airdrielife FALL 2026

FALL 2026

81 WORKS

OF ART TO CELEBRATE

OUR 81st COVER!

9 CREATIVE GRADS EAT LOCAL, TASTE GLOBAL PARLEZ-VOUS FRANÇAIS?

THE ARTS ISSUE

airdrielife.com

Ready to find your dream home? Scan this QR code to explore our available Quick Possesion Homes!

Pricing subject to change without notice. Renderings are artist’s concept only E&OE.

— It’s a work of art.

It’s a Calbridge.

See the Calbridge collection at 1002 Bayview Crescent SW, Airdrie

ItsaCalbridge.com

greatlife 12 Art Lover 18 Legends 20 Author 22 Travel Bites 24 Stage Presence 26 Events 34 Inspired 36 Plays & History 37 Nominate for the arts 38 Healthylife

homelife

44 Community Gardens

52

46 Gardenlife 48 Building futures 49 Realestatelife 50 Spring Valley 51 Habitat for Humanity 52 Southwinds 56 Key Ranch

worklife 58 Businesslife

59 Sullys returns 60 Lois + Ani 61 Guitar Jules 62 Smart Start

66 60

6

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

59

citylife 66 Mahjong

68 Airdrie POPs 69 French connections 71 Voice & Vision 74 Ones to Watch

On the Cover

To celebrate our 81st issue, we scoured our archives for artwork we’ve featured. See a complete list of artists featured on page 10.

PUBLISHER/ MANAGING EDITOR

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER

Erika Tobolski

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Kim Williams

PROOFREADER CONTRIBUTORS

SALES DIRECTOR DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PRINTING

Publisher’s Note

Alex Frazer-Harrison Jenn Aguilar, Sergei Belski, City of Airdrie, Nancy Critchley, Stacie Gaetz, Marie Gisèle, Rohini Kundra, Patricia Merrick, Shauna Quinn, Kristy Reimer, Brie Robertson, Ana Samoylik, J.M. Shaw, Wyatt Tremblay, Sarah West, Katie Whyte Stock photography by istock Wendy Pratt Rob Kelly Mitchell Press

I

love the Fall issue because it’s all about the arts and why culture matters in our city.

I love that we now have two City-led venues for wide-ranging performances,

and that the Bert Church LIVE Theatre attracts travelling acts from across the country.

I love that we can nosh on nibbles from a variety of nations, right in our own backyard.

I love that we have so many fall events that I had to rejig the pages to make them fit

and I KNOW there are more being added to our website as I speak, so make sure to CONTACT US

subscribe to the a-list to get your weekly updates on events in the city.

EDITORIAL ADVERTISING WEBSITE/SOCIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION

sherry@frogmediainc.ca wendy@frogmediainc.ca erika@frogmediainc.ca distribution@frogmediainc.ca

FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA

I love that we have a brand-new art event called Art Walk AND the return of ARTember in its new iteration! Check the info out on page 26. In celebration of a growing arts scene, our cover features 81 (yep, count ’em!) works of art by Airdrie and area artists that we have featured over the past 23 years. Some are previous covers, some are from artist features, some are from Voice & Vision and/or our art roundups. Did you know we also have a virtual art gallery at airdrielife.com? Artists can register for free and we do not take any commissions — it’s just a way to showcase and support our arts community.

I love that we have a music community that supports one another and reading about

WHERE TO FIND US Available at more than 200 locations in Airdrie, Balzac and Calgary. Use QR code to see all locations.

our local lyrical legends made my day.

I love that we have creative businesses and businesses being creative that are flourishing, too; so nice to see Sullys return to Main Street!

Most of all, I love that my job is to share all these amazing stories with you. I have an incredible team of talented writers and photographers who make it easy. Thank you to Kristy, Sergei, Wyatt, Patricia and Stacie!

VOLUME 23, NUMBER 3 | ISSN 1916-355X Contents copyright 2026 by Frog Media Inc. may not be reproduced without permission. The publisher does not assume any responsibility for the contents of any advertisement, and all representations of warranties made in such advertising are those of the advertiser and not of the publisher.

Enjoy the Fall issue, make note of tickets to get (many events are FREE), places to visit and bites to try, and get out and enjoy Airdrie’s artistic side! And then think about nominating someone you admire for the 2027 Amazing Cultural Ambassador Award with the Amazing Airdrie Women Awards AND nominate artists and supporters of the arts for the 2027 Airdrie Mayor’s Night of the Arts Awards!

EDITORIAL POLICY airdrielife editorial is not for sale. Editorial is completely independent from advertising, and no special editorial consideration or commitment of any kind can form any part of the advertising agreement. All editorial inquiries must be directed toward the editor. airdrielife does not accept unsolicited submissions. Freelance writers and photographers interested in assignments are asked to send an inquiry, with published samples, to sherry@frogmediainc.ca

8

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Sherry Shaw-Froggatt Publisher airdrielife

PHASE 2

Walkout Ridge Homes New Community Park Scenic 9 Acre Reserve

ELEVATE YOUR EVERYDAY • WEST AIRDRIE • Mountain & City Views • 14+ Acres Of Amenities • Larger Lots & Walk Outs • 4 Award Winning Builders

• Key Rock Pond • 5 Parks & Playgrounds • 2 Future Schools • 2 Minutes To Airdrie

Unlock Your Story

THE COVER ARTISTS

W

e wanted to commemorate our 81st issue this fall with area artists whose work has previously appeared on the pages of airdrielife since we began promoting the arts in an annual fall issue in 2011. (We’ve been around since 2004, but really got our art groove going in 2011, so we had some catching up to do and painstakingly put this together to reprint images from our pages. From artist profiles to Voice & Vision participants, Ones to Watch, and other features and previous covers, we tried to bring as much colour to this cover as they have brought to our city.

You can find their images, stories and much, much, more in our back issues and in our Virtual Art Gallery at airdrielife.com Artist Grid Guide by row, left to right: ROW 1 Stephanie DeSouza, Fall 2014 Eric Proulx, Summer 2014 Christina Gouldsborough, Spring 2023 Kara Barkved, Fall 2024 Jamie MacDonald, Fall 2022 Bonnie Datta, Spring 2019 Lia Golemba, Cover Fall 2015 Verone Solilo, Spring 2018 ROW 2 Kelly Proulx, Fall 2017 Angela Stone, Winter 2023 Afshan Khan, Cover Spring 2024 Lisa Carlson-Houghton, Cover Summer 2026 Tami Hort, Fall 2024 Suruchi Suda, Spring 2020 Anita Schill, Fall 2024 Veronica Funk, Fall 2013 ROW 3 Cindy Zampa, Fall 2019 Bev Kelly, Winter 2014 Sharon Shuttleworth, Fall 2021 Josie Hoisington, Cover Fall 2024 Alesha Bucnzy, Fall 2023 Penny Atkins, Fall 2023 Kourtney Antunes, Cover 2025 Gareth Worrall, Summer 2022

10

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

ROW 4 Loreen Feser, Fall 2020 Elizabeth Hall, Fall 2016 Angela Stone, Fall 2025 Street Art, Fall 2018 Erin Brekke Conn, Spring 2016 Melissa Brugleman-Labelle, Fall 2019 Kelly Zeeb, Cover Fall 2025 Mackenzie Cox, Cover Spring 2026

ROW 7 Street Art, Fall 2018 Yev Vasylkova, Spring 2026 Verone Solilo, Fall 2019 Cindy Zampa, Winter 2022 Jennifer Mohr, Winter 2018 Glen Collin, Fall 2014 Wyatt Tremblay, Cover Fall 2016 BCHS Arts, Cover Fall 2023

ROW 5 Charlene Vanderhorst, Cover Winter 2025 Cindy Bouwers, Winter 2024 Penny Atkins, Fall 2025 Afshan Khan, Fall 2024 Anita Schill, Fall 2023 Mary Watts, Fall 2025 Chozen Studios, Fall 2020 Ajay Gautam, Fall 2024

ROW 8 Michelle Donahue, Winter 2020 Megan Ellahi, Fall 2025 Keith Gorham, Cover Summer 2024 Marlin Dersen, Fall 2025 Darcy Jessen, Fall 2022 Cheryl Shergold, Spring 2013 Alesha Buczny, Fall 2020 Cindy Bouwers, Cover Winter 2024

ROW 6 Zachary Abbott, Fall 2011 Kevin Kellar, Winter 2017 Mark Mirasol, Summer 2025 Koos de Jongh, Winter 2011 Riley JB, Fall 2022 Cherie Skibinksy, Fall 2022 Chelsea Dickinson, Fall 2022 Sharon Shuttleworth, Winter 2022 Megan Ellahi, Fall 2024

ROW 9 Heather Crespo, Fall 2024 Laurie Brigan, Fall 2025 Jenn Rasmussen, Fall 2022 Kourtney Antunes, Spring 2025 Victor Matthews, Fall 2024 Marni Koelln, Fall 2023 Kelsi Babin, Fall 2023 Kathryn Newhouse, Fall 2012 ROW 10 Emily Balmant, Fall 2026 Muk Luks & Magpies, Fall 2013 Deborah Lawton, Fall 2019 Josie Hoisington, Fall 2022 Veronica Funk, Cover Fall 2018 Dan Morvillo, Summer 2019 Shirin K Yamolky, Fall 2024 life

greatlife WHAT TO SEE, DO, EAT, LISTEN TO AND MORE

18 Musical Legends | 22 Travel Tastes | 34 Inspired Performances

12 Move Sooner.

Quick possession homes avaliable now.

Explore Available Homes at mckeehomes.com

G R E AT L I F E | A R T I ST

Celebration OF ART

DEB LAWTON A

STORY BY WYATT TREMBLAY | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

“A

rt is a skill. It is teachable. It’s learnable. It’s not something that only certain people can do.”

Deborah Lawton, Airdrie’s multidisciplinary artist, is driven by the belief that anyone can learn artistic skill.

“Art is as viable and as important a skill to be taught to people as any other life skill, such as dance or swimming,” she explains from her home studio, which she calls Art Branch Studio.

12

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

“I do a lot of different aspects of art, hence my studio name has to do with branching out.”

Indeed, multiple projects, from drawings to sculptures to paintings, fill every available space. Her recent focus has been on bas-relief.

“Relief is often called the fourth art form because it’s not a drawing or a painting, and it’s not a sculpture because it’s not in the round. It’s usually flat, so it’s one-sided,” Lawton says.

Her subjects have been branches and leaves.

“Art is as viable and as important a skill to be taught to people as any other life skill.”

“I’m exploring the veining in leaves and all the different nuances that are there and looking at them as these little microscopic treasures,” Lawton says.

Her process begins with a 10x10-inch clay mould she creates from a drawing, followed by days of layering different inks, acrylics, washes and metallic powders. The result is a stunning work of art that evokes a sense of nature’s wonder.

As much as she loves her own projects, her enduring passion is teaching others the skills she’s learned. Lawton has been a teacher of art in various forms for 35 years in Airdrie and Calgary, helping to inspire young and old to believe in their potential.

“It’s something to see a student with a limiting belief about their capabilities, and then, with coaching, you hear them say, ‘Wow, I can do this,’” she says.

Lawton is also a tireless promoter of other artists. Her proverbial brushstrokes are all over the city’s arts landscape. She a founding member and artist liaison of the long-running Voice and Vision Collaboration, a member of the City of Airdrie’s Arts & Culture Council, and, three years ago, was the force behind the art gallery

in the Kraft & Co. Law building.

“Sean Kraft was managing [her late husband] Jim’s estate, and they were moving to a larger building, and I thought, ‘Oh, they have more wall space,’” Lawton She told him of her involvement in Voice and Vision, and suggested artists would love a dedicated exhibition space. “And so he said, ‘Oh, okay, what do you need?’”

Kraft’s firm installed the hardware, and Lawton rotates the art every four months, curating the theme and pieces in partnership with a growing list of Airdrie artists.

“It’s allowing that opportunity for artists to exhibit and to be seen, and there’s at least one art piece being sold at every single show,” she says.

For Lawton, local exhibition spaces such as at Kraft and the new Inspire facility point to a viable arts community.

“The thing that I want people in Airdrie to know is how incredibly valuable the arts are to our community,” she says. “It’s a teachable thing; it’s not some isolated miracle that happened in another person’s life.” life FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

13

A Place to Grow, Connect & Thrive

14

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

A Highfield Community

New Community Coming to Airdrie Spring Valley is redefining what’s possible in Airdrie with a thoughtfully designed mix of front-attached homes and no-condo-fee Street Towns. Built in partnership with a proven lineup of builders, every home reflects exceptional quality, inspired design, and value that lasts.

Coming Fall 2026 Spring Valley is a place where families put down roots, first-time buyers find opportunity, and community flourishes. With a range of home options to fit every stage of life, Spring Valley is set to become a place where people feel grounded, connected, and truly at home.

Register for updates at: SpringValleyAirdrie.ca

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

15

Nominate a woman in your world in 15 categories.

Deadline Nov 15, 2026

Amazing Advocate Amazing Athlete Amazing Coach Amazing Courage Amazing Cultural Ambassador Amazing Determination Amazing Employee Amazing Entrepreneur Amazing Heart Amazing Legacy Amazing Legend Amazing Mentor Amazing Promise Amazing Rural Rep Amazing Workplace

Do it NOW at airdrielife.com 16

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

NOMINATE & SAVE THE DATE! W

AA

2027

Amazing Airdrie Women Awards

Amazing Gala

Saturday, April 24, 2027 Bert Church Theatre featuring The Dino Martinis Presented by & airdrielife

SOUTHWINDS

MORE HOME. MORE VALUE. Townhomes now selling from the mid $400s • 6 floorplans • No condo fees • Attached double car garages

Visit our showhome today

1014 Southwinds Manor SW, Airdrie SCAN TO EXPLORE SOUTHWINDS

Homes are subject to availability. All dimensions are approximate. Prices, specifications, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

E.&O.E.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

17

G R E AT L I F E | M U S I C

Music Legends of Airdrie STORY BY WYATT TREMBLAY | PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

W

hat makes someone a music legend in Airdrie? One local musician, with his fingers on the pulse of the community’s scene, has an answer.

“I don’t think I’m old enough for legend status, yet,” Steve Jevne says, laughing. “But I think it’s those musicians who show up week after week [at open mics]. There’s no ego, just a love of playing with others and sharing their talent and knowledge with anyone.”

Based on these criteria, Jevne provided a handful of names. There are many more, he says, but that would be several stories.

Al Lukiw is a pipe inspector by day and a longtime fixture at open mics by night. He’s famous for his ability to play any song on his guitar.

“It’s my ear. I hear it, and it just goes right to my fingers somehow,” he says. “It’s a cool party trick.”

Lukiw has played for most of his life, performing professionally in various bands in Calgary from his 40s to 60s. It was the move to Airdrie 15 years ago that introduced him to the city’s open mic culture.

“I went to a jam at the Legion, and I met Bryant and Gayle [Davies], and the rest is history,” he says.

The “history” Lukiw he refers to is years of jamming and collaborating, and also supporting rising new talent.

“The cool thing for me is all the young folks that have come up,” he says. “You get to witness their beginning from the perspective of all the years that you’ve put into your craft and your passion, the thing that you love. Open mics give you that opportunity.”

Greg and Lori McRitchie have been a fixture on the Airdrie music scene since the 1980s, long before open mics. Greg has been a potter, and Lori is the retired director of the Airdrie Food Bank.

“We’ve been around a while, but I’m not sure if that’s legend-making,” Greg says with a laugh.

Both he and Lori have been involved in music for more than 40 years, playing in a local church, at open mics, and wherever there is an opportunity to jam.

“You know, people who share a love of music, there’s just something about that community that is our people,” Lori explains. “We go and we feel accepted.”

Greg agrees: “You know, you don’t have to be good, but you want to be. It makes you want to be better.”

The chance to help younger musicians is important to them.

“They come and sing a song and ask, ‘What do you think of that one?’ We like to be an encouragement and a sounding board for them as they are taking off in their careers,” says Gayle.

Bryant Davies is a retired pipe fitter and didn’t start playing guitar until he was 41.

“I was at the Wayne Hotel, and a group of guys were playing Hank Williams and Pink Floyd, and I went, ‘Wow, I really got to have some of that.’ So, I bought my first guitar at a pawnshop in Forest Lawn,” Davies says.

His wife, Gayle, later learned the mandolin, and the two have played together and in bands for 20 years.

Like Lukiw and the McRitchies, they’ve performed at open mics in Airdrie and Calgary, and host music events in their garage, regularly playing with other local legends and up-and-coming musicians.

“There is this community of musicians in Airdrie, and they’re all friends, and they help each other,” says Bryant.

It’s this sense of being together and sharing with each other that Bryant loves about Airdrie.

“You know, it’s just this connection that goes beyond your humanity,” he says. “Age means nothing; the thing that connects us all is music.” life 18

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

“Age means nothing; the thing that connects us all is music.”

Airdrie musical legends, back row: Al Lukiw, Lori and Greg McRitchie; front row: Gayle and Bryant Davies.

FALL 2026 FALL 2026

| airdrielife.com | airdrielife.com

19 19

G R E AT L I F E | W R I T E R

IN THE FIRST PERSON

WITH J.M. SHAW PHOTO BY KRISTY REIMER

I

’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, though for many years I lacked the confidence to share my stories. What began as a creative outlet gradually became a passion. For me, writing is not just a hobby.

It is a sanctuary, a means of navigating life’s complexities, and a space where my imagination can thrive.

As a deeply introverted youth, I spent many years studying everyone I encountered, trying to understand the social structures around me ... and where I fit in. I struggled to read unspoken cues, was often awkward in conversation, easily overwhelmed, and had trouble regulating my emotions. I analyzed behaviours and conversations, making notes and mentally rehearsing how I might respond in similar situations.

I also became an avid reader, diving into the minds of fictional characters — since I couldn’t look into the minds of the living — to understand the logic behind human behaviour. Because I thrived on logic, and since life is rarely so clean-cut, I asked questions and let my mind fill in the blanks to make sense of the irrational. Eventually, observing wasn’t enough, so I began writing my own stories.

