and is amazing poured over vanilla ice cream. “Everybody who tries it loves it,” says Flim. —S.S.
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SOUR CHERRY POMME-PEAR BY LEKKER CIDER MADE IN CALGARY
$4.50 to $5.50 per can lekkercider.com You won’t find apple flavorants or concentrates in this cider. Instead it’s made from five varieties of fresh-pressed apples sourced from the Pacific Northwest and driven back to Calgary by the husband and wife duo who founded Lekker in 2018. Sour Cherry Pomme-Pear is also blended with Montmorency cherry and pear juices for an off-dry, tart flavour.
RUNNERS-UP
SINGLE MALT WHISKY BATCH 003 BY EAU CLAIRE DISTILLERY
FRUIT ‘N FUNK KOMBUCHA COCKTAIL BY BURWOOD DISTILLERY
MADE IN TURNER VALLEY
$95 eauclairedistillery.ca Eau Claire Distillery became Alberta’s first craft distiller to produce a single malt whisky when this spirit launched in 2017. Made using Albertagrown malted barley, it is placed in new European oak barrels and ex-bourbon barrels and stored for at least three years — a requirement to be called whisky in Canada — giving the spirit a complex flavour with hints of vanilla and caramel and an oaky finish. —S.S.
MADE IN CALGARY
$19.50 for a four-pack burwooddistillery.ca Burwood Distillery teamed up with Happy Belly Kombucha in 2019 to craft a premium canned cocktail. This hard kombucha pairs the spicy botanicals and citrus pop of Burwood Gin with the crisp and tropical Pineapple Hops Kombucha from Happy Belly for a refreshing and naturally sweet sipper.
JAM ROCK BY THE ESTABLISHMENT BREWING COMPANY MADE IN CALGARY
$18.50 for a four-pack establishmentbrewing.ca This refreshing kettle-soured beer takes its name from the blackberry puree added during the fermentation process to give it a jam-like flavour and body. The brewers also add vanilla for a natural sweetness balancing some of the tartness of the beer. It’s easy to see why this is one of the brewery’s bestsellers.
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CRAFT THESE FINELY CRAFTED ITEMS DEMONSTRATE THE CARE AND ATTENTION OF ALBERTA’S ARTISANS. WINNER
BIRDHOUS ES by Home Twe et Ho me MADE IN CALGARY
$75 to $225 facebook.com/Home-Tweet-Home-105196531068403/
R
alph Giebelhaus took up woodworking in 2017 to fill some free time while he was undergoing cancer treatments. Shortly after investing in two saws and a compressor, he built his first birdhouse — a simple structure he decorated with stones he collected from his front yard. “It just came out of the blue, it really did,” says Giebelhaus. “I’ve had people ask me ‘What gave you the incentive?’ And I say, ‘I’m really not sure. I was just so bored at home watching TV.’” The new hobby would have remained just that if his brother hadn’t convinced him to bring the birdhouses to a market in Marda Loop. After reluctantly agreeing, Giebelhaus says he was surprised to sell out of his five birdhouses within an afternoon. Since then, his process has evolved. Giebelhaus — who is now cancer free — takes hikes throughout southern Alberta, gathering stones, calcified mushrooms, driftwood, cattails and other natural components to give his houses their trademark natural aesthetic. Giebelhaus scorches the plywood base and cedar roof of each birdhouse before decorating them with his foraged finds. He says he doesn’t tend to preplan the look of the exterior design, so each birdhouse turns out entirely one-of-a-kind. The natural look has proven to be popular. Giebelhaus says customers often take their time finding just the right one for them. But in terms of the ultimate client for any birdhouse, Giebelhaus says feedback informs him that birds quickly gravitate toward the real estate, often moving in just a few days after the houses are put on display. —N.K.
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RUNNERS-UP
ARTISAN HANDBAGS BY THE NOBLE HERD MADE IN CALGARY
$399 to $1,299 thenobleherd.com The Noble Herd turns whole cowhides into eye-catching artisan handbags. The line of small cross-body, canteen cross-body and full-sized handcrafted handbags include Brazilian hairon-hide cowhide, Italian leather and high-quality hardware, culminating in elegant designs full of cowboy charm. HORSE HAIR RAKU PLATE BY ARIES EARTH POTTERY MADE IN CAROLINE
$175 to $250 ariesearth.com First fired in an electric kiln, the second firing in the raku kiln gives these plates their name and distinct look — the potter applies horsehair to the red-hot dish, leaving a permanent carbon mark. Once accented with willow or dogwood branches, the decorative plates serve as a custom keepsake or memorial for a beloved equine companion. NEEDLE FELTING KIT BY THE FIBRE ARK MADE IN MILLARVILLE
$16 to $32 thefibreark.com Few products can claim to be “made from scratch” quite like The Fibre Ark’s Needle Felting Kit. Designed by artist Bethany Harris and her mother, the kits use wool from Shetland sheep and alpacas raised on their family’s Millarville farm and include everything needed, including step-by-step instructions and tutorials, to ensure even novice needlers can create an adorable sculpture. —N.K.
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SWEET
FOOD THESE TREATS TELL A TASTY STORY ABOUT ALBERTA’S MAKERS. DUZ U DAT E S by Du zu Date s MADE IN CALGARY
$4 to $19 duzudates.com
RUNNERS-UP
CRAFT CHOCOLATE BARS BY GOLDIE MADE IN CALGARY
$8.50 goldiechocolate.com All seven varieties of Goldie chocolate bars start from carefully selected and ethically sourced cocoa beans, which the company then roasts, cracks and winnows in-house. Then the Goldie team grinds the beans with other organic ingredients, tempers and molds the chocolate. The result is an all-natural bar that tastes as good as it looks.
WINNER
BEYOND BEER GOURMET COOKIES BY CORISE MADE IN CALGARY
$6 to $9 corise.ca CoRise Beyond Beer Gourmet Cookies turn leftovers into a main event by giving the grain used in beer making a second life after brewing. CoRise partners with Calgary microbreweries to gather and repurpose leftover barley and wheat, dehydrating and milling the spent grains to create a delicious, sustainable and environmentally conscious treat unlike any other.
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D
uzu Dates’ story starts with founder and CEO Lorena Prakash’s 2012 trip to Dubai, where she first tried gourmet filled dates in a boutique. Prakash became obsessed with the elegantly presented treat. As the supply she’d brought home to Calgary from her trip ran out, she searched for them locally with no results. So, in 2015 she started Duzu Dates — naming the company after an ancient Mesopotamian god of food and vegetation. Five years later, Prakash’s passion for dates lives on. Now Duzu’s small team works through an intense process to ensure each date has the potential to win over non-believers. The Duzu team pits each medjool date by hand then fills it with almonds (Decadent Date; Dream
PURE MAPLE SYRUP BY UNCLE LEE’S BEES
CARAMUNCHIES BY CARAMUNCHIES
MADE IN CALGARY
MADE IN EDMONTON
$15 facebook.com/uncleleesbees Our province may lack sugar maples but Uncle Lee’s Bees has found a way to produce top notch syrup regardless. The company’s beekeepers use sap from boxelder maple trees to produce this distinctly Albertan syrup. As far as we can tell, Uncle Lee’s is the only Alberta company making maple syrup commercially, and its production has had to expand year-over-year to meet the growing demand.
$7 to $7.25 caramunchies.com Self-described “professional snacker” Alysia Lok created Caramunchies as an allencompassing craving solution, using homemade salted caramel to bind crunchy Cornflakes into a sweet-and-salty combo. Additional flavours include chocolate and coconut amaretto and chai tea latte (with tea from Edmonton’s The Noble Table). Caramunchies are a step above your average late-night snack.
MACARONS BY OLLIA MACARONS MADE IN CALGARY
Date), candied lemon (Ruby’s Date with Passion) or mixtures including pistachios, lavender, honey and and hemp seeds among other delectable ingredients. Most varieties of Duzu Dates are enrobed in chocolate from Calgary’s Cococo, then decorated with pink Himalayan salts or edible rose petals and finally packaged by hand. The result is a nutritious treat that still satisfies a sweet tooth. As Duzu Dates continues to grow a following, Prakash says challenging preconceived notions remains a highlight of the job. “That’s my favourite part — seeing people’s faces light up and almost having them experience dates for the first time, even if they’ve had them before,” says Prakash. “Then I feel like they’ve experienced it like I did when I was in Dubai.” —N.K.
$2 for regular macarons, $8 to $9 for macaron mini cakes byollia.com Ollia Macarons have grown into a Calgary staple through delectable signature flavours and seasonal creations. Ollia’s mission doesn’t stop with its own macarons and mini cakes — the company’s popular Macaron 101 Baking Class and new Macaron Kits extend its philosophy of creating a parenthèse enchantée (enchanted moment) beyond its own kitchen. —N.K.
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S AV O U RY
FOOD GLOBAL FLAVOURS AND ELEVATED ESSENTIALS WILL WOW YOU WITH DELECTABLE INTERPRETATIONS OF LOCAL INGREDIENTS.
