Issuu

avenuecalgary.com

11/12.26 / FREE

CALGARY

top

40 40 under

AN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER STAR, A TRADING CARD ENTHUSIAST, A STREET NURSE, AND SINGER YOLANDA SARGEANT

— It’s a work of art. It’s a Calbridge. See the Calbridge collection in Alpine Park, Bayview, Clearwater Park, Fireside and Mahogany. 2

ItsaCalbridge.com 3

oc yw

way s

Experience life without glasses or contacts. Advanced, personalized eye surgery. Trusted in Calgary since 1984

Poplar Centre, 5504 Macleod Trail SW, Calgary Alberta | (403) 258-1773

Book Your Consultation Today! mitchelleyecentre.com 4

ASIAN HIGHLANDS, THE FIRST CHAPTER OF IMAGINE ASIA, IS NOW OPEN. Asian Highlands sees the return of red pandas and snow leopards—two familiar and beloved species. Joining them is the Sichuan takin, a goat-antelope species making its Calgary debut. From towering peaks to monsoon-soaked conifer forests and the mountain wetlands in between, the eastern Himalayas are one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. This remarkable landscape is the inspiration behind Asian Highlands, a new area now open to explore at the Wilder Institute's Calgary Zoo. Visit today at CalgaryZoo.com/Imagine-Asia

The Ritual of Celebration, for over 50 years

DOWNTOWN | 512 4 Avenue SW | 403.264.1222 WILLOW PARK | 110, 10816 Macleod Trail S | 403.278.3930 caesarssteakhouse.com 7

The Joy of Shopping Local with 80% of products made, baked or grown right here in Alberta. HOLIDAY EVENTS AT THE MARKET

SKATE & SHOP HOLIDAY NIGHT MARKET

PHOTOS WITH SANTA

CHRISTMAS AT THE MARKET

Nov. 20-22 & Nov. 27-29

Nov. 20 & 21

( West & South Markets )

( The Loft, West Market )

*register at calgaryfarmersmarket.ca

50+ Additional Local Vendors Nov. 18 - Dec. 23 ( West ) Nov. 19 - Dec. 23 ( South )

GRINCHMAS Dec. 12 ( South ) Dec. 13 ( West )

CFM SOUTH: 510 77 AVE SE CFM WEST: 25 GREENBRIAR DR NW 8

OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING December 21, 22 & 23

MINI HIGHLAND COWS Dec. 11-13 & Dec. 18-20 ( South Market Only )

CALGARYFARMERSMARKET.CA @CALGARYFARMERSMARKET

Built with care. Crafted for life.

Simplifying your journey home.

EXCELHOMES.CA Find your new home: Calgary • Airdrie • Chestermere • Edmonton 9

Global News Hour at 6 with Dallas Flexhaug

Globalnews.ca 10

Calgary’s Trusted News

One of a kind

243250 Sibbald Creek Trail, Rural Rocky View M.D. | Presented By: Christopher Vincent, Calley Erickson, & Laura Wright

Exceptional heritage. Pioneering expertise. Experience extraordinary service tailored to your lifestyle. sothebysrealty.ca

79 Bel-aire Place SW, Calgary | MLS A2336306

© 2026 Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, Brokerage. Real estate agency. Independently Owned and Operated. E &O.E: This information is from sources which we deem reliable, but must be verified by prospective purchasers and may be subject to change or withdrawal.

INDULGE YOUR SENSES

CANADIAN CONTEMPORARY CUISINE thewilderooftop.com 525 5th Avenue SW, Calgary AB 12

now selling

ph se 3

LIVE CLOSER TO WH T YOU LOVE At Osprey Hill, you’re never far from the things you love. Nestled beside WinSport on Calgary’s coveted west side, Osprey Hill is a walkable community where serene landscapes, forested trails, natural ravines and modern amenities come together. Ski, skate, climb, bike and explore, with direct residential access to WinSport just three minutes from home. When you’re ready to venture further, Rocky Mountain escapes are only 40 minutes away.

W RD-WINNING BUILDERS

menity R vine Homes

—

FROM THE LOW $ s

900

Fee Simple Street Townhomes

—

FROM THE LOW $ s

500

COME TOUR OUR SHOW HOMES

OspreyHill.c AN AVILAND COMMUNITY

FrontG r ge Homes

—

FROM THE LOW $ s

700

Hair Restoration

Medical Aesthetics

Y T

Hormone Therapy

’ y’

F u

Calgary, AB 16

(403) 265-5221

DrBobby.ca

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

BUILDING A STRONGER

CA L GA R Y B U S I N E S S C O M M U N I T Y Calgary Chamber of Commerce expands its support network with the Maker Membership.

hen businesses thrive, Calgary thrives, and the Calgary Chamber of Commerce has the tools and support businesses need to do just that. Through the Chamber’s diverse calendar of events, members build meaningful connections with other business owners, leaders and professionals throughout the city. “From networking opportunities to workshops and signature events, members have unique opportunities to connect, learn and build relationships that can lead to new ideas, partnerships and business opportunities,” says Melanie McDonald, vice president of strategic initiatives, partnerships and engagement at the Chamber. In 2025, the Chamber held more than 2,000 meetings with its members and hosted nearly 100 events. Members have access to Chamber programs, discounts, professional development, group benefits and other resources tailored to help Calgary businesses grow and operate more efficiently. And with voices that are heard in the business community, members help shape Calgary’s business landscape, now and for years to come. “Through our advocacy and policy work, the Chamber represents the interests of businesses and works to create an environment where Calgary businesses can succeed,” says McDonald. “Membership gives businesses an opportunity to be part of that collective voice.”

the cracks or be costly to find on their own, while larger, more established businesses find value in continued influence, engagement and leadership. “Ultimately, Chamber membership is not one-size-fits-all,” says McDonald. “The goal is to provide meaningful value at every stage of a business’s journey — whether you’re building your first business, growing your team or leading an established organization.”

BIG OR SMALL — A MEMBERSHIP FOR ALL Whether a business is large and established or small and just finding its place in the community, the Calgary Chamber provides the tools that lead to success. Smaller, independent businesses benefit from access to resources, relationships and opportunities that could otherwise slip through

THE MAKER MEMBERSHIP The newest tier of Chamber membership, the Maker Membership, is designed for businesses that operate without a traditional storefront or warehouse — artisans, creators, innovators and other small businesses — but still bring significant value to Calgary’s business community. “The goal is to make it easier for more Calgary businesses to get connected, access valuable resources and be part of the broader business community,” says McDonald. “The common thread is that these are businesses that are actively building something in their community but don’t necessarily need the traditional commercial infrastructure associated with a brick-and-mortar business.” Maker members have access to core features that support independent business owners, including the Chambers Plan Group Benefits program, member rates for events, discounts on training and programs, a listing in the Maker Membership directory and more. “Whether you’re a growing company, an established organization or a one-person business working from home, membership is about being connected to the people, resources and opportunities that make Calgary’s business community stronger,” says McDonald. To learn more about how a Chamber membership could benefit your business, visit CalgaryChamber.com

DISCOVER THE UNEXPECTED

LIVE Shop PLAY Aspen Landing Shopping Centre features top retailers and services in unique, locally-owned storefronts sprawled across a distinctive landscape in southwest Calgary. Whether you need a quick check-up, a mouth-watering lunch, or need to complete an extensive to-do list, you can get it all done at Aspen Landing! FREE INDOOR PARKING.

aspenlanding.ca 18

Crystal Creek Homes

Homes By Us

Crystal Creek Homes

Inspired by Calgary’s architectural heritage, this development community features beautiful executive homes, breathtaking views, walking and biking paths, as well as west Calgary’s premier shopping destination Aspen Landing Shopping Centre.

www.LiveinAwe.ca

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

THREE VENUES

ONE HEART B Block Group offers a variety of high-end venues and customized packages suited for everyone.

ombining the flexibility of three unique venues, catering and event support, B Block Group is Calgary’s corporate event partner, offering businesses a suite of management services and decades of industry experience. Whether it’s the simplicity of a turnkey event or the detail of an à la carte experience, B Block Group provides spaces to suit any need. With The Brownstone, OFFSITE and Studios at Vic Park, clients can choose the right venue or combine spaces for various stages of an event.

THE BROWNSTONE

P H OTOGR AP H S COU RTESY O F B B LOCK G ROU P, B OT TOM LE F T BY KA DI E HU MM EL P H OTOG R A P H Y

Located in Victoria Park near downtown Calgary on 10th Avenue S.E., The Brownstone is the largest of the three venues, seating 180 guests or accommodating 280 cocktail-style. The space features a modern industrial warehouse aesthetic, a bespoke bar, a 1,800-square-foot private patio and two lounges that can serve as green rooms. A well-established wedding venue, The Brownstone also hosts corporate gatherings, special events, workshops and pop-ups.

OFFSITE The newest space in B Block Group’s portfolio, OFFSITE connects to The Brownstone via a hallway and patio and can seat 150 guests on its own. With a boardroom and proximity to The Brownstone, OFFSITE is an ideal mid-sized space where B Block Group hosts events, including its IN REEL TIME dinner and movie offerings, where guests enjoy a catered dinner and feature film, and Food Works guest-chef collaborations, themed, multicourse dinner experiences. These experiences are also available for corporate clients to host privately for their guests.

STUDIOS AT VIC PARK A smaller, more intimate venue, Studios at Vic Park (SVP Studios) is located on Macleod Trail S.E. and seats 50 guests or accommodates 80 cocktail-style. Set up as a photography studio, the space is ideal for corporate headshots, product and team branding and advertising. It can also host workshops, team-building events, book launches, yoga sessions, dinners, showers and elopements.

The Brownstone

THE PERFECT PACKAGE Clients can choose from B Block Group’s core packages or work with the management team to build a customized event. Daytime packages serve workshops, lunch-andlearns and product launches, while evening packages accommodate networking, cocktail receptions, awards and banquet dinners. Each package includes seating, tables, setup and teardown, event staffing and bartenders. Audiovisual services and décor are also available, along with on-site catering by Food Works and customizable beverage services, with options based on each client’s budget. To celebrate OFFSITE’s recent opening, B Block Group is offering a 20 per cent reduction from January through May bookings in 2027, with additional savings for Calgary Chamber of Commerce members. “Calgary Chamber members receive a further five per cent discount from January to May — making the discount 25 per cent for members — and 10 per cent from June through December,” says Penny Dyte, co-creator of B Block Group. Businesses can request a proposal tailored to their event, with recommendations and a link to book a site visit. A tour of all three venues takes approximately 45 minutes. “There is nothing like a tour of our spaces to generate possibilities,” says Dyte. Visit BBlockGroup.com or email hello@thebrownstoneyyc.com for more information.

Accumulating wealth starts with long hours, personal sacrifice, and a commitment to building something meaningful. Over time, the focus naturally shifts. It’s no longer just about earning more, but also protecting what’s been built and ensuring that it supports what matters most. At this stage, many choose to step back and place their trust in a partner with similar values. For over 25 years, Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel has cared for its clients’ wealth as if it were its own, with discipline, integrity and purpose.

Start your journey with us. Vancouver | Calgary | Toronto +1 403 930 1913 info@dixonmitchell.com

avenuecalgary.com

11/12.26 / FREE

NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2026

top

TO P 4 0 U N D E R 4 0 | C A L G A RY ’ S B E S T S H O P S | W I N T E R I N T H E M O U N TA I N S

NOV/DEC

2026

CALGARY

under

AN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER STAR, A TRADING CARD ENTHUSIAST, A STREET NURSE, AND SINGER YOLANDA SARGEANT PM# 40030911

40 40

on the cover Artist Yolanda Sargeant

PHOTO BY Jared Sych

141

103

FE AT UR ES

24 Editor’s Note 28 Contributors

D E PA R T M E N T S 31 Dish It Sumaq’s take on the classic Peruvian dish, ceviche. 32 Neighbourhood Watch: Marda Loop This shopping and dining district features delectable eats and fun finds for the whole family. 34 Agenda Fun things to see, do and listen to in November and December. 36 How to Localize Your Skincare Routine Boost your self-care regimen with these quality local products.

158

155 Mountain Makeover The Rimrock Banff's transformative renovation brings new horizons of luxury. 158 A Heli of a Time Why heli-skiing is worth the splurge. 162 Quintessentially Calgary Calgary Flames’ Harvey the Hound was the NHL’s first mascot.

38 Transforming the Arts A look at the progress for the expansion of the new Werklund Centre. 40 Top 40 Under 40 Avenue’s annual celebration of amazing Calgarians, honouring the Class of 2026 — their achievements, community impact and how they show what’s possible in our city. 103 Let's Go Shopping Shopping local impacts how we interact with and support our communities. Here’s a collection of picks for must-visit shops pulled from Avenue’s inaugural Best Stores Ballot.

