CentreCity

Cameras to Help Prevent Vandalism

Centre City (and several other areas in Calgary) now have more help in the fight against vandalism. Cameras are being mounted in some key locations (we're keeping tight-lipped on the actual addresses) to help potentially catch vandals in the act.  Graffiti has been an ongoing problem for residential and business owners across the city.  This camera program, along with Centre City's Clean To The Core program are all part of the plan to keep our downtown appealing, approachable and safe for everyone.   

 

To read the full article about the cameras in the Calgary Sun, click here. 

Battle of Alberta - Board Game Style

Wouldn't it be nice if we had a magic wand to help change the direction the Calgary Flames seem to be heading right now? There's always hope, though. Everyone knows the motivating powers of the Flames fan are monumental!

And you know, there is one surefire way to help Calgary win another game. Hasbro is putting out a Canadian edition of their Monopoly game and they're asking people to vote for their pick of the city that will rest on the Boardwalk. It's the most coveted spot and we want it - we can't take no for an answer! Mayor Dave Bronconnier says Calgary on the Boardwalk is a no-brainer. “In international and national surveys, Calgary has been named the city with the highest quality of life and economic potential, safest city and cleanest city" - and Calgarians are proud of that.  It's time to ensure the rest of the country knows that as well.  

 

So here's where the power of the motivated, civic-minded Calgarian comes in.  We're asking you to vote.  Get Calgary on the Boardwalk please!  Tell your friends to vote. Ask your pets to vote.  We have complete control over this one. Treat it like a battle of Alberta if you like...in fact, Edmonton is on the list as well - and they're receiving plenty of votes. We can't let them beat us. To read more about the new Monopoly game and why being on the Boardwalk matters to us, click here and here.  

And vote here. Vote every day until February 7th.  Make it part of your morning routine. Coffee. Vote. 

In the meantime, don't forget to put on your game face and get ready to ignite that same battle of Alberta fire on the 28th when the Calgary Flames play the Edmonton Oilers. We really can have it all. We're good enough!  

Hidden Centre City Revealed

We started a new game this month here on the Centre City Talk blog.  Each Monday, we will post a section of a photograph taken somewhere in the Centre City (click here for parameters).  The photos are meant to be a little more difficult for people to figure out, thus the title "Hidden Centre City".  We're looking to showcase unique aspects of design, architecture and style found in the core.  The photos will be from places we might not always get to in our day-to-day travels within the Centre City.  It's meant to inspire us all to get out there and explore our Calgary a little more.  So now here's the full photo from last week:  

 (photo from Kootenayvolcano via Flickr.com)

This is the Telus World of Science located at 701 - 11th Street SW and it's a great view of the raw concrete style of architecture used in the design of this building.  Lovely shot.  

Here's our photo clue for this week - if you have any guesses, leave us a comment.  We'll post the answer next Monday.  

(photo credit to come next Monday with reveal) 

Governor General Hosting Event in the Centre City

 

Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and Jean-Daniel Lafond will host an event to explore art as a tool for social change this Sunday at the Glenbow Museum.

Lafond will pose the question: “What is the power and purpose of using the arts to engage in social issues?”

The day will consist of panel discussions, performances and workshops to celebrate the end of the year-long initiative, This is My City, which provided art-making opportunities to members of the homeless community.

To read the rest of this story, go here.

Calgarians Helping Earthquake Survivors in Haiti

We wanted to highlight some of the great fundraising efforts happening in Calgary (and also on television) this week for the people of Haiti.  There are of course so many events scheduled for now and in the near future.  Calgarians are known for their generosity and these fundraisers are providing the opportunity for people to help out where it's needed most.  We aren't aiming to provide the definitive list of events but here are just a few of the noteworthy ones we've come across for this week so far.  By all means, if you know of others, leave us a note in the comment section.  

(photo Titled "Waiting for Help" via Flickr Creative Commons ) 

1.  Friday January 22nd Canada For Haiti, a one-hour program looking into Canada's close relationship with Haiti.  This will air on CBC, CTV and Global Television at 7 p.m. Following this will be Hope for Haiti Now  - a telethon being hosted by George Clooney. 

*2. Friday January 22nd at The Forum Lounge (1140 - 10th Ave. SW) Night of DJ music, dancing and drinks, starting at 9 p.m. - all proceeds go to the Red Cross.  For more information, click here.   