RUNNERS-UP
BODACIOUS TOMATO KETCHUP BY HONEY BUNNY INC., MADE IN GUY
$8.50 honeybunny.ca Have you heard the buzz about this organic, glutenfree ketchup? It’s made with honey! Bodacious Tomato Ketchup has found a ravenous fanbase — more than 100,000 lbs have been produced since 2008. Its slim packaging makes it easier to fit in the fridge or take on a trip, too. BUNDNERFLEISCH BY VALBELLA GOURMET FOODS MADE IN CANMORE
D U MPLINGS by Ho ne st Du mpl i ngs MADE IN EDMONTON
$15 per bag honestdumplings.ca
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ay Ma moved from Shanghai to distributor Uproot Food Collective. Edmonton in 2007 to pursue Honest Dumplings pack a lot into these a law career, but in 2014 pivexceptional little parcels. The minimalist WINNER oted to the food business and packaging and silky-soft wrappers natuco-founded Honest Dumplings with her rally coloured by veggies and spices are tech-exec husband Chris Lerohl. Six years what most people notice first, but it’s when and some major business moves later, the pair you bite into the symphony of flavour and has sold more than a million craveable dumplings. texture inside that the dumplings truly sing. Honest Lerohl says he and Ma knew they struck gold Dumplings offers classic options like the traditional early. “I remember the first customer and the first pork with edamame and shrimp, and more fusion-y time we ever sold something at a farmers’ market — varieties like ginger beef and butter chicken. There’s we were blown away that we sold out of everything.” even a suite of vegan options that rival their meaty The company now has a 7,000-square-foot counterparts in complexity of flavour. manufacturing facility, a team of 18 employees and If you’re making your first Honest Dumplings major distribution in both Alberta and British Copurchase, try a “carnivore” or “herbivore” variety lumbia. It has also merged with South Island Pie Co. pack. Before long you’ll be rooting for the company and is a founding member of gourmet local food to sell a million units more. —C.G.
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$30 per kilogram valbellagourmetfoods.ca European bündnerfleisch has been a top seller at Canmore’s Valbella Gourmet Foods for the last 40 years. Valbella rubs the meat with a secret spice blend then saltages it for 30 days, smokes it and finally dries it for up to nine months. The resulting treat is like an alpine take on beef jerky, except better. FRESH RAVIOLI BY PASTA DEL PELLEGRINO MADE IN CALGARY
$5 to $13 pastadelpellegrino.com Italian-Argentinian-Canadian entrepreneur Francisco Gugliotta makes her exquisite fresh pasta by hand using Canadian flour and Alberta cheese. She makes many kinds of pasta, but the fullest expression of her craft is ravioli. Each of the four varieties contain complex flavours.
GAMES AND
LEISURE GET READY TO PLAY STRONGER AND BETTER WITH THESE ALBERTA-MADE ATHLETIC PRODUCTS. STEAK, STOUT AND GRUYÈRE PIE BY PIE JUNKIE MADE IN CALGARY
$9 piejunkie.ca Pie Junkie’s single serving meat pies bring together quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation. Here, the heft of Canmore Brewing’s stout and the unbelievably buttery pie crust balance with the tender Alberta flank steak and tangy gruyère cheese. A post-meal nap isn’t required, but seconds might be.
RUNNER-UP
ELEVIIA DOORWAY PULL-UP BAR BY DUONAMIC TECHNOLOGY MADE IN CALGARY
$129 to $156 duonamic.com Duonamic Technology designed the Eleviia doorway pull-up bar to fit into any standard door frame. The compact workout essential can be carried in a backpack or carry-on luggage – making it the perfect travel workout piece that can be taken anywhere. So now if you’re fit enough to do pull ups (or simply aspire to be), you can do them anywhere. —T.K.
HUMMUS BY MOTHER MAY I BAKE MADE IN CALGARY
$7 mothermayibake.com Working by hand with quality ingredients, food blog and dip-making enterprise Mother May I Bake has created a strong, classic hummus that also serves as foundation for bolder concoctions. They’re all great, but make sure to try the baked falafel variety — chickpeas two ways never tasted so good.
BLADE F LE X by Bl a d e f l ex MADE IN EDMONTON
$199 bladeflex.com PAVANE CHEESE BY DANCING GOATS FARM MADE IN ACME
$7 to $10 per 150 grams dancinggoatsfarm.com This goat cheese is light in flavour, firmer than you may expect and a feast for the eyes due to an aging process where ash locks in moisture and adds colour. Named for a processional European dance, it is equal parts old world elegance and contemporary Albertan agriculture. — C.G.
B
flex. When his hours of physiotherapy and rehab yielded ladeflex changes the way athletes maintain only temporary results, he wanted another, more their bodies and perform at the highest permanent resolution. level and is changing the posture and WINNER “It felt like I was going to physio and taking one rehabilitation landscape. step forward and two steps back,” says Nolt. “This The posture-training device helps retrain muscle product helps you maintain the progress you make in memory and support postural muscles around the your rehab without having to wait a week to get back to shoulders, neck and back. That’s great for slouchy office the physiotherapist.” workers, but professional athletes have also taken notice. The Bladeflex looks a bit like a backpack without the pack, Derek Nolt, the owner and operator of Bladeflex, works with the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton CFL team devel- with two arm straps and a piece that stretches across the shoulder blades to pull the shoulders back and elongate the neck and oping specific training exercises to pair with the Bladeflex. back. It can be worn while at your desk or during exercise and Nolt’s own experience with shoulder injuries and a physicomes in multiple colors. —T.K. cally demanding carpentry career led him to create the Bladeavenuecalgary.com
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DECOR THE WINNER AND RUNNERS-UP IN THIS CATEGORY PROVE THAT INTENT AND PROCESS ARE KEY IN CREATING SOMETHING WORTH LIVING WITH. GU ITAR S TANDS by Natu ra l Co l l e c ti o n MADE IN CALGARY
$549 naturalcollectionstands.com
T
he best functional objects are as beautiful as they are useful. That’s the guiding principle behind Natural Collection, a handcrafted instrument stand company based in Calgary. Operated out of Caleb Blake’s garage, Natural Collection began as a hobby but has grown into a business. The company produces performing stools, wall hangers and floor stands for guitars and ukuleles. The guitar stands are made from raw walnut or maple — Blake’s favourite woods — that he cuts, fastens, sands, glues and finishes with oil before he adds a soft, renewable type of cork for protective padding. All told, it takes about 12 hours of labour, or 52 repeats of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” to make each stand. Blake, a guitar player, says the durability and design of Natural Collection’s work sets it apart. Typically mass-produced as a near-afterthought, the average guitar stand is a victim of planned obsolescence and made with no regard for aesthetic pleasure. Natural Collection’s stands are meant to last a lifetime and Blake’s creations bring out the natural beauty of the wood. The curvature of the stands and the luminous sheen covering the rich grain possess a sensual quality. “I’ve had a couple people say ‘wow, I never thought a guitar stand could be so sexy.’ That right there hits the nail on the head for me,” says Blake. “I love musical instruments and I think they’re great pieces of art to have around the house. I wanted to make a stand that was equally beautiful — if not more beautiful.” —C.G. 42
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WINNER
RUNNERS-UP
FURCULA DINING TABLE BY IZM MADE IN EDMONTON
$6,000 to $12,000 izm.ca The Furcula dining table’s shape is inspired by a bird’s breastbone (the Latin word for which gives the table its namesake). A near-imperceptible parabola along the tabletop’s underside invites the eye to take in the table’s entire form rather than get caught on any one element. BARN WOOD DOORS BY TWO BIRDS FURNITURE MADE IN OKOTOKS
$400 to $900 twobirdsfurniture.ca Two Birds Furniture dismantles old barns and creates beautiful doors in an array of sizes and styles that can be used for entryways, to divide rooms or even as feature walls. Regardless of the style and customizations chosen, every door comes with a postcard that tells the story of the barn it came from. SKATEBOARD BOWL BY ADRIANMARTINUS MADE IN CALGARY
F O R I M A G E S O F RU N N E R S - U P V I SI T
madeinalbertaawards.ca
$200 to $700 adrianmartinus.com Like AdrianMartinus’s ‘R5’ table that made runner-up in last year’s Made in Alberta Awards, this bowl is made from reclaimed skateboards. Each bowl requires 10 boards and 10 days to craft, and the unique building and laserengraving process means no two have the exact same appearance. —C.G.
OUR D O ORS A RE OPEN Amica Aspen Woods is pleased to announce our doors are once again open to friends, family, and guests. While we have long awaited this day, we have done so with caution and with a priority – always – on the health and safety of our residents and team members. We are now welcoming visitors on an appointment basis and look forward to showing you what life at Amica is all about. Contact us for more information or to book a visit.