I began with poems, then fragmented scenes, followed by short stories, and eventually full-length novels, drawing on my observations for inspiration. I lived vicariously through my characters, placing them in situations that elicited those sentiments I wished to explore — often mirroring my own. In this way, I discovered how to identify my feelings and resolve my inner unrest in a world where I shaped the rules. Thus, writing became a form of therapy.

As my journey continued, I dreamed of becoming a published author, but it was just that … a dream. At the time, I was reluctant to let anyone

20

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

read my work, convinced it wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t help but compare myself to authors whom I admired — Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, Michael Crichton, Dan Brown and countless others — who I saw as masters of their craft. I found their plots engaging, and their prose powerful, unlike my early, unrefined narratives.

Through persistence, trial and error, and a hefty dose of humility, I honed my craft. I wrote thousands of pages, refining my strengths and correcting my flaws until I had something I could be proud of — only to step away, return with fresh eyes, and rewrite it. No matter how hard I worked, I could not escape that perpetual doubt that haunts both new and established authors.

Everything changed in 2019 when I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Though shocking, it was a revelation. My intense focus, attention to detail, overactive imagination, and ability to live within my stories weren’t flaws; they were gifts of a neurodivergent brain. My difficulty identifying and conforming to social expectations led me to become an author. Far from being a disability, my diagnosis was the key that unlocked the truth about who I was — a woman capable of emotional depth and profound creativity. Rather than feeling broken, everything finally made sense, and I was at peace with that.

At that point, after years of practice and research, I had apprenticed myself in the art of writing and storytelling — two things we all know are not the same. It was my diagnosis that gave me the courage to send a sample manuscript to an editor, reassuring myself that the worst they could say was that it required further work. Instead, they encouraged me to publish.

That was my turning point. Two years later, I followed my editor’s advice and released my first novel. life

Built for the way you live

Each Harder Home is built with style, quality and functionality in mind using only high-end products, professionally skilled trades and cutting edge building practices.

A true custom home builder from start to finish, our disciplined approach to construction, exceptional customer service and our one-to-one approach to the home building experience has earned us an unsurpassed reputation in the home building industry.

Visit our award-winning show home at 78 Coopersfield Park.

HARDERHOMES.CA 403-912-7900

2024 2023

SALES@HARDERHOMES.CA

NOW SELLING FINAL LOTS

Ask us to build your custom acreage home!

TASTE AIRDRIE

G R E AT L I F E | F O O D

WITH JENN AGUILAR | ILLUSTRATIONS BY WYATT TREMBLAY

YOUR AIRDRIE CULINARY PASSPORT – TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH YOUR TASTE BUDS!

SEPTEMBER 5 World Samosa Day – India – Samosa Café – Samosas When I think of comfort food, samosas are always near the top of the list. There’s something irresistible about that pastry wrapped around a warm, flavourful filling. Light, tender and wonderfully flaky.

Tucked into a strip mall in Luxstone is one of Airdrie’s hidden gems, Samosa Café. Its samosas are made fresh to order using a family dough recipe that has been perfected over time. What truly sets it apart, however, is the bakers’ patience. The dough is allowed to rest for 12 hours, giving the gluten time to relax while the starches and proteins naturally develop.

Whether you choose beef, chicken or vegetarian, each samosa is handcrafted with care and served fresh, making every bite worth the wait. 111-2002 Luxstone Blvd. S.W. SEPTEMBER 16 National Guacamole Day – Mexican Tacos & Tequila – Guacamole & Tortilla Chips Few dishes can capture the vibrant flavours of Mexico quite like guacamole. Made with ripe avocados, fresh lime juice, cilantro, onion, tomatoes and a touch of spice, this simple, yet iconic dip is celebrated for its creamy texture and bright, refreshing flavour.

At Tacos & Tequilas, every bite feels like a mini escape to Mexico, and it begins with its fresh, house-made guacamole paired with perfectly crisp tortilla chips. Creamy avocados with bright citrus and vibrant seasonings come together in an unforgettable dish that lets quality ingredients shine.

One of the best things about guacamole is its versatility. Naturally gluten free, vegetarian and vegan, it’s a crowd-pleasing favourite that everyone can enjoy. Pair it with one of Tacos & Tequilas’ handcrafted margaritas for the ultimate flavour combination.

Whether you are sharing with friends or savouring every scoop yourself, it’s the kind of appetizer that’s impossible to resist. 501800 Yankee Valley Blvd. S.W. SEPTEMBER 20 National Fried Rice Day – Chinese – Airdrie Wok – House Special Fried Rice Did you know fried rice is the original leftover makeover? Born in China centuries ago, it was created as a clever way to transform yesterday’s rice into something entirely new. Today, it has become a staple of every Chinese takeout order. Who knew an iconic favourite began with a little creativity and a lot of ingenuity?

My go-to for delicious fried rice? Airdrie Wok and its House Special Fried Rice – a colourful confetti of fluffy rice, eggs, barbecue pork, shrimp, peas and carrots, all expertly wok-tossed together to create layers of rich savoury flavour. Whether you enjoy it on its own or alongside of any of Airdrie Wok’s signature entrees, it’s a dish that keeps you coming back for more. 121 Main St. S.

22

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

SEPTEMBER 26 National Dumpling Day – Vietnamese – Jen’s Vietnamese Noodle House – Deep-Fried Pork Dumplings Few foods tell the story of culture quite like a dumpling. It’s found in cuisines around the world; every country has their own interpretation, and Vietnam is no exception, showcasing the beauty of simple ingredients and carefully balanced flavours that take centre stage.

At Jens Vietnamese Noodle House, the deep-fried pork dumplings are fried to a deep, delicate crispy parcel of ground pork with chives, but the special chilli sauce brings some tangy and lime flavours to a delicious flavour burst. 705 Main St. S. SEPTEMBER 28 National Poke Day – Hawaiian – 525 Restaurant and Patio – Poke Bowl Fresh, vibrant and bursting with colour, poke (pronounced poh-kay) means “to slice” in Hawaiian. Traditionally, poke wasn’t designed to be trendy, but a simple way to eat freshly caught fish with available ingredients that complemented its natural flavour.

While Airdrie may not have a traditional Hawaiian restaurant, 525 Restaurant & Patio has successfully been able to bring the taste of the islands closer to home. The fresh, high-quality ingredients take centre stage, being vibrant, refreshing and thoughtfully composed, with each bite delivering generous servings of seafood, vegetables and bold flavours. 525 Woodside Dr. N.W. OCTOBER 4 National Taco Day – Chile – Queen Latina Bakery – Taco Night at Home For a delicious taco night, head to Queen Latina Bakery, where you’ll find everything you need to curate a festive and nutritious dinner for your loved ones. Stock up on wholegrain corn tortillas, panela cheese, Adobe seasoning, refried beans and the homemade Chipotle dip and fresh salsa. Pick up a rotisserie chicken or your favourite protein from your local grocery store.

To prepare your tortillas, wrap them in a lightly damp tea towel and warm them in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, or heat them briefly in a dry skillet until they’re soft and pliable. Toss the shredded chicken with the adobe seasoning, then warm the refried beans with a splash of water or broth until smooth and creamy. Arrange everything in serving bowls and let everyone customize their tacos with their favourite toppings.

To complete the experience, add a dirty horchata cola, a refreshing twist that combines Coca-Cola with horchata. Queen Latina Bakery carries horchata mix, making it easy to recreate this fun and flavourful treat at home. 2145 Summerfield Blvd. S.E. OCTOBER 8 National Pierogi Day – Ukrainian – Jam’s – Perogies For Jam’s, making perogies is about far more than preparing a meal for loyal customers, but rather preserving family tradition. Passed down through generations, the recipes and traditions honour the heritage and the craftsmanship that have shaped every batch.

Now a welcome addition to Jam’s menu alongside its beloved breakfast, these homemade perogies allow guests to enjoy a Jam’s dinner. What makes them truly special is the care that goes into every ingredient. The dough is made from scratch, the bacon smoked in-house, the potatoes are whipped into a creamy filling, and every perogy reflects the family’s time-honoured recipe. It’s a tradition they share with us one delicious bite at a time. 113-1700 Market St. S.E. OCTOBER 21 National Heroes Day – Jamaica – Yummingz Catering Food Truck – Oxtail & Beans Oxtail has become one of the most expensive and sought-after cuts of beef, prized by chefs and home cooks, alike. Yummingz Catering has its oxtail braised until it’s irresistibly fork-tender, effortlessly slipping from the bone. Paired with buttery beans and a rich deeply seasoned gravy, every delicious spoonful delivers a bold and unforgettable culinary moment.

One of the things I love about Yummingz is that it brings authentic Jamaican cuisine directly to the community. As a food truck, it’s always on the move, meeting customers where they are and sharing the vibrant flavours at your special event.

As Jamaica’s National Heroes Day falls on Oct. 20, Yummingz will have wrapped up its food truck season for the winter. The good news? Yummingz is available for catering by calling 587-441-6234, making it easy to bring the taste of Jamaica to your next celebration or special event. life FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

23

F WHAT’S ON STAGE:

G R E AT L I F E | P E R F O R M A N C E S

BERT CHURCH LIVE THEATRE’S 2026-27 SERIES STORY BY THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

24

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

or many in Airdrie, Bert Church LIVE Theatre is already a familiar venue — a place to see performances, attend events or spend an evening out close to home. The 2026-27 Presented Series builds on that foundation, continuing the theatre’s role as Airdrie’s performance hub while expanding the range of experiences offered on its stage.

This season reflects a programming approach centered on variety. Rather than focusing on a single genre, the lineup brings together music, theatre, dance and multidisciplinary work. The goal is a balanced schedule that offers different ways for audiences to connect with live performance across the year.

That variety is reflected in both form and tone. Some productions lean toward high-energy, participatory experiences, while others are quieter and more narrative driven. There is also a shift between large ensemble productions and smaller, more-intimate works.

Taken together, the series creates contrast from show to show, keeping theatre regulars engaged.

The fall portion of the season introduces that range early. It opens Sept. 17 with Lemon Bucket Orkestra, a Toronto-based ensemble known for combining Ukrainian and Balkan musical traditions with contemporary influences and performances that encourage audience participation. In late October, The Boo Revue! by the Spine-Tingling Puppet Society brings a family-friendly option to the stage, using blacklight puppetry, original music and visual effects to create a Halloween-themed production suitable for younger audiences and those young at heart.

By November, the programming shifts to an 18+ offering, with Beyond the Big Top Cabaret by Le Cirque de la Nuit. Blending circus arts, live music and dance within a cabaret-style format, the show reflects the series’ inclusion of more-mature, niche experiences alongside broader community programming.

The new year continues that balance. January includes both Silly Billy by The Chimera Project Dance Theatre, which explores themes of identity and belonging through a mix of Indigenous and contemporary dance styles, and Take This Waltz by Ne. Sans Opera & Dance, an interdisciplinary work inspired

by Leonard Cohen that combines opera, movement and chamber music. The season concludes in April with Becoming the Beatles, where musician and storyteller Haley Marie brings the band’s early years to life through live music, storytelling, 20 songs and a backdrop of 300 projections.

Across the series, audiences will find a deliberate mix of genres, scales and perspectives with traditional forms presented alongside more contemporary, hybrid approaches. The result is a season that continues to feel familiar, while growing what audiences can expect from live performance in Airdrie. Bert Church LIVE Theatre is located at 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. life

Same delicious donuts, ADVERTORIAL

NEW LOCATION

I

f you have never treated yourself to one of The Donut Man’s famous, handmade, mouthwatering donuts, you must.

James and Charlotte Blackwell opened the popular donut shop in 2020. Friends and family encouraged them for years to take their donuts to the streets and, after the COVID-19 pandemic caused James to lose his job in oil and gas, the Blackwells took a chance on a dream and opened a donut shop.

It has since become a popular hidden gem in the small town of Crossfield.

“Business is better than we ever could have expected,” says Charlotte. “We get customers from all over the world. It is amazing to hear the stories of how they hear about us. We have customers that travel eight hours just for donuts and then turn around to go back home. Best of all, every day there is someone who comes in and it is their first time.”

In response to an ever-increasing demand for these one-of-a-kind donuts, the business is moving into a larger space to accommodate room for more customers and, of course, more donuts.

The new shop is set to open this fall, located just a few doors down from the original location on Railway Street.

It will have more seating, a more-efficient kitchen, a merchandise area and a room that can be rented for birthday parties. Charlotte says they also plan to use the room for hosting donut, cake and cupcake-decorating classes.

“Our donuts are made fresh from scratch every day,” says Charlotte.

“They are not frozen. They are not from a bag. There are no additives.

We aren’t perfect but we are homemade and handmade. Just like if you did it at home.”

James, also known as the donut man, starts baking the dough at approximately 11 p.m. so the donuts are warm and ready for opening at 7 a.m. With the help of two other bakers, night shifts alternate so the shop can open with fresh donuts seven days a week.

The most popular flavour is maple bacon, with cookie dough and death by chocolate among the top-selling donuts. New flavours are always being created by the owners, with inspiration from staff members and customers.

“We love this town. We wouldn’t be The Donut Man without Crossfield,” says Charlotte. “We opened in the middle of COVID. When most businesses couldn’t survive, we thrived in a town of 4,000 people.”

FALL FALL 2026 2026

|| airdrielife.com airdrieli fe.com

25 25

G R E AT L I F E | E V E N TS P R E S E N T E D BY C E N T U RY D OW N S

FALL HAPPENINGS FILL YOUR CALENDAR WITH A BOUNTY OF ACTIVITIES. SEE MORE ONLINE AT AIRDRIELIFE.COM

Airdrie Farmers Market WEDNESDAYS 3:30 – 7 P.M. UNTIL THANKSGIVING 320 Centre Ave. E. Farmers, makers, bakers and food trucks take over the parking lot and grass next to Plainsmen Arena.

ARTember SEPT. 1-30 Citywide The Airdrie Arts & Culture Council is relaunching ARTember, a month-long arts and cultural tourism initiative that expands the excitement of ArtWalk across the entire month of September.

Beginning Sept. 1, residents and visitors will be invited to explore Airdrie through a free Art Passport, discovering participating businesses, galleries, cafés, artist installations and creative experiences throughout the city. Along the way, they’ll collect passport stamps, unlock prizes and support local businesses while experiencing Airdrie’s growing arts scene.

The initiative is designed to strengthen connections between arts, tourism and local business while encouraging residents to rediscover their city through creativity. Learn more at airdrieartsculturecouncil.com airdrieFEST SEPT. 12 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. Main Street Airdrie in front of City Hall airdrieFEST showcases a wide variety of local vendors, artisans and organizations. Visitors can stroll through rows of booths featuring handmade goods, local services, community groups and sports organizations.

The festival offers something for everyone. A diverse lineup of food vendors and food trucks will give attendees the opportunity to enjoy a variety of local flavours while exploring the event.

Families can enjoy interactive activities and entertainment, while live performances throughout the festival help create a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

As the event attracts large crowds, residents are encouraged to plan ahead and consider walking, biking or carpooling when possible. Free parking with shuttle service will be available from Muriel Clayton School, A.E. Bowers School and Nose Creek Regional Park. There will also be a shuttle pick up/drop off location at Braces+ (across from Safeway at Tower Lane Mall). Shuttle Service runs every 10-15 minutes, traffic permitting.

Details about vendors, entertainment and event updates are available at airdrieFEST.ca

Airdrie Artwalk 2026 SEPT 12, 11 A.M. – 4 P.M. Inspire, 805 Main St. S. Take a walk on the artside. Airdrie ArtWalk 2026 is a free public arts and culture event presented by the Airdrie Arts & Culture Council. Designed as a large-scale cultural activation, ArtWalk transforms the downtown core into a walkable arts corridor featuring visual artists, artisan vendors, live performances, interactive experiences, youth activities and community-engagement opportunities. The event activates the Inspire building and surrounding public spaces, encouraging residents and visitors to explore local creativity while supporting artists, downtown businesses and community connection.

Visitors can experience: • A curated outdoor artist marketplace • Local artisan vendors and makers • Live art demonstrations • Interactive and hands-on creative activities • Indoor gallery and workshop spaces • Live music and performances • Family-friendly and youth-focused activities • Opportunities to meet and support local artists directly An event committtee led by artists, for artists chaired by established local artist Tammy Harris brought together artists with diverse creative backgrounds and lived experiences to help shape the vision, programming, artist experience and community-engagement strategy for the event.

“One of the things that makes ArtWalk so special is that it creates real opportunities for artists at every stage of their journey. Whether someone is exhibiting publicly for the first time or already has an established practice, the event is designed to help artists feel supported, visible and connected to the community around them,” say Harris. “We want ArtWalk to be an experience where artists feel celebrated, visitors feel inspired and creativity becomes something everyone can participate in.”

This artist-led approach ensures ArtWalk is built not only as a public festival, but as a meaningful platform created in collaboration with the creative community it is designed to support. As an extension of this work, the ArtWalk Committee will also lead the curation of the Inspire Gallery spaces from September through December, helping create ongoing visibility and exhibition opportunities for local artists beyond the event itself.

“At its core, ArtWalk is about bringing people together. It creates opportunities for local artists to share their work, for residents to connect with creativity in unexpected ways, and for our downtown to come alive with energy and inspiration,” says Tara Pickford, chair of the Airdrie Arts & Culture Council. “This event reflects exactly why the [Council] exists — to champion artists, strengthen community connections, and help arts and culture thrive. We’re excited to continue building something that not only supports our creative community today, but helps shape a vibrant cultural future for Airdrie.”