*3.  Thursday January 28th at Flames Central (219 Stephen Avenue Mall SW) YYC4Haiti is a fundraiser (with proceeds going to the Red Cross) that is still in the works but it looks like it'll be a big one - for details and updates in the coming days, click here and here.

*asterisk indicates events held within the Centre City

Torch Revisited

Like an old friend, the Olympic flame returned last night to thousands upon thousands of welcoming, cheering Calgarians' arms.  It was as though our own 1988 Winter Olympics  just happened...all of those great feelings of civic pride, shared vision of community, culture and sportsmanship were still there.  

   

 
An estimated 20 thousand Calgarians greeted the Vancouver 2010 Olympic torch as it made its way to the Centre City.  When 34 year old Robyn Ainsworth (the same woman who was chosen to light the cauldron at the opening ceremonies of the '88 Winter Olympics) arrived with the torch at Olympic Plaza, the party really got started.  

 
 

(all photos courtesy www(dot)oscarlopez.ca)

There's still just a bit of time left to see the Olympic torch in motion - click here for details.  

Did you have a chance to see the torch?  What did you think of the festivities?  Let us know and leave a comment...

Snowblower Blew Our Socks Off!

If you were in attendance at our Snowblower event on Saturday night, then all I have to say is, "I know, right?! It was fantastic!"...and if you didn't have a chance to go, here are some photos from what was just a spectacular night of DJs, dance, fire and lights...

All in all, it was a great turnout with both young and old packed into the Olympic Plaza for an amazing night of entertainment - such a great kickoff for tonight's Olympic torch celebration.  

And if you weren't one of the thousands of Calgarians who lined the streets today to catch a glimpse of the torch as it made its way to the Olympic Plaza, you still have a chance to see it on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Click here to find out more.  

Hidden Centre City Revealed

We kicked off a new game last week here on the Centre City Talk blog.  Each Monday, we will post a section of a photograph taken somewhere in the Centre City (click here for parameters).  The photos are meant to be a little more difficult for people to figure out, thus the title "Hidden Centre City".  We're looking to showcase unique aspects of design, architecture and style found in the core.  It's meant to inspire us all to get out there and explore our Calgary a little more.  So now here's the full photo from last week:  

 This picture was taken from the lobby of the Glenbow Museum - it's the spectacular chandelier installation called the "Aurora Borealis" and it's by the late artist James Houston.   

Here now is the photo clue for you to ponder this week: 

(photo credit to come with full reveal next Monday)

If you have an idea of what this photo is, make sure to leave us a comment.  We'll post the answer along with the full photo next Monday morning.  

Thanks for playing! 

Comments Section Open on HCC Game

Hi there - just a reminder that we've now opened the comments section on our Hidden Centre City game.  So if you think you know what the photo is, leave your guess for us! We'll post the answer on Monday.  

Olympic Spirit Rekindled in Calgary

Time to dust off your Calgary '88 Sun Ice ski-jackets and get ready to fully embrace that winter Olympic spirit.  

The Centre City is hosting several Olympic-themed events in the coming days. So whether you're an arm-chair Olympian, a future gold-medal-winning bobsledder, or just a Calgarian with deep feelings of nostalgia for that Winter Olympic celebratory air, make sure you check out the following free events.  

The Olympic Torch - held by the first Torchbearer selected, Patricia Moreno.

January 16th SNOWBLOWER - High Performance Rodeo is putting on a night of beats, lights, fire performances and maybe even a little dancing.  Beginning at 5 pm, a collective of electronic musicians from all over the world will be playing a live concert at Olympic Plaza.  Some of the featured musicians include Mr. Scruff from Manchester, UK, Pretty Lights from Denver, Colorado (look at their website if you have a moment - it's gorgeous!), Beats Antique from San Francisco, California and Calgary's very own DJ Bruno Changkye.  For full information on this concert, click here.

January 18th - A family friendly event at Olympic Plaza.  Again beginning at 5 pm, this is a chance to take in some great live music, dancers, performers and painters - and you'll see plenty of Calgary Olympians from past Olympic games. And if you're keen to follow the torch as it makes its way to the Plaza, just after 4 pm, it can be seen heading north on McLeod Trail.  Then, it will be carried on a route from 17th Ave. SW, 14th St SW, and 9th Ave. with its final arrival scheduled for 7 pm at Olympic Plaza.

This is your chance to see the beauty of that flame in our city, once again.  You are asked to bring a donation for the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank along to the event.  For more information, click here. 

To read more about other 2010 Winter Olympic events in Calgary, and also to learn about road closures during the torch relay festivities click here.