Calgary Citizen Newsletter Thursday Oct. 19

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Good morning, there!

As Halloween creeps closer, those obsessed with aliens might be excited to learn that Alberta ranks fourth out of Canadian provinces and territories for UFO sightings in the month of October. The study was compiled from BonusFinder experts who combed through data dating back to 1998. Out of 486 UFO sightings in October since then, 57 have happened in Alberta. Ontario had the most with 199 sightings. The study reported that on Oct. 7, 2019, Alberta played host to mysterious sightings in Grand Prairie, with one hour-long sighting of blue lights and in Medicine Hat, a pyramidal cigar-shaped craft with a dome.

- Krista Sylvester, Managing Editor

👀 In today's edition:

• Calgary police officer shot, suspect killed

• Chaos as LRT station closes for upgrades

• Stage West brings Groucho Marx to the stage

Today’s read time: Approx. 4 minutes

QUICK POLL

WORTH KNOWING

🌧️ Today: High 21C, Low 5C. See the 7-day forecast.

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

⚠️ Here’s the current smoke forecast / check Calgary wildfire and fire restrictions and the Alberta Wildfire Dashboard.

Calgary police officer shot during daylight gunfire exchange; one suspect is dead, another in custody

A Calgary police officer was injured and a suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire on Wednesday afternoon. The shooting occurred at McKnight Village Shopping Centre in Falconridge around 1pm.

As CBC reports, the shooting took place during a high-risk takedown involving the tactical unit, according to one source with knowledge of the incident. The officer is in hospital in "stable condition” while one suspect was killed and another suspect was taken into custody.

As the Calgary Herald reports, the unnamed injured officer has served for 11 years and was taken to hospital in stable condition. He was released from the hospital later in the day. Police said the shootout occurred in a public area that put many lives at risk.

As Global News reports, Calgarians who were in the busy area are very shaken up with one resident on her way home when she saw a police officer being shot. “I was really scared,” she told Global News. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Need to know

💸 Mould and mouse droppings: Calgary mother says she can't afford to leave 'nightmare' rental home as prices skyrocket.

🚉 'It wasn't a decision we made lightly': Prepare for chaos as the city closes a downtown LRT stop for nine days.

🌨️ Calgary is expecting the weather to cool down significantly so it’s time to get that last-minute yard work in before the colder temperatures come.

👮 Calgary police are investigating a possible hate crime at the Calgary Jewish Centre.

🚓 'I didn't expect that': Calgary property known for drug activity shut down by Alberta Sheriffs.

🏍️ Stunting is a suspected factor in a Memorial Drive crash that left a motorcyclist dead.

🏍️ Cryptocurrency scammers bilked $22.5 million from Calgarians this year, according to Calgary police.

🐕 A Calgary man saw the need for benches at his local off-leash park, so he went ahead and built six himself.

🏢 Calgary pauses applications for office-to-residential conversions due to 'tremendous' demand.

💰 The Calgary Shoppe is facing possible closure following new federal import fees that left the owner owing thousands.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Stage West brings a “masterful” production by an award-winning actor to Calgary

Stage West’s latest production An Evening with Groucho has been called “Nothing short of masterful" by the Chicago Tribune and it’s easy to see why with award-winning actor and director Frank Ferrante leading the one-man show. Flanked by only a pianist on stage, Ferrante brings his New York and London acclaimed portrayal of legendary comedian Groucho Marx to life on stage with some of the funniest Groucho one-liners, anecdotes, and songs. Adding to the entertainment, Ferrante ad-libs his way through the show while interacting with the audience. We spoke with Ferrante about Stage West’s latest production playing until Nov. 12. Tickets are available.

What went into preparing for the role?

Years of research. Viewing and studying all of Groucho's films and TV shows. Many hours in libraries were spent researching his career and personal life. Early on when I developed An Evening With Groucho as a drama student at the University of Southern California, I would spend countless days practising his eccentric dance moves and classic duck walk. I had recordings of his voice and I would listen and repeat until I had the right tone and delivery and accent.

What do you love about interacting with the audience?

Well, every performance is different! That's the beauty of this particular theatrical piece. This one-man comedy with musical accompaniment is a hybrid—part musical, part play, part stand-up comedy. The audience interaction varies from show to show. And I love that I never know, nor does my pianist or the audience, what will happen comically. So there is a sense from the audience that they are getting something special just for them. It's the element of surprise.

What can audiences expect?

Whether you know Groucho Marx or not is incidental to the enjoyment of this work. The audience learns about this tremendous international comedy legend and his world through storytelling, songs, one-liners, comedy routines and improvisation. His career spanned over 70 years. It's vital to me that the audience experiences Groucho's spirit as an entertainer, learns a bit about his life and times and laughs a lot!

What is your favourite part about this role?

I have many favourite parts. I like finding new jokes and comic bits nightly and hearing the laughter that greets newly discovered funny moments. But these days I enjoy seeing the beaming expressions of young people in the audience.

Where to eat and drink

🍴 Burnin Bird: Get your Nashville hot chicken fix with five levels of spiciness ranging from mild to extremely hot. Finish with a deep-fried Mars bars or Oreo cookies.

🍴 Thé Moon Tea House: Created from the love of tea and the moon, Thé Moon strives to be innovative and grow the bubble tea industry while providing the best ingredients.

🍴 Boogie’s Burgers: Slangin’ burgs since the summer of 1969, Boogie’s is one of Calgary’s longest-standing burger shops. With unique, delicious, hearty burgers, and milkshakes, you’ll want to go back for more.

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

Local specials

💸 Alvin’s Jazz Club: If you want to enjoy some live music, stop in on a Tuesday or Sunday for a half-off cover charge.

💸 Blowers & Grafton: If you love Halifax street food such as fried pepperoni and donair pizza, check out Happy “Hali” Hour every day between 3-6pm and 9pm-close.

💸 Pig & Duke: Enjoy a steak sandwich for $16.95, double highballs for $10, and $6 featured shots on Fired Up Fridays.

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

Things to do

🎟️ Latin American Arts and Culture Gala Dinner: To celebrate Hispanic Month as part of the Latin American Arts and Culture Festival, get your tickets to this black tie with carnival feather mask affair.

🎟️ Tom Wilson concert: This Canadian music legend, famed storyteller, and visual artist, and three-time Juno-winning Canadian musician is performing at Festival Hall tonight.

🎟️ Haunted Mini Golf at Winsport: A Halloween-themed 18-hole championship-style course that is fun for the whole family. Book your tickets below.

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, feel free to reply back anytime.

We’ll see you back here on Tuesday, same time, same place!

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