Learn more at airdrieartsculturecouncil.com

26

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Lemon Bucket Orkestra BCLT Presented Series SEPT. 17, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. A blend of Ukrainian polyphony, Balkan brass and global influences shaped by elements of hip hop, punk and jazz, Lemon Bucket Orkestra is known for an energetic and engaging performance style. The band pairs tight musicianship with a spontaneous, expressive stage presence. Performances often invite audience participation, with singalongs and shared moments that build a strong sense of connection throughout. The result is a dynamic, immersive experience that feels collective in nature and lingers beyond the final note. Tickets at tickets.airdrie.ca Whistles & Fish (John Prine Tribute) SEPT. 18, 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County An unforgettable evening honouring one of America’s most beloved songwriters. Led by acclaimed Alberta roots artist Mike Szabo and an all-star band, the show brings John Prine’s timeless songs to life with warmth, humour and heartfelt storytelling. Whether you’re a lifelong Prine fan or discovering his music for the first time, Whistles & Fish is a moving celebration of the wit, wisdom and humanity that made Prine a legend. Tickets at polariscentre.com The Comic Strippers 18+ ONLY SEPT. 18, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. A male stripper parody and improv comedy show.

The award-winning improv comedians are back with a new show, more moves and even quicker wits. A show for all genders — 18+ only. Warning! No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity. A fictitious male stripper troupe (played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians) performs a sexylarious improv comedy show. They try to be sexy … it just comes out funny.

The ART of the Harvest SEPT. 19, 10 A.M. – 2 P.M. Airdrie Agricultural Society Site 265232 Range Road 14, Rocky View County Bring the family for an old-time harvest demonstration, wagon rides, kids’ games, live music, food trucks and antique tractor pull. Vegetable from the garden available for purchase, with all proceeds to the Airdrie Food Bank.

Peace in the Park SEPT. 19, NOON – 11 P.M. Nose Creek Regional Park 1691 Main St. S. More than a music festival, this “Rockin’ for a Reason” event brings people together to celebrate and honour healers, helpers and heroes – individuals and organizations that strengthen community well-being and make the world a kinder place.

Peace in the Park celebrates resilience and connection, featuring a full day of live music, healthand-wellness vendors, food trucks and so much more. Live performances by Eden Taylor, Flaysher, RETRObution and more. Thumbsupfoundation.com

this fall at Century Downs!

Live Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing kicks off

September 19th!

Fridays: 6:15pm Post Time Saturdays: 4:45pm Post Time Scan to see our full racing calendar!

Voice & Vision Gala and Exhibit SEPT. 25, Airdrie Public Library Opening with a gala on Friday, Sept. 25, in the Airdrie Public Library, and continuing on for a twoweek run at Inspire, the exhibition pairs local writers with visual artists to create collaborative works inspired by one another. The result is a one-of-a-kind exhibition celebrating storytelling, creativity and artistic collaboration while showcasing the incredible talent found throughout Airdrie.

Guests attending the gala will have the opportunity to meet participating artists and writers, enjoy live performances and explore this year’s collection before the exhibition opens to the public.

© 2026 Century Casinos, Inc. Must be 18 or older.

Valid only at Century Downs, AB. Some conditions may apply. Promotions subject to change without notice and with AGLC approval. Gambling problem?

Visit GAMESENSE.com

CenturyDowns.com

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

27

G R E AT L I F E | E V E N TS P R E S E N T E D BY C E N T U RY D OW N S Empty Bowls Festival SEPT. 26, 10:30 A.M. – 2:30 P.M. Airdrie Food Bank 20 East Lake Way N.E. The Airdrie community is gearing up for the return of the Empty Bowls Festival, one of the Airdrie Food Bank’s most-anticipated annual events. This meaningful community gathering brings people together to raise awareness of food insecurity while supporting neighbours in need.

Join Empty Bowls for a day filled with compassion, creativity and community spirit. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase beautifully handcrafted ceramic bowls, each one uniquely created by local artists and community members. These bowls serve as a powerful reminder of the empty bowls many individuals and families face each day. The festival will also feature free soup, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, Food Bank tours, and opportunities to connect with the many volunteers, artists, sponsors and community partners who help make this event possible. Every dollar raised stays local and supports the Food Bank’s programs and services, helping ensure that individuals and families facing food insecurity have access to nutritious food and support. For the latest event details, visit airdriefoodbank.com/emptybowls.

Blue Room Collective: Second Take SEPT 26., 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County The Blue Room Collective returns for Season 2 with Second Take — an evening that picks up where the story left off. Borrowing its name from the recording studio phrase for another pass at the music, Second Take is about revisiting, refining and rediscovering the sound that brought this ensemble together in the first place. Featuring the Collective’s core band, the concert blends jazz, blues, soul and groove-driven favourites with the spontaneity and chemistry that define a live Blue Room performance. Tickets at polariscentre.ca

World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand SEPT. 26, 3:30 P.M. Inspire’s Outdoor Amphitheatre, 805 Main St. S. See details on page 34.

Light Up the Night Gala SEPT 26, 5:30 P.M. Town & Country Centre 275 Jensen Dr. N.E. A night to come together and support health care for Airdrie. Enjoy an evening with keynote speaker Theo Fleury and Rory Gardiner in support of enhancing health care in the city. The night will include a sitdown dinner, live and silent auctions, dance, and more. Tickets at airdriehealthfoundation.com Elvis – The King Re-Imagined OCT. 3, 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating the music and legacy of Elvis Presley, brought to life by acclaimed vocalist Alessandro Votta. With a voice

28

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

and stage presence that channels the spirit of the King while offering a fresh interpretive edge, Votta leads a dynamic journey through Elvis’s most iconic eras — from his Sun Studio beginnings and Hollywood ballads to the electrifying Vegas years. Set in an intimate concert format, the performance blends faithful renditions with reimagined arrangements, supported by a powerhouse band that captures the rhythm, swagger and emotional depth of Elvis’s catalogue. Audiences can expect a night that balances nostalgia with artistry, honouring the original recordings while revealing new textures in familiar songs.

Tickets at polariscentre.com Airdrie Homecoming Festival OCT. 3, GAMES BEGIN 9 A.M. Ed Eggerer Athletic Park 800 East Lake Blvd. N.E. Get ready to celebrate fall at Airdrie’s Homecoming Festival! A full day of football and free fall fun for the whole family. The action kicks off at 9 a.m. with Airdrie Football’s Atom, Peewee and Bantam teams taking the field, setting the stage for an afternoon and evening of high school football. Cheer on the George McDougall Mustangs as they take on the Chestermere Lakers, followed by the evening’s main event: the annual Turkey Bowl, featuring a hometown rivalry between the W.H. Croxford Cavaliers and the Bert Church Chargers.

Enjoy live entertainment, food trucks, family activities, market vendors, raffles, halftime shows, a community food drive, and plenty of opportunities to gather, cheer and celebrate all things Airdrie. Come for the football. Stay for the fun. Follow @airdriefootball or visit www.airdriefootball.com

See our recent reviews on Google and Facebook!

“I found them in an advertisement in a magazine and I’m so happy to have found them!

The whole team clearly has a passion for what they do and are always happy to answer any questions you have.

They do a great job walking you through step by step and are super friendly. They got us into our rst home and I would deenitely recommend to anybody! ~ LV

Brie Robertson & Katie Whyte

airdrie@illuminatemortgages.ca | 403.862.6753 www.illuminatemortgages.ca | @illuminatemortgages

Step up and Glow

JOIN US, VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AIRDRIE’S PREMIER TOURISM EVENT

#GetYourGlowOn

https://airdrielights.com/about/volunteer-info

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

29

G R E AT L I F E | E V E N TS P R E S E N T E D BY C E N T U RY D OW N S

Airdrie Fire Department Open House OCT. 4, 10 A.M.– 3 P.M. Chinook Winds Fire Hall 2525 Chinook Winds Dr. S.W The event will provide residents with a close look at emergency response, front-line crews and the equipment used in daily operations.

Firefighters will open the hall for walkthroughs, truck tours and live demonstrations. Crews will run vehicle extrication demos throughout the day and show how rescue tools work under real conditions. Event visitors will also get the opportunity to take part in activities that teach fire-safety basics in a simple and fun way.

Many families use the open house as their annual reminder to check smoke alarms, replace batteries and update home escape plans. The open house launches Fire Prevention Week, taking place from Sunday, Oct. 4, through Sunday, Oct. 10. This year’s theme, “Charge into Fire Safety: Safe Charging Is a Superpower,” highlights safe use, storage and charging of lithium-ion battery devices (phones, tablets, laptops, ebikes, scooters and power tools).

“Awareness is one of our strongest tools. When residents know how to prevent fires and respond safely, the entire community becomes more resilient,” says Simon Bradley, deputy chief of the Airdrie Fire Department. “That’s why we open the fire hall each year, to give people direct access to the information and skills that keep them safe.”

Emergency Management, Municipal Enforcement, Waste and Recycling, and partner vendors will join the event with information on emergency kits, hazard awareness and disposal, and interactive activities.

Tasty Tunes by Quartetto Gelato OCT. 10, 3:30 P.M. Inspire – Atrium 805 Main St. S. See details on page 34.

Pumpkin Fest OCT. 10, 11 A.M. – 3 P.M. Blue Grass Garden Centre 260130B Writing Creek Cr. Rocky View County Pumpkin Fest is an event geared towards families allowing them to celebrate traditional autumn activities like pumpkin carving, face painting, pumpkin bowling, petting zoo, pony rides, hayrides, straw maze, bouncy house and more. The event closes with the infamous pumpkin drop and fireworks. Tickets $10 each, in support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.

30

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Elvis and Dolly: Blue Suede and Rhinestones OCT. 10, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. Blue Suede & Rhinestones brings the unforgettable music and charisma of Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton together in one dazzling tribute show. Featuring powerhouse performers, authentic vocals and all the hits audiences love, this high-energy production blends Elvis’s electrifying rock and roll spirit with Dolly’s signature country sparkle. With dazzling costumes, playful chemistry and timeless classics from both legends, Blue Suede & Rhinestones delivers a fun, nostalgic and crowd-pleasing experience for all ages. Tickets.airdrie.ca PWR/UP, AC/DC Canada’s Premier Tribute Concert OCT. 17, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. The best AC/DC you’ll see without a time machine!

Young lads with a devilish obsession for AC/DC deliver all the energy of 1980, when AC/DC was young and hungry. Tickets.airdrie.ca

Esteban Herrera OCT. 17, 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County Pianist and composer Esteban Herrera returns to Polaris Theatre this fall for a solo show featuring his favourite compositions. Come for an intimate evening of music, where Herrera presents selections from his recent albums alongside reflections on the creative process behind the recording. Known for his expressive touch, rhythmic sophistication and genre-spanning voice, Herrera’s work blends Latin jazz tradition with contemporary improvisation and lyrical storytelling at the piano. This concert offers a rare opportunity to experience the music up close in an acoustically rich setting, as well as celebrate the highlights of his solo career. Expect an evening that moves between quiet introspection and energetic interplay, featuring solo material that is hand picked for this show. Tickets at polariscentre.com Airdrie Regional Business Awards OCT. 22, 6:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. The Airdrie Regional Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the Airdrie Regional Business Awards, an annual event with the goal to celebrate deserving businesses and organizations.

BOUQUET GIVEAWAY We’re giving away one gorgeous floral bouquet every month valued at $110* Follow us on social to enter! @airdrielifemag

2026-27

PRESENTED SERIES

lemon bucket orkestra Ukrainian polyphony. Balkan brass. Punk. Hip Hop. Jazz.

SEPTEMBER 17 *includes delivery within Airdrie

Prize not as shown, for illustration purposes only.

TICKETS TO experience it live on airdrie’s stage at bclT.ca

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

31

G R E AT L I F E | E V E N TS P R E S E N T E D BY C E N T U RY D OW N S BLAK: Canadian Women in Music by Krystle Dos Santos Music OCT. 24, 3:30 P.M. Inspire – Atrium 805 Main St, S. See details on page 34.

The Mop Top Four: A Tribute to the Beatles OCT. 25, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. The Mop Top Four take you on a musical journey through the unforgettable career of the Beatles, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the band that changed music forever. From the high-energy days of the early Cavern Club hits to the roar of Shea Stadium, the psychedelic magic of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, and the rich harmonies of their later years, this show captures every era of Beatlemania. Complete with authentic costumes, instruments and era-by-era narration, The Mop Top Four isn’t just a concert, it’s a full-scale recreation of the most iconic moments in Beatles history. Sing along, reminisce and relive the timeless music of John, Paul, George and Ringo with a performance that will have audiences of all ages on their feet. Tickets.airdrie.ca

The Boo Revue!

Spine-Tingling Puppet Society BCLT Presented Series OCT. 27, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. A blacklight musical puppet show set in a glowing, ghostly graveyard, The Boo Revue! features a cast of friendly ghouls and imaginative creatures. Created and performed by members of The Spine-Tingling Puppet Society, the production brings together Calgary based professional puppeteers and builders with experience in film and television. Featuring original songs by composter Michael Gordon.

Recommended for ages 4+, it offers a playful, family-friendly Halloween experience that focuses on fun, rather than fright. Tickets.airdrie.ca

32

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Airdrie Farmers Market Christmas Show NOV 6, 10 A.M. – 7 P.M NOV 7, 10 A.M. – 4 P.M. Town & Country Centre 275 Jensen Dr. N.E. All your favourite vendors are here, plus special guests to make your holiday shopping easy.

Off The Rock – Canada’s Tribute to Great Big Sea NOV. 13, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. Coming to Alberta for the first time ever, experience Off The Rock, Canada’s premier tribute to one of our greatest musical icons — Great Big Sea! Off The Rock brings an interactive and engaging show that is sure to have audiences singing, dancing and clapping along with Great Big Sea’s greatest hits and Newfoundland traditional tunes, including “Run Run Away,” “Sea of No Cares,” “When I’m Up,” “Ordinary Day” and many more! Tickets.airdrie.ca The Velveteen Rabbit Nose Creek Players NOV. 14, 3:30 P.M. Inspire – Presenter Space 805 Main St. S. See details on pages 34 and 36.

Elton John Tribute Concert with Cyrul Tenjohn NOV. 14, 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County It started with a tribute show for Elton’s birthday that turned into an entire production with six costume changes, five band members and 287 feathers. Cyril has been performing all over Alberta and selling out shows. With his wild and stunning costumes and Elton John’s top hits, it will be a night to remember.

2025 Live Performer of the Year, YYC Music Awards.

Tickets at polariscentre.com.

a

DON’T MISS OUT ON UPCOMING EVENTS! JOIN THE A-LIST TODAY

A Re-Creation of the Johnny Cash Christmas Special NOV. 21, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. This heartwarming live concert event captures the magic and charm of the legendary television specials hosted by Johnny Cash in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Featuring an authentic tribute to the Man in Black, the show brings Cash’s timeless music and storytelling to life with beloved songs and holiday favourites that reflect the spirit of his iconic television specials. Just like the original broadcasts, the evening also features special guest tributes to some of the era’s most beloved stars. Tickets.airdrie.ca Beyond the Big Top Cabaret by Le Cirque De La Nuit – 18+ ONLY BCLT Presented Series NOV. 28, 7:30 P.M. Bert Church LIVE Theatre 1000 East Lake Blvd. N.E. Part speakeasy, part circus and part cabaret, Beyond the Big Top Cabaret (18+) blends circus arts, burlesque, live music, dance and character-driven storytelling into a high-energy, immersive experience. Featuring Cirque Nuit’s distinctive style, the show brings together skilled performers whose acts unfold within a richly imagined world where elegance and edge co-exist. High-calibre artistry and physical precision are paired with moments that extend beyond the stage, drawing the audience into the atmosphere. The result is a stylish, character-led production that feels immersive and memorable from start to finish. Tickets.airdrie.ca Blue Room Collective: Cool Yule 2 NOV. 28, 7:30 P.M. Polaris Theatre 8-261051 Wagon Wheel View Rocky View County Celebrate the season with Cool Yule — the Blue Room Collective’s stylish holiday concert blending jazz, blues, soul and seasonal favourites into one unforgettable evening. Featuring the core band alongside special guest artists, Cool Yule reimagines holiday music with swinging rhythms, smoky ballads, groovefilled classics and a few unexpected twists along the way. From laid-back winter standards to high-energy festive favourites, the evening captures the warmth, nostalgia and joy of the season without losing the Collective’s signature sound. Whether you’re looking for a festive night out, a date-night concert or simply an excuse to soak in some great live music before the holidays, Cool Yule offers a fresh and sophisticated take on the season. Tickets at polariscentre.com life

Bold storytelling, world-class artistry and unforgettable live experiences on Airdrie’s stage.

tickets available now at bclt.ca

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

33

G R E AT L I F E | I N S P I R E

SATURDAYS WORTH CELEBRATING

F

STORY BY THE CITY OF AIRDRIE

all weekends have a way of filling up quickly, but Art Celebration Saturdays offer a simple way to slow down and experience the arts through music, movement, storytelling and community connection.

The series continues this fall at Inspire, Airdrie’s downtown arts and culture hub, with free live performances that bring together local talent and visiting artists in a casual, welcoming setting. Shows are suited to families, theatre and music lovers, or anyone looking for something different to do on a Saturday afternoon. If you’ve been meaning to check out Inspire, 805 Main St. S., this is another reason to stop in.

THE FALL LINEUP INCLUDES: World Champion Hoop Dancer Dallas Arcand Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m. – Inspire’s Outdoor Amphitheatre An award-winning Indigenous performer from Edmonton and a registered member of Alexander First Nation, Dallas Arcand brings a lifelong passion for arts and culture to the stage. A three-time World Champion Hoop Dancer, his 30-plus-year career showcases exceptional talent in singing, dancing and traditional flute, earning him widespread recognition and accolades.

Tasty Tunes by Quartetto Gelato Oct. 10 at 3:30 p.m. – Inspire’s Atrium Experience the unforgettable energy of Quartetto Gelato, an internationally celebrated ensemble known for its dazzling musicianship and irresistible charm. Featuring Colin Maier (oboe), Tino Popovic (violin), Dobrochna Zubeck (cello) and Matti Pulkki (accordion), this one-of-a-kind quartet brings together classical masterworks, world and roots music, jazz, ragtime, and beloved popular tunes in a seamless, genre-blending performance.

With nearly three decades of global touring, award-winning recordings, and appearances on stages and broadcasts around the world, Quartetto Gelato captivates audiences with virtuosic skill, theatrical flair and a warm, playful sense of humour. Engaging, eclectic and full of surprises, this is a performance that invites audiences of all ages to sit back, lean in and enjoy the ride.