C A L L J O Y C E AT 4 0 3 - 2 4 0 - 4 4 0 4
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BEST
NEIGHBOURHOODS
ince March, many of us have spent more time in our neighbourhoods than ever — sticking close to home in social isolation at first and, as business in the city resumed, not venturing as far as we might normally. Even at the best of times, with more than 208 neighbourhoods in the city, it’s impossible for anyone to know them all well. Our annual Best Neighbourhoods list is a starting point that we hope makes you look a bit differently at what the city’s neighbourhoods
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offer and gives you a peek beyond the communities you know. It’s not hard to find a good place to live in Calgary; every neighbourhood in the city has a range of offerings for its residents. A lot of what makes a neighbourhood great is highly personal. Many of us want to live close to family or friends, in the neighbourhood we grew up in, or close to work. Or, we just love the look of a particular home on a particular street or the feeling of a place. All that aside,
B Y D I A N E B O L T A N D K Ä T H E L E M O N I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y M A R I A H E R G U E T A
OUR ANNUAL DATA-DRIVEN LOOK AT THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE IN CALGARY
this is our data-driven approach to ranking Calgary’s residential neighbourhoods. We use city-wide data from the City of Calgary and other groups for our calculations. Our annual Best Neighbourhoods survey asks respondents to rank the most important characteristics of a great place to live. This year’s survey closed just as we headed into the pandemic lockdown. Despite that, the characteristics seem more relevant in our current state.
This year, park space and pathway-system access ranked in the top two spots followed by high Walk Score and easy access to grocery stores. Most notable in this year’s results was that proximity to a lot of restaurants dropped significantly for the second year in a row. Having lots of restaurants was ranked 11th in making a neighbourhood great — just after having lots of trees. While the top two spots were taken by perennial high scorers Brentwood (number
one last year) and Varsity (number one in 2017), there were also some new appearances in the top 20. Because Crescent Heights, Sunnyside and Hillhurst all scored so highly and are so close together we focused on that area of the city in our reporting. You’ll also find here our top 20 list and top-ranked neighbourhoods in some of the most important characteristics. Even more data and reporting is available at AvenueCalgary.com. —K.L.
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TO P 2 0 NEIGHBOURHOODS 1 Brentwood 2 Varsity 3 Crescent Heights 4 Sunnyside 5 Bridgeland/Riverside 6 Dalhousie 7 Hillhurst 8 Bowness 9 Acadia 10 Edgemont 11 Huntington Hills 12 Inglewood 13 Lake Bonavista
TOP 10 NEIGHBOURHOODS BY THE NUMBE R S
14 Riverbend 15 Altadore 16 Dover 17 Eau Claire 18 Signal Hill 19 Thorncliffe 20 Mount Pleasant
B R E N TWO O D Population (2019 Census): 7,267
Density (residents per square kilometre): 2,506 Park access points: 31 Walk Score: 53 Engagement score: 142 Transit Score: 60 Trees per sq.- km: 993
VA R S I TY Population (2019 Census): 12,874
M O ST I MORTA NT CH ARACT E RI S I TI CS 1 High proportion of park space 2 Good access to the pathway system 3 High Walk Score 4 Good access to supermarkets, grocery stores and food markets 5 Strong community engagement 6 Good access to major roads 7 High Transit Score 8 High number of public recreation facilities 9 Close to a retail shopping district 10 Lots of trees
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Density (residents per sq.-km): 1,893 Park access points: 45 Walk Score: 49 Engagement score: 116 Transit Score: 59 Trees per sq.-km: 1,043
C R ES C ENT HEI GHTS Population (2019 Census): 6,620
Density (residents per sq.-km): 4,138 Park access points: 14 Walk Score: 76 Engagement score: 92 Transit Score: 69 Trees per sq.-km: 1,713
S U N N YSI DE Population (2019 Census): 4,230
Density (residents per sq.-km): 4,230
Park access points: 18 Walk Score: 75 Engagement score: 96 Transit Score: 74 Trees per sq.-km: 2,212
BR I DGEL A ND/R I VE RSID E Population (2019 Census): 6,835
Density (residents per sq.-km): 2,278 Park access points: 32 Walk Score: 67 Engagement score: 48 Transit Score: 66 Trees per sq.-km: 1,140
DA L HO USI E Population (2019 Census): 8,940
Density (residents per sq.-km): 2,709 Park access points: 37 Walk Score: 48 Engagement score: 86 Transit Score: 64 Trees per sq.-km: 1,213
HI L L HUR ST Population (2019 Census): 6,558
Density (residents per sq.-km): 3,123 Park access points: 12 Walk Score: 75 Engagement score: 169
HIGHEST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT POINTS
Walk Score measures the walkability of a neighbourhood based on the percentage of daily errands that can be accomplished on foot in the area. Walk Score is a private company based in Seattle, Washington, that provides a complete list of Walk Scores, Transit Scores and Bike Scores for Calgary neighbourhoods on its website.
Community engagement means a lot of different things to a lot of different people and a lot of what it means is subjective. Yet our aim was to create an engagement score based on objective measures available comprehensively for the city’s many neighbourhoods. One aspect of community engagement that can be measured is neighbours’ opportunities to run into each other. The more neighbours see each other out and about in their community, the more likely it is that they meet and then become involved in their community. To create our engagement score we collected data on access to libraries, parks, playgrounds, community halls, schools and more. We took into consideration the percentage of dog owners with the thought that the more dog owners there are wandering a community’s streets, the more likely it is neighbours might chat casually with one another. Our engagement score is definitely a substitute for other qualitative measures of community involvement such as friendly neighbours who are actively involved in helping each other. But we think it’s a pretty good substitute.
1 Beltline 91(tie)
1 Huntington Hills 196
1 Downtown Commercial Core 91 (tie)
2 McKenzie Lake 182
3 Lower Mount Royal 88
3 Lake Bonavista 170
4 Downtown West End 87
4 Hillhurst 169
5 Cliff Bungalow 85
5 Pineridge 163
HIGHEST WALK SCORE Transit Score: 72 Trees per sq.-km: 1,610
BOWNES S Population (2019 Census): 11,150
Density (residents per sq.-km): 1,991 Park access points: 34 Walk Score: 38 Engagement score: 134 Transit Score: 44 Trees per sq.-km: 985
ACA DIA Population (2019 Census): 10,520
Density (residents per sq.-km): 2,697 Park access points: 36 Walk Score: 53 Engagement score: 131 Transit Score: 51 Trees per sq.-km: 1,785
EDG EM ONT Population (2019 Census): 15,395 Density (residents per sq.-km): 2,333 Park access points: 50 Walk Score: 25 Engagement score: 113 Transit Score: 40 Trees per sq.-km: 1,177
MOST TREES 1 Queens Park Village 5,531 trees per sq.-km 2 Eau Claire 4,242 trees per sq.-km 3 Erlton 3,041 trees per sq.-km 4 Garrison Green 2,443 trees per sq.-km 5 Rosedale 2,418 trees per sq.-km avenuecalgary.com
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I N N E R - C I T Y I DY L L THE NEIGHBOURING COMMUNITIES OF CRESCENT HEIGHTS, SUNNYSIDE AND HILLHURST HAVE EVERYTHING CALGARIANS WANT. ccording to the poet Robert Frost, “good fences make good neighbours.” But the adage doesn’t seem to apply to the communities of Crescent Heights, Sunnyside and Hillhurst — ranked 3rd, 4th and 7th respectively on our 2020 Best Neighbourhoods’ list. These neighbourhoods seem to flow seamlessly one into the next. These northwest communities are lauded for their proximity to downtown, walkability, arts and culture, abundance of parks and the entertainment, dining and shopping offerings — Kensington Village shopping district, which straddles Sunnyside and Hillhurst, is often mistaken for a neighbourhood all its own. As some of the oldest communities in Calgary, these neighbourhoods also have a storied and wellestablished feel with towering elm trees and heritage buildings. Edged by the Bow River to the south, McHugh Bluff to the north and set between Centre Street N. and 10th Street N.W., Sunnyside was settled by homesteaders in the 1880s and incorporated into the city in 1904. Immediately to the west of Sunnyside, Hillhurst was established in 1914 and shares the 10th Street N.W. border, runs north to 16th Avenue and south to the Bow. While Hillhurst and Sunnyside are two separate communities for the purposes of most City of Calgary data collection, they are often seen as one and the Hillhurst Sunnyside Community Association encompasses both. Artist and long-time Hillhurst resident Patricia Dawkins sits on the community association’s planning committee. She and her husband moved to a home in Sunnyside in 1974 when Dawkins was 23 years old. They later moved to Hillhurst and have lived in their current home on Memorial Drive for more than 36 years. “This was the hip place to live. It was where all the artists, art students and hippies lived,” says Dawkins. “We wanted to live there too, because we were all those things.” The arts continue to have a stronghold in this community with the Alberta University of the Arts, the province’s only dedicated art, craft and design 48
