The Bridgeland Cultural Festival

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Alberta, Bridgeland, Calgary, Canada, community, Cultural Fest, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, living in the moment, Supporting local business

ON SATURDAY, THE BRIDGELAND COMMUNITY in Calgary, Alberta hosted its inaugural Bridgeland Cultural Festival. And I knew from the moment I’d heard about it, that I wanted to go.

Helga, always game to do anything, met me at the Bridgeland train station and together we walked to 1st Avenue NE to check it out.

My new and funky hippie watch

Although only one block of the street was closed to cars, the community had a wonderful selection of unique vendors.

I wasn’t even there five minutes when I saw a table with handmade watches and bracelets.

I used to always wear a watch, but these days, it’s just as easy to check the time on my BlackBerry.

Also, back then, I was sort of hippyish…

(In my head, I can hear my daughter asking in disbelief, “Was…?”)

…and wore a lot of leather and denim everything.

Anyway, when I saw this watch I had to have it!

We checked out every booth there while a host of bands and dancers performed on the stage.

Helga purchased some herbal bread, specifically prepared so that one can tear off one strip at a time, to munch on right from the paper bag.

We also checked out all the stores a few blocks in both directions and bought a coffee from a merchant who grows their own beans down south and roasts them right here in Calgary.

Well done Bridgeland, I will be back for your 2nd annual cultural festival!

When we had seen all there was to see, Helga walked with me back to the train station. She then hopped on her bike and headed back to Inglewood while I waited for the downtown train.

I wasn’t in a hurry, so I got off at City Hall Station to walk the mile or two back home. On my way, I took a few more pictures. (below)

Olympic Plaza across from City Hall, Calgary AB

Cyclists took advantage of the new cycle track on 12 Ave. SW

Sweet lilacs with the Lougheed House in the background

All in all, it was a gorgeous summery day to explore my beautiful city. I’m looking forward to the many other events that will be taking place during my favourite season of the year.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

What’s your most favourite item purchased at a community festival recently? Do you have cycle tracks in your city?

High River, Alberta – Still Rebuilding After The Flood

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Alberta, Calgary, Canada, caring, Carlson's, community, Diana Schwenk, High River, Hump Day Chronicles, life, living in the moment, rebuilding, repairs, Southern Alberta Floods 2013, Supporting local business

“I don’t think many people understand just how devastated High River still is from the flood.” ~ Rob L.

The above comment was left on my Facebook page when I posted this picture and somewhat facetiously wrote:

“I saw this deer in High River today. It made up for the fact that almost every store and restaurant was closed.”

Downtown High River felt like a Ghost Town when we pulled in on Sunday afternoon.

Granted it’s not unusual for stores and restaurants to be closed in the smaller surrounding towns outside of Calgary on Sundays.

But it was more than that.

There are quite a few empty storefronts along the main street with ‘For Lease’ signs on their windows.

And many establishments like Carlson’s Live Music venue are still doing renovations.

Don Carlson was outside on his bar’s patio working on something, when my friend Helga and I walked by and asked if there were any places open where we might grab a bite to eat.

He mentioned a few places and in response to my “Ghost Town” comment, began to explain how difficult it’s been for local business to get-up-and-running again since the flood.

“Some empty storefronts are even offering a year’s free rent on the condition a multi-year lease is signed,” he told us.

The flood that ravished southern Alberta hit in June 2013.

Here in Calgary, although there is still some evidence of damage caused by the flood, most repairs have been made.

High River has built berms and implemented other preventative measures, and business owners who can afford renovations are doing so, but many are still struggling.

Don invited us into his place. Renovations are coming along nicely and he showed off his new white Oak floor.

Don was adamant that his is one of the best music venues in Alberta and although he can have 120 people inside, he usually opts to have 90 – “makes it feel roomy and comfortable.”

And allows space for dancing, I enthused!

When I asked which genre of music he typically books, he told me there’s quite a bit of Jazz at his place – and I do love Jazz!

As we were leaving, Don invited us to ‘friend’ him on Facebook, thanked us for visiting and hoped that we’d return when Carlson’s is up and running again and other downtown businesses have recovered.