Krystle Dos Santos

BLAK: Canadian Women in Music and More by Krystle Dos Santos Music Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. – Inspire’s Atrium Created and performed by Krystle Dos Santos, this compelling performance weaves together music and storytelling to honour the legacy and influence of Black Canadian women in music. Joined by a talented live band, Dos Santos moves seamlessly through spirituals, jazz, blues, soul, R&B, pop and hip hop, pairing powerful songs with stories that reflect key moments in history and the artists who helped shape them. With her captivating vocals, warmth and dynamic stage presence, she creates an engaging, multi-genre experience that is both meaningful and entertaining. BLAK is a vibrant celebration of musical artistry, heritage and the voices that continue to inspire generations.

The Velveteen Rabbit performed by the Nose Creek Players Nov. 14 at 3:30 p.m. – Inspire’s Presenter Space Imagination, friendship and timeless magic come to life in The Velveteen Rabbit. This beloved classic tells the heartwarming story of a toy rabbit who longs to become real through the power of a child’s love. Filled with wonder, adventure and touching moments, The Velveteen Rabbit has captured the hearts of generations. Adapted by Anita Larsen and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Col. life Visit airdrie.ca/artsaturdays for full event details.

34 34

airdrielife.com airdrielife.com || FALL FALL 2026 2026

Quartetto Gelato

THE BOO REVUE! by the spine-tingling puppet society

Blacklight musical puppet show.

OCTOBER 27 2026-27

PRESENTED SERIES

Fresh.

Beautiful.

Unique.

502 3 Stonegate Drive NW 587-449-9428 FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

35

G R E AT L I F E | T H E AT R E

PLAY ON! HISTORY NOSE CREEK PLAYERS PREPARE FOR A GREAT SEASON ON STAGE

The Nose Creek Players have been bringing shows to Airdrie audiences for nearly 40 years, inspiring laughter and tears. The 2026-2027 season, From Page to Stage, includes an exciting lineup of stories that have captivated readers and now come to life on stage.

The season kicks off with an all-youth production of The Velveteen Rabbit, directed by Haley Day. This timeless tale about a beloved toy that longs to become real reminds us of the importance of being authentic and seeing our self-worth, and that connection overcomes imperfection. This production is part of the City of Airdrie’s Art Celebration Saturdays at Inspire and will be free to attendees. Registration is required visit airdrie.ca/inspire for details.

Next, comes It’s a Wonderful Life from directors Chloe Jorgenson and Joey Moss. A beloved holiday classic that focuses on finding light in the darkness and reminds us to look for the things that really matter. Sometimes, the path we never planned to take leads us exactly where we’re meant to be.

Wrapping up the season is The Outsiders, directed by Mandi Fusaro and Taylor Burton, a coming-of-age story which has been shaping high schoolers for almost 60 years. A gang of teenagers overcome a tragedy to form friendships that will carry them through life, finding family in each other when they need it most, and reminding us that we are so much stronger than we sometimes think we are.

See you at the theatre! life The Velveteen Rabbit Inspire Airdrie November 14, 2026

36

airdrielife.com

It’s a Wonderful Life Bert Church LIVE Theatre December 18-19, 2026

| FALL 2026

The Outsiders Bert Church LIVE Theatre May 14-15, 2027

HAPPENINGS

AT THE NOSE CREEK MUSEUM

T

his fall, Nose Creek Valley Museum is looking forward to welcoming the community back for a season of local history, familiar traditions and a few new experiences.

Its newest exhibit, Feeling Bookish?, displays highlights from the museum’s book collection.

While books preserve stories and knowledge, their value extends far beyond the words printed on their pages. Books connect us to the people who owned, read and cherished them. Imagine a 1950s cookbook marked with a cake-batter fingerprint, a note scribbled in the margin of a poetry collection, a pressed flower tucked inside a dictionary, a handwritten family tree recorded in a religious text, or graffiti hidden in the back of a schoolbook. Each tells a story of its own, preserving a moment in time between the covers. Feeling Bookish? invites visitors to discover not only the history found in books, but also the lives of the people who used them.

The museum is also shining a light on local artists in September, although at press time the details were not available, check the website for updated information: nosecreekvalleymuseum.com October brings back two spooky favourites.

Children can enjoy The Great Museum Monster Hunt, featuring crafts, games, puzzles, treats and a monster hunt throughout the museum galleries. Adults can test their skills at Museum After Dark: Ghost Stories Puzzle Night, where teams race to solve clues and uncover the solution to a museum ghost story while enjoying food and refreshments.

The holiday season begins with the annual Christmas Market on Nov. 15. Featuring an outstanding selection of local artisans and makers, it is the perfect place to find unique gifts while supporting local businesses.

Finally, in partnership with the Airdrie Festival of Lights, the museum will once again host two outdoor skating parties in Nose Creek Regional Park this December, bringing families together for a bit of outdoor winter fun.

From fall exhibits to winter skating, the Nose Creek Museum is a place to explore yearround. life

Nominations open for the 2027 Airdrie Mayor’s Night of the Arts The Airdrie Arts & Culture Council is inviting the community to recognize the people who make arts and culture thrive by submitting nominations for the 2027 Airdrie Mayor’s Night of the Arts, taking place on Feb. 6, 2027.

The awards celebrate artists, educators, volunteers, organizations and community champions whose contributions have strengthened Airdrie’s creative community.

• Adult Awards • Professional Artist • Arts Educator • Emerging Artist • Patron of the Arts • Champion of the Arts • Cultural Ambassador • Youth Awards • Youth Artist • Emerging Youth Artist • Youth Champion of the Arts Community members are encouraged to nominate deserving individuals whose passion, creativity and leadership continue to enrich Airdrie’s cultural landscape.

“One of my favourite things about Mayor’s Night of the Arts is that it’s really a celebration of the people who make arts and culture happen in our community. It’s not just the artists — we also recognize educators, volunteers, advocates and champions who quietly make a huge difference behind the scenes. Opening nominations is always exciting because it’s the community’s chance to shine a light on people whose contributions deserve to be celebrated.”

Amanda Hiebert, Executive Director, Airdrie Arts and Culture Council life Deadline to nominate is Oct. 9, 2026, at airdriemayorsnightofthearts.com

Spin barre Pilates strength yoga & more!

AIRDRIE A

L

B

E R T A

Where curiosity connects us.

Airdrie’s story lives in its people and its place.

E X P R E S S airdrie.ca/visit FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

37

G R E AT L I F E | C O L U M N

THE FALL RESET Building Healthy Routines Without the All-or-Nothing Mindset

healthylife

WITH SARAH WEST

C

ontrary to popular opinion, fall can be one of the busiest seasons of the year. What should be a time to slow down, admire the changing leaves, and ease back into school and work after a chaotic but beautiful summer can quickly become a season where everything starts happening at once.

As a Reformer Pilates studio owner, movement is rooted in my day-to-day life. But even spending my days at the studio, it can be hard to build a healthy routine that feels attainable and sustainable. Here are a few simple things that help me create a routine that feels supportive, rather than overwhelming!

Plan your movement. I find that scheduling movement into my calendar makes it much easier to prioritize. Whether it’s a walk, group-fitness class, bike ride or at-home stretching, moving your body a few times a week can make a big difference in how you feel — physically and mentally.

Plan your meals. I like having a plan for the week, but I also enjoy choosing what to eat based on how I’m feeling that day.

I write out a few meal ideas and shop accordingly, giving myself the flexibility to switch things up if plans change. Having a plan doesn’t mean you can’t go with the flow!

Drink more water. Find a water bottle you love, keep it nearby, and make hydration part of your daily routine.

Read or journal for 10 minutes. Taking a few quiet minutes before bed or first thing in the morning helps calm my mind and create a little space in an otherwise busy day.

Finally, give yourself grace. Not every day or week will go perfectly, and that’s okay. Small, consistent habits add up.

Prioritizing your mental and physical well-being allows you to show up as the best version of yourself, for you and for everyone around you! You are worthy. life Sarah West is the owner of West Pilates in Airdrie

It’s Never Just a Lamp.

Because every treasure has a purpose.

Find your treasure at Community Treasures Thrift Store.

Help fund free Community Links programs & services.

Shop local. Give back. Strengthen community.

9,363 people

were supported by Community Links last year.

Community Treasures Thrift Store

A Community Links social enterprise

38

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

thrift.mycommunitylinks.ca

102, 3105 Main St S Airdrie, Alberta

COME HOME TO CALM

Scan to view showhomes LiveInCobblestone.com

AIRDRIE’S HIDDEN GEM | NEW HOMES IN AIRDRIE

Aspen Creek Designer Homes

A golden opportunity awaits on the horizon, in the prairie estate community of Goldwyn.

This premier estate community is located only 20 minutes north of downtown Calgary, and offers spacious lot sizes up to 85ft. Find the perfect estate home in a grand setting—tour our 7 showhomes and meet with our builders today.

Brilliance Homes

Estate homes in a premier prairie setting, just north of Calgary. Scan to explore.

Sterling Homes

LIVEINGOLDWYN.COM

A pump track!

Local parks & orchard

Future K-9 school site

Community gardens

Live in a community that has it all.

Lanark Landing is an Airdrie community that offers everything your family is looking for in a community.

With a variety of amenities steps away from your doorstep, life is easy in Lanark Landing.

A ME NI T I ES H I G HL I G HT

F O R T H O S E S E E K I N G P E A C E F U L , Q U I E T, TRANQUIL LIVING IN A SERENE AND RELAXED COMMUNITY SETTING. PICKLEBALL AND BASKETBALL COURTS, READING NOOK, QUIET CREEKSIDE LIVING AIRDRIE, AB

LiveInCobblestone.com

W E S T O N 4 0 T H AV E N U E

P R A I R I E E S TAT E H O M E S I N A G R A N D S E T T I N G .

P L AY G R O U N D , W A L K I N G P AT H S , N AT U R A L I Z E D W E T L A N D S , O P E N P R A I R I E S E T T I N G W I T H S PA C I O U S LOT S I Z E S BA L Z AC , A B

ACROSS FROM CROSSIRON MILLS

LiveInGoldwyn.com

FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A FA M I LY- F O C U S E D C O M M U N I T Y, W I T H A NEW K-9 SCHOOL COMING SOON PUMPTRACK, COMMUNITY GARDENS, O R C H A R D S , W A L K I N G P AT H S AIRDRIE, AB

LiveInLanark.com

Master-planned communities start with a vision of how life should feel. At Melcor, that vision becomes a complete lifestyle: thoughtful, accessible, and designed with you and your family in mind.

E A S T O N 4 0 T H AV E N U E

Search all of our communities:

homelife IDEAS AND ADVICE FOR YOUR HOME, INSIDE AND OUT

48 Building Futures | 50 New Neighbours | 51 Hopeful Homes

56 Your New Home Is Waiting.

New homes designed for the way you live.

Find Your Next Chapter at mckeehomes.com

HOMELIFE | COMMUNITY GARDENS

GREEN SPACE STORY BY ANA SAMOYLIK | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

H

ave you ever considered growing your own food in Airdrie?

Two community gardens in the city are managed by the Airdrie Horticultural Society, a non-profit organization run by gardening enthusiasts. One garden is located in the Monklands fields area, another one is in the Lanark community, and both gardens are used by the members of the society.

The Airdrie Horticultural Society serves to inspire, build community, and promote the enjoyment of gardening through memberships and by providing space where individuals and families can grow their own food.

Every year, we open our doors to the community at large to showcase the hard work of our gardeners and what can be achieved in the Airdrie climate, and to encourage others to try their hand at gardening.

While growing decorative and edible gardens can be tough in our climate, we encourage everyone to give it a try! The society also holds educational events in town to increase knowledge of horticulture in our community.

44

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Gardens under Airdrie Horticultural Society management are also home to a program called Grow To Give, where we work closely with the Airdrie Food Bank to provide fresh, garden-grown vegetables to the members of our community.

We use spare space in the garden, as well as encourage garden members to donate their extra produce to yield seasonal and fresh produce that we later donate to the food bank. In 2025, gardeners donated 2,709 lbs of fresh produce.

We strive to foster environmental sustainability by encouraging the creation of eco-friendly, bee-friendly gardens, reducing our impact on the environment and municipal resources, and promoting the health and well-being of residents in our community, and we encourage you to give gardening a try! life Ana Samoylik is secretary of the Airdrie Horticultural Society.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

45

HOMELIFE | COLUMN

STUNNING FALL PLANTERS

gardenlife

WITH ROHINI KUNDRA CLICK HERE TO SEE A FULL LIST OF PLANTS RECOMMENDED

BY ROHINI

Learn how to combine hardy plants, rich textures and natural accents for containers that last.

W

ho says the gardening season has to end when summer fades? Fall containers are one of the easiest ways to keep your front entrance, patio or deck looking vibrant right through to the first snowfall.

By combining hardy plants with natural textures and seasonal accents, you can create stunning displays that celebrate everything we love about autumn.

The secret to long-lasting fall containers is choosing plants that thrive in cooler temperatures. Ornamental kale and cabbage become even more colourful after a light frost, while chrysanthemums add rich shades of red, orange, yellow and burgundy. Hardy asters provide cheerful purple and pink blooms well into autumn while offering an important late-season food source for pollinators.

For height and movement, add ornamental grasses. Their graceful seed heads catch the autumn breeze and continue looking beautiful even after flowers have faded. Red twig dogwood or curly willow branches add dramatic vertical interest that lasts right through winter.

New Lots Now Available

CHARM COMES STANDARD. Just outside the city.

Complete the look with seasonal accents like mini pumpkins, gourds, pinecones or evergreen boughs. These simple additions create instant harvest charm and help your container transition beautifully into the colder months.

When designing your planter, think in layers. Start with a tall “thriller,” such as ornamental grass or decorative branches, surround it with colourful “fillers” like mums and asters, then soften the edges with “spillers” such as ivy or Creeping Jenny. Mixing colours, heights and textures creates a balanced, professional-looking arrangement.

Best of all, fall containers are easy to maintain. Water while temperatures remain above freezing, remove spent blooms and let nature do the rest. Many of the plants and decorative elements will continue looking beautiful well into winter.

With just a few hardy plants and a little creativity, you can transform your front entrance into a warm, welcoming celebration of the season that lasts until the snow flies. life Rohini Kundra is the greenhouse manager at Blue Grass Garden Centre

Laned & Front Drive

Just a short drive north of Airdrie, escape the hustle and bustle to a postcard-worthy community surrounded by natural beauty, an abundance of greenspace, and nearby schools. Enjoy the simple life where the pace is gentler and life revolves around family and neighbours.

Come home to Vista Crossing.

MCKEE HOMES 210 Vista Road HOMES BY DREAM 206 Vista Road Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. E. & O.E.

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

500s

$

Find the life you long for in Crossfield.

vistacrossing.ca

46

Single Family Homes from the low

Photo Credits: Siena Grabriella Photography

Welcoming.

Wellbeing.

Willingness.

Worthy.

Wonder.

Join us today.

westreformerpilates.ca info@westreformerpilates.ca

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

47

H O M E L I F E | C O L L A B O R AT I O N

BUILDING T BRIGHTER FUTURES

PHOTOS COURTESY MCKEE HOMES

STORY BY PATRICIA MERRICK

48

he best way to learn something new is through hands-on experience. That’s why McKee Homes created the Building Futures program – to provide high school students with the opportunity to actually roll up their sleeves and build homes.

Thirty Grade 10 students were selected to participate in the program for the 2025-26 school year. Program manager Sheri McAllister says the students built two single-family homes in Chinook Gate, working with the team at McKee Homes and trade professionals.

The homes feature an open-concept main floor, with an electric fireplace, detached garage, exterior deck and separate basement entrance.

“Building Futures gives kids access to the residential construction industry, knowledge of what a career in the trades or as a business owner could look like, and the confidence to start a job with some familiarity for the tasks at hand,” says McAllister. “There is extreme value in trying a trade before committing to go to post-secondary to pursue it as a career.”

Students in the program participate in everything from surveying, to excavation, foundations, framing, insulation, drywall, carpentry, cabinets, fixture installation and more.

“Participating in the work makes it more accessible. These kids will go to their first jobs having already been on two active construction sites for an entire year,” says McAllister. “One day, these kids will be the experienced workers doing the training.”

Industry partners of the program attend the worksite throughout the year to talk to students about other aspects of the home-building process such as design, marketing and mortgages.

Building Futures was created in 2013 through a partnership with Rocky View Schools Division. The class completes the regular curriculum in an onsite learning space, in addition to participating in construction.

Student Nick Lavallee says the program helped guide him in deciding what kind of career he would like to pursue after high school.

“Building Futures isn’t just about working in the trades. I feel that I truly did build my future here in a way I never could have at a normal high school,” says Lavallee. “I also learned many valuable life lessons about work ethic and responsibility.”

Maleah Hilderman, also a student of the 2025-26 program, says she gained many skills through her experience, including tool safety and learning how to read blueprints.

“This experience has built my confidence, reinforced the value of patience and hard work, and inspired a greater appreciation for the skilled trades and the many career opportunities they provide,” says Hilderman. life Read more about the program at mckeehomes.com.

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

HOMELIFE | COLUMN

OVER

850

HOMES SOLD! realestatelife

SAVE ON COMMISSIONS! 1.35% Listing Fee* Fee Complimentary Home Staging

WITH BRIE ROBERTSON & KATIE WHYTE

W

hen most people shop for a mortgage, the first thing they ask about is the interest rate. And, while rate is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle.

In many cases, the “lowest-rate” mortgage may not actually be the best fit for your financial goals or lifestyle. Mortgages can vary significantly in terms, flexibility, penalties and features — and those differences can matter far more than a fraction of a per cent in rate.

For example, some ultra-low-rate mortgages come with large penalties if you need to break your mortgage early due to a move, refinance, separation or unexpected life event. Others may restrict your ability to make extra payments, switch lenders or access equity in the future. These limitations are often overlooked until they become a problem.