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COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS Lola, across from Rotary Park. institution located nearby. The university shares the When people think of Crescent Heights, the campus with SAIT and has two professional gallery first thing that often comes to mind is the mansion spaces, Illingworth Kerr Gallery and Marion Nicoll row along Crescent Road N.W. and McHugh Bluff. Gallery, and nine student-run exhibition spaces. Next door, the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium The neighbourhood is perhaps best known for the spectacular vista of the city, mountains and river is home to Alberta Ballet, Calgary Opera, and the that can be seen from the bluff. But Neill says there’s stage for many of the city’s top performances. a diversity of economic backgrounds in Crescent On and around Kensington Road N.W., you’ll find a vibrant shopping and entertainment district. Heights. “There are apartment buildings and single-family There’s no shortage of yoga, spin and boxing studios homes and townhouses,” says Neill. “Artists and and retail, restaurants, bars and coffee shops — musicians and students live in the community. It’s an Higher Ground, a fair-trade, eco-forward café has engaging mix of people and we’re all connected.” been a mainstay on Kensington Road since 1982. As in many older neighbourhoods in Calgary, “Everything that you need, you can pretty well get redevelopment is happening. The Tigerstedt Block, a to by walking. There are restaurants, and shopping, and the shoe repair shop and Hillhurst Hardware on small strip of stores along Centre Street between 8th and 9th avenues that’s just a short walk from China10th Street are some of the oldest businesses in the town and the downtown core, is in line for a facelift neighbourhood,” says Dawkins. Cynthia Mazereeuw, board chair for the Hillhurst with a plan to build multi-family residential and retail properties. It’s currently home and Sunnyside Community Asto an eclectic mix of independent sociation, moved to Sunnyside businesses such as local favourite about four years ago after accepting “EVERYTHING THAT Sought and Found Coffee Roasters. a position with Norfolk Housing YOU NEED, YOU CAN “There’s a cool little eatery Association, a non-profit offering called Tokyo Street Market and the affordable and mixed income housPRETTY WELL GET Tigerstedt Flea Pop Up Market that ing in the area. TO BY WALKING.” features rotating artists, but the plan “What I love about [this area] PATRICIA DAWKINS is to take it all down and redevelop is that you get people from all it,” says Neill. “I’m just hoping that socioeconomic backgrounds and they put back in the same kind of you get all ages — every point in life cool stores we have right now.” is represented,” says Mazereeuw. “It feels like there’s A common thread that links all three communialways somewhere to find like-minded people.” ties is the level of community engagement. Neill Mazereeuw hits up the Bow River pathway at recently spearheaded the Community Action Team least once a day with her pug, Daisy, and loves the with an aim to get residents engaged and provide area’s abundant green spaces. a platform for them to create their own events and “You get all of the joys of city life but also nature, which is pretty rare,” says Mazereeuw. “Edinborough projects in the community such as curbside concerts and art installations. Neill worked with local artist Park is a hidden gem in Sunnyside and there’s an ice Laurel Dziuba to design an intersection mural near rink there in the winter. You can also cross Peace her home at the junction of 3 Ave. and 1 St. N.E. Bridge and get over to Eau Claire in minutes.” “We are right by the park and have some famous Crescent Heights shares the 4th Street N.W. border with Sunnyside and stretches to Edmonton Trail neighbourhood dogs, so I sent her some photos and she based the design on them. She drew the design on its eastern edge. North to south, the neighbourout on the pavement, and then we had about 70 lohood stretches from 16th Avenue to the Bow River. cal residents come out and help paint it.” This area was incorporated as a village in 1908, It’s this kind of community engagement and annexed in 1911 and became a neighbourhood in enthusiasm that blurs the boundaries between 1914. Last year, Crescent Heights Village was designated the City’s newest Business Improvement Area these three neighbourhoods. While many resito help boost local business. dents accept that gentrification and development Sandra Neill, director at large with the Crescent will happen, there is a commitment to proceed Heights Community Association, moved to the with care and consideration so that the signature neighbourhood about seven years ago. She lives with flavour of these communities will thrive for years her son Landen and their miniature Labradoodle, to come. —D.B.
SUNNYSI D E
Calgary Curling Club
The Calgary Curling Club formed in 1888, arrived in Sunnyside in 1953 and was rebuilt in 1976 after a fire. The club isn’t sure when it will reopen, but a typical year brings winter classes for ages seven and up. There are several leagues for curlers looking for some friendly competition. More of a spectator? Hit up the lounge and have a bite to eat — the food gets rave reviews. 720 3 St. N.W., 403-283-8381, calgarycurlingclub.com
HILLHU R ST
Crave Cupcakes
Founded in 2004 by sisters Carolyne McIntyre Jackson and Jodi Willoughby, Crave has since expanded to six locations — four in Calgary and one each in Edmonton and Saskatoon. In addition to serving up classic, gluten-free and vegan cupcakes, the flagship store on Kensington Road also hosts decorating classes, pop up shops and events. 1107 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-2702728, cravecupcakes.ca
CRESCEN T H EI G H T S
Crescent Heights Village Business Improvement Area (BIA)
The Green Line LRT is still years away, but it has already spurred an overhaul of this historic area. Crescent Heights Village is home to some 100 businesses. Parking, art, added trees, plus pedestrian-friendly and traffic-calming measures are just some of the potential plans of the city’s newest BIA. 403-701-7686, crescentheightsvillage.ca avenuecalgary.com
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The business owners, managers and staff of the Marda Loop business district are proud to be a part of a great community, with the best neighbours ever! Come on down to the Loop and check out what our 150 shops and services have to offer. It’s #BETTERINTHELOOP. Visit us at www.visitmardaloop.com Follow us and stay #intheloop @visitmardaloop on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
The Marda Loop business district is on 33rd and 34th Avenues in the SW, where Altadore, South Calgary, Garrison Woods and Richmond come together.
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MARDA LOOP VOTED NO. 1 COMMUNITY BY MARDA LOOPIANS!
DINING
B Y G W E N D O LY N R I C H A R D S P H O T O S B Y J A R E D S Y C H
THE SKEPTICS’ GUIDE TO
BRUNCH
The brunch at The Coup is so good you won’t miss the bacon one bit.
If these 16 spots can’t convince the naysayers that brunch is the
B
best meal of the day, well, then, too bad for them.
runch’s whole is greater than the sum of its two parts. Some would even argue that it’s the greatest meal of the week. This portmanteau feast brings together the sweet-and-savoury best of both worlds and adds unique dishes all its own. Not to mention the flexibility for sleeping in late or the acceptability of imbibing in broad daylight over eggs. Boozy coffee? Mi-
mosa? Check and check. Mostly a weekend ritual, brunch gives diners good reason to shed the comfort of bed and robes and venture out in any weather for sustenance, caffeine and catching up. Alternatively, many restaurants on this list now offer pickup and delivery. Unconvinced? Here are 16 places that show how you’re missing out on the beauty of brunch. avenuecalgary.com
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DECOR
Mexican chilaquiles bowl at Blue Star Diner.
THE COUP WHY YOU SHOULD GO You won’t miss the meat
Vegetarians, vegans and omnivores alike can come together at The Coup with no one missing out. Smoked tofu and tempeh, meaty mushrooms and golden-yolked organic eggs make for tasty bases in the creative dishes coming out of the kitchen. 924 17 Ave. S.W., 403-541-1041, thecoup.ca
CHIX EGGSHOP WHY YOU SHOULD GO Breakfast sandwiches and brunchy booze
With a sizable drink menu, Chix Eggshop in the East Village clearly knows brunch means booze. Sangria, bubbles, mimosas and margaritas are all on offer. Half the menu is dedicated to brunch on a bun, so while there are menu items that call for cutlery, you’re better opting for something handheld. 624 6 Ave. S.E., chixeggshop.com
DEANE HOUSE WHY YOU SHOULD GO Impeccable food in a historic house
B LU E S TA R DI N E R WHY YOU SHOULD GO Big breakfasts with Tex-Mex flair
The large menu makes decisions difficult, but you can’t go wrong with any of the Mexicaninspired dishes, from the huevos rancheros to the breakfast burritos. Combine that with a front-and-centre local ingredient focus and the casual, chill vibe and you have a good start to a Saturday or Sunday. 809 1 Ave. N.E., 403-261-9998, bluestardiner.ca
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Like being welcomed into a home, Deane House is warm and inviting with the refined decor matched only by a curated menu of pastries, parfaits and traditional dishes. Look beyond the eggs to find the unexpected: raw oysters and vegetable-centric sides showcasing Alberta produce. 806 9 Ave. S.E., 403-264-0595, deanehouse.com
DINER DELUXE WHY YOU SHOULD GO Comfort food that accommodates
Cast your eye across the menu and just about every place it falls is a dish that the whizzes in the kitchen can make gluten-free. Yes, even the fried chicken, fish and chips and anything else coming out of the deep-fat fryer is safe for celiacs. 804 Edmonton Trail N.E., 403-276-5499; 106 Mahogany Centre S.E., 587-482-9979; dinerdeluxe.com
DONNA MAC WHY YOU SHOULD GO Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options
Donna Mac shines with the kitchen’s deft touch with vegetables and dishes that cater to vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free diets. The restaurant has recently reconceived its brunch offerings to include casual-but-clever dishes in an American diner revival style. 1002 9 St. S.W., 403-719-3622, donnamacyyc.ca Queens Breakfast Cocktails makes brunch worthy of royalty.