If you live in the area, why not connect with Don on Facebook here as well, to stay updated on their status – and you too can pay them a visit when they’re up and running again.

As for me? I’m pretty sure I’ll visit High River again to support Carlson’s and other local businesses.

I would like to say a special thank you to Don Carlson for his hospitality and taking the time to invite a couple of Calgarians into his place to share the goings-on of High River.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Do you believe in supporting local business? What is your favourite local business where you live?

The Kalamata Effect

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Calgary, community, customer service, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, Kalamata, pricing, Supporting local business

Kalamata’s on 11th Street and 15th Avenue SW, Calgary Alberta

I’m a big believer in supporting local businesses and I am extremely loyal to businesses that treat me well and have quality products at decent prices.

One of my favourite local businesses is a family run grocery/convenience store called Kalamata’s.

Every time I go there, there’s a snake-like line-up of customers; often coiling through their impossibly small aisles.

At the same time, they are forever carrying in new inventory squeezing past the line  – yes it goes off the shelves that fast – from crates of supplies stacked on pallets on the sidewalk. Their food is mouth-watering in the old traditions of Greece, especially their olives!

Somehow they manage the line of customers quickly, seemingly knowing the price of everything by heart. As an extra personal touch, I’ve seen them give kids a free treat when their parents are paying for their groceries; it reminds me of the good old days when I was a kid.

The building is not attractive. It doesn’t have the sleek modern lines of other grocery stores. Their employees are down-to-earth real people. And Kalamata’s has been voted the best Corner Store for over 15 years by Fast Forward. They don’t do any marketing as far as I know, I personally learned about them from word-of-mouth.

Their pricing is unbelievable – they have the best prices in town, often beating out large grocery chains. In a world that is largely concerned with making the biggest profit possible, Kalamata’s stands out as a business with fair prices and great customer service. They may not make as much money per item as other businesses, but my guess is that their bottom line blows the competition out of the water – a phenomenon I now call the Kalamata Effect.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~

Do you have a favourite local business that you support?

 

Post Flood – Supporting Local Business

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4th Street Block Party, Calgary, caring, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, Hump Day Chronicles, Southern Alberta Floods 2013, Supporting local business

In an effort to bring business back to the Mission Area of Calgary, the 4th Street BRZ organized The 4th Street Block Party on Saturday October 19, 2013.

4th Street was closed to traffic from Elbow Drive to just about 12 Ave SW.

Although some businesses have been open for several months since the flood in June, they are not seeing the usual foot traffic in the area.

The 4th Street block party was organized as part of the yyc is open campaign to invite people back into the area.

I had hoped more people would have attended but it was a fun event and several restaurants that aren’t even re-opened yet were providing food to those who attended.

I had a lot of fun at the event which included music, food and various sales. I took full advantage of Twitter and tweeted out pictures, along with the best of them, inviting people to come down and check out the block party.

I’m a huge fan of supporting local business and think this event was a great idea. Please – if you’re a Calgarian, come back into the areas that were affected by the flood and support your local businesses.

The Urban Barn had a bed on display in the middle of the street! I was thinking what a great idea in case I become tired of walking!

There were several bands to enjoy, I only took a picture of these guys and (yikes) I cut the one’s head right off!

I was pleased to run into the president of the BRZ (far right) John Mar (middle), my ward’s Alderman… well he had been for two terms…he was not voted back in on our election 2 days ago. Thank you for your service to ward 8 John. You were always a wonderful support for housing for the homeless and I learned a lot in my time working with you to build a good neighbour agreement and engage our community.

Featured below, a volunteer reminding us to vote and strongly suggesting we vote for Mayor Nenshi again! Which I did and judging by the results, many others did as well.

I also saw these awesome vintage cars and various businesses displaying their wares.

Overall, I think Calgary is responding well to the needs that presented themselves in the aftermath of the flood. It is my hope that we continue to rally together to make our city better than it was before. Supporting local businesses is one of the ways we can contribute.

~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~