118 Calgary's Modular Moment Modular housing construction is finding new footing in Calgary. We explore whether this type of building will finally get a chance to deliver at scale. 136 Dining: Mission Mainstay The evolution of Mercato and how it’s been influencing Calgary’s food scene for decades. 141 Sound Investment High-end sound rooms for immersive music listening are showing up in Calgary homes. 150 Get Lit Local designer Nyla Free shares how recent lighting trends help you change up how to light your space.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTO S ( L E F T TO R I G H T ) BY ST E V E CO L L I N S , G R A N T G U N D E R S O N , ST E V E CO L L I N S

contents

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

EDITOR'S NOTE

TSERING ASHA LEBA SENIOR EDITOR t l e b a @ re d p o i n t m e d i a . c a

here’s an increasingly important conversation to be had about what it means to be a Calgarian. I moved here in 2001 from Winnipeg, but Calgary is my hometown. I have a Stampede routine. I relish the privilege of having green spaces in every quadrant. I’m viscerally familiar with chinooks — and their constant companion, the pressure headache. I have been conditioned to dress in layers, no matter the season. The highs and lows of living in one of Canada’s youngest, most diverse and fastest-growing cities are as plentiful as the hills and valleys of our topography. I don’t mean to sound glib, but some things just scream “Calgary.” On the back page of the last couple of issues, we’ve started showcasing some of the people, places and things that are quintessentially Calgarian. As we start to bid farewell to the Saddledome, we highlight one of its most recognizable residents, and the first-ever NHL mascot, Harvey the Hound, on page 162. On a more serious note, while putting together our annual Top 40 Under 40 list, I noticed a pattern less about what defines Calgary, the city, and more about what defines a Calgarian, the individual. Being Calgarian is not about where you are from or what you do; it’s about choosing to do what you do here and choosing

to do it in service of making this city the best it can be for all. The Class of 2026 is stacked with artists, entrepreneurs, energy experts, researchers, sports professionals and an expansive diversity of knowledge, industry and accomplishments. Each Top 40 holds a high standard of excellence and an unwavering commitment to Calgary. Read about them starting on page 40. Being a Calgarian also means supporting local businesses, neighbours and friends. In this issue, we debut Avenue’s Local Shopping Guide, born from our Best Stores ballot coverage, starting on page 103. Discover the best places to shop local and keep this issue handy, especially during the gifting season. (If you enjoy a sweet treat, come shop at Avenue’s wildly scrumptious Cookie Market on December 3 at Eau Claire Tower.) Our identity as a city and as Calgarians isn’t static; it’s intersectional and intimately tied to this place. And, as we continue to welcome more residents, we must also address the challenges this poses along the way. Namely, housing. Read about how modular home construction could help meet the demand on page 118. I look forward to continuing to explore what it means to be from here and to just be here. And to help tell stories of how to live your best life in Calgary, whatever that life may be.

FOUNDED IN CALGARY. GROWING ACROSS CANADA. 47+ YEARS. 220+ LOCATIONS. PROVEN FRANCHISE MODEL

COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING & SUPPORT

$1.2M AVERAGE UNIT VOLUME *

Explore franchise opportunities at Franchising.EdoJapan.com *Performance varies by location. Subject to change.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTO BY J A R E D SYC H

Reflection and Recognition

ALWAYS INCLUDED

BETTER BUILDING MATERIALS

Real quality lives behind the walls, under the ﬂoors, and throughout every Trico home.

Premium studs, stairs, paint, insulation & more

step up home that's built right behind walls to a

the

The best home at the best price: step inside a better-built Trico home today. Everyday living will put your new home to the test. That’s why Trico includes durable, higher-quality materials and ﬁnishes designed to handle everyday wear and tear—from kids and pets to busy family life. The result? A home that looks better longer, lasts for years to come, and delivers value well beyond move-in day.

Get more. Save more. < Scan for details or call 587.330.1009

Built right. For real life.

BUILDING IN 34 COMMUNITIES: FRONT-GARAGE HOMES | LANED HOMES | DUPLEXES | TOWNHOMES | CONDOS AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

avenue RedPoint Media Group 1721 29 Ave. S.W., Suite 375 Calgary, Alberta T2T 6T7 (letter mail only) Phone 403-240-9055 Toll Free 1-877-963-9333 x0 Fax 403-240-9059 info@redpointmedia.ca AvenueCalgary.com Facebook Avenue Magazine — Calgary Instagram @AvenueMagazine Subscriptions (Prices do not include 5% GST) 3 issues: $18 1 year (6 issues): $30 2 years (12 issues): $50 3 years (18 issues): $65 1 year (USA): $40 US To subscribe, visit AvenueCalgary.com/shop subscriptions@redpointmedia.ca Advertising Inquiries Phone 403-240-9055 x0 Toll Free 1-877-963-9333 x0 advertising@avenuecalgary.com AvenueCalgary.com Published six times a year by RedPoint Media Group. Copyright (2026) by RedPoint Media Group. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. Canadian Publications Mail Agreement No. 40030911.

We acknowledge the traditional territories and the value of the traditional and current oral practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, the Tsuut’ina and Stoney Nakoda Nations, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of Alberta (Districts 5 and 6), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.

Publisher Käthe Lemon, klemon@redpointmedia.ca Executive Editor Colleen Seto, cseto@redpointmedia.ca Creative Director Steve Collins, scollins@redpointmedia.ca Digital Managing Editor Alana Willerton, awillerton@redpointmedia.ca Senior Editor Tsering Asha Leba, tleba@redpointmedia.ca Contributing Editors Karin Olafson, Olivia Piché Staff Photographer Jared Sych Editorial Intern Chelsea Cavanagh Contributors Raymond Biesinger, Catrina Bowles, Elizabeth Chorney-Booth, Sarah Comber, Phil Crozier, Marcello Di Cintio, Payton Delisle-Miller, Christina Frangou, Ximena González, Alyssa Hirose, Nathan Iles, Michelle Johnson, Lisa Kadane, Lauren Kalinowski, Cailynn Klingbeil, Alicia L'Archevêque, Chris Landry, Tyler Lemermeyer, Déjà Leonard, Fabian Mayer, Evelina Pak, Olivia Piché, Krista Sylvester, Kris Twyman, Fox Wang Contributing Fact-Checkers Alicia L'Archevêque, Rylie Perry Copyeditor Alex Rettie Proofreader Alex Frazer-Harrison Land Acknowledgement Advisors Elder Edmee Comstock, Elder Reg Crowshoe, Elder Rose Crowshoe Print/Digital Production Manager Mike Matovich Digital Producer Paula Martínez Client Support Coordinator Alice Meilleur Senior Account Executive Jocelyn Erhardt Account Executives Nadine Benoit, Vicki Braaten Events & Community Manager Dare Maurik Audience Management Rob Kelly Printing Transcontinental RBW Distribution City Print Distribution Inc.

The Avenue Editorial Advisory Council Laura Anderson, Julianne Beatty, Chrysta Benning, Alexis Berezan, Erin Best, Robert Blood, Shalini Bhatty, Brian Boulanger, Victoria Bradbury, Heather Campbell, Danielle Carrafo, Melinda Channon, Hildy Chong, Nicole Claiter, Amy Cooper, Steve Cordick, Michal Cote, Sidney Craig Courtice, Carolyn Cox, Brett Decarie, James DeKryger, Grant Doyle, Tania Drews, Brian Duggan, José Duchesne, Nicole Dyer, Russell Erickson, Meaghan Farquharson, Will Freeman, Janice Froese, Drew Gillson, Briggitte Gingras, Giono Studio Design, Naomi Grattan, Kelsey Hahn, Jillian Haneiph, Amanda Hamilton, Cat Hackman, Mark Heard, Lindsay Hill, Alayne Hing, Tara Hluchy, Rameez Husseini, Kyla Ilic, Tania Kaschl, La Klayman, Michelle Lee, Jamie Leong-Huxley, Jolene Livington, Brad Lohman, Quan Ly, Jil MacDonald, Leah Makin, Jodie Masikewich, Kris Matthews, Tammy McCorkell, Loni McDonough, Trina Morison, Heather Morris, Anna Murphy, Jeff Nechka, Melissa Norris, Maxim Olshevsky, William O'Yeung, Viktoria Paulovich, Kelly Pitaoulis, Colleen Pound, Natalie Preer, Rithesh Ram, Becky Rock, Paul Salvatore, Nolandeep Sangha, Ranny Shibley, D Smith, Mandy Smith-Haber, Cynthia Solano, Rachelle Starntes, Janet St Germain, Heather Stubbs, Ian Sutherland, Anila Umar, Gail Urquhart, Edie Vlooswyk, Janet Wakal, Andrew Ward, Christa Welsh, Wendy Winder, Naomi Withers, Kevin Wong, Stephanie Wozniak, Conrad Yeung Members of Avenue’s A-List become a part of our team and have the opportunity to get a seat on Avenue’s Editorial Advisory Council and see their names here in the masthead of the magazine.

REDPOINT MEDIA GROUP INC. CEO, Co-owner Roger Jewett President, Co-owner Käthe Lemon, klemon@redpointmedia.ca Vice President, Operations Meredith Bailey, mbailey@redpointmedia.ca Art Director, RPM Content Studio Veronica Cowan, vcowan@redpointmedia.ca Accountant Jeanette Vanderveen, accounting@redpointmedia.ca We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta.

Avenue is a proud member of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, Magazines Canada and the International Regional Magazine Association, and abides by the editorial standards of these organizations.

JOIN THE A-LIST TODAY Gain access to unparalleled behind-the-scenes tours, intimate dinners, secret tastings and exclusive parties. The A-List is more than a membership, it’s your passport to the extraordinary.

THEALIST.VIP

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Come Home

to Comfort

NEXT ISSUE JAN | FEB 2027

BEST WEDDINGS Our annual rundown of how to make your special day just right. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY High-end real estate and fintech finances plus advice from money influencers. RENTALS CALLING! Calgary’s high rate of rental builds — what's it mean for housing demand?

Designed for modern professionals in Calgary's North Hill

Now Leasing

1 & 2 Bedroom Rental Homes

P H OTO BY H ANN AH M AH AN

SUBSCRIBE by November 20 to get the January/ February 2027 issue to your door. Three-issue subscription $18, one-year $30. AVENUECALGARY.COM/SHOP

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

www.lifeatmunro.com hello@lifeatmunro.com 403-283-8348

1 Bedroom Rentals starting at $1,690 Luxury amenities with everyday conveniences at your doorstep The developer reserves the right to make changes and modiﬁcations to the information contained herein without prior notice. E. &O.E. Royop Residential, a Division of Royop Development Corporation.

CONTRIBUTORS

CHELSEA CAVANAGH is a recent graduate of SAIT’s Journalism program and Avenue's current editorial intern. She has had stories published with outlets including The Scene and CBC Calgary. She loves covering hyper-local stories (such as the shopping guide on page 103) and connecting with Calgary's communities. She satisfies her other curiosities through travelling, reading non-fiction, watching films and spending time outdoors. Her favourite local… coffee spot: Sought x Found shop: Change is Good thing to eat: Carrot cake from Higher Ground Cafe restaurant: Barbarella Bar or Âlo Viet Kitchen find: Textiles at Mañana Imports

LISA KADANE is an award-winning travel journalist whose work has appeared in AFAR, National Geographic, Range, The Globe and Mail, Travel + Leisure, and many others. She covers outdoor adventure (see her story about heli-skiing on page 158), wellness, food and wine, and accessible travel for neurodiverse families. She now lives in Kelowna, where she's happiest on a mountain trail, sipping wine or planning her next adventure. Her favourite local… coffee spot: Good News Coffee shop: Adorn Boutique thing to eat: Dim sum from Regency Palace restaurant: River Café brunch spot: Maven

Handcrafted From Natural Materials

Locally In Calgary, Alberta

blacksheepmattress.com

DÉJÀ LEONARD is a Calgary-based journalist who covers the evolving worlds of technology, work and life. In Avenue, she’s profiled Top 40 Under 40 honourees (and does so again this issue) and has explored everything from the city’s private clubs to the rise of community-led initiatives like run clubs. With a thoughtful lens and curiosity for how Calgarians live, work and connect, her work captures the pulse of a city in motion. Her favourite local… coffee spot: Bono Coffee shop: Vespucci Consignment thing to eat: Wings from South Block Barbeque & Brewing restaurant: The Nash find: Live music at The Attic Bar & Stage

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

S PAC I O U S

3 & 4 Bedroom Townhomes

FR M THE

500s INCLUD IN

WITH ATTACHED GARAGE • Entry level ﬂex room • Walk-out ﬂoorplans available • Maintenance-free living • Choice of designer interiors • Only 40 exclusive opportunities

ELEVATED LIVING INSPIRED BY NATURE

VERONA NORTH IN SAGE HILL Corner of Symons Valley Road & Sage Hill Rise NW

SCAN FOR FLOORPL ANS & MORE

tricohomes.com

VERN-31871 Avenue HP Ad - Nov:Dec Issue v3.indd 1

DATE: 22 Sept 2026 Produced by

1005 - 11 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2R 0G1 Phone: 403.287.9300 Fax: 403.287.9915

2026-09-30 4:20 PM F I L E

N A M E S

A R E

F O R

I N T E R N A L

U S E

O N LY

File Name VER-31871 Avenue HP Ad Nov Dec Issue v3.indd Publication Avenue Calgary Insertion Nov/Dec issue 2026 Client Trico Homes Size 7.25” x 4.75” Fonts used Adonis, Acuman, Avenir, Helvetica Picture info Producer MS Revision # Reference #

NOV 26 — DEC 27, 2026

Page #1 of ﬁle T H I S

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

DO NOT ALTER THIS ARTWORK WITHOUT CONTACTING TRICO HOMES

F I L E

I S

P R I N T E D

I N

C O L O R

ADAPTED FOR THE STAGE BY GEOFFREY SIMON BROWN DIRECTED BY STAFFORD ARIMA ASSOCIATE DIRECTED BY JANE MACFARLANE

TICKETS: THEATRECALGARY.COM MAX BELL THEATRE AT WERKLUND CENTRE

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

CHRISTOPHER HUNT AS SCROOGE AND THE CAST OF A CHRISTMAS CAROL. PHOTO BY EMILY COOPER.

BY CHARLES DICKENS

STARS Very Important Patient’s (VIP) Dennis Blackburn (back), Cindi Long (left), and Theo Konidas (right) pose with cover artist and VIP Shelly Campbell (front).

Celebrating the 35th edition of the STARS Calendar.

Twelve Months. Countless stories of survival, care and innovation. Discover a year of remarkable stories from STARS patients, crews and communities across Western Canada.

Get your calendar today at starscalendar.ca or scan the QR code.

SUB D HIESAHDI T

Sumaq’s Ceviche Sumaq BY ELIZABETH CHORNEY-BOOTH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARED SYCH

The leche de tigre Erika Costa uses a blend of lime, garlic, ginger, onions and Peruvian spices to make the leche de tigre (tiger’s milk), the liquid used to cure the fish. It pools on the plate, with an added dose served in a shot glass. Pour it on top, or do as the Peruivians do and drink as a shot. “We use it as a hangover cure!” Maria-Ines Maita says.

The sauce Ceviche Sumaq is full of flavour, but not particularly spicy. Heat things up with a smidge of chili sauce made with ultra-hot Peruvian rocoto peppers, served on the side.