Features like prepayment privileges, portability, payment flexibility and refinance options can save homeowners thousands of dollars over time. In some situations, paying a slightly higher rate for a more flexible mortgage can actually leave you in a stronger financial position — and save you money — long term.

The right mortgage also depends on your future plans. Someone planning to stay in their home for many years may prioritize stability and predictable payments, while another borrower may value flexibility if they anticipate changes in income, family size, career or housing needs. This is especially important in today’s market, where borrowers are often bombarded with online advertisements promoting the “lowest rates available.” While those rates may look appealing, they don’t always tell the full story.

A mortgage should support your overall financial picture — not just provide the cheapest payment today. The reality is that a mortgage is more than just a rate; it’s a financial product that can affect your flexibility, monthly budget and future opportunities for years to come.

Looking beyond the headline number and understanding how a mortgage actually works can make a meaningful difference in both your finances and your peace of mind. life

*See website for details

CALL TODAY! 587-577-9327

DORY CAMERON CHICKADEE realty.ca

Brie Robertson and Katie Whyte are mortgage brokers and owners of Illuminate Mortgage Group FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

49

HOMELIFE | NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD

SPRING VALLEY CHANGES FACE OF AIRDRIE’S EAST SIDE STORY BY PATRICIA MERRICK

I

f you’re in the market for a new home, you’re going to want to see what Airdrie’s newest community has to offer.

Spring Valley is coming to the east side of Airdrie this fall, and was designed by Highfield Investment Group to appeal to all stages of life. Marketing manager Cale Marklund says the brand-new community will feature a variety of home styles to suit multiple lifestyles.

“Spring Valley offers homebuyers the opportunity to be part of a thoughtfully planned community in one of Alberta’s fastestgrowing cities,” says Marklund. “Residents will be able to enjoy a balance of affordability; quality homes from award-winning builders; access to parks and pathways; and close proximity to schools, shopping, recreation and major transportation routes.”

The new community will offer a variety of modern townhomes, semi-detached homes and single-family homes. Builders included in the development are Genesis Builders Group, Trico Homes, NuVista Homes and Partners Homes.

“We’ve planned for Spring Valley to be approachable for all buyers,” says Marklund. “Whether you are a first-time buyer looking to get into the market, someone looking to upsize to a family home, or even an investor, you will find the right home in Spring Valley.”

50

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

The first phase of the development will bring 139 new lots to Airdrie, offering front-garage homes, including some with walkout basements, and street townhomes without condo fees.

Home prices were not yet finalized at press time, but Marklund says the first lots will be listed for sale this fall. Show homes are currently under construction and will be open for viewing later in the year.

Plans for the community include plenty of green spaces for residents to enjoy, such as pathways, open spaces and dog parks.

Spring Valley will also be home to a new high school, and a commercial plaza will be erected in the final building phase.

“The community is designed to encourage active living, nature connectivity, and enjoying a true, connected community,” says Marklund. “It’s a place designed for people who want room to grow, put down roots and invest in their future.”

A soft launch for Spring Valley will take place this fall, with a grand opening celebration to follow in spring 2027.

“I think it’s a great option for Airdrie buyers and should draw significant interest once we officially launch,” says Marklund. “We’ve seen a lot of interest already, and we’re just getting started.” life Find more information at springvalleyairdrie.ca.

Three out of 11 affordable townhomes in Bayview.

PHOTOS COURTESY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

H O M E L I F E | B U I L D I N G B AC K

THE HOUSES THAT HOPE BUILT

T

Future homeowner Lara standing her kitchen.

STORY BY STACIE GAETZ

here is a distinct and important difference between having a place to stay and living somewhere you feel you belong.

Thanks to a monumental effort by Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta and the organization’s partners, 11 local families are officially moving past the uncertainty of the housing market and into a foundation of long-term stability.

“This home means everything to us,” said Lara, future Habitat homeowner.

“It gives us the freedom to leave a legacy for our kids. It means we have somewhere that’s ours, and we’re so grateful to Habitat for making this possible for us.”

The $4.5-million development was supported by the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the City of Airdrie, corporate partners, individual donors, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

“Safe, affordable housing is the foundation of strong communities here in Alberta,” says the Hon. Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.

“By investing in projects like this one in Airdrie, we’re helping more families put down roots and build a brighter future. This development is another step forward in strengthening communities across Alberta and growing opportunities for the people who call this province home.”

The completed homes will provide families with an opportunity to build brighter futures through affordable homeownership.

Habitat homeowners purchase their homes through a no down payment, no-interest mortgage geared to their income, creating predictable housing costs.

With the support of volunteers, donors, sponsors and community partners, Habitat provides affordable homeownership opportunities that help families build a strong foundation for the future.

Since 1990, Habitat Southern Alberta has partnered with more than 400 families across Southern Alberta, changing the lives of more than 1,200 children.

“These homes wouldn’t be possible without the hard work of dedicated volunteers, partners and community members,” says Corey Hogan, Member of Parliament for Calgary Confederation.

“Together, we are building stronger communities and creating more opportunities for Albertans to succeed. Congratulations to the families who will benefit from this investment.”

Projects like Bayview demonstrate how Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta is building city blocks of affordable homeownership opportunities. This development represents 11 per cent of the City of Airdrie’s affordable housing target, helping families build brighter futures through affordable homeownership.

“For the families moving into Bayview, homeownership means no longer having to choose between paying rent and meeting other essential needs,” says Gerrad Oishi, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.

“It means putting down roots in a community, building equity and creating the stability that helps children thrive. This project demonstrates what is possible when governments, businesses, donors, volunteers and communities come together around a shared goal.”

The impact extends well beyond the homes. According to Habitat for Humanity, stable housing has been linked to stronger educational outcomes, improved health and greater financial well-being. In essence, a brighter future. life Learn more at habitatsouthernab.ca.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

51

H O M E L I F E | C O M M U N I T Y ASS E TS

Amenities aplenty in Southwinds STORY BY PATRICIA MERRICK

Y

ou don’t have to travel far from home when you live in Southwinds, as the community has been designed to provide easy access to everything you need.

Mattamy Homes, developer and exclusive builder of the southwest Airdrie community, has thoughtfully planned Southwinds to offer long-term value in an adaptable community, with several amenities already established and many more to come, according to David Wan, vice-president of sales.

“One of the most exciting highlights is the future recreation centre, which will be located within the community and serve as a major regional draw,” says Wan. The new recreation centre is part of the City of Airdrie’s longterm planning to support the city’s rapid growth. The multi-use centre will include a pool and aquatic area, fitness centre, family activity zone, a fieldhouse, gymnasiums, arenas and public indoor running track. Construction on the multi-million-dollar facility is expected to kick off in 2027.

“Southwinds offers a well-rounded lifestyle with a strong focus on recreation, connectivity and future growth,” says Wan. “With planned commercial development nearby, residents will also enjoy increased convenience to everyday services, making Southwinds not just a place to live, but a complete and evolving community.”

Existing amenities in Southwinds include a pump track, pickleball courts, picnic areas with barbecue pits, and multiple playgrounds. A K-9 school is currently under construction and is expected to open in the fall of 2027. A dog park and high school are also planned for the community.

52

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

“These exciting additions will further enhance the community’s livability, while providing convenient services and gathering spaces for residents,” says Wan. Phase 5 of the community is underway and will offer a mix of single-family homes starting in the mid-$500,000s, and townhomes starting in the mid $400,000s. Buyers can choose from oversized pie lots, cul-de-sac lots and sunshine lots with south- and west-facing backyards.

“Premium amenity lots are also available, backing onto a creek and walking trail, park space, or the future high school and recreation centre,” says Wan. “There’s something for everyone — whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, new to Canada, a professional couple, a young family, a growing family or looking to downsize.”

Mattamy Homes is proud to offer wide lots, rather than conventional narrow lots, as they allow for more layout options and expansive living areas with enhanced natural light.

“The design also creates space for welcoming front porches that extend your living space outdoors and ensure garages don’t dominate the streetscape,” says Wan. “The community was designed to be complete and attractive, incorporating a mix of housing types alongside recreational, institutional and future commercial amenities, ensuring that residents have access to services and experiences within their own neighbourhood.” life Find more information at mattamyhomes.com.

AirdrieLife_Magazine_Ad_4.75x4.75_Fall26.pdf 1 2026-08-07 11:09:32 AM

DON’T GET LEFT OUT

C

M

IN THE

COLD

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

Winter booking deadline is October 23. Contact wendy@frogmediainc.ca and get your ad in front of our readers!

K

STEVE MADDEN REITMANS MAC COSMETICS POULET ROUGE

airdrielife

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

53

Airdrie Show Home Map

Find your new home in Airdrie!

Elevated Living, Naturally. Key Ranch, West Airdrie.

Phase 2 is now open. Featuring walkout ridge homes with stunning city and mountain views. Enjoy a new park, 9-acre reserve, 14+ acres of amenities, Key Rock Pond, scenic trails, parks, playgrounds, and award-winning builders. Elevated living at keyranch.ca

Discover a slower, more connected lifestyle in Cobblestone Creek. This family-focused community features lush green spaces, an amenities park, and a variety of home styles, including front garage, lanes, and duplex options. Visit Excel Homes’ Mason II show home to see the breathtaking opento-below fireplace in the great room.

Live life in motion at Southwinds by Mattamy Homes, offering townhomes and detached homes. Enjoy connected parks and pathways, a dog park and pump track in a nature-rich community built for recreation. With a new K-9 school opening Fall 2027, there’s even more to come!

Visit our three show homes today.

airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

Our 2600 sq. ft. Vantage Rise front-drive show home features 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, a bright kitchen with a spice kitchen, and a deluxe owner’s suite complete with a 5-piece ensuite. We’d love to build your new front-drive home in Vantage Rise - if it’s your favourite, it’s probably Shane Homes.

5

4

54 54

3

2

1

|| FALL FALL 2026 2026

New phases are now selling with single-family opportunities available! Visit our show homes in Bayview! Featuring open layouts, spacious upper levels, and cozy ensuites with flexible options.

The Levi offers bright, elegant design and a finished basement—great for larger families.

The Irie is more compact with bold, earthy style—perfect for starting out.

20

SPRING VALLEY

10

11

15

5

1 6 7 3

8

2

43

9

2

12

1. KEY RANCH BY LAMONT LAND 2. EXCEL HOMES IN COBBLESTONE CREEK 3. SHANE HOMES IN VANTAGE RISE 4. SOUTHWINDS BY MATTAMY 5. CALBRIDGE IN BAYVIEW 6. VANTAGE RISE BY QUALICO 7. MCKEE HOMES IN VANTAGE RISE 8. MCKEE HOMES IN CHINOOK GATE

14

This map only shows advertised builders and developers. To get your show home listed contact wendy@frogmediainc.ca

4 16

13

17 18

19

9. COBBLESTONE CREEK BY MELCOR 10. MCKEE HOMES IN BAYVIEW 11. GENESIS IN BAYVIEW 12. HARDER HOMES IN COOPER’S CROSSING 13. LANARK LANDING BY MELCOR 14. MCKEE HOMES IN LANARK LANDING 15. SPRING VALLEY BY HIGHFIELD-COMING SOON

16. THE PINNACLE BY MELCOR (COCHRANE) 17 GOLDWYN PRAIRIE ESTATES BY MELCOR (BALZAC) 18. MCKEE HOMES IN GOLDWYN 19. SORA BY MELCOR (SE CALGARY) 20. VISTA CROSSING BY DREAMS

FALL FALL 2026 2026

||

airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

55 55

H O M E L I F E | W E ST V I E W S

STUNNING VIEWS FROM YOUR BACKYARD

PHOTO COURTESY LAMONT LAND

BY PATRICIA MERRICK

S

hopping for your next home just got better with stunning new lots for sale in Key Ranch.

The modern, heritage-inspired community, developed

by Lamont Land, is located in west Airdrie. The newest phase of the development has added walkout lots with scenic views and a brand-new park, featuring a ridge-top viewing deck, to the community.

“There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a first-time buyer, a growing family or looking to downsize,” says Bill MacDonald, development manager with Lamont Land. “This latest phase elevates Key Ranch’s promise of a vibrant, connected lifestyle, appealing to families, couples and downsizers seeking both adventure and tranquility.”

The second phase of the development launched single-family front-drive homes — many with premium ridge views — as well as single-family rear-detached homes, front-drive duplex homes and laned townhomes.

“Homes are designed with open-concept layouts and designer finishes, seamlessly blending style and comfort,” says MacDonald.

“Buyers can expect modern features tailored to a range of budgets and life stages.”

Homebuilders included in the second phase of the development are Akash Homes, Bedrock Homes, Prominent Homes and Sterling Homes.

“Each builder offers unique designs and a spectrum of home

56

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

styles, allowing buyers to find the perfect fit for their lifestyle,” says MacDonald. “With a commitment to quality craftmanship and cohesive community design, these builders ensure every home at Key Ranch is both beautiful and built to last.”

The community features welcoming streetscapes, generous lot sizes and walkout lots with sweeping ridge vistas. Home layouts have been designed to accommodate room for growth, making Key Ranch an ideal community for growing families.

“Designed with nature enthusiasts and families in mind, the community features expansive green spaces, meandering walking trails, lively parks and playgrounds,” says MacDonald. “At the heart of it all is Key Rock Pond, which features a viewing plaza and shoreline seating, making it a hub for year-round relaxation and neighbourly gatherings.”

Key Ranch spans more than 120 acres of land, with a nine-acre environmental protection area perched on the ridge. It features more than four kilometres of trails and 23 acres of green space.

Future school sites are also planned for the community.

“Key Ranch delivers unmatched value in one of west Airdrie’s most desirable neighbourhoods,” says MacDonald. “Residents are perfectly positioned just minutes from Airdrie’s city centre, local amenities, shops, restaurants and health care, with effortless access to Calgary and the mountains.” life Find more information at keyranch.ca.

worklife MEET THE MOVERS, SHAKERS AND BUSINESS MAKERS

60 Sweet Sips | 61 Biz Riffs | 62 Smart Starters

59 Less Waiting.

More Living.

Move-in ready McKee homes.

See What’s Available at mckeehomes.com

WORKLIFE | COLUMN

businesslife

DARE TO LISTEN I

PHOTO COURTESY FLAYSHER

WITH SHAUNA QUINN

n 2008, I had the opportunity to serve as project manager for the Calgary Host Committee when the city welcomed the Juno Awards for the first time. While the awards show itself was important, what struck me most was the broader impact music had on the city. Live performances energized streets and venues, visitors filled hotels and restaurants, and residents experienced their city in a new and exciting way. Music became a catalyst for both economic activity and civic pride.

That experience helped shape how I view culture in cities. When music is supported intentionally, it influences more than entertainment. It contributes to placemaking, strengthens community identity, and supports local businesses in meaningful ways. Cities that understand this treat music as part of their long term cultural and economic vision, not as a one-off activity.

Austin, Texas, is often held up as the gold standard. Its reputation as the “Live Music Capital of the World” did not develop overnight. Music became a defining feature of the city through consistent support for artists, venues and local businesses. That identity helped fuel tourism, attract talent and animate its downtown year-round. Visitors arrive for music, but stay for food, culture and the feeling of being somewhere distinct.

Closer to home, smaller Canadian cities offer equally relevant lessons. Kingston, Ont., has built a strong music reputation rooted in local talent and historic venues. Events like the Limestone City Blues Festival support downtown businesses and reinforce the city’s creative identity. Music there feels authentic and connected to place.

St. John’s, N.L., provides another powerful example. Its live-music culture is inseparable from the city’s character. Festivals and year-round performances on George Street help sustain the hospitality sector and enhance the visitor experience. Music in St. John’s tells stories, brings people together, and leaves visitors with a lasting sense of connection to the city.

Airdrie has many of these same ingredients. Award-winning country artists, a growing network of venues focused on live performance, and a community that values shared experiences all point to strong potential. These musical assets already contribute to local vibrancy and offer opportunities to support restaurants, breweries, hotels and retail businesses through increased visitation and foot traffic.

From a planning perspective, music also plays a role in shaping identity. Live performance creates gathering places, supports community connection, and helps define what a city feels like after hours and on weekends. Over time, this sense of place becomes an advantage for tourism, economic development and talent attraction.

As the province of Alberta moves forward with its Music Action Plan, Airdrie has an opportunity to think long term and integrate music into its cultural planning and placemaking efforts. When music is supported with intention, it helps a city grow its economy while staying true to itself. By strengthening venues, encouraging residents and visitors to experience live shows, and creating space for local artists to thrive, Airdrie is well positioned to build momentum and lasting impact. life Shauna Quinn is an economic development officer with the City of Airdrie. Photo: Musical duo Flaysher at the 2008 Juno Awards in Calgary.

58

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

SULLYS’ RETURN W O R K L I F E | R E TA I L

INSIDE MAIN STREET’S COOLEST NEW CO-LOCATION STORY BY STACIE GAETZ PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

Brandon Henningsmoen

S

kateboards, vintage gear and... fresh tattoos? Main Street just got a major dose of local nostalgia with a highly unconventional twist. Original downtown staple Sullys has officially returned to its old neck of the woods, sharing a vibrant new footprint with the team at Addictive Ink. The business has a long history on the downtown strip. Sullys first opened its doors on Main Street back in 2003 and remained there until 2018, at which point the business moved to Bayside for a fresh start, according to Brandon Henningsmoen, one of the owners. The Bayside shop closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. A location in CrossIron Mills mall at Balzac opened in 2009 and is one of the longest-running stores still operating in the shopping centre.

The Airdrie store quietly opened its doors back on Main Street in March after “the stars aligned” due to an opportunity to partner with another local institution.

“Colin [Ditchfield] from Addictive Ink came into the (CrossIron Mills) store one night and we got to talking about how he had a lot of extra space he wasn’t really using. We thought it would be fun to go back to the old shop,” says Henningsmoen, the store’s general manager.

A simple decision to reuse the classic Sullys branding quickly caught the community’s attention.

“I put up our old sign and immediately got flooded with messages from old customers and friends asking if we’re opening again, or if they were losing their minds and the sign has always been there,” says Henningsmoen.