GALAXIE DINER WHY YOU SHOULD GO Retro diner flair
It’s a thin strip of a restaurant with barely enough room to accommodate the tiny kitchen, line of tables and seats at the counter, which inevitably means there will be a wait. But the kitschy vibe, robust dishes and quick service make it worthwhile — not to mention the endless coffee refills while in line. 1413 11 St. S.W., 403-228-0001, galaxiediner.com
QUEENS BRE AKFAS T CO CKTAI L S WHY YOU SHOULD GO Decadent takes on classic dishes
The adage is to eat breakfast like a king, so Queens is a good place to go. With a nod to Europe in terms of cooking technique, ingredients and approaches, this spot offers dishes as rich as the name suggests. Benedicts, topped with Spanish chorizo or wild boar bacon, perch atop plush croissants, while a house omelette comes with black truffle salsa. 3927 Edmonton Trail, 403-764-0878, queensyyc.com avenuecalgary.com
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“Tabletop buffet”items at
D EYellow C ODoor R Bistro change regularly.
YE LLOW DO OR BI STR O WHY YOU SHOULD GO A better buffet in a different way
Buffets are typically rife with disappointment, but the bistro in Hotel Arts serves up a version that shouldn’t be bypassed. The offers are always evolving, but expect to see egg-based dishes, fruit and fresh pastries that reflect the season. At press time, Yellow Door was offering a new “tabletop buffet” similar to a prix-fixe experience with four courses, juice and coffee, plus a-la-carte options like the famed sourdough pancakes. 119 12 Ave. S.W., 403-206-9585, yellowdoorbistro.ca
BOW VALLEY
MON KI
RANCHE
BREAKFAST CLUB
RESTAURANT
AND BISTRO
WHY YOU SHOULD GO Brunch in the park
WHY SHOULD YOU GO Dessert first
A historic gabled house tucked along the edge of Fish Creek Park offers sweeping views of nature, but the plates coming from the kitchen will have you focused on the table. It’s not the usual fare, but rather expect to be pleasantly surprised by menu items like an asparagus-and-prosciutto plate, meaty mushrooms on rich brioche and a potato dish prized for being cooked in duck fat.
For those who prefer the sweeter side of the brunch equation, Monki has your back. Waffles come with fruit and a shot of melted chocolate, the pancakes echo of the campfire favourite, s’mores. If that isn’t enough to tempt the sweet tooth, you can opt for a breakfast fondue with your choice of dip, from dark and white chocolate to matcha, Earl Grey or pink.
15979 Bow Bottom Trail S.E., 403-4761310, bvrrestaurant.com 54
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1301 10 Ave. S.W., 587-352-7131; 1420 9 Ave. S.E., 403-453-3171; monkibistro.ca
OEB WHY YOU SHOULD GO Breakfast poutines
It’s a short name for a restaurant with a long menu, so the hardest part should be choosing what to order. But with almost a dozen versions of breakfast poutine, it’s more a question of which dish with duck-fat fried potatoes, cheese curds and brown butter hollandaise looks best. From cold-smoked salmon to beef short ribs or bison chili, the pickings are anything but slim. 825 1 Ave. N.E., 403-278-3447; 110, 222 5 Ave. S.W., 587-352-3447; 2207 4 St. S.W., 587-356-6323; eatoeb.com
FOR YOUR
DISTINCT STYLE...
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VOTE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30 ON AVENUECALGARY.COM
Banking with a credit union is about more than money It’s about positively impacting the communities we live, work and thrive in. As the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded we focused on being leaders. • Putting members first with one of the first member relief programs available. • Prioritized employee & member safety with appointment-only branches, waiting to reopen until it was safe to do so. • Created a donation boosting program to support charities local to our communities. To learn more about how we are continuing to support our members and communities visit:
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avenuecalgary.com
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TEN FOOT HENRY WHY YOU SHOULD GO Brunch served family style
Deciding between a sweet or savoury entree is one of the great brunch conundrums. As delicious as syrup is, who can commit to a whole homogenous stack of pancakes? At this hip hotspot, you don’t have to. Come with a group, order a variety of plates and embrace your culinary commitment phobia. 1209 1 St. S.W., 403-475-5537, tenfoothenry.com
NATIVE TONGUES WHY YOU SHOULD GO Tacos for breakfast
Any time is a good time for a taco and all of this taqueria’s traditional types are on offer for weekend mornings. If that feels a step too far, opt for any of the traditional Mexican breakfast options, like chilaquiles or huevos al horno. Either way, those spicy salsas are sure to perk you up. 235 12 Ave. S.W., 403-263-94444, nativetongues.ca
Shakshuka at Sidewalk Citizen.
RIVER CAFÉ WHY YOU SHOULD GO Perfect patio
With a magical setting on Prince’s Island Park, River Café offers brunch with a side of escapism. When the weather warms, a spot on the patio is a must for enjoying eggs, housemade bread, Okanagan fruit and meat and vegetables from local producers. With the nearby river and green canopy above, it’s like dining at a mountain resort just a stone’s throw from downtown. 25 Prince’s Island Park, 403-261-7670, river-cafe.com 56
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S I DE WAL K CI T I Z E N WHY YOU SHOULD GO Shareable plates with Middle Eastern flavour
Offering veg-centric dishes rooted in Middle Eastern culinary traditions and flavours, it’s wise to brunch at the warm and welcoming restaurant in Central Memorial Park with those open to sharing. Past highlights from the menu include bright citrus salad spiked with mint and an earthy lentil stew redolent with spices — the advantage here is a chance to widely explore the oft-changing menu. 340 13 Ave. S.W., 403-263-2999, sidewalkcitizenbakery.com
REDEFINING SPACES IN UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
ONE MONTH FREE RENT * Gracorp brings you luxury apartments in the heart of University District. Onsite amenities include a fully equipped fitness room, yoga space, large group kitchen and dining areas, lounge with pool table and games room. Rhapsody also boasts Calgary’s largest inner courtyard with 20,000 square feet featuring multiple bbq’s/lounge areas, performance stage, pickle ball court, bocce court, group fire pit and a vintage Airstream for hosting private events.
. Pet friendly building featuring a large dog play .
area with artificial grass, and a convenient dog wash in the underground, heated parking garage GE energy efficient stainless steel 4-piece kitchen appliance package
. In suite laundry . Large windows in all suites . Save-On-Foods (with delivery service), Market Wines (with delivery service), coffee shop and much more at base of building
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For more information visit rhapsodycalgary. ca or call Melissa at 587-852-0933 to book your appointment. 4135 UNIVERSITY AVE NW, CALGARY, AB Covid protocols are in place.
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OW BOOKI G I TO
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MOUNTAINS
B Y N AT H A N K U N Z
ALPINE EXCURSIONS Find your mountain calling in the Alberta Rockies with one of these classic fall adventures.
SIGHTSEEING
L A K E LOU I S E
P H O T O B Y @ T W H E AT / T R AV E L A L B E RTA
BANFF NATIONAL PARK
There’s a reason packed parking lots are no rare site in Lake Louise. From mountain-flanked turquoise waters, to the possibility of catching a glimpse of the area’s Grizzly population from aboard the Summer Gondola, Lake Louise is a definitive awe-inspiring Canadian Rockies destination, whether seen for the first time or as a frequent visitor.
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RIVER SURFING
K A N A NAS K I S R I V E R PETER LOUGHEED PROVINCIAL PARK
The Kananaskis River is home to one of North America’s premier river-surfing spots — Surf Anywhere’s man-made Mountain Wave. While definitely not recommended for beginners (Calgary’s 10th Street Bridge is a great place to conquer fundamentals), experienced surfers can take advantage of The Mountain Wave’s alpine flow adjacent to the Barrier Lake Visitor Information Centre.
EXPLORING
J O HN S TO N CANYON BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Johnston Canyon’s mellow grade makes it a perfect trail to explore with the kids in tow, offering waterfall views from catwalks at the lower and upper falls. From the upper falls, continue another 3.1 kilometres to the Ink Pots — seven bubbling mineral springs in a meadow bordered by mountains. Note that Bow Valley Parkway is currently closed to cars except for those with confirmed reservations at the Johnston Canyon Lodge and Bungalows, so you’ll need to walk, bike or book to get to the canyon trailhead.
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P H O T O G R A P H S B Y @ H I K E 3 6 5 / T R AV E L A L B E RTA ; M I R O S L AV _ 1 / I S T O C K ; @ V I K T O R I A N O RT H / T R AV E L A L B E RTA ; J O H N G I B S O N / G O V E R N M E N T O F A L B E RTA
Looking to learn to river surf? Outlier Surf offers lessons locally in Calgary. outliersurf.com
HIKING
P O CAT ERRA RIDGE KANASKIS COUNTRY
A hike at Pocaterra Ridge delivers a view that’s well worth the burn. Departing from Pocaterra Ridge parking lot, the ascent is made more beautiful in the fall as the larch trees along the trail turn brilliant yellow. This hike is no secret, so head out early or midweek to avoid traffic on the trail. Leashed dogs are allowed here.