1424 17 Ave. S.W., 587-401-4083, sumaq17.ca, @sumaqon17th

The fish and seafood Guests can choose whitefish (typically tilapia) or tuna, technically raw, but cured in house-made leche de tigre just before serving. The quick marinade means the acid doesn’t toughen the fish, giving it a sashimi-like texture. For extra oomph, Costa adds lightly cooked shrimp and octopus.

P H OTO BY TKT KTKT KTKT KTKT K

The sweet potatoes Potatoes are ubiquitous to Peruvian cuisine. More than 4,000 native varieties grow in the Andes. To balance the acidity of the fish, Costa boils cubed sweet potatoes with cinnamon, anise and sugar for a warm, aromatic flavour.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

eviche’s place in Peruvian cuisine dates back to pre-Inca civilizations, which preserved fish with Indigenous acidic fruits. Now known as Peru’s national dish, modern ceviche combines those roots with Spanish and Japanese influences for a lightly cured fish dish, complemented by ingredients representing South America’s coastal and highland regions. At Sumaq, chef Erika Costa celebrates the cultural significance of Peruvian ceviche with six options, including the signature Ceviche Sumaq. “Ceviche is very representative of our culture,” says Sumaq’s co-owner, Maria-Ines Maita. “It’s an emblematic dish.” Here, we share how Sumaq has perfected this classic dish.

The corn For a contrast in texture, the dish features two preparations of Peruvian corn: juicy kernels and a sprinkling of fried cancha. Peruvian corn is neutral in flavour and is used here just for the crunch.

N E I G H B O U R H O O D WAT C H

MARDA LOOP Stay in the loop with charming shops, delectable restaurants and meet-cute-worthy cafés in this southwest shopping and dining district.

By the Numbers COMMUNITIES SURROUNDING MARDA LOOP

ALTADORE Population: 7,290 Median household income: $153,000 Main housing types: Single- (38%) and semi-detached (20%) houses, apartments in a duplex or building <5 storeys (34%) Owner-occupied: 68%

GARRISON WOODS Population: 2,860 Median household income: $146,000 Main housing types: Single- (31%) and semi-detached (19%) houses, row houses (26%), apartments in a building <5 storeys (23%) Owner-occupied: 80%

SOUTH CALGARY Population: 4,540 Median household income: $87,000 Main housing types: Single- (22%) and semi-detached (11%) houses, row houses (8%), apartments in a building <5 storeys (49%) Owner-occupied: 50%

LIST ING AT A GL ANCE Listed in the summer by realtor Stephen Gowland for $2.2 million, this six-bedroom, fivebathroom detached home on 38th Avenue and 19th Street S.W. is minutes from Marda Loop’s commercial district. The 2,924-square-foot home features ample natural light and an open floor plan. Walnut hardwood flooring covers the entire main level and the primary bedroom. The family room opens onto an outdoor gathering space with a pergola and built-in barbecue. Enjoy a games area, wet bar, wine cellar and home theatre system in the fully developed lower level.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTO COURTESY OF MAR DA LO OP B IA; LIST IN G P H OTO BY R I MY RE HA LL PH OTOG RAP HY

or a walkable, almost quaintsmall-town setting, look no further than Marda Loop. Dating back to 1909, the business district was once the turnaround point for the No. 7 South Calgary streetcar. These days, 33rd and 34th avenues S.W. boast a collection of cute boutiques, restaurants and cafés — in no small part because of developments by the Leonard Development Group such as Henry Block and Elizabeth Square (collectively known as The Shops at Avenue Thirty Four). Chic stores such as Sunday State, Allis, Crabapple Clothing Company and Clothing Bar Boutique rub shoulders with some of Calgary’s best brunch spots, including Belmont Diner, Sammie Cafe and Diner Deluxe. Marda Loop’s growing culinary scene showcases the über-popular restaurant, Dopo, along with Marda Loop Brewing, Boogie’s Burgers, French wine bar Avitus and rum bar Quarters. Beyond shopping and dining, the Marda Gras Street Festival showcases more than 250 businesses along with free family entertainment (such as a pet pageant), and the annual Spook The Loop event is a favourite among trick-or-treaters. Lovers of arts and culture can venture to cSpace Marda Loop for arts programming, exhibitions and craft galleries. Originally the King Edward School, cSpace is an innovative arts incubator hub, with studios for creatives such as designer Anneke Forbes and Feast Studio + Press, along with arts event space and café.

BY SARAH COMBER

Highlights Nocturne Books Something dark and moody has taken root on the ground floor of the Henry Block. Nocturne Books, Alberta’s first horror-focused bookstore, opened its doors in November 2025. Fitted with dark wood shelves reminiscent of the University of Oxford’s historic Bodleian Library, Nocturne Books showcases an array of “dark fiction,” including horror, fantasy, science fiction and more. Viewing horror as a vast and nuanced genre, Nocturne aims to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment, stocking books for all ages and darker tastes. 15, 1934 34 Ave. S.W., nocturnebooks.ca @nocturnebooksyyc Bella’s Italiana While Marda Loop holds no shortage of delightful cafés, Bella’s Italiana, tucked away on the side of Elizabeth Square, takes the proverbial cake. A cozy eatery with a glassed-in patio, Bella’s offers excellent coffee, Italian dishes and a delightful atmosphere. With only a handful of seats, the vibe is more about connection and community than hustle — it’s rare to see a laptop in use or a business meeting in progress. Instead, it’s a place where friends and neighbours gather over a glass of wine and a forno pizza, and parents

NOCTURNE BOOKS.

can catch up, sipping matcha lattes while their little ones sleep in strollers. 1907 34 Ave. S.W., @bellasitaliana Tres Marias Food Market Along Marda Loop’s trendy 34th Avenue S.W., Tres Marias Food Market offers authentic Mexican cuisine — meals like tostadas, tacos and burritos, alongside enchilada trays and tres leches cake. Dedicated to providing the freshest, most natural ingredients available, Tres Marias sources locally and organically grown foods. This ensures that its house-made meals and products are free of preservatives and additives. Founded in 2004, the market also carries an assortment of packaged goods, such as avocado salsa, bison and beans dip, and imported products like Charras original corn tostadas and El Yucateco XXX Hot sauce. 2006 34 Ave. S.W., tresmarias.ca @tresmarias_mex

DINER DELUXE, ONE OF MARDA LOOP’S MANY DINING OPTIONS.

Did You Know? P H OTOS BY KR I S T W YM AN; ABOVE : ST EV E CO LLINS

Marda Loop’s name is a portmanteau (a word blending the sounds and/or meanings of two others) within a portmanteau, hailing from two significant landmarks in the neighbourhood’s history. “Marda” comes from the former Marda Theatre (1953-1988), which is itself a merging of the two founder’s names: Mark and Mada Jenkins. “Loop” is derived from the historic streetcar line that

BELLA’S ITALIANO.

TRES MARIAS FOOD MARKET.

looped around the area between 1913 and 1950. The community’s present name was chosen in 1984.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

AGENDA

FUN THINGS TO DO, SEE AND LISTEN TO

IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER BY CATRINA BOWLES

Celebrate the Grey Cup’s return to Calgary November 11 to 15 The Grey Cup is coming back to Calgary for the first time since 2019, and you can party it up at the Cenovus Energy 2026 Grey Cup Festival at Stampede Park. Over the course of four days leading up to the 113th annual Grey Cup game on November 15, experience live music, fan meetups and a massive tailgate party. Celebrate with football fans from across the country. greycupfestival.ca Race in a charity fun run December 5 Lace up and don your Santa hat for the 2026 Calgary edition of The Salvation Army’s Santa Shuffle Fun Run and Elf Walk. What started as a single race in Edmonton more than 35 years ago has grown into an annual, countrywide, holiday fundraising celebration. All race participants receive a personalized race bib, a finisher’s medal and a Christmas tree ornament. Those who fundraise have the chance to get even more cool swag, like toques and hoodies. While the prizes are a great bonus, the Santa Shuffle is all about spreading holiday cheer to those in need. santashuffle.ca

SEE Sing along with a magical musical November 10 to 15 A beloved children’s animated film comes to the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium stage with Broadway Across Canada’s Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Experience the magic and romance of the classic tale, complete with the iconic Oscar-winning score from the film, including fan favourites like Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast. calgary.broadway.com/shows

Watch cutting-edge documentaries November 18 to 22 For those with a passion for learning, the 14th CUFF.Docs Documentary Film Festival at the Globe Cinema is the place to be. Hosted by the Calgary Underground Film Festival, CUFF.Docs features exceptional non-fiction films, all chosen for their ability to “confirm and challenge beliefs, promoting a sense of wonder and a healthy skepticism.” calgaryundergroundfilm.org/cuffdocs

DISNEY’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

TAKE IN A DOCUMENTARY AT CUFF.DOCS.

LISTEN Hear the best of Canadian jazz November 3 to 8 Maybe you’ve attended JazzYYC’s summer festival, but did you know there’s one in November, too? Check out JazzYYC’s Canadian Festival, which brings together local jazz musicians with those from across the country for a few days of jazz magic. Concerts are held in all-ages venues primarily in Inglewood. Don’t miss the Sunday JazzWalk, where free concerts pop up all along the “Music Mile” on 9th Avenue S.E. jazzyyc.com/canadian-jazz-fest

ALEX CUBA AT JAZZYYC’S CANADIAN FESTIVAL.

Relive a childhood favourite in concert November 27 and 28 Let the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra get you into the holiday spirit with Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas live-to-film concert. Experience Jim Carrey’s iconic performance as the Grinch while the Calgary Phil plays the energetic score. This event takes your Christmas movie viewing to the next level. The live film score makes it a fun and memorable experience that both kids and kids-at-heart are sure to love. calgaryphil.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

B E AU T Y AN D T HE B E AST P H OTO BY M AT T HE W M UR P HY; CUF F.DOCS P H OTO BY ELYS E B OU VI E R ; J A Z Z Y YC P H OTO BY F R E C K L E FAC E M E D I A CO.

LUKE’S CRAFTING DISHES WITH FRESH INGREDIENTS AND BIG FLAVOUR

LEVEL 1

Congrats to Avenue’s 2025 Top 40 Under 40

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

SHOP CALGARY

B Y C H E L S E A C AVA N AG H

HOW TO LOCALIZE YOUR SKIN-CARE ROUTINE kin care is essential for starting and ending the day right. Whether you have a multi-step face routine or value a hair-care hack, these local products will give your self-care regimen a boost. ROSEMARY GREEN TEA BOTANICAL FACE WASH by Jane Says This facewash, packed with nourishing ingredients, combats oily skin while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. It includes rosemary, green tea and aloe gel — plus glycolic acid for gentle exfoliation. $27.50. 1521 27 Ave. S.W., janesaysblends.com

COFFEE BODY SCRUB by Lily Organic The Coffee Body Scrub by Lily Organic combines fine coffee grounds and Himalayan salt to exfoliate, reduce cellulite and stimulate circulation. Founded by medical esthetician, clinical facilitator and educator Trina Wellwood, Lily Organic’s products are unscented, gluten-free, non-GMO and plant-based to suit all skin types. $25. lilyorganic.com

Each office is independently owned and operated.

Tanyaeklundgroup.ca Direct (403) 863-7434

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

L I LY ORG A N I C P H OTO BY K AT I E M P H OTOG R A P H Y; J A N E S AYS P H OTO BY W ILL MCGARV E Y

Give your skin some TLC — tender local care — with these Calgary-made products.

B E A R D BA L M P H OTO BY N I C K L A U S WA LT E R S A N D K E N T OF IN GLE WOOD ; L AVAMI P H OTO BY TALE AH D OIG; E LLIE B IAN CA P H OTO COU RTESY OF E LLIE B IAN CA

BEARD BALM by Kent of Inglewood Kent of Inglewood carries an array of locally made, environmentally conscious products, including the shop’s signature line of beard balms. Notable for their divine scents, the beard balms contain the perfect blend of essential oils, including jojoba, argan, bergamot and coconut oil, giving shine and hold to beards of all shapes and sizes. The balms come in three scents: Citrus, Forest and Spice. $30. 1316 9 Ave. S.E., kentofinglewood.com

REVITALIZE CONDITIONER BAR by Lavami This bath and body brand caters to those with sensitive skin, focusing on simple ingredients and unscented options. The compact Revitalize Conditioner Bar includes quinoa protein and pink clay to strengthen strands and is good for a dry or sensitive scalp. $18.50. 515 18 Ave. S.W., lavami.ca

RADIANCE SERUM by Ellie Bianca African-Canadian environmental scientist Evelyne Nyairo founded Ellie Bianca to empower women to embrace their own strength and beauty. Nyairo’s inspiration stemmed from experiencing gender inequalities while growing up in Kenya. The Radiance Serum contains ingredients like moringa and marula seed oils and squalane to promote healthy skin and support the natural aging process. $90. 100, 814 16 Ave. N.W. elliebianca.com

The Importance of Strong Negotiation

worry we are losing the craft of negotiation. It’s easy to send a text. It’s much harder to pick up the phone and have a real conversation.

But when a counteroffer comes in, picking up the phone and speaking directly with the other agent can be one of the most important parts of the negotiation. A text has no tone, no emotion, no discussion and, often, no story behind the number. Negotiation is storytelling. It’s understanding your client’s position and being able to communicate why you are countering, what supports that position, and what matters most to your client. It’s a conversation, not a series of messages. We cannot afford to lose that age-old skill simply because texting is easier.