While the store goes by many names — including Sullys Boardsports and Sullys Lifestyle — Henningsmoen says the team simply prefers Sullys. Anyone stepping inside the downtown space will find a diverse inventory including clothing, shoes, sunglasses, wallets, skateboards, stickers, outerwear and more. Staff brings in items they want to talk about. In the past, they have sold fishing rods, books, toolboxes, vintage clothes, golf bags and antiques, and continue to search for the next “fresh” item to bring in for their customers.

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to the community for welcoming us back after a long hiatus,” says Henningsmoen.

“We’re looking forward to old and new faces. It’s not lost on us that this won’t work without the support of the community, and we want to do what we can to make sure we’re doing our part.”

The CrossIron Mills shop recently relocated as well and can now be found next to the Vans store. life FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

59

WORKLIFE | CAFÉ

CATCH A VIBE

at Lois + Ani’s

STORY BY PATRICIA MERRICK | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

A

new-to-Airdrie tea shop, featuring trendy drinks and delightful eats that will have you coming back for more, is here to deliver cozy, blissful vibes for the whole family.

Lois + Ani Tea Shop opened its doors in May on Railway Avenue. It’s best known for its extensive bubble tea menu, but also offers coffee, treats and more.

Sofia Diaconu owns the shop with her longtime best friend, Maria Theresa Padua, along with their husbands, Albert Ancis and Edward Padua. They named the shop after their daughters, Lois and Ani. “We have been received with a lot of support, a lot of love,” says Diaconu. “We see so much potential in Airdrie.”

It’s the second location for the business owners, as they already run a shop in Drumheller. The first location opened in 2022 and has been very successful, mostly serving young families and tourists passing through the dinosaur capital.

As a longtime Airdrie resident herself, Diaconu says opening a shop in Airdrie has been a dream of hers for several years. Airdrie offers a similar customer base, with a large percentage of the population being young families, so the focus was to create a family-friendly atmosphere.

“Bubble tea tends to be something a little more trendy for the younger generation, but we wanted to make our business a place where we could offer a little bit of something for everybody,” says Diaconu.

“Having parents there with their kids, just enjoying a drink and having some precious family time, slowing down and forgetting 60

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

about the outside things, focusing in the moment — that was really our goal.”

The shop is open seven days a week and features cozy, oversized lounge chairs in earthy tones, surrounded by modern décor with ambient lighting, decorative mirrors and plants.

“We’re very conscious about the quality of our bubble tea and our drinks — it’s all real fruit and real fruit purée,” says Diaconu.

“Our top sellers [include] classic brown sugar or black sugar boba, Oreo crumble, our peach mango slush and taro.”

If trendy drinks aren’t for you, visit the shop for the experience and a coffee. The owners took some time to expand and perfect the coffee menu for Airdrie’s shop, featuring locally roasted and freshly brewed coffee.

“It’s a place where you can feel relaxed and get top-notch customer service and, of course, top-quality product,” says Diaconu.

The pulled pork sandwich is a top-recommended, best-selling food item on the menu, featuring in-house slow-cooked pork with creamy, spicy bang bang sauce and fresh mozzarella on a toasted bun. Diaconu says it’s a favourite among parents and children, alike.

The menu also features corn dogs that are kicked up a notch and stuffed with cheese, as well as croissant waffles, mini donuts and, of course, an extensive drink menu featuring teas, coffee, boba and slushies. life For updates on menu items and seasonal hours, follow Lois + Ani on Facebook and Instagram.

WORKLIFE | MUSIC

The Business of Guitar Jules

W

STORY BY WYATT TREMBLAY | PHOTO BY SERGEI BELSKI

hen Julia Mitchell was 12, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. She didn’t realize, however, that this aspiration would lead her to become both a music teacher and a businesswoman.

“I never thought I would be a business owner,” Mitchell says. “I would have just worked for a music academy and continued doing what I’m doing without all the challenges of running a business.”

Mitchell is 23, and music runs in her family.

“My dad played electric guitar, so he bought me one for Christmas. I was seven, and I hated it,” she says.

Mitchell’s mother put her in lessons, and she didn’t like that either, but then her father became interested in classical guitar, and that caught her interest. Today, she is an award-winning guitarist who is primarily self-taught.

“No one was teaching classical guitar in Airdrie then,” she recalls.

“Growing up in school, I think it was always weird for my friends.

I had long nails on one hand, short on the other; it was sort of unique.”

Airdrie’s Solfeo Music Academy hired Mitchell to teach classical guitar when she was 16. She immediately fell in love with the connections she was making with her students.

“I’ve always loved kids, and helping another generation explore music, and classical guitar specifically, became a more rewarding way to grow my career than as a performer,” she says.

Unfortunately, the Academy shut down in 2024 when the owner retired. He encouraged Mitchell to keep her students, which

effectively launched her business, Guitar Jules. But she didn’t have a studio.

“I was like, ‘Oh, what am I gonna do now? I really want to make a go of this, but I don’t have space to work out of my house,’” she says.

This is where Mitchell’s fiancé, Ethan Grollmuss, a web designer and videographer, surprised her. “He said, ‘I’ve already got you hooked up with Keely.’”

Keely and Gary Van Vlack own the Avodah Business Centre on Edmonton Trail N.E. Intended as a place for entrepreneurs to build their dreams, Keely says she loves what Mitchell adds to the centre.

“Music brings community, connection and artistic expression,” she says. “It’s thrilling to have these budding artists learning their craft within our facility.”

For Mitchell, the relationship with Avodah was a perfect fit.

“My biggest fear was finding a place that would be okay with a music studio,” she says. “But Keely said, ‘You’re a young female entrepreneur, and you’re starting out, and I want to give you a space for you to do that.’”

With the help of her fiancé and Avodah, Mitchell says Guitar Jules as a business is fulfilling her dream of being a teacher.

Many of her students have won provincial and national awards.

“For me, it’s not just a matter of building a business and being successful at it. It’s also about creating awareness in Airdrie for classical guitar,” she says. “Honestly, the best part is seeing students accomplish their goals.” life

“The best part is seeing students accomplish their goals.”

FALL FALL 2026 2026

|| airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

61 61

WORKLIFE | ENTREPRENEURS

2020

PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER ILLUSTRATIONS BY WYATT TREMBLAY

AIRDRIE’S ENTREPRENEURS START SMARTER

M

MENTORS AT LARGE

STORY BY TARA LEVICK omentum is building for the SMARTstart entrepreneurs. Since being selected for the 2026 program, these business builders have moved quickly from ideas to ILLUSTRATIONS

BY LIA GOLEMBA action, laying strong foundations for growth.

WHAT IS THE NO. 1 QUALITY ANtheir ENTREPRENEUR They’ve completed orientation, taken part in ahas high-energy matched through speed networking with one-on-one Airdrie’s award-winning SMARTstart program been launch event, and been thoughtfully NEEDS TO ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL? mentors. Together, they’ve set clear goals, established expectations to tackle realHAVE businessIN challenges. pairing entrepreneurs with business mentors since 2014. and begun meeting regularly Participants are already drafting business plans, strategic plans and feasibility studies, sharpening financial projections with expert support and diving into workshops

More than 100 people have completed the program.

Andrew Bennett (The I.T. Company): Persistence/

and online learning to strengthen their skills. Just as importantly, they’re building meaningful connections with mentors, peers, sponsors and program alumni.

tenaciousness about achieving their objectives.

Entrepreneurs have opened businesses, grown their In this second feature, meet the final four entrepreneurs who are turning learning into progress, one step at a time, supported by experienced mentors guiding their businesses and improved their business practices.

Joan Traub (retired, former owner of Airdrie Yoga St journey.

Some participants also determine that their idea is not

viable or that they don’t have what it takes to be an entrepreneur. SMARTstart also considers this a success.

SMARTstart is all about helping entrepreneurs realize their potential. Meet six of the program’s current entrepreneurs and their mentors.

Passion. They need to believe in their product or service and their ability to outshine their competition.

Jo-Anne Yau (Masuch Law): An entrepreneur must be able to read the market – know where consumer dema is, where it’s going, and how to fit into the market.

SMARTstart also has three mentors at large. They are not paired with an entrepreneur this year; instead they work with any and all as needed!

WATCH VIDEO GREETINGS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR ENTREPRENUERS AT AIRDRIELIFE.COM

Fil Rodriguez, Airdrie Laundromat About me & my idea I’m a health-care professional with 20 years of nursing experience, where I learned the importance of consistency, teamwork and supporting people through life’s most challenging moments. Outside of work, running is a huge part of my life. I’ve completed more than 20 marathons since 2013, and the discipline and mental toughness of the sport shape how I approach business.

I wanted a business that was essential, simple in operations and scalable with strong systems. After talking to laundromat owners across Calgary and Airdrie, we found one open to selling and that conversation is what turned the idea into reality. Today, Airdrie Laundromat offers self-serve machines, wash-dry-fold service, pickup and delivery, commercial laundry, alterations, and dry cleaning.

62

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

What fuels my entrepreneurial journey I’m motivated by building long-term impact, creating financial freedom, and supporting ministries, missionaries and community projects. My goal is to serve people in a different way while building a future for my family rooted in faith, purpose and integrity.

What I’m working on My biggest focus is scaling intelligently — strengthening systems, improving cash flow and building clear financial foundations after taking over unclear books. I aim to grow commercial accounts, expand services and eventually open additional locations. Through SMARTstart, I hope to build stronger structure, improve profitability, and create a business that operates smoothly without sacrificing what matters most: my family, my health and my faith.

Mentor: Darcy Forbes

VP AND COO, VITREOUS GLASS INC.

What do you wish you had learned at the beginning of your own business journey?

When I started, I wish I had a stronger foundation in financial education. Being able to read and produce financial statements is essential to understanding your business’ health and making informed decisions.

Financial literacy is key to longterm success.

Kristina Cameron, Sprawl Boxing Inc. About me & my idea I was born and raised on an army base and later moved to Airdrie with my husband, whom I met in high school, and our two sons, now 19 and 22. After more than 20 years working in the disabilities field, I transitioned into coaching six years ago and quickly found my passion. Boxing changed my life by giving me confidence, community and a sense of belonging.

What fuels my entrepreneurial journey Sprawl Boxing Inc. was built on my belief that fitness spaces should feel welcoming, supportive and accessible to everyone. After experiencing gyms that felt intimidating and hard to walk into, I wanted to create something different — a place where people of all fitness levels can move at their own pace, build confidence, improve their health and learn boxing, without ever needing to fight.

What I’m working on I am working toward securing a space of my own so Sprawl can grow and offer more programs and build a lasting community space in Airdrie. Through SMARTstart, I hope to learn to budget effectively, understand profit and loss, and advertise with more confidence.

Mentor: Kelly Paisley

CEO, THE I.T. COMPANY LTD.

What is the best advice you received from a mentor? The universe has no budget, so don’t limit your ambition to what you think is comfortable.

Joel Rodda, Lazy J Gin Beverage About me & my idea I have been a professional pilot since 2004 and moved to Airdrie when I joined Jazz Aviation in 2011. I have two kids, one in high school and one studying at the University of Calgary. Outside of work, I love hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding. My business idea grew from experimenting with gin and vodka infusions at home. A couple of years ago I created a gin-based beverage that friends and coworkers encouraged me to turn into something bigger. Many people liked the flavour profile and appreciated that it was not overly sweet, which made me want to test it with a wider audience at the Airdrie Farmers Market.

What fuels my entrepreneurial journey Positive feedback and encouragement sparked the idea. My own drive to finish what I start keeps me moving forward.

What I’m working on I want to learn the legal and licensing steps, proper testing requirements and how to market a beverage effectively. Through SMARTstart, I hope to gain the knowledge and confidence to bring Lazy J to market and eventually grow into a small craft distillery with my own infused gin base.

Mentor: Ankur Goklaney

REALTOR, ANKUR GOKLANEY REALTY | CIR REALTY | BUYSELLHOMESYYC

What is the best advice you received from a mentor? Focus on relationships, not transactions. When you genuinely serve people and solve their problems, the business naturally follows. Consistency, honesty and long-term trust build a reputation that referrals and opportunities grow from.

Heather Campbell, Legacy Health About me & my idea I am a mom to two boys and have lived in Airdrie for 16 years. I grew up in Calgary and love staying active through hiking, baseball and anything outdoors. My business idea grew from my own challenges accessing timely women’s health care in Alberta. As a woman and a nurse-practitioner, I have seen how difficult it can be to find a female provider and consistent support. I plan to open a family medical practice in Airdrie with a strong focus on women’s health, bringing together an all-female team and an OBGYN specialist to help meet a clear gap in local care.

What fuels my entrepreneurial journey I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset and never shied away from hard work. My boys motivate me every day. Combining my passion for women’s health with the chance to create meaningful change in my community inspires me to push forward.

What I’m working on My biggest question is how to build a successful clinic without sacrificing time with my kids. I want to learn more about financial planning, accounting and leadership. Through SMARTstart, I hope to gain the skills, connections and business knowledge needed to manage both patient care and the operations behind a medical clinic.

Mentor: Jo-Anne Yau

INNOVATIONS LAWYER, MILES DAVISON LLP

What is the best advice you received from a mentor? Never stop asking yourself, “Why?”; then be ready for the answer to change your mind.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

63

WORKLIFE | ENTREPRENEURS

MENTORS AT LARGE

SMARTstart’s mentors at large are available to all entrepreneurs throughout their seven months in the program.

Gary Manocha

MANAGING DIRECTOR, CONDOR INTEGRITY CPA

What do you wish you had learned at the beginning of your own business journey?

Don’t save money on little things, as they can have bigger consequences at the end. I wish I hired people to do what they are good at and kept my focus on doing what I am good at.

beyond the big top cabaret by le cirque de la nuit Circus arts, burlesque, dance

NOVEMBER 28

Brent Park

PRESIDENT, LIQUID AMBER LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

2026-27

PRESENTED SERIES

What is the best advice you received from a mentor? Build your business to be an asset, not a job.

Kari Lines

FORMER OWNER, BUDGET BLINDS OF AIRDRIE

What is the best advice you received from a mentor? Know your numbers. Review your financials frequently, as this is the life and death of a business. It can help you to make changes, either big or small, to make a drastic impact on the success of your business.

Tia Callaway

FORMER PARTNER, SONIC COACHING PARTNERS

What do you wish you had learned at the beginning of your own business journey? I wish I had learned that passion and drive are not the same as planning and execution. And to find the people that compliment your strengths. We cannot be good at everything, so build your team to be good at what you are not. life

64

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Where everyone knows your name... and your business.

Why join the Chamber?

Be known and trusted in the business community Build real relationships that create opportunities Have a seat at the table on issues that matter to business Access tools, discounts, and promotion that help your organization thrive

Learn more

airdriechamber.ab.ca

Support Local Sa o Save Money

citylife A CLOSER LOOK AT YOUR COMMUNITY

66 Table Games | 69 French Friends | 71 Art Collabs

74 Find Your Next Chapter.

Your next chapter starts here.

Explore Move-In Ready Homes at

mckeehomes.com

CITYLIFE | GAMES

Stacey and Darlene Savage (facing camera), with friends Nola Ward and Kate Ryan, toast a new game.

The Perfect Pair HOW A MOTHER/DAUGHTER DUO IS REIMAGINING MAHJONG IN AIRDRIE STORY BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTOS BY SERGEI BELSKI

T

he Chinese tile game Mahjong is often thought of as something played by older generations in a quiet atmosphere. But an Airdrie mother/daughter duo set out to change that image, creating a new social hub in the process.

Darlene and Stacey Savage launched the Mahj Social Club late last year after recognizing a beautiful opportunity to blend the strategy game with a lively social atmosphere. Mahjong, particularly American Mahjong, is currently experiencing a massive resurgence across North America.

66

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

For co-founder Darlene, watching the club grow from a single spark into a thriving local staple has been an incredible journey.

“The resurgence is deeply tied to people craving offline connection and a more intentional alternative to a bar or other traditional ‘hangouts,’” says Savage.

“The other thing that Mahjong has going for it is the cognitive benefits it provides. When you’re playing Mahjong, your brain is focused and active.”

For those unfamiliar with the game, Mahjong is a tile game with the object of matching 14 tiles to a predetermined winning Mah-

jong hand, as listed on the National Mah Jong League annual card.

The club has purposefully shaken up the traditional imagery of the game, taking it out of quiet living rooms and dropping it straight into some of the community’s most beloved hotspots.

Mahjong is played regularly at Balzac Craft Brewing Company, giving participants a chance to sip local craft beer while masterfully plotting their next tactical move. The club has also hosted an event in partnership with Seven Saints Boutique.

“We all need connection and community. More so now than ever. This is more than just a game. More than just shuffling of the tiles. It is a game that gives us ‘feel-good’ chemistry,” adds Stacey, Darlene’s daughter.

“We offer events that bring strangers together in a ‘low-risk’ scenario.”

Through introductory and advanced lessons, lively social openplay sessions, and targeted partnerships with vibrant local venues, the duo is successfully bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a beginner trying to figure out a joker from a dot, or a seasoned strategist looking for a challenging table, Savage ensures that no one is left feeling isolated or out of the loop. The Mahj Social Club provides an easy entry point for

everyone, making sure that learning the game is just as much fun as winning it.

“Mahjong has undergone an interesting resurgence over the last ten years, particularly down in the United States,” says Stacey.

“It was perhaps originally thought of as a game associated with older generations. We often hear, ‘My grandma used to play this,’ but now, it seems that this game is connecting with much younger generations for a variety of reasons. We think this has to do with the fact that at its core, Mahjong is built on social connection.”

Many of their guests are discovering Mahjong for the very first time, completely captivated by the beautiful weight and click of the pieces. Meanwhile, others are happily returning to a game they learned many years ago, now completely reimagined in a contemporary, lifestyle-forward way.