BIKING
RO C KY MO U N TAI N LEGACY T R AI L CANMORE TO BANFF
More than 26 km of paved pathway connects Banff and Canmore on the Rocky Mountain Legacy Trail. The trail runs from Canmore’s Travel Alberta Visitor Centre to the Bow Valley Parkway with rolling terrain, making it a demanding enough ride to break a sweat, but manageable enough to bring the kids along.
avenuecalgary.com
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
HARVEST HILLS HAMPTONS
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
THE
Throughout Calgary, new neighbourhoods and residential builds are adding to the city’s landscape, improving liveability and broadening opportunity for potential homebuyers.
MAHOGANY
LEGACY
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Happy apples whisper gently, granny lullabies in July, xoxo. When what you build is impeccable, what you say is irrelevant.
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
LEGACY
s Calgary continues to grow and change, so, too, do the opportunities for prospective homebuyers to find a neighbourhood that meets their needs, budget and lifestyle preferences. Builds throughout the city are breaking the mould and creating unique experiences, mixing innovative approaches with established comforts and amenities. Whether being close to nature tops your list of must-haves, or you want more of an urban feel, with retail and fine dining options at your doorstep, Calgary homebuyers can find what they’re looking for within many of the city’s newest neighbourhoods and developments. ABOVE: THE COMMUNITY OF LEGACY OFFERS A TRANQUIL ATMOSPHERE AND A GROWING LIST OF AMENITIES. RIGHT: THE FUSION, BY CALBRIDGE HOMES.
PHOTOS COURTESY CALBRIDGE HOMES
Seeking Balance in the South WHEN IT COMES TO FINDING a neighbourhood that inspires a balanced lifestyle, prospective homebuyers are often looking for a place that offers easy access to both natural spaces and convenient services. Situated on the city’s southern edge, Legacy has become a welcome addition to the Calgary landscape thanks to its unique environment and growing amenities. Well-removed from the busy energy of the inner city and in tune with the outdoors through pathways, parks and ponds, Legacy also offers close-by shopping and food options — which are set to grow even greater with the completion of more than 800,000 square feet of retail space in the near future.
Construction of Phase 39 is also now underway in the community, making opportunities for home-site selection abundant as Legacy moves closer to completion. “This is when you’re going to have the best selection of home sites to choose from,” explains Ariana Kelly, marketing manager with Calbridge Homes. “If you have some must-haves for the location of your home, the earlier you start the process, the better the chances you have to find exactly what you’re looking for.” Calbridge offers seven models ready for construction in Legacy’s new phase, each one displaying intentional design and a deep commitment to environmental responsibility through efficient
features like triple-glazed windows, dual zoned furnaces, optimum basement walls and more. The Fusion, Calbridge’s latest model, is exclusive to Legacy, and it exemplifies the builder’s attention to detail, with functional, spacious and naturally flowing floorplans, plus options in flooring, countertops, ensuite features and more through the CB Collective Series. Prospective homebuyers can head to Legacy to get a feel for the unique neighbourhood and see The Fusion first-hand at Calbridge’s newly opened showhome.
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
SHORTER
trips to the places you visit every day means more time with family and less time on your
COMMUTE Welcome to Calgary’s best-selling urban community, where you’ll love living close to everything you love. Find your new home in the NW at myuniversitydistrict.ca
CONDOS OUR COMMUNITY OF BUILDERS 66
TOWNHOMES
RENTAL APARTMENTS
LOOK CLOSER
Visit Our Discovery Centre
SENIORS LIVING
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Closer to the Core FOR THOSE SEEKING more of an inner-city lifestyle, Calgary’s new University District is an invigorating place to be. Just northwest of the University of Calgary, the University District began its transformation in 2017 through work from the University of Calgary Properties Group (formerly West Campus Development Corporation). Envisioned as a complete, vibrant and sustainable area, the University District has quickly progressed to become Calgary’s best-selling urban community for the past two years, revealing Calgarians’ desires to be part of something new and exciting in the inner city.
UNIVERSITY DISTRICT
A short trip from downtown or onto Highway 1, the University District’s centralized location offers unprecedented access to explore Calgary and beyond. Within its boundaries, there’s plenty to explore as well — recently, retail partners in Save-On-Foods, Denim & Smith Barbershop, Pet Planet and Curious Hair Skin Body opened up shop. “No matter where people are living in the University District, they can count on being within walking distance to a variety of retail stores, restaurants and services, as well as ample parks, green space and playgrounds,” says University of Calgary Properties Group president and CEO James Robertson. “Our proximity to the University of Calgary, Foothills Hospital and Alberta Children’s Hospital is also allowing us to attract world-class talent to live and work in our city. We are proud to be part of creating a bright, vibrant and mindful community.”
A SUITE INSIDE THE HUB CALGARY, TAILOR-MADE FOR STUDENT LIVING.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HUB CALGARY
Next Generation Community Living NEAR THE OTHER SIDE of UCalgary campus on 16th Avenue NW is The Hub Calgary, the latest project from Centurion Assets Management and tailormade for student and young professional living. As a new generation of students and young professionals emerge, priorities in accommodations are beginning to shift. According to Centurion’s associate vice president of marketing and call centre
operations Sarah Stewart, research has shown that Gen Z puts an increasing emphasis on authenticity — craving the ease of technology in paying rent or making maintenance requests digitally, but still valuing having someone at a front desk to greet you hello. Consisting of 486 rental units in the 28-storey tower, including single bed studios along with two- and three-bedroom suites, The Hub Calgary is looking to
cater to the preferences of the Gen Z demographic. Suites are fully furnished with contemporary furniture, XL beds, smart TVs, programmable temperature controls in bedrooms and more. It’s all a part of what Centurion describes as “next-generation community living.”
“We took 10 years of learning in our other student housing communities [in Ontario and Quebec], took what works and really applied it to The Hub,” says Stewart. “We understand the student market and the needs of students versus a traditional, multifamily style resident.”
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ADVERTISING FEATURE
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Robertson says more exciting things are on the horizon — including additional residential developments, an ALT Hotel and a central plaza lined with restaurants and retailers. Building from a foundation of its one-of-a-kind location and already thriving developments, the excitement surrounding the University District continues to grow.
FROM CONDOS AND TOWNHOMES TO RENTAL PROPERTIES AND SENIOR LIVING OPTIONS, UNIVERSITY DISTRICT OFFERS A VARIETY OF ATTRACTIVE HOUSING OPTIONS.
HAMPTONS
TOP PHOTO COURTESY UNIVERSITY DISTRICT; BOTTOM PHOTO COURTESY SHANE HOMES
Best of Both Worlds
AT ENCLAVE AT THE HAMPTONS, HOMEBUYERS CAN BUILD THE HOME OF THEIR DREAMS WITHIN AN ESTABLISHED, ATTRACTIVE NEIGHBOURHOOD.
“Enclave at the Hamptons offers the opportunity to build exactly what you want. You don’t have to wait for amenities, they are already in place. And you’re not living in a construction zone for years.” —Melanie Gowans, general manager of sales, Shane Homes
WHILE THERE’S NO DISCOUNTING the excitement of purchasing a home in a brand-new community, the prospect of moving into an area that might take time developing into its full potential can be too daunting for some homebuyers. Some Calgary builders have helped to address this by constructing new developments right in the heart of well-established and beloved communities. Look no further than Enclave at the Hamptons in the city’s northwest for an example of how a fresh addition to an existing community can give buyers a chance to build their perfect-fit home within a long-admired, amenity rich neighbourhood. According to Shane Homes general manager of sales and marketing Melanie Gowans, the development creates a comfortable freedom both in its customizability and location.
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NEW HOMES
near your ESTABLISHED ROOTS 201
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COVENTRY HILLS
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VEST HILLS BL VD
COUNTRY HILLS BLVD NE
PANORAMA HILLS THE PARKS OF HARVEST HILLS COUNTRY HILLS
PAIRED HOMES from the $460’s 70
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Convenient living is right at your fingertips when you build your home in The Parks of Harvest Hills. With easy access to shopping, entertainment, dining and recreation you can enjoy the perks of living in an established area while still reaping the benefits of a newly built home. When you are ready to escape the commotion of city life, hop onto the integrated path network and enjoy the brand new park spaces just minutes from your new home.