For most people, their home is their most significant financial asset. It’s not just an investment—it’s where they live, raise their families, create memories, and find security. Many don’t have large investment portfolios or other assets to fall back on when money gets tight or retirement arrives. As real estate professionals, it is our job to protect that equity. To advocate. To be the person at the front door, standing up for our clients and working to achieve the best possible outcome. So let’s not lose sight of what we are hired to do. Let’s pick up the phone. Let’s have meaningful conversations. Let’s negotiate. A text is great for, “Hey, I’m running 10 minutes late—can you pick up the kids?” A real estate negotiation deserves more.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

THE ARTS

RAISING THE

CURTAIN

The Werklund Centre Transformation finally takes shape, with a new performing arts

nyone who has walked by Olympic Plaza recently has seen the steel girders and open staircases of the Werklund Centre expansion rising above the construction fencing. Calgarians are finally getting their clearest glimpse yet of what will become one of Canada’s largest performing arts campuses. Construction on the Werklund Centre Transformation (WCT) project, which began in January 2025, is fully funded and on schedule for completion in 2028. The 170,000-square-foot expansion will house the 1,000-seat Osten-Victor Playhouse and the newly named McCann Family Studio Theatre, a 200-seat venue supported by a $4 million gift from the McCann family. “It’s a really exciting project for our city, right at the heart of our city,” says Kate Thompson, president and CEO of Calgary Municipal Land Corporation (CMLC). Now, planning is ramping up for the final construction phase: the modernization of the existing Werklund Centre building, formerly Arts Commons. Detailed design is complete, but busting out shovels remains contingent on securing the funds for the last phase of the project. The project was originally estimated at $270 million, but the modernization budget was increased to $345 million earlier this year. Thompson says the updated figure

BY NATAHN ILES

RENDERING OF THE WCT EXTERIOR.

WCT UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

reflects a clearer understanding of the project’s scope, anticipated construction costs and other possible “escalations” ahead of the planned 2029 start of construction. “Our best practice is [to] hold an escalation value till the midpoint of construction, at which point we’re usually certain that the project will be bought out,” says Thompson. “There’s a lot of ups and downs in the market that can happen.”

Despite these uncertainties, both CMLC and Werklund Centre expect to hit the planned 2029 start date. The project’s timeline has been carefully planned to respect Calgary’s arts community and keep the doors open, says Werklund Centre president and CEO Alex Sarian. “The goal has always been not just to build Canada’s largest performing arts campus, but to do it in such a way that minimizes the business interruption of a lot of the artists and organizations that need these spaces,” says Sarian. Rather than shutting down the existing facility for renovations, the organization will open the new venues first, allowing arts companies and programming to move into the expansion before modernization begins. Priority will be given to local resident companies that already use Werklund Centre venues. Once the full campus is built, the priority will be to engage with other local organizations. The modernization will focus on accessibility improvements, updated backstage facilities and reimagined gathering spaces connecting the centre’s existing venues. “A project of this nature happens once in a generation,” says Sarian. “Let’s just savour the moment, because there are so many amazing things happening throughout the process of bringing this to life that are strengthening our community. That is what is ultimately magical about all this.”

P H OTO AN D R EN DER I NGS COU RT ESY OF CMLC

venue, a revitalized Olympic Plaza and a modernization of the flagship arts centre.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

RENDERING OF THE COMPLETED MARDA LOOP OSTEN-VICTOR PLAYHOUSE, PART OF THE WERKLUND CENTRE TRANSFORMATION.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

TOPFORTY UNDERFORTY 40

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Everyyear,Avenue’sTop40Under40classismadeupof inspiringindividualswhoweareproudtocallour neighboursandfriends.TheClassof2026isnoexception. Thisyear’slistofathletes,energyexperts, entrepreneurs,restaurateurs,researchersandmore isanimpressivedisplayofyoungtalent,bigimpact andinspirationforusall.

B Y C H E L S E A C AVA N AG H , E L I Z A B E T H C H O R N E Y- B O O T H , S A R A H C O M B E R , PAY T O N D E L I S L E - M I L L E R , M A R C E L L O D I C I N T I O , C H R I S T I N A F R A N G O U , X I M E N A G O N Z Á L E Z , A LY S S A H I R O S E , A L I C I A L'A R C H E V Ê Q U E , C H R I S L A N D R Y, D É J À L E O N A R D , FA B I A N M AY E R , E V E L I N A PA K , O L I V I A P I C H É & K R I S TA S Y LV E S T E R P H O T O S B Y JA R E D S YC H L O C AT I O N M O U N T R OYA L U N I V E R S I T Y

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“IT’S VERY IMPORTANT TO ME TO BE A MENTOR AND A ROLE MODEL FOR MY COMMUNITY.” SCARLETT CROCKATT (37) CFO, Calfrac Well Services As one of the youngest CFOs in her field, Crockatt has helped organizations create and sustain billions of dollars in enterprise value, revenue and investment across multiple industries.

algary may not be the dream destination for most finance professionals, but Scarlett Crockatt is not one to follow the well-trodden path. Rather than striving for Bay Street, Crockatt chose to pursue her career ambitions in her hometown. “Calgary has shaped who I am,” she says. “People are approachable, focused on giving back to the community and building long-term relationships.” Over the last 15 years, Crockatt has uplifted Calgary businesses through her expertise in strategic finance, mergers and acquisitions, improving returns on equity and modernizing business models. She has held executive leadership roles at a myriad of companies, including Scotiabank and Scotiabank subsidiary Roynat Capital. For close to a decade, she has supported University of Calgary finance students through guest lectures, case competition judging, mentoring and other initiatives. “I take seriously my responsibility to open doors for the people coming behind me,” she says. In April, Crockatt took on the role of CFO at Calfrac Well Services, becoming one of the

youngest women to join the C-suite of a major publicly traded company in the oil and gas sector. Across Canada, women in finance are rare, and even fewer hold a top leadership position. At the financial helm of Calfrac, a multinational oilfield service provider headquartered in Calgary, Crockatt uses her keen financial acumen to define ambitious goals and steer the $1-billion company towards them. “I’m a builder,” she says. “I like to build, I like to grow, I like to take things to the next level.” Her focus is not on the money itself, but on the opportunities that wealth creates. “I believe that finance can create benefits for individuals, families and communities,” she says. “It can create a taxation base for the country that supports social programs and health care.”—X.G.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: DO YOU PREFER WORKING SOLO OR WORKING WITH A TEAM?

38 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“MY MOTIVATION IS TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN COME FROM CALGARY AND GET TO WHATEVER LEVEL THAT YOU WANT TO GET TO IF YOU WORK HARD ENOUGH.” DEION ADAMS (31) Vice-president of basketball, Tonbara Sports & Entertainment Deion Adams is one of the few certified NBA player agents in Canada and represents players in leagues worldwide.

eion Adams always dreamed of a professional basketball career. Within a year of graduating from Ambrose University in 2022, Adams started his own agency and became one of a handful of Canadians eligible to represent NBA players.

Four years later, Tonbara Sports & Entertainment acquired his agency. Today, Adams is its vice-president of basketball, scouting and nurturing players, negotiating endorsement deals and helping college athletes understand their value before turning pro. He represents 13 players across Europe and the Canadian Elite Basketball League and has had two players make it to the G League, the NBA’s developmental association. “I always want to put Canadian guys on the map first; that's always been a priority of mine,” says Adams. —P.D.M.

“CALGARY GAVE ME MORE THAN SAFETY; IT GAVE ME INFRASTRUCTURE TO REBUILD AGAIN.” MUJJA ALLOBA (31) Founder and executive director, Almees Trans Health Access Association Mujja Alloba established Canada’s first organization built specifically to help trans and gender-diverse newcomers navigate health-care systems. DE ION A DAM S P HOTO BY ST E VE COLLIN S

ujja Alloba helped trans and gender-diverse people across Egypt, Sudan and Kenya access health care for years before she came to Canada as a refugee in 2025. Today, she spearheads access to health care for trans and gender-diverse new-

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

comers in Calgary through her non-profit organization Almees. Her five-person Almees team of 2SLGBTQIA+ refugees connects trans newcomers with doctors and helps them find gender-affirming care and mental health support. They serve 80 to 90 participants per year and have partnered with organizations like Skipping Stone Foundation. Alloba is also a researcher at the Cumming School of Medicine. “I saw [in Calgary] a city where they were doing serious work on newcomer health and overall migration, and I just wanted to be a part of that,” says Alloba. —C.C.

“There’s a dual focus in making really cool art and investing in the community while we do that.” ANDREW G. COOPER (35) Artistic producer, Jupiter Theatre and Solaris Productions Award-winning producer Andrew G. Cooper has founded two performing arts companies and provides paid artistic opportunities to hundreds of marginalized Calgarians.

hen Andrew G. Cooper moved to Calgary seven years ago, the variety of theatre companies in the city was a big part of the draw. Having founded Jupiter Theatre in 2019 and the film company Solaris Productions in 2021, Cooper builds upon the city’s scene by uplifting others. Across Jupiter and Solaris, Cooper has hired nearly 700 queer, BIPOC, neurodiverse and/or disabled Calgarian artists (including production and crew), and paid them more than half a million dollars in wages and honorariums. Under Cooper’s mentorship, many of these artists have gone on to work on Broadway and with world-renowned entertainment companies like Cirque du Soleil. Solaris and Jupiter have a focus on fantastical film and live theatre, including sci-fi, fantasy and horror, and practical effects like puppetry, masks and circus. Many of Cooper’s projects also spotlight 2SLGBTQIA+ characters and stories. “Centring queerness is very exciting to me, particularly queer characters that are just people who exist in the world,” says Cooper. “Unfortunately, the fact that queer people exist

as a double for other major centres like New York or Toronto, Cooper makes it a priority to showcase what the city has to offer. Cooper has created 14 stage productions and four films in Calgary. Plus, there's the upcoming cosmichorror feature film, Below the Silent Sky, to be shot in Calgary and surrounding areas. “I’m going to show the Alberta Rockies as Alberta, because people travel from all over the world to come here,” says Cooper. “This is a really beautiful, vibrant place, and people should know that.” —A.L.

is something that is still debated, and, until it’s not, I will continue to tell those kinds of stories.” In addition to volunteering in various finearts education and mentorship programs, Cooper produces award-winning work. They were a puppeteer for the Emmy Awardwinning show, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock (2022), and plays Cooper created have been produced more than 45 times in Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. While Calgary is often used in film

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WHAT IS YOUR ANNUAL INCOME (BEFORE TAXES)?

$45,001 - $60,000 $60,001 TO $80,000 $80,001 TO $100,000 $100,001 TO $150,000 $150,001 TO $250,000 $250,001 TO $500,000 $500,001 TO $1,000,000

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR YOUNG BLACKFOOT PEOPLE, OUR YOUNG FIRST NATIONS PEOPLE, TO UNDERSTAND THAT, BEFORE EUROPEANS CAME, WE CELEBRATED AND LIVED OUR WAY OF LIFE THROUGH-OUT ALL OUR TERRITORY, NOT JUST ON THE RESERVATIONS THEY PUT US ON.”

DESMOND JACKSON (38) Indigenous relations advisor, Town of Okotoks Desmond Jackson bridges Indigenous and Western systems to put Blackfoot knowledge, ceremony and presence at the forefront of municipal policy.

hen Desmond Jackson took a walk with his five-yearold daughter through the town of Okotoks in 2022, it gave him clarity on an inner conflict. At the time, Jackson was serving as an RCMP officer and was questioning whether working in policing aligned with his Indigenous identity. During the walk, Jackson’s daughter asked why there were no signs of the Blackfoot in Okotoks — in fact, the name is an anglicized version of the Blackfoot word óóhkotok, meaning “rock.” Jackson emailed the town and offered to put up his personal tipi to host the town’s mayor, Tanya Thorn, and chief administrative officer, Elaine Vincent, during an event for the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation to educate the community about Blackfoot culture. Later in 2022, Jackson left his 13-year career with the RCMP to work for the Town of Okotoks as its Indigenous relations advisor. “There was a conflict between my personal morals, who I was as a Niitsitapi, as a Blackfoot

man, and enforcing as a police officer,” says Jackson. “It became very clear that I needed to serve my people in a different way than what I was doing.” Jackson ensures that Indigenous culture and teachings are included in municipal decisions and policy through his role as Indigenous relations advisor. He hosts the annual Powwow, Tipi Camp & All-Indigenous Artisan Market (which saw 32,000 people attend in 2026), and

even established the town’s first 2SLGBTQIA+ monument and memorial site. Jackson is also a Blackfoot ceremonialist and knowledge keeper, an honour passed to him from his grandparents, Elders Reg and Rose Crowshoe, which includes the responsibility of caring for children and youth. He works closely with Piikani Child and Family Services to support youth through grounding cultural practices. —S.C.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

The Hunter Hub is UCalgary’s home for entrepreneurial thinking. Start something at the Hunter Hub hunterhub.ucalgary.ca 48

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“I HAVE SO MUCH GRATITUDE FOR WHAT MY PARENTS SACRIFICED AND GAVE UP TO COME HERE AND START THEIR LIVES OVER.”

KATIE LIN (36) Emergency and stroke physician; clinical associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary Katie Lin saves lives and teaches health-care providers how to care for patients with lifethreatening brain injuries.

fter a person has a stroke, every minute counts. Katie Lin spends her days making sure that the first health-care worker to care for someone who has had a stroke knows exactly what to do. “My work is measured in minutes and lives saved,” she says. Lin is the first doctor in Canada to be certified in both emergency and stroke medicine. Her dual certification allows her to bridge both fields, integrating advanced stroke care directly into emergency medicine. She’s also an accomplished educator who trains health-care providers in neurocritical care — a specialty focused on saving lives and preserving brain function in people with life-threatening brain conditions like strokes and traumatic injuries. In 2025, she developed SYNAPSE, a training program that’s been used to teach more than 1,000 doctors, nurses and EMTs around the world. Lin immigrated to Canada from China with her family when she was a toddler. When she was still in elementary school, her grandmother had a stroke. Her grandmother survived, but was physically and mentally changed. That inspired Lin to study neuroscience at Queen’s, followed by medical school at UCalgary, where she fell in love with emergency

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

medicine. “It's this beautifully choreographed dance of clinical expertise where you're doing all the right things that you need to be doing in the moment you need to do them, and you end up saving a life,” she says. Lin works at the Foothills Medical Centre and Rockview General Hospital, and as a STARS Air Ambulance critical-care physician. She thrives on the adrenaline of pulling together as a team to save a life. “There's just nothing like that feeling, and it's what keeps me coming back to this job every time,” she says.—C.F.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: FICTION OR NON-FICTION BOOKS?