The Airdrie Mahj Social Club is exploring the revival of Mahjong as a modern lifestyle and social trend. Savage and her daughter have demonstrated how grassroots clubs can spark meaningful community and connection, answering the question of why this classic game is resonating so deeply with a new generation. life Learn more and get involved at mahjsocialclub.ca.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

67

A

C I T Y L I F E | S P O R TS H E R O E S irdrie POPS (Pursuit of Positive Sport) celebrates the spirit of sportsmanship, inclusiveness and joy. Anyone involved in sport, dance and other dynamic activities can be a POPS winner — but it isn’t just for athletes or participants.

“People who put a smile on your face and make you want to be active are the type of nominees we’re looking for,” says Kimble Christie, chair of the Airdrie Sport Council. airdrielife is pleased to partner with Airdrie POPS and introduce the third round of recipients (find the first two rounds in our Spring and Summer issues).

KIRSTEN BURNS Soccer/Strength and Conditioning Coach, Tri Fit Training Kirsten is professional, patient and very knowledgeable. She works well with both adults and kids in Airdrie and area. Her willingness to meet her clients at their level of health is commendable. She is also a great role model for young upcoming leaders and entrepreneurs.

- Nominator Marsha Hamilton-Otuka I purchased Tri Fit Training in 2024. Since then, I have been so excited to build an environment and culture where athletes can become stronger, healthier and more confident without sacrificing their safety, longevity in their sport and their love of the sport.

For the last two years, I have had the privilege of being the committee lead for the Girl’s Power Weekend in Crossfield. This event is working to bridge the barriers that still exist in female sport and addressing the high dropout rates of girls in sport. I also work closely with Vecova and Foothills Advocacy in Motion Society in Airdrie to provide work-experience opportunities in an inclusive and supportive environment at Tri Fit Training.

When I started in this industry, my mission was to provide a different experience in sport than what a lot of us had growing up. Receiving the POPS Award has solidified that making decisions around my business that puts the athletes at the centre is valued.

What makes Airdrie’s sports and activity community special?

Organizations like the Airdrie Sports Council [are] a great example! I have worked in a number of different communities, and this is the first of its type that I have seen! As well, the collaborative spirit. There is an understanding of “the greater good” in this community, and I have collaborated with so many individuals and have made so many connections because of that.

JORDAN HART Coach, ADSA Soccer/Team Pacific U13 Boys With Jordan’s positive and encouraging coaching style, we have seen this U13 team of boys excel with their skill level, enthusiasm and joy of the sport. It’s a joy watching Jordan help develop this team and dominate their tier in Airdrie. With Jordan’s coaching style this tea, has become top of their Tier 4 division. - Nominator Louis Cyr I have had the privilege of coaching with the Airdrie District Soccer Association for the last three years, both at the community level and the competitive program. The welcoming community has been a fantastic boon that inspires me to keep getting involved and convince others to do the same. There have been many great accomplishments over the years, but, most recently, our U13 team won gold at both the Lacombe Soccer Showdown and the Airdrie Summit Cup tournaments. We are excited to be heading to Provincials this year.

Soccer has always been about building community for me. Whether it be as a coach of a high school team for a decade before my family’s move to Airdrie or running and playing on men’s rec teams, what I appreciate the most is bringing people together for a shared sense of purpose and fun.

Winning the award is a great honour and means that my efforts are being recognized. Having only lived in the community for a few years now, it feels like the planted roots are growing.

What makes Airdrie’s sports and activity community special?

The open and inclusive atmosphere of Airdrie’s sports and activity community has been fantastic, whether it is my son playing with ADSA or my daughter doing gymnastics at Genesis. life Nominations can be made on an ongoing basis at airdriepops.ca.

68

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

N O I T C E N N O C H C E FREN

CITYLIFE | COMMUNITY

TH E

E OF COM G A CULTUR

CULTIVATIN AETZ

MUNIT Y

ACIE G STORY BY ST

very growing city has a unique rhythm, shaped by the diverse voices of the people who call it home.

Airdrie’s cultural soundtrack found a beautiful new melody with the launch of Accueil Francophone de Rocky View County et d’Airdrie (AFRVA).

Formed to bridge the gaps between dispersed francophone families and build a welcoming cultural home, this dynamic non-profit organization is rapidly reshaping the art, culture and social fabric of our community.

“We believe that investing in francophone communities strengthens the social, cultural and economic fabric of the entire region,” says Marie Gisèle, founder and president of AFRVA. “One of the greatest strengths of our community is its ability to bring together people from different backgrounds while creating a shared sense of belonging through the French language.”

AFRVA was officially established in 2025. In its short time in operation, it has been actively developing programs, partnerships and community initiatives to strengthen the francophone presence in Airdrie and Rocky View County. The group was created to address the growing need for francophone services, community connections and cultural opportunities in a region where French-speaking residents are often dispersed and may feel isolated from larger francophone centres.

“I would like people to know that AFRVA is more than an organization, it is a welcoming community,” adds Gisèle. “Whether someone is a newcomer to Canada, a longtime resident, a francophile or simply looking to connect with others, AFRVA is a place where people can find support, friendship and opportunities to participate.”

While the organization serves as an essential resource network, its heart beats to the rhythm of arts, culture and linguistic pride. AFRVA continues to grow steadily and currently engages about 25 volunteers and 98 community members through its programs and activities, with increasing participation as awareness of its services expands throughout the region.

As a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting francophone individuals and families living in Airdrie and surrounding communities, AFRVA serves a wonderfully diverse demographic. Its inclusive programming is designed for newcomers, established residents, youth, women and seniors.

“The francophone community in Airdrie is incredibly diverse.

It includes people from Alberta, Quebec, other Canadian provinces, Europe, Africa, the Caribbean and many other parts of the world. This diversity enriches our city through language, culture, traditions, entrepreneurship, volunteerism and community leadership,” says Gisèle.

“Francophones contribute to many sectors including education, health care, business, public service, arts and community

LA CONNEXION FRANCOPHONE CULTIVER UNE CULTURE COMMUNAUTAIRE PAR STACIE GAETZ | TRANSLATION BY MARIE GISÈLE

C

haque ville en pleine croissance possède un rythme qui lui est propre, façonné par les voix diverses de celles et ceux qui y vivent. La trame culturelle d’Airdrie s’est enrichie d’une magnifique nouvelle mélodie avec la création de l’Accueil Francophone de Rocky View County et d’Airdrie (AFRVA).

Créé afin de rapprocher les familles francophones dispersées et de bâtir un espace culturel accueillant, cet organisme sans but lucratif dynamique transforme rapidement le paysage artistique, culturel et social de notre communauté. « Nous croyons qu’investir dans les communautés francophones renforce le tissu social, culturel et économique de toute la région », affirme Marie Gisèle, fondatrice et présidente de l’AFRVA. « L’une des plus grandes forces de notre communauté est sa capacité à rassembler des personnes de différents horizons tout en créant un sentiment d’appartenance commun grâce à la langue française. » L’AFRVA a été officiellement créé en 2025. Depuis ses débuts, l’organisme développe activement des programmes, des partenariats et des initiatives communautaires afin de renforcer la présence francophone à Airdrie et dans le comté de Rocky View. Le groupe a été créé pour répondre au besoin croissant de services en français, de liens communautaires et d’occasions culturelles dans une région où les résidents francophones sont souvent dispersés et peuvent se sentir isolés des grands centres francophones. « J’aimerais que les gens sachent que l’AFRVA est bien plus qu’un organisme : c’est une communauté accueillante », ajoute Marie Gisèle. « Qu’il s’agisse d’une personne nouvellement arrivée au Canada, d’une résidente de longue date, d’un francophile ou simplement de quelqu’un qui souhaite créer des liens, l’AFRVA est un endroit où l’on peut trouver du soutien, de l’amitié et des occasions de participer. » Bien que l’organisme constitue un réseau de ressources essentiel, son cœur bat au rythme des arts, de la culture et de la fierté linguistique. L’AFRVA poursuit une croissance constante et mobilise actuellement environ 50 bénévoles et membres de la communauté dans le cadre de ses programmes et activités. La participation continue d’augmenter à mesure que les services de l’organisme se font mieux connaître dans toute la région.

En tant qu’organisme sans but lucratif voué au soutien des personnes et des familles francophones vivant à Airdrie et dans les communautés environnantes, l’AFRVA dessert une population remarquablement diversifiée. Sa programmation inclusive s’adresse aux nouveaux arrivants, aux résidents établis, aux jeunes, aux femmes et aux aînés. « La communauté francophone d’Airdrie est incroyablement diversifiée. Elle rassemble des personnes originaires de l’Alberta, FALL FALL 2026 2026

|| airdrielife.com airdrielife.com

69 69

CITYLIFE | COMMUNITY

development. Through cultural events, community engagement and everyday interactions, they help make Airdrie a more inclusive and vibrant place to live.”

For AFRVA, fostering a thriving francophone presence does not mean building walls; in fact, it means opening the doors so that individuals of all backgrounds can experience the beauty of French heritage.

Whether it is through youth initiatives that spark a passion for bilingual expression or organizing social gatherings where local residents can bond over shared traditions, the organization is proving that culture thrives best when it is collaboratively shared.

CURRENT INITIATIVES INCLUDE:

• Newcomer-welcome and settlement support • French conversation circles • Educational and homework-support programs • Youth-engagement activities • Women’s-empowerment initiatives • Senior-inclusion activities • Employment and entrepreneurship support • Community networking and social events • Cultural celebrations such as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day • Partnerships with schools, libraries, community organizations, City of Airdrie and local governments Newcomers arriving in Rocky View County from francophone regions across Canada and around the globe find a warm, immediate sanctuary through the organization’s initiatives. By providing localized orientation alongside rich cultural touchstones, AFRVA helps smooth the transition for families adjusting to a new life in Southern Alberta, ensuring they do not have to leave their heritage behind.

“Our goal is not only to provide services, but also to build a sense of belonging and create opportunities for francophones to contribute to the broader Airdrie community,” says Gisèle.

Looking forward, AFRVA’s objective remains ambitious, yet deeply rooted in grassroots connection. It plans to continue developing its specialized programs, forging deeper alliances with local organizations, and building a physical and emotional space where the French language is celebrated out loud.

Whether you are a lifelong francophone looking to reconnect with your roots, a newcomer seeking a friendly face, or a language lover eager to immerse yourself in French culture, AFRVA offers a warm welcome. Learn more at afrva.ca. life

We believe that investing in francophone communities strengthens the social, cultural and economic fabric of the entire region.

70

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

du Québec, d’autres provinces canadiennes, de l’Europe, de l’Afrique, des Caraïbes et de nombreuses autres régions du monde.

Cette diversité enrichit notre ville par la langue, la culture, les traditions, l’entrepreneuriat, le bénévolat et le leadership communautaire », explique Gisèle. « Les francophones contribuent à de nombreux secteurs, notamment l’éducation, les soins de santé, les affaires, la fonction publique, les arts et le développement communautaire. Par les événements culturels, l’engagement communautaire et les interactions quotidiennes, ils contribuent à faire d’Airdrie une ville plus inclusive et plus dynamique. » Pour l’AFRVA, favoriser une présence francophone florissante ne signifie pas ériger des barrières ; au contraire, cela signifie ouvrir les portes afin que des personnes de tous horizons puissent découvrir la richesse du patrimoine francophone.

Qu’il s’agisse d’initiatives destinées aux jeunes qui éveillent une passion pour l’expression bilingue ou de rencontres sociales permettant aux résidents de tisser des liens autour de traditions communes, l’organisme démontre que la culture s’épanouit pleinement lorsqu’elle est partagée dans un esprit de collaboration.

LES INITIATIVES ACTUELLES COMPRENNENT :

• L’accueil et le soutien à l’établissement des nouveaux arrivants • Des cercles de conversation en français • Des programmes éducatifs et d’aide aux devoirs • Des activités d’engagement jeunesse • Des initiatives d’autonomisation des femmes • Des activités favorisant l’inclusion des aînés • Du soutien à l’emploi et à l’entrepreneuriat • Du réseautage communautaire et des activités sociales • Des célébrations culturelles, notamment la Saint-Jean-Baptiste • Des partenariats avec les écoles, les bibliothèques, les organismes communautaires, la ville d’Airdrie et les gouvernements locaux Les nouveaux arrivants qui s’installent dans le comté de Rocky View en provenance de régions francophones du Canada et d’ailleurs dans le monde trouvent rapidement un refuge chaleureux grâce aux initiatives de l’organisme. En offrant une orientation adaptée à la réalité locale, tout en valorisant de riches repères culturels, l’AFRVA facilite la transition des familles qui s’adaptent à une nouvelle vie dans le sud de l’Alberta, sans qu’elles aient à laisser leur patrimoine derrière elles. « Notre objectif n’est pas seulement d’offrir des services, mais aussi de développer un sentiment d’appartenance et de créer des occasions pour les francophones de contribuer à l’ensemble de la communauté d’Airdrie », affirme Gisèle.

Pour l’avenir, l’objectif de l’AFRVA demeure ambitieux, tout en étant profondément ancré dans les liens communautaires de proximité. L’organisme prévoit continuer à développer ses programmes spécialisés, à renforcer ses alliances avec les organisations locales et à bâtir un espace à la fois physique et humain où la langue française peut être célébrée pleinement.

Que vous soyez francophone depuis toujours et souhaitiez renouer avec vos racines, nouvel arrivant à la recherche d’un visage amical ou passionné des langues désireux de vous immerger dans la culture francophone, l’AFRVA vous accueille chaleureusement.

Pour en savoir plus, visitez afrva.ca. life

C I T Y L I F E | A R TS

T VOICE &

VISION

he 11th annual Voice and Vision collaboration pairs 14 artists and 14 writers from Airdrie and surrounding communities to create pieces inspired by each other’s work.

Writers begin the project with a prose or poetry piece, in any genre or style, with a suggested 250word limit. Artists begin the project with a piece no larger than 20” x 20” in any medium or form. This year’s gala will be held at the Airdrie Public Library (APL) on Friday, Sept. 25. The project team is immensely grateful to APL and the Airdrie Arts and Culture Council for supporting this year’s project.

See more of the writer and artist pairings and resulting works online at airdrielife.com

1.

WOVEN TIME Asfhan Khan is a self-taught abstract visual artist based in Alberta, inspired by Canadian landscapes, florals and expressive palette knife techniques. Her work explores themes of healing, belonging, and emotional expression through colour and texture.

She creates pieces that invite reflection, connection and a sense of grounded calm.

In 2019, Wanda L. Bennett wrote two of her most memorable Christmas memories to include in cards to members of the Canadian military and they wrote back! A writer was born. Wanda continues to write her stories, volunteers, and keeps the grandmother arts of knitting and quilting alive.

“JUST AN OLD DRESSER” BY WANDA L. BENNETT I sometimes wonder when I find something this old, What things it has seen, what memories it holds.

How far has it travelled? Did it come from afar?

Did it sail on a ship, see the trunk of a car?

Did a bottom drawer hold a child’s toys and their books?

Or had it sat in a kitchen where the owner once cooked?

Had a lamp sat upon it with a book or a clock, Or a dancer once spun in a small music box?

Were there once treasures within made of silver or gold?

Did it grow old with its owner before it’d been sold?

I can see through its scratches, its scars and its paint.

Its very first beauty lies waiting, though faint.

I’ll take it back through each colour and hue.

Repair its old damage to make it look new.

I will buff up its wood. Its handles will shine, I will bring back its life so it can be mine.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

71

3.

C I T Y L I F E | A R TS

LET’S GO LAZY Yevheniia Vasylkova is a visual artist who works primarily with watercolours, using her art to explore themes of mental health, the healing power of nature and various aspects of her identity. Originally from Ukraine, Vasylkova moved to Airdrie with her wife and their dog in response to the Russian invasion.

2.

Jared Atkin has been writing scattered song lyrics in notebooks since 2015 (useful-ish). In 2024, Jared started finishing songs (far more useful). Jared can be found trying out new songs at @calgarysongsmiths open mics, doing backflips, and singing in the shower (maybe best not to find him there). Socials: @jared.atkin.

2.

SYNERGIA Raised by supportive parents, Mary Watts is the youngest of six siblings.

Growing up in the Philippines, she was surrounded by colours. Other than a couple of summer art classes for basic and charcoal drawing, she went on to the training industry. A few years ago, her older sisters inspired her to try her hand in painting. She started with flora, animal portraits and landscapes. Most recently, she has been also dabbling on people portraits and still life.

Patricia L. Atchison writes imaginative fiction for children and young adults. Her YA fantasy series, Starsun Defiance, draws on ancient myths, animal bonds, hidden worlds and fierce heroines. Her stories inspire courage, identity and self belief in readers of every age. Discover more at patriciaatchison.ca

“COUNTRY PULSE” BY PATRICIA L. ATCHISON There is a pulse to the country, shifting seasons only know.

The heartbeat of the farmer, rancher, and wrangler of livestock, range animals, and nature’s dwellers Rhythms of land reshaping.

Earth’s heartbeat connects each to the other.

Man to beast, animal to earth and sky Bonds of trust, respect, and knowledge Pulsing with love of compatibility.

Those who live, toil, ranch, and farm upon the land.

Muscle-laden, chest-heaving hard work Pursuing it for the love of something greater Beyond themselves, yet palpable to the heart.

There is a pulse to the country.

Listen close, recognize the heartbeat Of farmer, rancher, and wrangler, of livestock, range animals, and nature’s dwellers.

A country pulse.

Over the surface, across the vast prairies, valleys, and foothills Earth shares her bounty with every living being Sustaining life … pulsing for all who understand the beat.

72

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

“HANDS” BY JARED AKINS When my mother fell in love, the first thing that she noticed Was the way that his hands held her fingers in the snow Pulling palms from winter gloves, they fought to keep their fingers crossed A candle in the frost, the warmth of being known Her fingers grazed the artist’s grin he traced her face with fountain pens He wove her name into the wind, and sang it into strings She poured ink into his eyes, and chords and candles harmonized ‘Till winds and worlds were memorized in tan line wedding rings When I can’t reach the sun, the candle drives me on I bow into her fingers though she makes no demands She said I know this place like the back of your hands The brush of hips to fingertips while I’m asking her to dance She said I know this place like the back of your hands The veins and rivers make on the back of your hands And I’ll make sweet mistakes on the back of your . . . hands I grew by the oceanside, with flowers in the summertime The Persephone of Northern climes sows winterbloom and birch She said her hands and his today are “beautiful in a well-used way” Perhaps that’s why my hands were made to plunge into the earth If she is Spring then he is Fall, he carves the waves into the walls His touch could shape the sea in squall from mahogany and teak And when their fingers intertwine could you read their lives between the lines?