STONEY TRAIL
AIRP O R T TRAIL
MOVE UP HOMES from the $560’s
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“Enclave at the Hamptons offers the opportunity to build exactly what you want,” says Gowans, adding that the established surroundings add even greater appeal. “You don’t have to wait for amenities, they are already in place. And you’re not living in a
construction zone for years.” Developed around the Hamptons Golf Club, Enclave came together after two holes on the course were moved, resulting in lots that allow buyers to enjoy infill-type benefits, with schools, shopping and major roadways all
PHOTO COURTESY CEDARGLEN HOMES
HARVEST HILLS
nearby. Now building in the development’s second phase, Enclave at the Hamptons is continuing to add new value to the surrounding community 30 years after the Hamptons itself was first developed. Another example of a rounded, best-of-both-worlds approach is The Parks of Harvest Hills. This north Calgary development by Cedarglen Homes combines the benefits of an esteemed area with the perks of a brand-new build. Containing ample walkable parks, green spaces and an extensive path network, the community nestled within Harvest Hills is just a stone’s throw from amenities at the Country Hills Town Centre as well as major roadways like Deerfoot Trail and Stoney Trail. Cedarglen marketing coordinator Janelle Twomey says the development was built with the intention of adding to the area in a meaningful way. “We worked really closely with the City of Calgary, as well as existing residents in the area, to make sure that we were bringing something of value to all of the surrounding communities,” says Twomey, noting the construction
THE PARKS AND GREEN SPACES WITHIN THE PARKS OF HARVEST HILLS DEVELOPMENT INSPIRE FUN AND PLAY FOR FAMILIES IN THE AREA.
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W E L C O M E TO RESORT STYLE LIVING.
5% QUICK CLOSE INCENTIVE ON ANY MOVE IN READY HOME.
$20 - $50K
IN SAVINGS. SALTWATER POOL
LANDSCAPED WALKWAYS
GOLF SIMULATOR
RETAIL STREET
ESTATE CONDOMINIUMS CONDOMINIUMS
LIBRARY
ACTIVE ADULT LIVING
LEASE
532 – 3,041 SQ. FT. NOW STARTING FROM THE
$250’S*
+gst
SENIORS’ RESIDENCES
603 – 1,116 SQ. FT. NOW STARTING FROM
$1,845 /month
1,528 – 2,573 SQ. FT. NOW STARTING FROM THE
$690’S*
V I L L AG E
+gst
C E N T R E
696 – 1,393 SQ. FT. NOW STARTING FROM THE
$290’S*
N OW
+gst
O P E N
333 – 1,108 SQ. FT. NOW STARTING FROM
$2,995
/month
FO R
TO U R S .
20+ SHOW SUITES ACROSS THE ENTIRE VILLAGE TO VIEW, FOR ALL PRICE RANGES AND LIFESTYLES.
Visit the Presentation Centre and tour the Village Centre: 188 Mahogany Gardens SE Mon-Thurs: 2pm-8pm, Sat, Sun & Holidays: Noon-5pm, Fri: Closed Please call 587-350-0237 to book your tour.
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*Prices subject to change without notice. E.&O.E. See Presentation Centre for exact details. E&OE. Free List and 5% Quick Close incentive programs not available for The Journey Club Senior’s Residence and Lyric Leases.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
of Harmony Park as one of the inspiring initiatives by Cedarglen. “Even though it’s a new community, we’re building a lot of amenities that the existing homeowners and the nearby communities can use.” Boasting access to outdoor recreation features like tennis courts and
playgrounds in Harvest Hills Park and Harmony Park, plus builds that accommodate prospects of aging-inplace and sharing space with multiple generations of family, The Parks of Harvest Hills is a forward-looking endeavour that can be enjoyed to its full potential today.
PHOTO BY DUSTIN HOFFERT/ DCPIX PHOTOGRAPHY AND JAYMAN BUILT
MAHOGANY
Fostering Community REGARDLESS OF WHERE homebuyers decide to settle, finding ways to make a community feel like home is of the utmost importance. While the warmth of true community can’t be faked, it can be fostered by bringing together diverse residents in a location that is purpose-built
LOCATED WITHIN MAHOGANY, WESTMAN VILLAGE IS A RESORT-STYLE, LAKEFRONT COMMUNITY THAT INSPIRES ACTIVE AND ENGAGED LIVING.
to feel fresh and exciting without sacrificing comfort. Now an integral part of Calgary’s growing south, Mahogany shows how a new neighbourhood can quickly
become an established and welcoming environment through hosting some of the city’s premier retail and dining experiences while also making efforts to enhance community throughout.
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Largely contributing to its growing reputation is Westman Village on Lake Mahogany — a resort-style community from Jayman Homes built to accommodate residents in five distinctive lifestyle complexes, along with high-level local retailers and restaurants. Options include flexible rentals at the Lyric lifestyle complex, lakefront options at Calligraphy, luxury condos at Reflection, 55+ active living within Odyssey, and independent senior living at the Journey Club. The range reflects a desire to create a diverse community where interaction is encouraged between residents. “We saw an opportunity to do something really special,” says Wallace Chow, executive vice president in charge of Jayman’s multifamily division. “We feel it’s very important for people to connect with each other through the generations and understand what makes a community.” Along with connection, Jayman aimed to bring the appeals of inner-city living to the suburbs while maintaining a sense of security. Westman Village has welcomed residents along with visitors from surrounding neighbourhoods to stop in for a latte at Analog Coffee, stroll the boardwalk along Calgary’s largest manmade lake or enjoy a steak dinner at the acclaimed Chairman’s Steakhouse. The ambitious development is now nearing completion, with the last phase set to open this November. Now more than a decade past its launch, Mahogany has earned a reputation as an established, vibrant community, thanks in large part to Jayman’s approach at Westman Village.
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EXCEL’S STREAMLINED HOME-PURCHASING SERVICES BRING PEACE OF MIND TO BUYERS AND HELP ENSURE THEY FIND A HOME THAT FITS THEIR NEEDS PERFECTLY.
ALONG WITH THE changes to Calgary’s landscape, innovation around purchasing a home is also burgeoning within the city. Excel Homes has worked over recent years to streamline home purchasing, doing away with complexities like navigating unclear pricing, mortgages, legal fees and moving-in dilemmas — and, in the process, tailoring the experience to fit buyers’ needs. “Some people are simply just overwhelmed by the entire process,” says Excel Homes’ marketing manager Kristina Plank. “We’re here to guide, we’re here to help and we’re here to make it the best experience possible.” Excel has rolled out a variety of initiatives to “simplify your journey home,” including online price transparency, which allows potential buyers to choose a lot and model, customize the floorplan and get a price quoted online. In addition, Excel has partnered with digital mortgage broker Ownest Financial for fast approval, Boyce Law to cover legal fees (not including disbursements), professional designers to help decorate through pre-selected interior packages and move-in concierge Virtuo to coordinate everything from transferring utilities to getting moving boxes. Through available lots, which perfectly fit their revamped line of laned homes in Carington, Mahogany, Livingstone and more, Excel’s efforts in innovating the homebuying process makes finding your place in an emerging community a streamlined, made-to-fit experience.
PHOTO COURTESY EXCEL HOMES
A Streamlined Experience
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DECOR
BY JENNIFER FRIESEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARED SYCH
ST RENGTHENING T HEIR ROOTS With the sharp eye of I Design it Interiors, Norma-Jean and Doug Risdon’s Strathmore home has been stylishly renovated to allow the couple to
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age in place and stay in the town they call home.
rom the massive living room windows overlooking wetlands behind their home, Norma-Jean and Doug Risdon often catch glimpses of deer, geese and sandhill cranes exploring the waters. Just outside the front doors, Norma Jean recalls how the old railway would have run straight through their driveway to the Strathmore train station. She laughs, explaining how everyone used to come to town on Saturday nights and the kids would watch the train roll through. Strathmore has always been home to the third-generation farmers, and they plan to keep it that way. “Home is kind of where your heart is,” says Norma-Jean. “And our home is in Strathmore, so we’re not going anywhere.” With Norma-Jean turning 68 this year, and Doug 79, the couple converted their home to ensure it remains safe and comfortable as they age. In January 2019, Norma-Jean reached out to Deborah Cockx, owner of the Strathmore-based design firm, I Design it Interiors, and they began work in May of that year. “We want to stay in this house in a way that is very userfriendly as we age,” says Norma-Jean. “I’ve seen some of the transformations that Deborah has been able to make, and I wanted to use local people that I felt I could put my complete trust in.”
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THIS PAGE The main-floor kitchen of the Risdon home was completely renovated for aging-in-place, leaving 60-inch turnaround spaces for wheelchairs and added frontfacing appliance controls for ease of usage. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP Maintaining a sense of country living was important to the Risdons, so I Design it Interiors ensured that furniture never blocked views of the backyard wetlands. Norma-Jean, 68, and Doug Risdon, 79, started a renovation in their Strathmore home last spring. Their new, open entrance is full of light and open space to ensure accessibility as they age.
