CentreCity

Centre City Maps Changing

The Centre City is sporting its first, spiffy new outdoor map! Since the weather was kind enough to cooperate this week, the City had a chance to put up the first new and updated sign.

You can see it up close and in person at the NE corner of 3rd Avenue and 7th Street SW in Eau Claire. Here's what the new map looks like: 

What you will see on these new maps: Bow Tower, Eighth Avenue Place, and much more!  

The City of Calgary's +15 Coordinator, Ray Ference, is overseeing the new map project. He says the remainder of the signs (there are 14 in total) will be updated over the course of the next three weeks, weather permitting. So keep your eyes peeled for these improvements in the Centre City and let us know what you think.  

And hey, here are a few links to some other resources to help you explore the Centre City:

- The +15 walkway system is currently equipped with interactive maps of downtown Calgary, with a building locator and information locations. Pick-up a pocket version at the Municipal Building. 

- Log onto Calgary.ca, Calgary Downtown Association, Tourism Calgary or Discover Calgary 

- Use Google Maps or Map Quest

Bridge Night

Remember these? 

   

1.  Design from London-based ARUP and Falco Schmitt Architects

 
2.  Design from Vancouver-based Buckland and Taylor Ltd. along with Victoria-based Kitchell

  

 
3. Design from Paris-based RFR and Calgary-based Halsall

These are the three finalists in the competition to see which design will be used in building a new bridge at St. Patrick's Island over the Bow River.  

Tonight (Feb. 25th 6 - 8:30 p.m.), the three groups will gather to present their concepts and also to answer questions.  It's an open house but with limited seating so if you're interested in hearing what they have to say, send an RSVP to rsvp@calgarymlc.ca to see if there are any spots.

If you're just interested in reading more about the projects and also in seeing mock-ups of the proposed bridges from different perspectives, you can click here.  And if you'd like to read the latest about the St. Patrick's bridge development, click here.  

Black History Month

If you haven't done so already, there's still time to get involved in Black History month in Calgary. There are a few inspiring and important events scheduled for the month's final week in the Centre City.  

(photo from CalgaryPublicLibrary.com)

1.  An actors' reading of Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" (adapted by acclaimed Calgary writer Cheryl Foggo). If you're interested in learning more about Achebe's book, here's a preview. It's at the John Dutton Theatre in the Central Library at 616 MacLeod Trail SE. The program starts at 7 p.m. and you can register online or by calling 403-260-2620. The library staff say there are still quite a few spaces - 64 at the time of writing this - but make sure you do register soon to beat the last-minute sign-up rush.  Also, did you know Cheryl Foggo wrote a memoir of her own childhood, growing up at the time in a predominantly white city (Calgary). It's called "Pourin' Down Rain" .  

2.  On Saturday, February 27th at the Chinese Cultural Centre, take part in an evening of art, fashion, food, music and celebration of black culture. The event is called Legacies 2010: Shades of Black.  It's an evening full of great, authentic Caribbean and African food, spoken word poetry, DJ's, gospel, blues, country and soul music, there will be some stand-up comedy by Rock Di, dance performances, a preview of Centre Stage Theatre's upcoming show (2011) titled, "The Wandering Tribe of Black-White Men", photography exhibits, and on and on. It sounds like it'll be just an amazing night out.  For more details on the event and ticket purchase, you can click here. 

Hidden Centre City Revealed

It's time again for another Hidden Centre City reveal photo and clue.  

Each Monday, we post a section of a photograph taken from 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.  

Here's the full photo from last week: 

(photo by "Vlastula")

Mike guessed correctly - it is the ceiling from Flames Central.  Good job!  For obvious reasons, we've had sports on the brain lately.  

And now on to this week's photo clue...it's a tricky one: 

 

If you have any guesses as to what this is and where it is, make sure to leave us a comment.  Thanks for playing along.  We'll post the answer next Monday. 

Calgary Awards Nomination Deadline Fast-Approaching

 

Don't keep it to yourself - if you know of a Calgarian or organization that you think needs a little spotlight time and a lot of credit for the good things they're doing in our city, nominate them now!  

You have just a few more weeks to get your noms in for the Calgary Awards.  It's your chance to recognize and celebrate the amazing achievements of fellow Calgarians.  The awards apply to schools, corporations and community groups and individuals. There are five major award categories and a total of 17 awards waiting to be handed out.  To read more about these categories and the entire nomination process (It's not difficult!  Do it!), you can click here.

Some of last year's Calgary Awards winners include: Lois Mitchell (Citizen of the Year), Andrew Nikiforuk (The City of Calgary W.O. Mitchell Book Prize), Bow River Basin Council (Environmental Achievement Awards - Not For Profit).  You can read about all the previous Calgary Awards winners here.  

Construction Safety Update

Last fall, a new construction site safety committee met, made up of reps from the City of Calgary and the Calgary Construction Association. The committee began exploring our city's construction sites to ensure the utmost safety levels for the public.  

Now formalized, one of the committee's first actions is to look into even more preventative safety measures. It is investigating the idea of incorporating an early warning weather system and is also working to develop a best practices construction safety guide.  

Alberta Occupational Health & Safety is also working to provide input to the committee.

