Avenue Calgary Blogs

Object of Design: Presso Espresso Maker

Ricky Zayshley — Wed, 16 May 2012 20:13:25 +0000

Something good is brewing in the world of eco-conscious design.

Coffee lovers unite! Free yourselves from the shackles of electricity and get a perfect cup of espresso anywhere — just add hot water, finely ground espresso and good old-fashioned elbow grease.

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Celebrate the Queen on Victoria Day

Jaelyn Molyneux — Wed, 16 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Celebrate May's long weekend by paying tribute to Queen Victoria and her legacies.

Queen Victoria reigned from the age of 19 in 1837 until she died at age 81 in 1901. She holds the honour of being the longest reigning monarch in British history (Queen Elizabeth II needs to hang on until September 9, 2015 to take the top spot). Queen Victoria was a big deal — so important that we still get a day off to celebrate her every May.

You can lounge on a patio or go camping. Or, you could buck our new traditions and party properly on Victoria Day by recognising a few of the monarch's legacies.

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Sled Island Olympic Plaza Schedule Now Online

Allison McNeely — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:18:25 +0000

Find out which bands will be playing on the main stage at the 2012 festival.

Sled Island, one of Calgary's most exciting music festivals, has released its main stage schedule for Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23.

Olympic Plaza is an all-ages venue that will feature the festival's headliner acts, including Feist, The Hold Steady and Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks.

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Top 40: Smalltown DJs Release "Loving the Vibe"

Jaelyn Molyneux — Mon, 14 May 2012 15:54:40 +0000

The Smalltown DJs' new EP is getting the summer party started.

The weather is warm. Backyard parties are starting to kick-up. And, the Smalltown DJs have just handed us a summer jam.

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New solo album from Clinton St. John draws inspiration from artwork

Shelley Arnusch — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:00:00 +0000

Clinton St. John releasing Storied Hearts and the Three Assimilations and its companion book of illustrations at Central United Church show.

With six albums to his name, Calgary’s Clinton St. John is well known around these parts as a musician, but, on his latest solo project, Storied Hearts and the Three Assimilations, St. John also reveals his visual artist side.

The 12-song, self-produced album includes a companion book of pen-and-ink illustrations created by St. John. The series of 13 drawings were inspired by the 13 lines of a song he wrote called "Storied Hearts: The Movie." St. John then wrote and recorded 12 new songs inspired by each drawing.

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CBC's Heartland Renewed for 2012/13 Television Season

Allison McNeely — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:20:13 +0000

Popular television show set in Alberta's Rocky Mountains to return for a sixth season.

Starting in September, you'll be able to spend your Sunday evenings in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains once more, as it was announced today that the CBC's popular family drama, Heartland, will return for another season.

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Big Idea: Become a Cultural Ambassador

Greg Beneteau — Thu, 10 May 2012 15:45:26 +0000

Karen Ball, Executive Director for Calgary 2012, wants Calgarians to promote the city's buzzing arts scene.

Name: Karen Ball

Age: 38

Community claim to fame: Executive Director for Calgary 2012 and a member of the Premier’s Council for the Arts; former Director of Resource Development and Director of Community Investment for Calgary Arts Development.

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Object of Design: Da Vinci Chandelier

Ricky Zayshley — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:17:27 +0000

Dishwasher-safe chandelier adds sparkle to your home.

Ever wonder how to make a dusty chandelier sparkle and shine again? You could pull out your microfibre detailing kit and go to town or, if you’re lucky enough to own the Da Vinci Chandelier by Schonbek, you could simply pop it in the dishwasher.

That’s right, the dishwasher-safe Da Vinci comes apart in sections, allowing it to run through a cycle in a snap — like a page from the Zsa Zsa Gabor guide to good housekeeping.

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Foster Homes for Bumblebees

Greg Beneteau — Wed, 09 May 2012 10:59:00 +0000

The Community Pollinator Foundation gets busy collecting and counting Calgary's bumblebees.

What's the buzz about Calgary's bumblebees?

Strange as it may seem, the black-and-yellow winged insects are big fans of Cowtown. To date, a dozen different species of bumblebee have been found living in the city, with another 8 living in southern Alberta and the Kananaskis region.

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The Skinny on Healthy Cocktails

Shelley Arnusch — Tue, 08 May 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Fresh fruit, herbs and natural sweeteners put a healthy twist on cocktailing.

Cocktails aren’t exactly the most health-conscious of beverage choices, but that said, certain mixed drinks are better for you than others. The new “skinny” cocktails lift spirits with vitamin-packed fresh-squeezed juices and antioxidant-rich muddled fruits. Then they sweeten the deal with natural alternatives like agave syrup and honey rather than refined sugars and high-fructose soda pops.

Here’s the skinny on what’s shaking in some of the city’s top cocktail lounges.

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