21 22 49

“WE’VE WORKED VERY HARD TO SET FRANCINE'S UP AS A PLACE THAT'S VERY SUSTAINABLE, NOT JUST AS A BUSINESS, BUT FOR THE STAFF THAT WORK INSIDE OF IT.”

GARRETT MARTIN (36) Owner, Francine’s Through passion, mentorship and unbelievably delicious steak frites, Garrett Martin is redefining Calgary’s culinary culture from behind the scenes

ive years ago, Garrett Martin was literally sitting at the top of the city. As culinary director of special projects at Concorde Entertainment Group and the driving force behind the nationally renowned top-floor restaurant Major Tom, the chef had one of the highest-profile hospitality gigs in Calgary. Yet he yearned to bring the cooking chops and leadership skills he’d picked up at Concorde to something smaller and more personal. He left his corporate job and (along with business partner Nate Wry) ran a pop-up and worked service jobs to keep afloat as they worked to open Francine’s, an intimate French bar that launched in Chinatown this past January. “It was a hard decision, in the sense it was a risk,” Martin says. “But I would rather leave money on the table and do something that felt important to me.” The food at Francine’s

is undeniably delicious — items like the steak frites, cheesy puffs and dessert French toast are already legendary — but Martin’s biggest concern isn’t what’s on the plate. Having worked at many restaurants in the city and abroad over the last two decades, he has seen it all when it comes to both toxic and well-functioning workplaces, and believes the future of a thriving local industry hinges on maintaining a culture in which staff feel respected and valued. Those good vibes are inevitably felt by

guests. So, while Martin develops menus and spends significant time cooking in Francine’s open kitchen, his greatest satisfaction comes from ensuring his employees thrive in a supportive workplace with fair wages, reasonable hours and a healthy work/life balance. He’s content to give his staff the lion’s share of the culinary glory. “Every day I become a worse chef and a better delegator and leader,” he says. “I’m actually very comfortable with that.”—E.C.B.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Your brand. Calgary’s business community. One powerful connection.

For 135+ years, the Calgary Chamber has brought Calgary’s business community together. Get your brand in front of the people shaping Calgary’s future through Pillar Partnerships, 60+ annual events and year-round sponsorship opportunities. Put your brand where Calgary comes together.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

calgarychamber.com

JOIN US SATURDAY NOVEMBER 7TH FOR A STONE HOUSE DECOR CHRISTMAS OUR 2026 CHRISTMAS COLLECTION IS INSPIRED BY A COTTAGE IN THE COTSWOLDS. ENCHANTING WOODLAND TOUCHES, WARM NATURAL TEXTURES AND TIMELESS GREENERY, ALL BLENDED WITH OUR SIGNATURE MODERN FARMHOUSE STYLE.

Congratulations to Dr. Katie Lin on her selection to Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Class of 2026! Thank you for all you do for your patients!

216 - 10816 MACLEOD TRAIL SE CALGARY STONEHOUSEDECORCANADA

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“TO BE SO MOTIVATED BY OUR MISSION, RATHER THAN THE ACTUAL BUSINESS SIDE OF IT, IS PROBABLY THE MOST REWARDING PART.” — MACK ANDREWS

MACK ANDREWS (38) AND CHARLES WONG (35) Co-founder (Andrews); Co-founder and medical director (Wong), HomeFree Homecare Mack Andrews and Charles Wong provide hundreds of Calgary patients with in-home care, keeping them out of the hospital and supporting our health-care system.

algarian Mack Andrews and Vancouver-based Jeffrey Noble, both entrepreneurs, knew traditional home care was failing many elderly and disabled Calgarians. The pair partnered with Calgary physician Charles Wong to build a care model with direct

physician involvement, so that clients receive facility-level care without going to the hospital. In less than two years, their company, HomeFree Homecare, has delivered life-changing at-home care to more than 200 Calgary seniors and prevented caregiver burnout for countless family members. The model also provides a welcome change of work environment for experienced medical professionals; HomeFree employs more than 100 healthcare and support workers and pay all a living wage. “We believe we have saved our system, in a year and a half of operating, well over 10,000 acute and long-term care bed days,” Wong says. “That translates to millions of dollars of health systems savings.” —E.C.B.

“WHENEVER I CAN, I TRY TO CURATE MY LIFE SUCH THAT EVERYTHING I'M DOING HAS A PURPOSE.” ADITYA CHAUDHURI (33) Technical advisor acting as deputy director, Global Affairs Canada; musician Aditya Chaudhuri is an engineer and musician strengthening Calgary’s civic, social and cultural fabric.

ditya Chaudhuri facilitates access to funding for countries worldwide, but his motivation starts at home. Besides hosting major events on energy transition and global development, Chaudhuri is president of the Calgary chapter of Engineers Without Borders

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

and co-founder of Water Movement, a platform to address the Indigenous water crisis with Indigenous water operators and leaders. He also co-leads the largest national survey of Indigenous operators, and helped establish National Indigenous Water Operator Day. As a musician, Chaudhuri leads Raga Mala Music Society of Calgary and Madhuban Performing Arts, two organizations promoting South Asian music, dance, arts and culture. “I don't want my identity to be just my nine-to-five,” he says. “It’s the energy and excitement of all the cool things I get the privilege of working on that keep me going.” —E.P.

“WE’RE IN A UNIQUE POSITION IN ALBERTA TO DO CLINICAL TRIALS BETTER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY.” VISHAL NAVANI (39) Medical oncologist; clinical assistant professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary Vishal Navani brought clinical trials of breakthrough cancer therapies to Calgary and transformed this province into a powerhouse for lung cancer innovation.

lbertans diagnosed with cancer have speedier access to breakthrough cancer therapies, thanks to Vishal Navani. Navani, an oncologist, cofounded the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s early-phase clinical trial program within the Owerko Family Centre for Clinical Trials. This program brings early clinical trials to Calgary, providing Albertans with access to promising therapies years before they become the standard of care. He credits Alberta’s single electronic medical record and pharmacy system, along with its two large academic cancer centres, with making the province an attractive place for trials. “We’re in a unique position in Alberta to do clinical trials better than anywhere else in the country,” he says. Navani was born in India and educated in the United Kingdom and Australia. He worked in the pharmaceutical industry after medical school and then finished his training in oncology. This background left him convinced that clinical trials must be made accessible to patients.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF SUCCESSFUL?

In 2021, he moved to Canada with his wife, a Calgary-born dentist. In addition to caring for patients with cancer, Navani directs Calgary’s Glans-Look Lung Cancer Research Program. For 20 years, this provincial repository has gathered data from cancer patients, especially those not enrolled in clinical trials. It’s now one of the most comprehensive collections on lung cancer treatment outcomes in the world. He’s also a clinical expert for Canada’s Drug Agency, where he helps shape reimbursement policies. His goals are simple: “I’m very grateful for the support that I have to allow me to raise my kids and do this work. I don’t really want anything to change when it comes to that.” —C.F.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Congrats

to the 2026 Top 40 Under 40 Cohort. Different industries, experiences, and perspectives. Together, they reflect the kind of leadership and fresh thinking shaping Calgary’s future. Big blue skies leave plenty of room for big blue sky thinking. And this year’s cohort is proof there’s no shortage of it here. We’re especially proud to see Tourism Calgary’s own Alisha Reynolds among them. Congratulations Alisha on this accomplishment!

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FOUNDING PARTNER, BLAIR D. ECTOR, ON RECEIVING AN AVENUE TOP 40 UNDER 40 AWARD!

LOBERG ECTOR LLP 2300, 635 - 8TH AVENUE SW CALGARY AB T2P 3M3

https://lobergector.com/ 56

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“INDEPENDENCE IS FREEDOM. IT’S A POWERFUL THING WHEN YOU GIVE THAT FREEDOM BACK TO PEOPLE.” — GRIFFIN SIMONY

JOSH PEILL (39) AND GRIFFIN SIMONY (32) Co-founders, Shift Projects Josh Peill and Griffin Simony are at the forefront of accessible home renovations and helping Calgarians build their barrier-free dream homes.

P H OTO BY ST EV E CO LLIN S

nyone who has ever broken a leg or twisted an ankle knows even a small injury can lead to major mobility challenges. As Josh Peill and Griffon Simony like to remind people, we’ll all be disabled at some point in our lives, so why not build your home with accessibility in mind? The duo co-founded residential construction company Shift Projects (formerly Shift Accessibility Contractors) in 2019 and initially focused on accessibility-centred renovations like zero-threshold showers (showers without a ledge or sill that need to be stepped over), widened doorways and in-home elevators to help Calgarians move more easily through their homes or age in place. Today, Shift is a full-service home design, renovation and construction company completing more than 100 projects each year. “We are really focused on providing solutions that don’t compromise on the aesthetic and feel of the home,” says Simony. Through a partnership with Calgary-based charity Accessibility Renovations for Kids, Peill and Simony have also contributed their accessibility expertise — and more than $150,000 in donated and discounted construction — for families of children with disabilities, allowing them to make accessibility improvements at zero cost. Peill believes that what sets Shift Projects

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

apart is not necessarily the result, but the process. With a background in commercial construction, “napkin math” and blown budgets are strictly avoided — the pair meticulously plan and schedule each project to ensure the smoothest experience possible for homeowners. “There’s a bit of a stigma with respect to residential contractors,” says Peill. “We have an opportunity to come into these spaces and create a very positive experience for people as they’re going through a renovation.” —F.M.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: PODCAST OR PLAYLIST?

25 18

“We’re trying to make the electrical energy transition happen in a way that has as little impact as possible on your electricity bill.” MOSTAFA FARROKHABADI (38) Assistant professor, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary

Mostafa Farrokhabadi uses AI to make electricity more affordable in Alberta and beyond.

il and gas may be the star of Alberta’s energy sector, but engineer Mostafa Farrokhabadi’s energy is focused on electricity. With demand for electrical power rising across the province, the assistant professor’s leadership is making access to electricity more sustainable, affordable and reliable for all Albertans. “My primary area of focus is the energy transition,” he says. “In my research group, we look into improving the way that the entire electricity sector is being controlled and optimized.” Farrokhabadi has been directing the University of Calgary’s Distribution Grids Research & Innovation (DRGI) Lab since 2022. His work involves using machine learning to develop intelligent tools that support the transition towards more sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity (e.g., by helping utility companies, including ENMAX, become more efficient at predicting electricity demand and preventing blackouts). Because the number and variety of electricity users in Alberta is expanding, the electrical grid is becoming more complex, creating unprecedented challenges, says Farrokhabadi. “Some of the complexity can be addressed by more intelligent control optimization meth-

ods, including machine learning.” Not only has Farrokhabadi’s research leadership earned the DGRI Lab $1.5 million in grants from the federal and provincial governments and non-profit organizations, but his team’s innovations have helped attract an estimated $5 million in public and private investment to Alberta. Remarkably, in the last decade alone, thousands of energy researchers worldwide have cited Farrokhabadi’s work, including 39 academic papers and eight patents. The fundamental physics needed to sustain the electrical grid is identical across jurisdictions, says Farrokhabadi. Consequently, the technological advancements introduced by the DGRI Lab

in Calgary can help improve reliable access to electricity around the globe. “As engineers, our mandate is not only to make electricity more affordable and reliable,” he says, “but also more accessible for fellow human beings who don’t have access to electricity right now — the challenge of electrification is a global one.” Given the nature of the challenge, and Alberta’s influential role in the energy sector, Farrokhabadi’s state-of-the-art lab continues to attract top researchers specializing in dynamic modelling, grid control and optimization. “Alberta is a unique place with a lot of interesting initiatives,” he says. “It's a really exciting place to work.”—X.G.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: HOW MANY DAYS OF VACATION DID YOU TAKE BETWEEN JUNE 1, 2025, AND MAY 31, 2026?

0-7 DAYS 8-15 16-30 MORE THAN 30 MORE THAN 50 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTO BY ST EV E CO LLIN S

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“IT’S UP TO THE INDIE FILM SCENE TO KEEP STUFF MOVING, EVEN WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.” GRIFFIN CORK (30) Producer, Numera Films Griffin Cork has produced and sold internationally recognized TV shows while growing and protecting the local film industry and talent here at home.

he film industry isn’t quite as glamorous as Hollywood makes it out to be. But when it’s time to make budgets, apply for grants, secure financing and figure out distribution, producers like Griffin Cork are on it. Cork joined Calgary-based, queer-owned Numera Films in 2016, when the production company’s projects were small (think wedding videos and short films). In the last decade, Numera has grown exponentially, with projects including three seasons of comedy-sci-fi show Abracadavers and the OUTtv original series, Eyes In The Woods. As a producer with Numera, Cork has sold films and TV shows into more than 20 international markets (including Walt Disney India), produced 19 films (plus an additional 14 with Aagimaak Productions and as an independent producer), and employed more than 400 cast and crew throughout the years — plus, his expertise in securing funding has resulted in employees who are treated well and eager to return. “There's a set culture I think is very important,” says Cork. Numera’s projects have put nearly $3.5 million into Calgary’s economy. This helps the

indie scene thrive, which is important for getting the scrappy, less-resourced projects made — not everything can be as star-studded as The Last of Us — and it also helps ensure that Calgary-based talent stays Calgary-based. “Part of the attractiveness in Alberta's film community is that there's crew and equipment present — we have extremely talented craftspeople and tradespeople here,” says Cork. Beyond Numera, Cork supports LHI Productions’ Indigenous-facing arm, Aagimaak Productions, and also co-chairs the Alberta Media Production Industries Association’s Professional Development and Events committee. Via Telus STORYHIVE, the Black Screen Office and the Okotoks Film Society, he mentors up-and-coming filmmakers. —A.H.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU LIVED IN CALGARY?