In the meantime, site regulations and bylaws are being enforced as needed.  The committee is also working to create better communication and public awareness surrounding construction site safety.  

(photo credit: Suzi Edwards) 

Q: Calgary Has Some 5100 Artists...So Where Do They Live?

A:  The Centre City area has the highest concentration of creatives, according to a report by Hill Strategies which was commissioned by The City of Calgary, Calgary Arts Development, Calgary Economic Development along with several other cities.  

The report showed that the greatest number of artistic Calgarians choose to lay out the welcome mat in those communities which surround the downtown core. 

The reasons are obvious and plenty - click here to read the Calgary Herald's full front page story about the report.  

One thing that is mentioned in the article is that many of our artists who would like to live in these neighborhoods can't afford it, while others are struggling to stay central because of high housing prices and property taxes. It's a vicious circle because the Centre City is where most artistic venues exist - you know - the places where artists are able to showcase their work. That in turn makes these communities more desirable to others who can afford to pay more to live there. We'd love to hear some ideas you might have about how to keep our talent central to ensure an inspiring and creative Centre City.  Please do leave us a comment if you have any thoughts.  

 

Hidden Centre City Revealed

It's time again for another Hidden Centre City reveal photo and clue.  

Each Monday, we post a section of a photograph taken from 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.  

Here's the full photo from last week: 

 (photo by "EdmontonEnthusiast")

And Aaron was correct - nice work! It's Jeff De Boer's "Light, The Universe and Everything" - and it's located at 1st Street SW and 13th Avenue.  If you'd like to see his website and more photos of this amazing piece, you can click here.

Here's your clue for this week:  

Any guesses?  If you know where this is, leave us a comment.  Good luck!  

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Hundreds of Calgarians came out to Chinatown to help ring in the year of the Lion yesterday.  It was a wonderful party, full of dancing (we missed the dragon and tigers, boo!), music, celebration and artful displays.  Did you go?  If so, let us know what you thought.  Here are some of the photos we caught when we went showed up to the Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre.    

 (after the dragon and tiger dance)

 (outside the Chinese Cultural Centre)

 

(Just inside the Chinese Cultural Centre)

  

(Flags!)

  

 

(Looking way up in the Cultural Centre)
   

(the happy crowd at the Centre)

 
 (Another after the dragon and tiger dance shot)

Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year Events

There's plenty to keep you occupied in the Centre City this coming Valentine's Day.  You might also know that Chinese New Year falls on the 14th as well.  So now you have twice the reason (as IF you needed one!) to paint the town red this coming weekend.  We thought we'd offer up just a few ideas in case you hadn't already mapped out your plans.

 (photo by Stevefaeembra on flickr)  

A little walk

Put on your comfy shoes, grab a few lattes and hit the streets of Centre City...walk over to the Langevin Bridge over the Bow River and check out those twinkly LED lights that now cloak the structure.    Or, invent your own urban running route or walk through the East Village.  If you're a romantic at heart, make up a scavenger hunt for your loved one and along your walk, hide little notes or presents to find.  Put your own stamp on it and it'll surely be a Valentine's day to remember.  

A little art 

Grab your date and head out to the Glenbow Museum to check out the new exhibit scheduled to open on the 13th - it's called "The Nude in Canadian Modern Art".  It's sure to get you chatting and maybe blushing just a little, too and that's a good thing on a first date!  My favourite group of paintings is from Kent Monkman, titled "The Triumph Of Mischeif".   There are also plenty of art galleries in the Centre City that you should check out.  Art can be a great conversation-starter and Calgary has just some amazing talent to show off.  Also don't forget about the OPEN SPACES:  Window to a View exhibit at the Telus Convention Centre LRT Station.

A little culture

 
 Help bring in the year of the Tiger in Calgary's historic Chinatown.  Beginning at noon on the 14th, catch the gold dragon and multiple lions dance at the West entrance of the Chinese Cultural Centre.  There will be trade booths set up there and you're also invited to take part in painting the biggest mandarin tree in town. It's a chance for you to learn how to use a Chinese paint brush and ink.  There plenty of other festivities happening in Calgary's Chinatown all weekend long so check out this poster for more details on all the family-friendly exhibits and food celebrations that are in store. 

A little food

How about merging your Chinese New Year celebrations with Valentine's Day and head out for a tasty dim sum meal in Chinatown?  You could try U and Me Restaurant at #201 - 233 Centre Street S.W.  Or if you have another favourite dim sum restaurant, leave us a comment and share! 

 

(photo from www.where.ca)

Or go for a scenic walk through Prince's Island Park and then settle in for your Valentine's meal at the River Cafe.  They're putting on an amazing multi-course tasting menu for the evenings of the 13th and the 14th.  

A little rock 

 

 Bring in the year of the Tiger with a bit of rock and a lot of roll with Calgary Band The Ex-Boyfriends.  This show is at The Palomino which is located at 109 - 7th Avenue S.W. It starts at 9:40 on February 13th and you can flip flop between celebrating Chinese New Year's Eve and commiserating with friends about those EX-es of yours.  For a preview of their music, click here. 

If you have any other great Valentine's/Chinese New Year in the Centre City ideas that you think we absolutely must know about, make sure to leave us a comment!