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he renovation required moving a wall, adding windows, and completely overhauling the kitchen and bathroom in order to allow space for the
changes needed. “This renovation was looking at right now as well as the future,” says Cockx. “We spent weeks researching details … We spoke to different resources for safety and getting the right information to get the construction right.” Adding light was a major factor to mitigate the possibility of vision loss, so Cockx’s team expanded and added windows throughout the main level, as well as LED lighting and box-lit cupboards. They even selected reflective paint colours. Cockx planned the kitchen meticulously to allow space for wheelchair turnaround points and appliance access. Behind the French doors to the pantry, an automatic light turns on and the Lazy Susan unfolds with the door. With the possibility of needing wheelchairs or a caregiver, Cockx designed the bathroom with added light, a seat, an adjustable hand-wand and other accessibility features. The shower door swings both in and out with thermostatically controlled taps on its exterior. “Bathing can be a very difficult task for seniors, either on their own or with assistance,” says Cockx. “By having the controls outside the shower, you can go in when it’s the perfect temperature.” As a long-time collector of antiques, Norma-Jean had an assembly of character decor items to use in the design. The home was designed to reflect the couple’s history, blending traditional styles with modern textiles. Ceilings and walls feature shiplap boards as a stylish callback to the Risdons’ farm life, and flashes of blue and yellow keep the space alive. “There’s herringbone tile in the front entryway that looks like old barn board,” says Norma-Jean. “I was just in awe when we walked in the house and saw it done for the first time. I wanted a look that was going to look good in 10 to 15 years, and Deborah was able to make that happen.” 78
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“ T H I S R E N O VAT I O N WA S L O O K I N G AT R I G H T NOW AS WELL AS THE FUTURE.” DEBORAH COCKX, I DESIGN IT INTERIORS
FROM TOP To maintain a traditional style, designer Deborah Cockx kept the majority of the Risdons’ furniture — including Norma-Jean’s father’s oak dining table — while adding bolder textiles. The bedroom and ensuite bathroom were methodically designed with added space and light to accommodate for the possibility of having a caregiver or moving a wheelchair into the shower.
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HOW TO BALANCE MODERN AND TRADITIONAL STYLES When designing for the Risdons, Deborah Cockx melded their traditional styles and antique furniture with chic, modern textiles to create rooms that weren’t too masculine or too feminine. Here’s a few tips from her on how to get this look yourself. LET A LITTLE LIGHT IN “We opened walls, added windows and skylights and used a neutral colour palette for our walls because we wanted a space that felt bright, but still warm and inviting.” FOLLOW THE 80/20 RULE “We had 80 per cent of the design materials be traditional and 20 per cent were modern. We applied the same rule with colour. Norma Jean’s go-to color is blue so you will find it in every room, making the space feel balanced and cohesive.” MIX IT UP “It’s important to avoid sets of furniture. It’s much more interesting and pleasing to the eye to have a mix of furniture and styles. In this design, it was about mixing old with new by adding texture and organic elements with shiplap, wood floors, natural stone, forged iron and brass elements. We also paired an antique table with modern chairs with a bold pattern, and Mission-style recliners with rattan wing backs chairs.” 80
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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Using bold textiles and the colour blue as a unifying element for the design, the powder room is complete with a bold blue flower-print wallpaper.
Complete with her antique roll-top desk and her father’s lawyer bookcases, the newly designed and organized study is Norma-Jean’s favourite room in the house.
This design connects interior and exterior by mixing natural textures and organic elements. Use of natural stone and forged iron blends the elements together.
To prepare for aging eyes, NormaJean said she “wanted light in every corner.” By using white, reflective paint and adding windows, the previously dark hallways became easy to navigate.
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SOURCE Interior design by I Design it Interiors, 403-934-0719, idesignitinteriors.ca Kitchen cabinets custom from West Side Finishing, E, 202 Canal Court, Strathmore, 403-934-0523, westsidefinishing.ca Black leathered countertops from Laporte Surfaces, 9, 7635 44 St. S.E., 403-225-0488, laportesurfaces.com Island quartz is Cambria from FloForm Countertops, 1605 32 Ave. N.E., 403-291-1155, floform.com Herringbone marble backsplash from Universal Slate International, 3821 9 St. S.E., 403-287-7763, universalslate.com Cabinet pulls from Restoration Hardware, Southcentre Mall, 403-271-2122, restorationhardware.com Range hood by Hammersmith Custom Metal Crafting, 4, 4357 14 St. N.E., 403-230-9348, hammersmithcustommetal.com Island light from Robinson Lighting and Bath, 4120 Blackfoot Tr. S.E., 403-245-8637, robinsonco.ca Bar stools from Home Evolution, 7133 11 St. S.E., 403-7684427, home-evolution.com. Candles, vases, eucalyptus and console table from Pottery Barn, CF Chinook Centre, 403-259-2100, potterybarn.ca Entryway mirror from Crate and Barrel, Southcentre Mall, 403278-7020, crateandbarrel.ca Wall clock from Cartwright Lighting & Furniture, 7301 11 St. S.E., 403-270-8508, cartwrightlighting.ca Dining room hutch from Cricklewood Interiors, 6626 Centre St. S., 403-258-0050, cricklewoodinteriors.com Dining chairs and side chairs from Home Evolution Chandelier from Restoration Hardware Living room area rug from Pottery Barn Mission-style chairs from La-Z-Boy, 7300 11 St. S.E., 403-2591000, la-z-boy.ca Throw and accent pillows from Potter Barn Vases from Crate and Barrel Powder room wallpaper is Black Edition Ruva - Ink from Stewart Drummond Studios (now closed) Wicker accessories from Pottery Barn Vases from Silk Plant Warehouse, 6108 Centre St. S., 403252-8282, silkplantwarehouse.ca Marble floor tile from Tierra Sole Ceramic Tile, 4000 106 Ave. S.E., 403-259-3467, tierrasol.ca Bed from Cricklewood Interiors, bedding from Pottery Barn and accent pillows from Bondars, 6999 11 St. S.E., 403-253-8200, bondars.com Night tables from Ashley HomeStore, three Calgary locations, ashleyhomestore.ca Table lamps from Structube, numerous Calgary locations, structube.com Ensuite glass doors from Cascade Glass, 515 42 Ave. S.E., 403-243-8510, cascadeglass.ca Foyer chandelier from Cartwright Lighting & Furniture. Window by Tim’s Glass, 145 Orchard Park Rd., Strathmore, 403-9345804, timsglass.ca Fireplace from Costco, multiple Calgary locations, costco.ca Wallpaper from Stewart Drummond Studios (now closed)
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WORK OF ART
TITLE
Akin, 2019 ARTIST
C U R AT E D B Y K AT H E R I N E Y L I T A L O
Fluke with assistance from Five8 and Fléo. MEDIA
Aerosol and bucket paint on brick. SIZE
75 feet high by 60 feet wide. LOCATION
1039 17 Ave. S.W. (west-facing wall). NOTE
One of 16 murals commissioned for the 2019 Beltline Urban Murals Project (BUMP) Festival.
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ragments of diverse young faces intermingle in a column of light within swirling ribbons of colour in this eight-storey-high street mural. They coalesce into a radiant triple portrait with a message for our times. Akin is a refreshing work of urban art with an intelligent dose of spatial complexity and social engagement, wrapped up with remarkable craftsmanship. Consider each figure’s gaze and gesture to unravel how Montreal artist, Fluke, cleverly unifies them as a composite character and a metaphor for interconnection. The blue backpacker looks up. The central woman faces you head-on as she reaches for her hoodie. The woman in green glances sideways. Their combined perspectives fuse the past, present and future. Spatial relationships shift. Your eye makes connections that join the characters. A ribbon’s edge suggests an eyebrow; the hand 82
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that tugs the hoodie might belong to either of the women; the blue fellow’s hand could be one of their shoulders; the nebula behind the green woman doubles as her flowing Afro. Born to Polish immigrants in Montreal, Fluke’s first language was neither English nor French. When teens introduced him to graffiti at age 9, he quickly grasped the power to communicate across cultures visually. He’s the kind of artist who learns by observing and doing — and thinking. He saw the potential of building a fair and honest business, and founded Ashop Productions, a custom street-art workshop and artist-representation agency for urban artists that has earned international acclaim during the last decade. Fluke slowed his own artistic production down as he put energy into the business but powered up his game in 2017 when he created a tribute mural for his friend, the late hip-hop musician Paul Frappier, a.k.a. Bad News Brown.
Fluke’s imagery and techniques have roots in graffiti, but his approach is about community building. In the nineties, he learned to manage colour when the range of paints in the local hardware store was limited to five basic colours. Now, he optimizes monochrome to achieve photographic effects. Spray-painting freehand one compartment at a time with a section of the pre-planned design in hand, Fluke achieved meticulous detail and tonal consistency while harnessed on a mechanical lift that took him 85 feet in the air. With the support of the crew who accompanied him, Five8 and Fléo, he accomplished the colossal mural in 15 days. There’s a long line of art — from spraypainted stencilled hands in prehistoric caves to contemporary graffiti — that carries two essential messages: “I am here,” and “The moment is now.” In this mural, Fluke adds, “We are in this together.”
PHOTOGRAPH BY ASHOP PRODUCTIONS
Akin
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