LESS THAN 5 6 5-10 10 10-29 16 30 OR MORE 10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“IT’S IMPORTANT TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE. BY PUTTING IN THE EFFORT, IT SHOWS SOMEONE THAT THEY'RE CAPABLE IF THEY SET THEIR MIND TO IT.” RYAN STRASCHNITZKI (27) Public speaker; founder of Straz Strong Foundation Ryan Straschnitzki turned personal tragedy into community action, by advocating for increased accessibility in sports.

yan Straschnitzki’s life may forever be defined by the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash tragedy, but his ambitions won’t be. The former Broncos hockey playerturned-Paralympic basketball hopeful started the Straz Strong Foundation in 2021 to increase accessibility in sports. In five years, the foundation has donated more than $100,000 towards adaptive

sports opportunities, equipment and recovery resources. Straschnitzki’s work has earned nationFeature 1 - Top 40 al recognition, including a nomination for Canada's Sports Hall of Fame People's Choice Award and the King Charles III Coronation Medal. For Straschnitzki, success is measured by something simpler — helping others rediscover the confidence that sport can provide. “One of the most important things that I think sport offers is the opportunity to feel like you belong. Through Straz Strong, that's our aim,” he says. —P.D.M.

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

MADE EASY Bread & Butter Wines offer the perfect pairings for your seasonal gatherings — no overthinking required.

s the holiday season approaches, many of us are hosting friends and family — and, inevitably, overthinking everything from the menu to the wine. Will the Chardonnay work with salmon? Is there a right wine for pasta? Bread & Butter says: Don’t Overthink It. Bread & Butter makes entertaining simple for Calgarians with approachable wines that pair effortlessly with food you already love — no wine expertise, complicated rules or last-minute Googling required. Start with what you’re excited to eat. Ordering takeout? Even better. Putting out snacks and calling it dinner? We’re not judging. The less time you spend second-guessing the menu, the more time you have

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

to enjoy it with your favourite people. Start things on a sparkling note with Bread & Butter Prosecco. It’s an easy match for appetizers and an even easier way to make every gathering feel a little more celebratory. Serving smoked salmon or creamy pasta? Reach for Bread & Butter Chardonnay, a light and refreshing pairing that leaves you free to focus on what matters: going for seconds and catching up with guests. For a heartier meal, Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon brings layers of mocha, berries, vanilla

and black pepper to grilled steak or a bold bluecheese burger. Prefer Pinot Noir? Its juicy cherry, raspberry and cassis notes pair beautifully with roasted mushrooms or your favourite fall dishes. Because hosting shouldn’t feel like homework. Pick the food you love, pour the wine you enjoy and leave the overthinking for another day. Don’t Overthink It. Just pour Bread & Butter. breadandbutterwines.com

“I HOPE THE LEGACY I’M BUILDING HELPS PEOPLE SEE THAT THEY BELONG IN SPACES THEY MAY NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THEMSELVES IN, AND GIVES THEM ROOM TO GROW AND FIND OUT WHAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF.” CASSIE AYOUNGMAN (34 ) Founder and CEO, Soul of Miistaki; paramedic, Siksika Nation; tourism co-ordinator, Destination Blackfoot Cassie Ayoungman empowers Indigenous and BIPOC communities by connecting people to the land, culture and each other.

ven though Cassie Ayoungman is a mountain climber, for her the greatest measure of success isn’t summiting a mountain herself: it’s helping others reach their own potential. Ayoungman’s journey into advocacy began in her mid-20s when she noticed a lack of diversity in outdoor spaces, sparking a passion for, and commitment to, breaking down barriers for Indigenous people. Through her non-profit, Soul of Miistaki, Ayoungman connects people from the traditional lands of Treaty 7 Indigenous Peoples through inclusive outdoor experiences, cultural consultations and more, supporting personal growth, empowerment and community building. By blending outdoor adventure with cultural knowledge, Ayoungman strengthens her community’s connections to nature through the approximately 12 annual programs serving more than

100 participants each year. That same commitment has defined her career as a paramedic with Siksika Nation, where she has spent the past nine years providing emergency care with collaborative leadership as her foundation. “Leadership is about the responsibility you have to the people who trust you to lead them. It means listening, staying open and being supportive,” she says. Beyond her physical presence and guidance in the community, Ayoungman’s influence reaches audiences far and wide through her film, Iikaiksimatsa’pao’p (Grateful To Be On The Land), which documents her work with Soul of Miistaki. The film has screened at local

festivals like the Oki Corral Film Festival and the Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival, as well as at Toronto’s imagineNative Film and Media Arts Festival and internationally at film festivals in the U.S. and New Zealand. Even with this impressive resumé, she continues to reach higher and bring others along: last year, Ayoungman joined the team at Destination Blackfoot, a Blackfoot-led tourism initiative that connects visitors with authentic experiences, businesses and opportunities to learn about the Blackfoot way of life. As tourism co-ordinator, she handles community outreach, and supports and promotes Blackfoot business operators and their initiatives. —K.S.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT?

EXTROVERT 21 INTROVERT 22

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

CALGARY ENTREPRENEURS

Join EO Calgary. O fi fifi

fipfifi fi fifi fi fi fi G fififi fi fifi f fifi k fifi fifikfi

TCHAIKOVSKY’S SIXTH: THE FINAL SYMPHONY

THE BILLY JOEL SONGBOOK WITH TONY DESARE

6 + 7 NOVEMBER

13 + 14 NOVEMBER

NOON HOUR CONCERT: BROOKFIELD PLACE

MOZART + MAHLER

17 NOVEMBER

20 + 21 NOVEMBER

BYRON STRIPLING’S HOLIDAY SWING

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

26 NOVEMBER

27 + 28 NOVEMBER

HOLIDAY BELLS + WINTER DREAMS

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS

4 DECEMBER

8, 9 + 10 DECEMBER

WHY JOIN OUR CHAPTER?

A local forum M fi fi , fi fi pfifi

fifififififififi

Learning close to home fipfifi pfifikfi

A global network EO fifi fififi

MEET YOU AT THE PHIL THIS NOVEMBER + DECEMBER Apply to join today. Op h h

GET YOUR TICKETS AT CALGARYPHIL.COM

SEASON SPONSOR

membership@eocalgary.com

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

FIRST HOME?

MOVE UP TO THE SUMMIT PEAK A AITS AT THE SUMMIT ORTH SOUTH CALGARY’S -SIDE ’s mas

o es

dability

ELEVATED LIFESTYLE AMENITIES

PAYM EN FRO

1759 UD FEESES CO & GS T

10 CONTEMPORARY FLOORPLANS

• Fully equipped fitness studio

• 1 Be oom, 1 + Den, 2, & 2 + Den

•P

• es

•

TS M

and-new collection th South,

• e!

•

ete slab cons

tion

•

/MT

SCAN HERE TO REGISTER TODAY FOR VIP PRIORITY BE A

THE FIRST TO ACCESS , FL TA TO OUR SPECIAL

CONNECT WITH OUR SALES TEAM JESSICA SORRELL | 587.330.1009 |

Learn more at summit-condos.com DATE: 22 Sept 2026

F I L E

N A M E S

A R E

F O R

I N T E R N A L

U S E

O N LY

File Name SUMMITC-31208 HP Ad Nov/Dec Issue v3.indd Publication Avenue Calgary Insertion Nov/Dec issue 2026 SUMMITC-31208 HP Ad Nov Dec Issue v3.indd 1 Produced by Client Trico Homes Size 7.25” x 4.75” Fonts used Alternate Gothic Condensed, League Spartan, Freight Neo, Gotham Picture info Producer MS Revision # Reference # 1005 - 11 Ave SW Calgary, AB T2R 0G1 Phone: 403.287.9300 Fax: 403.287.9915

Page #1 of file T H I S

2026-09-30 11:00 AM

ENS ARRANGES THE MOMENT

DO NOT ALTER THIS ARTWORK WITHOUT CONTACTING TRICO HOMES

F I L E

I S

P R I N T E D

I N

C O L O R

ITINERANTE FLOWERS LEVEL 2

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“I BELIEVE PEOPLE ARE MORE THAN THEIR WORST MOMENTS. WHEN WE CREATE CONDITIONS TO RESTORE CARE AND CONNECTION, WE PAVE PATHWAYS FOR SUPPORT.” ALISHAU DIEBOLD (38) Assistant professor of child studies and social work, Mount Royal University Alishau Diebold is preparing the next generation to respond to violence with compassion.

s a student, Alishau Diebold pursued legal studies to support people affected by violence, trauma and other forms of harm, with a focus on preventative approaches and restorative justice. Once in the legal field, she discovered that she loved working directly with people. So she moved

into social work, providing counselling rooted in trauma-informed care to more than 650 people transitioning back into the community after incarceration. In 2025, Diebold joined Mount Royal University. She equips undergraduate students entering front-line careers in health care, justice and community services for real-world challenges through experiential activities and applied, simulation-based learning. “I want my students to have strong ethical and practical skills so they can work with people from diverse backgrounds with an open mind and an open heart,” she says. —E.P.

“I THINK MY RESEARCH WILL MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM, BUT I ALSO HOPE TO HELP TRAIN HIGH-QUALITY RESEARCHERS.” TREVOR KING (38) Associate professor of health and physical education, Mount Royal University Trevor King is advancing cardiovascular research on the effects of wildfire smoke.

revor King wants to answer one of Alberta's biggest health questions — how does wildfire smoke affect our hearts? King’s research is unique. He uses naturally occurring smoke to test its effect on blood flow. He’s one of the few researchers in this field and has been awarded

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

nearly $300,000 for his work — including a prestigious NSERC Discovery Grant to fund a five-year research study exploring how exercising during smoke exposure affects cardiovascular health. King has published 30 peer-reviewed papers. But he isn’t chasing notoriety — what he wants is answers for future generations. A two-time teaching award recipient, he's supervised 20 undergraduate projects, helping students become passionate health researchers. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to answer questions that we don’t know about,” says King. —P.D.M.

CONGRATULATIONS to APEGA registrants:

MOSTAFA FARROKHABADI, P.ENG. GRAEME GORDON, P.ENG. GIOVANNIANTONIO NATALE, PHD, P.ENG. MARIANA PINHEIRO BENTO, PHD, P.ENG. on receiving Avenue Top 40 Under 40 awards! For more than a century, the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) has protected Albertans by regulating the practices of engineering and geoscience in our province. But our work goes beyond that—it’s also about inspiring the next generation of professionals who will imagine, design, and build the Alberta of tomorrow.

Discover more at apega.ca.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“NO ONE’S GOING TO REMEMBER HOW MANY GOALS I SCORED OR THE ASSISTS I HAVE, BUT THEY WILL REMEMBER THE POSITIVE IMPACT I'VE LEFT ON COMMUNITIES AROUND ME.”

FARKHUNDA MUHTAJ (29) Professional footballer Farkhunda Muhtaj uses her voice as a pro athlete to champion human rights, empower women and girls and create opportunities that extend beyond the field.

or Farkhunda Muhtaj, football has always been bigger than the game on the pitch. She credits her parents, Afghan refugees who immigrated to Ontario when she was two years old, for much of her leadership skills and the courage it takes to stand up for others. “As a professional athlete, you have a platform and young girls are looking up to you," she says. "It's really about what legacy you are going to leave behind." Muhtaj is co-founder of the Scarborough Simbas, a Toronto-based non-profit that creates opportunities for young people through sport. She’s also the former captain of the Afghanistan women’s national football team. When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and female Afghan athletes faced threats after being banned from sports, Muhtaj went to Portugal to help evacuate and resettle dozens of young Afghan girls and their families. Her pro career has taken her to Turkey, the Netherlands and now Calgary (she moved to the city in January 2025 as the first player signed to Calgary Wild FC), and, while her soc-

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

cer skills are impressive, it’s her social activism she hopes to leave as a lasting legacy: “That I was a footballer that cared about humanity… that's what I would love for people to remember me as.” That innate sense of justice has guided her work for groups like Right To Play Canada and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Canada. With the Wild, Muhtaj is a

community ambassador, hosting a podcast to share her teammates’ stories and distributing free tickets for marginalized communities to attend games. She also created Farkhunda’s Footballers, inviting 30 underserved individuals (including single mothers and refugees) to Wild games in collaboration with Penny Appeal Canada, a relief and development charity. —K.S.

“ANYTHING HARD, OR ANYTHING THAT’S WORTH IT, REQUIRES DISCIPLINE. IT’S NOT GOING TO FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU DO IT, BUT IT’LL FEEL GOOD AFTER.”

KELSEY HAHN (37) CEO and co-founder, Monark Kelsey Hahn’s AI-powered leadership and organizational intelligence company, Monark, has transformed executive coaching in just six years.

hen Kelsey Hahn worked up the nerve to ask organizational psychologist Adam Grant for a photo at a conference back in 2016, she was starstruck. Seven years later, the public figure was citing her research in the New York Times. In 2020, Hahn co-founded Monark, betting that AI could do what traditional leadership consulting couldn't: make executive coaching accessible beyond the C-suite. It worked. The AI-powered platform has raised more than $5 million, grown from zero to sevenfigure revenue in four years, and now serves more than 60 clients across industries from aviation to energy. It offers leadership training and development programs, coaching, organizational assessments and more. Last year, research firm Gartner recognized Monark alongside other AI-enabled leadership intelligence players who’ve raised over half a billion dollars. None of it came easy. Pitching to roughly 150 investors, Hahn heard “no” from all but three. She's also been called “uncoachable,” a word she thinks wouldn’t be used for a man with the same assertiveness and strong will.

“Life only gets harder... your ability to bounce back, pivot, adjust — especially as an entrepreneur — that’s what defines companies that can be around for the long term,” says Hahn. One investor’s willingness to look past the “uncoachable” label stuck with her. He had three daughters who played hockey, and in Hahn, he recognized the qualities he hoped for in them.

