Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Jan. 18

Advertise | Sign Up

Good morning, there!

In 2023, a record 152 libraries around the world each had more than one million digital checkouts, and Calgary’s Public Library is one of them. In fact, Calgary’s patrons reached a new milestone with 4.5 million digital books borrowed in 2023 from a large catalog of ebooks, e-audiobooks, and other digital media. The highest-circulating title Calgary Public Library readers borrowed in 2023 was 101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest. I’m more old school and prefer reading books and magazines in print form myself, but I have listened to the odd audio book here and there. What do you prefer?

Krista Sylvester, Managing Editor

QUICK POLL

👀 In today's edition:

• More details about homicide in front of school

• Someone in Alberta is $70 million richer

• Calgary golf club rises from the ashes

Today’s read time: Approx. 4 minutes

Advertise your business, event, or restaurant in front of 34,000+ engaged locals! Contact our team today.

WORTH KNOWING

🌧️ Today: High -18C, Low -25C. See the 7-day forecast.

🚗 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation, and find the city’s traffic report and road closures.

Man who killed estranged wife in front of a school was reportedly facing domestic-related charges

Calgary police say a woman stabbed to death outside an elementary school in Strathcona Park Tuesday was killed in a targeted incident and the suspect, who was found dead nearby, was her estranged husband.

According to CBC, the husband was facing criminal charges for domestic violence, and had been charged with twice violating a no-contact order. Court documents show the two were in the process of divorcing.

CTV is reporting that the incident happened in front of the school, and while no students reportedly witnessed it, some parents did. The situation has shocked parents whose children attend the school.

Related Story

Need to know

💰One winning ticket sold in Alberta for Tuesday’s $70 million Lotto Max jackpot.

📽️ Calgary actor Jarod Joseph plays tech-savvy professor in new police drama Sight Unseen.

✈️ WestJet begins recovery after cancelling 464 flights over four-day stretch due to extreme cold.

⚖️ Man convicted of staging collision in sophisticated insurance fraud.

⌛ Waitlist for English language classes in Calgary shoots up to 7,455 people.

💸 Apartment rent costs have reached new national highs, led by Calgary.

🚓 Task force concludes investigation into September 150-person clash in the city’s northeast.

🎒 Calgary’s Child Magazine’s free weekly newsletter is packed with family-friendly activities, local events, excursions, and giveaways. Sign up here and never hear “I’m bored” again!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Bearspaw Golf Club celebrates 40 years of history with phoenix-like resurgence after bankruptcy

Bearspaw Golf Club, formerly known as Bearspaw Country Club, boasts 40 years of history and in 2023 celebrated its fourth anniversary as a revitalized golfing destination under new ownership. Those new owners, led by a dedicated group of previous members and investors known as Bearspaw Equity Ventures Ltd., rescued the club from its bankruptcy. Since the mid-1980s, the club attributes much of its success to the loyal membership base that has often spanned generations. It’s not an uncommon sight to see grandparents who once roamed the greens watching their grandchildren now play with the same enthusiasm and love for the game. We spoke with the group’s board chairman, Alan Norris, about the club’s resurgence.

How did the club become thriving once again?

Our new clubhouse has some of the most breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, with the restaurant providing the perfect vantage point for sunset viewing. Many previous members rejoined the club and many new members have joined since. After only our third season open, we are already up to 325 primary members enjoying the club with their families. Our aim is steadfast: to enhance the Bearspaw experience by seamlessly integrating top-quality food and beverage services, delivering a superior shop experience and maintaining our exceptional clubhouse so that guests have an unmatched experience at our club.

What advice would you give other struggling businesses?

For businesses facing adversity, our journey may offer a few key insights that might prove helpful in navigating challenges. The first item is financial discipline. You have to maintain stringent financial discipline and ensure that your cost structures are attuned to the scale and reality of your business. Business owners also must recognize that people have various choices on how to spend their money. You must strive to deliver an experience that resonates with your audience, one that they would genuinely want to be part of. Having a core group that shares a unified vision is also instrumental. And finally, bringing management in-house facilitated a more tailored and responsive operation, enhancing the overall member experience.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Sweet Loretta: Have you checked out this highly anticipated new disco bar from the restaurant group behind Lulu Bar and Model Milk yet? If not, go!

🍴 Yenny Delights: This eatery offers Afro-Caribbean food, pairing Nigerian and Caribbean cuisines with authentic dishes such as Jamaican oxtail, meat pies, and more.

🍴 TG Juice Bar and Breakfast: This East African restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring Ethiopian stews, Kenyan beef dishes, Somali breakfast, and fresh juice.

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

Local specials

💸 Pat & Betty: Head to this European-inspired dinette and bar with your friends and family for the Happy {to have you} Hour from 3 to 5pm daily.

💸 Hotel Le Germaine: Enjoy romance and couples spa packages for special rates at this swanky Calgary hotel.

💸 Dixon’s Public House: Enjoy a steak sandwhich on Tuesdays from 2pm until close for just $12.99. Yum!

Have a promo suggestion? Message us and we might share it!

Things to do

🎟️ One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo: Until Feb 4, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts takes over the city. It’s a chance to watch touring performances from across Canada, acclaimed international shows, and new and experimental work from artists in Calgary.

🎟️ Heritage Park: It’s the park’s 60th anniversary year so take advantage of some new membership structures and experience the park in the winter light.

🎟️ Banff Snow Days: Enjoy a winter getaway this weekend as Banff and Lake Louise come alive with this annual celebration featuring larger-than-life winter galleries with giant snow sculptures.

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

READER PIC

That’s it! Thanks for reading. If you have a hot story tip you want to share on these cold days, feel free to reply back anytime. We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, same time, same place!

Subscribe to Insider to read the rest.