Like rings of trees can measure time, could you measure what they’ve seen?

And all the plans they made, to keep the butterfly days I bow into her fingers though she makes no demands She said I know this place like the back of your hands The brush of hips to fingertips while I’m asking her to dance She said I know your worth by the back of your hands And I’ll crawl through the dirt to be back in your hands And I’ll fall through the earth to be back . . in . . your . . .

She’s the sun inside the room, fingers cross and flowers bloom

3.

4.

5.

WHERE EARTH MEETS SKY Cheryl Hoff resides in Crossfield. In 2013, she completed a fine art theory and practise certificate at the University of Calgary. Cheryl is currently working with The Milan Art Institute. Inspired by artists such as John Singer Sargent and Casey Baugh, Cheryl’s work reflects a deep understanding of colour and composition.

Rebecca Piazza is an Airdrie author and artist, writing horror, speculative fiction, grimdark and the wonderfully strange. As Rebekah Raymond, she authored the Life’s Series and Sticky Paycheque. She organizes the When Words Collide art show and serves on the Wordbridge Writers’ Society of Lethbridge board.

4.

GENESIS TO INFINITY; BREATH OF LIFE Versatility describes Tami Hort’s style; she paints all genres and mediums, her favourite oils. After moving to Airdrie in 1988, she joined the Airdrie Artist Guild in 1992 serving as president for many years. Tami has been an art instructor since 1998. She is a member of the CSPC and an honorary member of FCA Calgary.

Ryan Donnelly is an author and agent of change who has spent a lifetime creating emotionally driven work. Approaching writing as both expression and therapy, Ryan channels his life experiences into writing that explore the depths of human emotion.

“THE BREATH OF THE WORLD” BY RYAN DONNELLY I stood above the great chasm that had swallowed nearly the entire mountain range below. Massive stone spires stretched toward the heavens in silent praise, their jagged peaks pressing into the sky. I stood there for what must have been an hour, watching in quiet reverence as thick fog rolled in, coiling itself around the base of the mountains. It clung low, as if it knew its place, while the peaks rose above it into a clearer, higher air.

Somewhere beneath that dense veil, I knew there was a vast forest, hidden and patient. And below that, a world of creatures moving through their lives, all of it layered, all of it connected, each part giving way to something greater than itself.

I felt it then, not as a thought but as something physical, moving through me. The roots buried deep in the earth, the trunks rising, the branches reaching out into the unseen sun beyond the fog. It was all part of the same breath.

And standing there above it, I felt that breath press against my skin. My eyes burned with tears, not just from the beauty of it, but from the strange, isolating feeling that I was alone in seeing it this way. As if the world understood itself… and I had been allowed to witness it.

And in that moment, I submitted to the will of the divine hand that had written this place, this life, this unfolding page I now stood upon.

“HIGHLAND DANCE IS NOT A SPORT” BY REBECCA PIAZZA Highland Dance is not a sport.

So many traditional athletes and their fans think. To them, it is a pretty activity for girls and women, with a smattering of boys. Black fitted shoes and line-patterned dresses, knee-high socks and tidy hair. Fun, bagpipes and song.

They don’t know the hours of pointing and turnout practice, the long training, of learning complicated steps and intricate patterns. They don’t see the time taken to learn to make a stag gesture with their fingers and keep them that way throughout the dances. They don’t hear the phantom bagpipes after a day of competing.

But Highland dance is more than that. More than dance. It is a revisit of Scottish history.

Seann Triubhas (pronounced shawn trews) is a commentary on the repeal of the proscription of kilts in 1745. A Sword Dance was said to be performed by mercenaries in 1573 in an assassination attempt. National Dances were created for the rise of women’s roles and participation within the world. Before that, only soldiers and warriors did the highland dances; only boys and men competed. Within that history, Highland Dance became a sport.

In the Highland Fling, dancers jump vertically one hundred, ninety-two times in less than two minutes. In the Sword Dance, dancers jump and point, balancing over two crossed broadswords. Multiple dancers perform the Reels in a figure eight, leaping and swinging and turning in spot.

Touching the swords or a mishap in attire means disqualification. Dances must be performed precisely, down to the position of their heads, hands, and feet. Steps done in exact time to a rhythm played on live bagpipes.

The kilt is three to eight metres of heavy tartan wool. Folded, pleated, and sewn over thirty hours. Thick woollen hose cover toes to knees. Velvet jackets and vests and bow ties, Balmoral hats and sailor outfits. Jig shoes with wooden soles.

ACL tears, broken feet and toes; these are all risks associated with Highland Dance, at any level.

But it can be danced by any gender, any body shape. It is inclusive and supportive, with competitors as young as four and well into their adult years.

Girls are praised for their grace, boys for their courage to continue in a now female-dominated field. Competitions have medals, trophies, and cash prizes.

Provincials, Nationals and the World Competition happen annually.

And yet, Highland Dance is not a sport?

Go ahead, change my mind. life FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

73

C I T Y L I F E | TA L E N T

READ MORE FROM OUR TALENTED GRADS WHERE THEY SHARE THEIR INSPIRATIONS AND THANK THEIR MENTORS. AT AIRDRIELIFE.COM

L to R: Matthew Colbourne, Grady Chemerys and Harvir Bisla

ONES TO T

WATCH PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER

74

aird rielife.com

| FALL 2026

hese Airdrie grads are ready to take on the world one note, one sketch and one move at a time. They also inspired former teachers, and you will be inspired, too, as we introduce them to you in our annual feature on the talented futures of Ones to Watch.

GRADY CHEMERYS, GEORGE MCDOUGALL HIGH SCHOOL “A trumpet player by trade, and a jack of all trades at heart, he approaches most instruments with the belief that, if it exists, he should probably figure out how to play it. As a member of the GMHS Concert Band, “Big” Band, and Midnight Mustangs Jazz Ensemble, he has become an essential part of our Mustang community, not simply through his almost unrivaled skillset, but in his ability to stop, think, listen, reimagine and create. To say he has this art form down to a science would be a serious understatement.

“Grady has a remarkable and truly original sound, a deeply attuned musical ear, and a creative mindset that will often outpace even the keenest of his peers. He is a gifted arranger, a technical titan, Fancy-Friday-Fashionista, and an individual that brings an emotional maturity to the music that leaves audiences in awe. He mentors as a sectional co-lead with Harvir, shares in the little things that are actually big things and leaves little wonder about why he is continuously recruited to represent our community via Remembrance Day Ceremonies, provincial honour bands, regional festivals, and, of course, within our own ensembles.” - Jordan Harris, band teacher Aha! moment - It was when I moved to Alberta that things really clicked for me: joining a class that really cared and pushed to improve themselves in music and who brought that same energy into everything they did to help to really instil those values in me, as well. If there’s one more specific instance, it would have to be the first song I ever composed. It wasn’t the greatest song ever, of course, and I scarcely knew what I was doing, but with the affirmation and support from my friends, I discovered that this was the kind of environment I love to be in.

Future dreams - While I am not going right into music as my major in university, this does not mean I will not continue to have music as a focal part of my life. Though I will not be performing in a band, at least not for a while, I will continue to practise music on my many instruments, and maybe even try recording some songs of my own. Where I will definitely be continuing to hone my craft, even more so than anything else, however, will be in music composition. With 40-some-odd songs under my belt already (of varying quality), I dream that one day I might be in a place from which I can share these expressions of myself with others. Though I stay a performer at heart, music composition is currently where I hope to grow the most.

MATTHEW COLBOURNE, GEORGE MCDOUGALL HIGH SCHOOL “A trained pianist, exceptional alto saxophonist, killer soloist, and one of the most academically and musically refined students I have had the privilege of teaching in the last 20 years, Matthew has brought a level of preparation, maturity and musical understanding that continually raises the standard of excellence for everyone around him, me included. As a member of the George McDougall High School Concert Band, “Big” Band, Midnight Mustangs Jazz Ensemble, and Sax Quartet, Matthew is one of those students whose voice might be small, but whose leadership has no volume control. - Jordan Harris, band teacher

Aha! moment - Throughout my four years in the band program, our school’s various ensembles occasionally performed outside of school for different events. We played for the Mayor’s Night of the Arts, the Airdrie Parade, professional jazz gigs and many other performances.

I remember the first one I attended was in a church. It was the first time I had ever played saxophone in front of an audience that wasn’t mostly supportive parents. It was also my first solo in a performance setting. I remember being both incredibly nervous and strangely excited. I stood up, began my solo, and the room seemed to fall away. It felt as though everything had disappeared except for me and my saxophone.

That was the moment I knew I loved music. The feeling of closing my eyes and simply playing what I felt was intoxicating, and I haven’t been able to stop since. That experience transformed music from something I simply played into something I truly loved — something I wanted to arrange, improvise and explore.

Future dreams - My dreams for my future are centred around both medicine and music. I am going to the University of Saskatchewan to study biomedical sciences, with the long-term goal of becoming a radiologist. At the same time, music will continue to be a major part of my life. During university, I plan to join as many music programs as possible. I hope to keep performing in theatre productions, participate in ensembles and join any bands I can. I also want to explore the jazz scene in Saskatoon and continue growing as a musician outside of school.

After graduation, I would love to stay involved in music by possibly starting my own jazz band and performing in small jazz combos. For me, music is not just a hobby, but a lifelong passion that I want to continue developing alongside my academic and professional goals.

HARVIR BISLA, GEORGE MCDOUGALL HIGH SCHOOL “A tenor saxophonist, trumpet extraordinaire, arranger, soloist and leader, Harvir has become an undeniable staple within the George McDougall community, performing in the Concert Band, “Big” Band, Midnight Mustangs Jazz Ensemble, Sax Quartet, and Musical Theatre. What makes his Mustang journey unique, though, is not simply where he is now, but where he began. I find it almost unimaginable that there was a time when Harvir was not entirely sure if continuing band through high school was the right choice. “To stay, or not to stay; that was the question.” Yet, in keeping with a typical “Hollywood happy ending,” he stayed, and, in true Harvir fashion, he did so in the biggest and boldest ways possible; leaving his mark in choosing to climb, work, push, listen, question, practise, arrange, solo, mentor and, in the end, somehow managing to become the epicentre of nearly every musical moment within our program.

Whether in festival, honour band or a little school concert, Harvir demonstrates excellence.” - Jordan Harris, band teacher Future dreams - As of right now, I aspire to become a musician and hopefully performer, and, if not performing, then an educator. I plan to try and spread music to all parts of the world and want to inspire others to be able to express themselves through music.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

75

C I T Y L I F E | TA L E N T EMILY BALMANT, W.H. CROXFORD HIGH SCHOOL “Emily is a very talented artist. She has been in the VAM (Visual Arts and Media) Academy at W.H. Croxford for the past three years. She has developed strong skills with varied media ranging from painting through to digital illustration. She has been accepted in AUArts, starting this fall. Emily is planning to major in animation with a focus in storyboard or character design. She hopes to publish her work in the future.” - Vern Gray, teacher My style - I primarily work digitally, painting and with pencil crayons. My style focuses on bold colours, strong contrasts and rough shapes that bring personality to my pieces. I enjoy creating visual textures because it makes artwork feel more alive and gives it personality.

A lot of my work is character focused, and I’m drawn to designs that are visually striking and expressive. I like art that feels energetic and has a strong emotional presence.

Future dreams - My biggest goal is to create and produce my own animated show, but I understand that that’s a big undertaking.

I would also love to publish my own comic as an alternative way to share my ideas with the world. More generally, I want to work in a creative field where I can contribute to storytelling, whether that’s through animation, illustration, writing or a combination of all three. I hope to continue improving my skills and eventually create projects that inspire others the same way my favourite artists and shows have inspired me.

JACKIE ANDERSON, BERT CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL “Jackie is deeply invested in art and brings a high level of skill and care to her work. This year in art class, students explored a range of concepts, styles and materials. While Jackie worked in multiple mediums, she most often gravitated toward painting, a medium in which she excels. Jackie creates independently outside of class, and with one of her artworks she painted, Precious Metal, she entered the Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) annual ShowOff Canada-wide high school art competition. While many students enter their work, only a few have their work selected to participate; Jackie was one of the few.” - Lisa Tschritter, teacher Aha! moment - I’ve been interested in art for as long as I remember, but I think I began consciously drawing and trying to improve my skills once I reached Grade 2. I remember seeing my teacher draw a human with an actual body, not just a head, arms and legs, and I had a moment of realization where I understood that a lot more can be done with drawing humans when you add an actual body to the figure. Since then, I’ve tried to pursue art in a way where I’m constantly improving my skills and learning new things.

Future dreams - I am going to attend AUArts in the fall for a painting program!

76

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

RINSOLA ADEWALE, W.H. CROXFORD HIGH SCHOOL “Rinsola has been in my art program for the past three years. She is a dedicated student with a strong skill set. Next year, she will be focusing on the General Design course [at the] University of Alberta. She’s hoping to pursue a career in art, which will hopefully help her establish an independent design business. If this plan doesn’t work out, she hopes to take the industrial design route at the U of A and be able to apply her design abilities in the real world through a position as an industrial designer.” - Vern Gray, teacher My style - In my art, I mostly use coloured pencils and watercolours because that’s what I’m most comfortable using. I also enjoy using oil pastels a lot, but I don’t use them as often as I’d like. Most of my drawings are human focused, so I don’t really draw animals, but I try to do still lifes using landscapes and people as references, since many of the artists that I’m inspired by seem to have improved their skills by using real life references.

Future dreams - I hope to be able to improve my art and design skills, and make them useful in the real world. I hope to become proficient enough with my design to the point where I can have my ideas translated into physical mediums. I want to make things that I’m not only proud of but provide tools for others that they may use in their everyday lives. I’m pursuing a Bachelor in General Design route in order to do this, and I hope to be able to fulfil my goals.

PAIGE ASHWORTH, GEORGE MCDOUGALL HIGH SCHOOL “I have had the pleasure of teaching Paige art for the past four years, and throughout that time she has consistently strived to succeed and improve in all areas. This year, she took two different art classes at the school and was extremely successful in both. Paige has a genuine passion and joy for art that is evident in her work across all mediums.

This past year, attending Alberta University of the Arts has become a goal that she is excited to pursue as she continues her studies in art.”

- Marda Wright, teacher My style - For art class, I work in realism, and for personal art I love to dabble in abstract/surrealism. Working on a piece for class, I try to make the viewer feel as if they’re photographing the moment themselves and working on a piece for myself I like to push my comfort zones and contrast new colour combinations with fun ideas.

Future dreams - My ultimate dream is to own a cute little art shop, living somewhere just a little bit out of town — just enough that I have views to recreate on paper.

FALL 2026

|

airdrielif e.com

77

C I T Y L I F E | TA L E N T TIFFANY ROSE, BERT CHURCH HIGH SCHOOL “Tiffany has been dancing with Ambition Performing Arts since she was five. She’s explored a wide range of disciplines there, including ballet, jazz, hip hop, lyrical, contemporary, musical theatre and drama classes.

“At Bert Church High School, she quickly fell in love with the theatre department when she was cast in the ensemble of our musical theatre production of Beauty and the Beast. Joining that production is what really cemented the idea that she belonged in the theatre. In 2024, she was cast in a small role in A Christmas Carol, then co-starred in Little Women as Meg March. In her final semester at Bert Church, she’s been the lead choreographer for our musical theatre production of Disney’s Freaky Friday. She’s proud of her work and watching it come to life on stage.” - Tom Williams, teacher My style - I started off with ballet to fulfil my dream, which eventually led into pointe. Ballet was my favourite way to tell a story, as we can just move rather than speak. I did ballet for 11 years. Ballet eventually led into jazz, which is my favourite. I’m still doing jazz ten years later. Then we went into dance theatre, which is where we get to be characters and dance, plus act as them. My newest styles are lyrical, contemporary and modern since I like to step out of my comfort zone and make shapes.

Future dreams - I plan on going to university for my Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Drama department. After that, I dream of going on Broadway and be an actor. life

MAYA EVANS, W.H. CROXFORD HIGH SCHOOL “Maya aspires to become a band teacher and has already taken exciting steps toward that goal. She has been accepted to the University of Victoria for a Bachelor of Arts as a music major, with plans to later complete her after-degree in education. She is one of those students who you watch exist within the walls of your classroom and simply know that teaching is where they are meant to be. Maya possesses the rare combination of leadership, empathy, patience and passion that cannot truly be taught.” - Christine Trac, teacher My style - Playing the tenor saxophone, I perform a range of repertoire. Anywhere from performing with the Calgary Stetsons Show band with marching and upbeat popular tunes, to more solemn and slow ballads, to jazz funk and grooves! On oboe, I perform music on [the] classical end and additionally perform some medleys.

Future dreams - I really hope to do what my previous band teachers have done for me and to continue through education and music and teach music to generations to come. Part time, I’d love to involve myself in gigs and other ways of performances.

78

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026

Not Your Average Pharmacy Essential care that you won’t find elsewhere.

Compounding Pharmacy Prescribing Pharmacist Smoking Cessation Diabetic Education Blister Packs Wound Care Sports Braces

Ostomy Supplies Foot Care Home Care Compression Garments Mastectomy Care Supplies Wheel Chair & Walker Rentals Breast Pump Rentals

Delivery Available in Airdrie Mon- Fri ..... 9 AM - 7 PM Sat ..... 9 AM - 6 PM Sun ..... 10 AM - 5 PM

Pharmasave.com/airdrie 209 Centre Ave SW Airdrie 403-948-0010 FALL 2026

|

airdrielife.com

79

DISCOVER FRONT DRIVE HOMES IN AIRDRIE’S

Step inside our NEW showhome at 131 Vantage Crescent SW SHANEHOMES.COM | 403-536-2327

80

airdrielife.com

| FALL 2026