It was, she says, the moment someone saw past the bias that assertive, strong-willed women are difficult to work with, rather than an asset, and it changed the trajectory of her company. Today, Hahn, a former college hockey player, heads up her daughters’ hockey team, crediting sport for the resilience that got Monark through its leanest years. “I don't think I would be who I am without playing sports,” she says. —D.L.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“AT ITS SIMPLEST, OUR JOB IS TO HELP BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE PEOPLE RELY ON WHILE MAKING SURE IT IS DONE RESPONSIBLY.” — DEVIN FISHER

SHOP LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Stone House Decor

DEVIN FISHER (39) AND GABRIELLE LEAKEY (37) President (Fisher) and vice-president (Leakey), Aim Land Services Ltd. Devin Fisher and Gabrielle Leakey have scaled a small, Alberta-based land consulting firm into a national, integrated, full-service leader.

n Calgary, succeeding in land services for oil and gas companies means setting the bar high and going far beyond simply securing land or mineral rights, as depicted on shows like Landman. Through their roles at Aim Land Services, Devin Fisher and Gabrielle Leakey have helped uphold Calgary’s position as a leading centre for energy and infrastructure development while ensuring projects are done responsibly, meeting environmental, regulatory and community requirements. Fisher joined Aim as a land agent when the company was founded in 2011 with a

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

handful of employees while Leakey joined in 2016 as a land administrator. In 2025, they were promoted to president and vicepresident, respectively. They have continued Aim’s growth to 250-plus employees, servicing industries such as mining, utilities, renewable energy, and oil and gas; expanded its operations across the country; and integrated an environmental consulting firm. Aim also incorporates environmental and mapping services, Indigenous consultation and end-of-life-cycle services for oil and gas infrastructure. “It’s a big part of what we do, supporting these large energy projects as they follow proper regulatory components in a responsible and ethical way,” Leakey says. Adds Fisher: “We bring together landowners, communities, Indigenous groups, regulators, environmental considerations and our clients so projects can move forward in a way that respects the people and places they affect.” —F.M.

Kate King Jewellery

Soffrito

@wpvillage

wpv.ca

10816 Macleod Trail South

“FIGURING OUT HOW LEARNING ACTUALLY OCCURS IN THE BRAIN WOULD BE THE KEY ADVANCE THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE FIELD TAKE.” WILTEN NICOLA (39) Associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; Tier II Canada Research Chair in Computational Neuroscience Wilten Nicola is one of Canada’s foremost experts on how the human brain performs complex computations.

ilten Nicola’s job is to figure out exactly how the human brain works. “It’s amazing how little we know about the brain,” says Nicola. He’s one of the country’s leading experts in computational neuroscience — a field that combines physics, mathematics and computer science. He develops models of how neurons and neural circuits (groups of neurons) perform the complex operations that dictate human behaviour. He aims to translate those discoveries into real-life devices like computer chips and computational software — an effort that has already produced several patents and a spinoff company. As a kid, Nicola spent a lot of late nights playing Nintendo; he was also very good at math. He did an undergraduate degree in mathematics at the University of Toronto, immediately followed by a PhD at the University of Waterloo and then a post-doc in the United Kingdom. In 2019, he arrived in Calgary to start the Nicola Computational Neuroscience Lab at UCalgary. There, Nicola and colleagues try to

understand how the human brain does all it does using only about 20 watts of energy, the same as an old light bulb. Those answers might help them build smarter, more energy-efficient artificial intelligence. “We can actually get to the point where something like ChatGPT wouldn't take gigawatts,” he says. In 2025, the company Nicola co-founded, Synaptrain Technologies Inc., which develops neuromorphic chips (processors that can

mimic the brain and perform energy-efficient operations), was selected to join NATO’s prestigious accelerator cohort. Nicola has received more than $2.4 million in funding and his lab’s impressive publication record has established Calgary as an emerging centre for computational neuroscience. He’s also father to two young daughters. He’s motivated to solve problems that he believes are solvable. “It’s curiosity. That’s what drives me.” —C.F.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THIS CITY AS A PLACE TO BUILD WORLD-CLASS RESEARCH WITH LASTING COMMUNITY IMPACT.”

GIOVANNIANTONIO NATALE (38) Professor, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary Giovanniantonio Natale studies the potential of tiny particles to efficiently detect pollutants in water, an innovation that could save the energy sector millions of dollars annually.

an you picture a billionth of a metre? Likely not. To visualize a particle this size (a.k.a., a nanoparticle), scientists use a special microscope technique that uses light to measure movement. These tiny particles are a big deal for Giovanniantonio Natale. Natale’s research at UCalgary’s Complex Fluids Lab centres on understanding how nanoparticles behave, and using these findings to affect change. Not long ago, the chemical engineer and his team discovered that nanoparticles can help detect toxic pollutants, such as lead and arsenic, found in

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

wastewater. By some estimates, polluted water in tailings ponds across Alberta amounts to 1.18 trillion litres, more than 50 times the capacity of the Glenmore Reservoir. Natale’s work can also detect pollutants in drinking water, like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). “Currently, the detection of contamination is done with techniques that are very expensive and time-consuming,” Natale says. “With our methodology, we can get measurements within minutes.” Natale also connects with scientists in public policy and economics, chairs academic and scientific boards, and mentors students. Since joining the faculty at UCalgary 10 years ago, Natale has supervised more than 50 students, and received a Graduate Supervision Excellence Award in 2023. Helping students form industry relationships is essential for Natale’s mission as an educator. “It’s very important that students see interest from industry,” he says. “Because that motivates them to produce impactful research that challenges the status quo.”—X.G.

S Shop Local a Holiday Gifts

Aldila Boutique Baby & Me YYC Beauty Edit Belmont Diner BikTrix Blooms & Butterflies Blue Moon Bolder Menswear Booster Juice Broken Plate Caesar’s California Tan Checkmate Shoes Chianti Cafe Cobs Bread Code Ninjas Crave Cupcakes Creative Interiors Deville Coffee Elements Outfitters Essence Wellness Clinic Evolved Fitness Studios Fashion Addition 14+ Ginger Beef Express Home Treasures & More Kate King Jewellery Knickers ‘N Lace Made by Marcus North Sea Fish Market Reformed Pilates Scholars Education Skoah Facial Shop Springbank Cheese Co. Stone House Decor Studio Blue Sushi Ginza Swimco The Brow Studio The Down Shop Two Giraffes UNA Pizza Takeaway UPS Van Bella Nails and Spa VVS Jewellers Willow Park Cigars

10816 Macleod Trail South

“STRUGGLE IS A POWERFUL THING.” MUSAP “MOOSE” ABDELHAG (38) Founder and CEO, Struggle Is Your Success Musap Abdelhag has empowered hundreds of at-risk youth in Calgary to realize their entrepreneurial dreams through his non-profit, Struggle Is Your Success.

s a teenager, Musap “Moose” Abdelhag ran with what he calls the wrong crowd. “What changed me was going back home,” Abdelhag says. He travelled to Sudan, where his family is from, in 2013, and spent two years meeting with young people across the country. He marvelled at their resilience. “They had no access to clean water. No access to proper education. And they were always smiling,” Abdelhag says. But the young Sudanese he met weren’t simply cheerful; they were successful as entrepreneurs. The fact that they could accomplish so much with so little made Abdelhag think of the potential of young people in Calgary who had, in comparison, so much more. In 2021, Abdelhag registered Struggle Is Your Success (SIYS) as a Calgary non-profit. The grassroots organization empowers youth — especially BIPOC, newcomers and people who have encountered the justice system — to conceive of and achieve their goals. “The entrepreneurial journey is a mindset shift using our mentorship program: Dream it.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF Plan it. Build it," he says. Abdelhag also runs QA Enterprises, an AI-consultancy firm that designed an app called Mini Techies to teach STEM concepts to children. In five years, SIYS has delivered five-week training courses and mentorship to more than 650 youth, empowering them to dream, plan and build. SIYS has also raised more than $450,000 in funding since 2023 to expand its programming and supports, and participants have shown measurable outcomes in reduced recidivism and increased confidence. “I love Calgary so much,” Abdelhag says. “This city has rose me from the concrete.” —M.D.C.

AS A MORNING PERSON OR A NIGHT PERSON?

26 17 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF MY CAREER IS THE ABILITY TO CONNECT PEOPLE AND BRING DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES TO THE DISCUSSION.”

WELLNESS Discover professional services, beauty boutiques, and wellness shops offering skincare, treatments, and selfcare essentials.

FASHION From cozy layers to everyday staples, our boutiques have everything you need to build your winter wardrobe.

HOME DECOR

MARIANA PINHEIRO BENTO (38) Associate professor, Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary Mariana Pinheiro Bento has assembled one of the largest data sets of MRI imaging to create equitable AI diagnostic tools.

uring the 2021 AI boom, when the world saw the potential of large language models like ChatGPT, AI researcher Mariana Pinheiro Bento saw the potential societal issues such as biases and overreliance on AI programs. “I could see the challenges and limitations that such models could have, and the really harmful impacts that they may have if not used properly,” says Pinheiro Bento. She pivoted to creating trustworthy AI programs with experts from engineering, science, medicine, communications, philosophy, political science, education

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

and social work. She has secured more than $1.07 million in funding from the likes of the federal New Frontier in Research Fund and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Project Grant program. Pinheiro Bento leads a joint research program between the biomedical engineering and the electrical and software engineering schools at UCalgary to create equitable medical AI tools. Her program to reduce biases and to prevent mis- or underdiagnosis, particularly for equity-deserving groups, has resulted in one of the world’s largest data sets of MRI imaging data. A mentor and community advocate, she also helps organize events like BrainHack, which brings together new generations of the neuroscience community and the Women in Data Science Conference where femaleidentifying data scientists connect and learn. “I tell everyone that I see myself as their trampoline,” says Pinheiro Bento. “I am here to support them [to] achieve what they want to achieve.”—C.L.

Ready for a refresh? Find statement decor, cozy textiles, and quality cookware to bring your space to life.

FOOD Explore our bakeries, restaurants, and specialty food stores for seasonal flavours and fresh ingredients to elevate every meal.

EDUCATION From tutoring to handson learning, discover the education services here to support your family this season.

@wpvillage

wpv.ca

“I RECOGNIZE [HEALTH] AS A RIGHT OF PEOPLE. ALL PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY COME FROM.” CALEY SHUKALEK (39) Physician; clinical associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary; chief medical officer, PurposeMed Caley Shukalek closes health-care gaps for underserved populations through clinical care, research and entrepreneurship.

aley Shukalek has long given back to the community — specifically, underserved populations within the health-care system. As a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, he took special interest in ensuring 2SLGBTQIA+ people receive equitable care. At 18 years old, he volunteered at an HIV service agency. This work involved sharing sexual health education, HIV awareness and health-system navigation to students, people at health fairs and unhoused individuals. “By listening to people, you hear about how they experience the world and how different it is than your own,” says Shukalek. “All of that has informed how I think about people's health, about the system that supplies health and how we could do better. It continues to drive me.” Shukalek knows that certain populations face increased stigmatization in the healthcare system. He is determined to increase safe access to patient-centred care. He has helped secure more than $10 million

in research funding — money that supports several of his research projects, including a soon-to-be-operationalized, at-home sexual health diagnostic tool that tests for sexually transmitted infections. Beyond his clinical role as a specialist in general internal medicine at the Foothills Medical Centre and HIV/STI medicine at Sheldon Chumir, Shukalek is also a co-founding executive and chief medical officer at PurposeMed, a virtual care platform. PurposeMed works

across three brands — Freddie (HIV prevention and treatment), Frida (ADHD platform for adults), and Foria (gender-affirming care) — and has delivered care to more than 50,000 patients. “The number of patients whose lives have changed just by getting access to affirming, non-judgmental care and the other services we provide around HIV prevention, mental health, transgender-affirming care — there's so much that's come of it,” says Shukalek. —O.P.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

SHOP LOCAL THIS

HOLIDAY SEASON AT WILLOW PARK VILLAGE

Food | Fashion | Wellness | Home Decor @wpvillage

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

10816 Macleod Trail South 75

“I'm so interested in the science of the brain and how that affects our lives.” GABRIELA GILMOUR (35) Neurologist; clinical assistant professor, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary Gabriela Gilmour is a neurologist and clinical innovator who built a specialized clinic to care for patients with functional neurological disorders.

s a medical student, Gabriela Gilmour wasn’t taught about functional neurological disorders — conditions where a person has seizures, paralysis or other physical disabilities, without any physical explanation. For decades, these patients, mostly women, were overlooked, dismissed or told they were faking symptoms. But Gilmour believed there was something more to these disorders — which can have

devastating consequences like losing the ability to live independently or hold down a job — and to caring for these patients. “The brain is an organ that, when it goes wrong, it can fundamentally change you as a person, which I am humbled by every day,” she says. After her neurology residency in Calgary, Gilmour moved to Toronto for a fellowship in movement disorders, then returned to Calgary to build the Functional Movement Disorder Clinic. It’s the first of its kind in Western Canada and so successful that it is held up as a model worldwide. “It’s very cool to have people coming to ask me about the program we have in Calgary,” Gilmour says. “I feel so much gratitude for the people I work with who have supported this.” Since the program launched in November 2023, its multidisciplinary team has cared for more than 320 patients, offering them a combination of physical therapy, psychologi-

cal therapy and more. A whopping 93 per cent of patients who’ve completed the program say they’ve achieved their treatment goals or that their quality of life has improved. “Celebrating our wins with our patients — whether that’s an improvement in symptoms or going back to work or back to school, or whatever it is — and with our team is the best part,” Gilmour says. Gilmour loves working with people and was drawn to the personal side of medicine. She unexpectedly fell in love with research along the way and likes the challenge of trying to find answers for a broader population. She’s currently leading 11 studies, including four international collaborations, and has published papers and given presentations in prestigious international settings. She is inspired by her patients and wishes everyone could recognize that they deserve extra care. “One thing that really drives me is the resilience I see from people,” she says. —C.F.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY HOURS OF EXERCISE DO YOU GET PER WEEK?

1-4hours

5-9HOURS

10+hours

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“I used to be an engineer, focused on the tree, making sure each part fit. Now I have to be the forest guy.” President and CEO, TCG Machines Inc. Graeme Gordon turned a vacation epiphany into a multi-million-dollar company where robots use patented technology to sort trading cards in more than 20 countries.

twisted knee changed the course of Graeme Gordon’s career. In 2015, sidelined by an Ultimate Frisbee injury on the first day of a hard-earned break between jobs as an oil-and-gas engineer, Gordon tackled a decade-old collection of trading cards he’d been meaning to sort. Three straight eight-hour days later, his roommate looked at the pile and said what Gordon hadn't yet let himself think. This was a job for a machine. The result was the PhyzBatch, the robot at the heart of Gordon's company, TCG Machines. It photographs a card, matches it against a database, and physically sorts it by price, rarity, print year or condition — work that used to eat entire days at hobby shops like Calgary's Phoenix Comics and The Sentry Box. The company’s most memorable customer arrived out of the blue. Order No. 10, placed in 2021, came from Post Malone, an avid Magic: The Gathering player. It caught Gordon by surprise. At the time, he was still assembling units in his basement with the help of his brothers-in-law. That scrappiness now shows up as culture. TCG Machines has hired 40 employees with an average age around 28, and Gordon says

turnover is close to zero. The company runs escape-room outings, axe-throwing events and an office pool tournament that's roped in half the staff. “It’s a strong subculture,” he says of the shared nerdiness, tabletop games and rock climbing that unite the team. “I don't know, there’s just a je ne sais quoi... everyone’s just friendly, open-minded and open to games and fun.” TCG Machines is on track to top $14 million in revenue in 2026. It holds patents in Australia,

Canada, Europe, Japan and the U.S., and its machines have sorted more than 1 billion cards, or roughly 2,000 tonnes, across 20-plus countries. Manufacturing has stayed in Calgary, aside from precision metal parts from China. “Calgary's been so good to me and the company, and Alberta and Canada,” he says. “I would feel very disingenuous if I’d been successful because of all these grant opportunities and mentors and support, and then just left.” —D.L.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: ON AVERAGE, HOW MANY HOURS OF SLEEP DO YOU GET PER NIGHT?

HO UR S

GRAEME GORDON (37)

13 14

5 6 7 8 9 SPONSORED BY BLACK SHEEP MATTRESS CO.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“When I think about 20 years from now, carbon credits should actually be a main export. Similar to how we are an energy superpower, I think carbon removal should be Canada’s next big industry.” ALEXANDRA PETRE (36) CEO, Deep Sky Alexandra Petre’s company is the first in North America to remove carbon emissions using an innovative new technology called direct air capture.

ery few people on earth can claim to remove more carbon from the atmosphere than they produce, but Alexandra Petre is one of them. In June 2026, her company Deep Sky became North America’s first to deliver verified carbon credits through direct air-capture technology. Carbon credits are often bought by companies that have committed to offset their carbon emissions. Direct air capture removes excess carbon dioxide right out of the atmosphere. Deep Sky does this with large fans that force air through special tubes that absorb carbon dioxide, similar to an air filter. The captured gas is transformed into a liquid, trucked to a site north of Edmonton, and then injected into underground storage wells. Deep Sky’s first facility, Deep Sky Alpha, was completed in Innisfail in the summer of 2025. The $50-million solar-powered facility situated on six acres of land is proof that the relatively new technology can be successfully implemented in Canada’s harsh climate. Deep Sky Alpha will remove 3,000 tonnes

of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere every year. Big businesses are already on board: Microsoft and Royal Bank of Canada were the project's first major buyers of carbon credits. Deep Sky’s next site, in Manitoba, will remove up to 500,000 tonnes of the greenhouse gas every year. Originally from Romania, Petre worked in finance and consulted for the oil and gas industry in the United Kingdom for just over five years after completing a master’s at Oxford University in 2013. She credits her carbon management and energy industry experience for her success in getting direct air capture up and running in Canada. “I think if you’re a complete outsider to the

energy world, it’s potentially very difficult to understand how to approach some of the challenges around energy transition and climate change action,” Petre says. It was the Rockies that drew Petre and her husband to Calgary in 2019. She believes Alberta and Canada are uniquely positioned at the forefront of the nascent carbon capture and storage industry. “We have a lot of land available to deploy this technology, we have a very skilled workforce that has a lot of transferable skills from the energy industry, and most importantly, we have the geology to support the storage of millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide safely and permanently.” —F.M.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WHAT IS YOUR PRIMARY MOTIVATOR?

ADVOCACY/CHANGEMAKING 21 AGENCY AND AUTONOMY 3 AMBITION AND PERSONAL GROWTH 6 COMMUNITY 2 CREATIVITY 5 FAMILY AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS 5 MONEY 1

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“WE’RE ALL COMMUNITY, AND SO I THINK WE NEED TO START TREATING EACH OTHER AS SUCH.” ALLY VEGTER (39) Founder and director of community engagement, Street Cats YYC “Street nurse” Ally Vegter has transformed how Calgary responds to substance abuse by treating the city’s street community with dignity and love.

omewhere in an alleyway in Calgary’s downtown is a wall covered with names. Each refers to a person who died on the streets, usually by drug poisoning, and each written by someone who misses them. The makeshift memorial often gets painted over, but new names always appear. This is Ally Vegter’s community. As a young person, Vegter struggled with depression and substance use and dependency. The people on the street she bought drugs from, and those she used with, kept her safe. “There’s a lot of love and care in the underworld,” Vegter says. Once she got sober, Vegter studied nursing with the intention of supporting the same people who helped her when she most needed care. In 2021, Vegter founded Street Cats YYC. The grassroots harm-reduction organization has contributed 1,500 hours of direct outreach to Calgary’s street community. They’ve responded to more than 300 overdoses, distributed more than 4,000 naloxone kits, and provided more than 31,000 meals. Street Cats has also tended to wounds, performed hundreds of cri-

sis and suicide interventions, and made more than 5,000 referrals to health care, housing and social services. Vegter also advocates for equitable, traumainformed care for drug users. Her advocacy prompted Calgary’s 911 mental health response team to offer non-police responses to mental health crises. Vegter and Street Cats work to uplift and liberate those who occupy Calgary’s drug user and poverty space. “We’re all community members. We’re all living in the same space. We’re all here taking care of each other, because that’s how a community should be,” Vegter says. “Whether your neighbour lives in an apartment or a tent or a house, they’re still your neighbour.” —M.D.C.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: DAY IN THE CITY OR DAY IN THE MOUNTAINS?

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Welcome to

THE SCENE’S EVENT CALENDAR

THERE’S SO MUCH GOING ON

1&2 Bedroom Rentals Available

Find the what, when, and where at thescenecalgary.com

YOUR GUIDE TO GOING OUT

s 403.215.8818 hello@liveattownship.com www.liveattownship.com

Modern Conveniences • Active Living Amenities • Pet Friendly

*One month free rent is included in the advertised price for 1 bed + den. Actual monthly rent payments may vary. Contact our leasing team for full details. The developer reserves the right to make changes and modiﬁcations to the information contained herein without prior notice. E. &O.E. Royop Residential, a Division of Royop Development Corporation.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

JEREME PERFECTS EVERY PART HEDKANDI & BUTTER BEAUTY PARLOUR LEVEL 1

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“WE ARE PROBLEM SOLVERS. WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND MAKE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER.” JESSICA TSANG (39) Founder and medical director, Direct Health Solutions Jessica Tsang’s innovative mobile clinic brings compassionate health care and convenient lab testing directly to patients in need.

essica Tsang’s desire to help people drove her towards a career in nursing, where she quickly noticed some gaps in the healthcare system. In particular, she identified that many patients have physical or

psychological barriers preventing them from accessing proper care. In 2017, she founded Direct Health Solutions, a more affordable health-care model involving a mobile clinic and labs administered by a team of nurse practitioners. This smart model is serving patients who might otherwise fall through the cracks by coming straight to them, when and where it is convenient. Tsang says Direct Health Solutions is for people of all backgrounds and socio-economic statuses: “I want to make sure their health concerns are addressed in a compassionate manner that makes sense to them.”—E.C.B.

“I NEEDED TO FIND A WAY TO CONNECT BACK TO MY CULTURE.” CARRIE YAP (38) Artist and milliner, Yap Sister Studio; urban planner, City of Calgary Carrie Yap champions Chinese Canadian culture through her artistry, urban planning and community events.

ike many second-generation Chinese Canadians, Carrie Yap was encouraged by her family to pursue a stable career. She earned a master’s in urban design, but when her day job left her with a creative hole, Yap mended it by learning millinery (hat-making) and constructing intricate

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

headpieces inspired by traditional Chinese designs. In 2020, she founded Yap Sister Studio. Yap’s embroidery is meticulous, earning her accolades like exhibitions at The Confluence. She also co-founded the Chinatown Pop-Up Movie Club, an event series showcasing Chinese culture through movies. Her work weaves together municipal action, community organizing and art. “Each of these things represents a part of me,” says Yap. “I’m proud that I’ve carved my own identity and taken control in the space where I want to be heard.”—A.H.

“I’m at my happiest when I am in a room where people are laughing and connecting and sharing stories with one another and talking about how good it feels to be in our city.” ALISHA REYNOLDS (37) President and CEO, Tourism Calgary

“T

Alisha Reynolds is strengthening the city’s economic fabric and visitor experience.

hat was the best day ever!” Those are the words 17-yearold Alisha Reynolds heard on her first day working at a golf and country club 20 years ago. It also happened to be the moment she knew she wanted to pursue a career in hospitality and tourism. While Reynolds worked briefly as a corporate lawyer, she switched to hospitality in 2017, working her way up to a VP position at national hospitality company Northland Properties. In

2024, she became the president and CEO of Tourism Calgary, where she plays a big part in helping many people experience their best days ever. Under her leadership, Tourism Calgary won the hosting rights to the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, launched the new Blue Sky City brand campaign and offered the most robust Calgary Attractions Pass yet. In 2025, Calgary welcomed more than 200 events to the city, including the Rotary International Convention, one of the largest conventions in Calgary’s history. Last year was the biggest year for Calgary’s visitor economy yet, with a recordbreaking 10.5 million visitors generating $3.3 billion in spending. “My vision is, ultimately, that people come to this city and feel loved and that they belong, they're welcome and they're in a place that's friendlier than anywhere else in the world,” says Reynolds.

Reynolds echoes that message across all of her roles. As a CEO, mother of three, wife and community member, kindness is at the root of everything she does. And she believes her work thrives when she does it in tandem with the community. Reynolds has served on various non-profit and charitable boards, including Horizon Housing Society, the Calgary Hotel Association and Parks Foundation. With community and collaboration at the heart of her work, Reynolds is not only setting ambitious goals to grow Calgary into the best city it can be, she’s making it happen. The city is set to reach Tourism Calgary’s target of doubling the visitor economy by 2035 — that’s a lot more memories and best days ever to come. “Calgary is this place with open arms and blue skies and big hearts that brings people together to laugh and enjoy and connect. And that gives me such great pride and such gratitude,” says Reynolds. —O.P.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WHERE WERE YOU BORN?

CALGARY, ALBERTA

ELSEWHERE IN ALBERTA

ELSEWHERE IN CANADA

OUTSIDE OF CANADA

14 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“I HOPE ONE DAY I CAN SEE ONE OF OUR CALGARY KIDS IN THE YOUTH OLYMPICS REPRESENTING CANADA.” SOPHIA ZHANG (36) Founder, Mountain Shredder Snowboarding Club Sophia Zhang has put Calgary’s competitive snowboard athletes on the map, while increasing the number of Indigenous and female freestyle snowboarders in Alberta.

ike many Calgarians, Sophia Zhang is a recreational snowboarder. At least she was, before founding Mountain Shredder Snowboard Club (MSC) in 2021 after her husband, also a recreational snowboarder, found taking lessons too pricey to continue the sport. Zhang initially started MSC to provide affordable, high-quality training to snowboarders. She combined her business background and recreational experience to build the club by hiring coaches to create lesson plans and training guides for athletes. In just five years, the club has trained dozens of competitive snowboarders who have competed in global competitions. As a woman of colour, Zhang was intentional about building a foundation of equal opportunity for all athletes. In 2024, MSC co-launched Calgary’s first Indigenous snowboarding program in partnership with the Indigenous Sport Council of Alberta and Alberta Snowboard, which grew from five athletes to 24 across Edmonton and Calgary in two years. In 2024, she also established an all-female

training team at MSC with the aim of keeping teen girls in the sport. Several of MSC’s 100 annual athletes have represented Canada and Calgary on worldwide stages. Five MSC athletes were chosen to represent Canada at the 2026 World Junior Championships, and 10 of Team Alberta’s 13 athletes trained at MSC for the 2025/2026 season.

“Being able to see more stars rising from Calgary, and starting to see Calgary kids dominating in all these competitions in North America and now the world stage [is amazing],” says Zhang, who has now also served as a certified official at five International Ski and Snowboard Federation Snowboard World Cups in Canada.—C.C.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

CUSTOM HOMES & RENOVATIONS

HOUSE CRUSH

@housecrushyyc

housecrush.ca Photo credit: Caydence Photography

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

KEEPING PETS HEALTHY AND FAMILIES TOGETHER University of Calgary’s Community Care Clinic celebrates its first anniversary and the animals it has supported.

ur furry friends are often more than pets; they are members of the family. Keeping them healthy and with the families that love them is at the heart of the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Community Care Clinic. Celebrating its first anniversary in November, the clinic has supported approximately 670 patients and 525 families while providing hands-on learning opportunities for nearly 60 students. The clinic works with vulnerable pet owners helping them overcome the barriers they face when it comes to veterinary care, such as cost, geographic location, hours of operation and appointment availability. “Seeing families leave with hope, knowing their beloved pets can remain with them, has been

incredibly rewarding for clients, students, staff and faculty alike,” says Community Care Clinic manager Janine Simpson. Students in their clinical year spend four weeks in the clinic conducting consultations, performing physical exams and presenting clients with long-term plans. “We work closely alongside our community partners, such as animal welfare organizations, shelters, social services, Indigenous communities and local veterinary clinics, who refer families to our services,” says Simpson. Thanks to support from donors, community partners, the University of Calgary and the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association, the clinic can provide accessible pricing to families.

As the clinic enters its second year and its student cohort grows from 50 to 100, it hopes to expand dental services and address transportation barriers. Donations support the clinic’s mission and operations, helping it increase the number of animals it can treat and the procedures it can offer. “Any donation and support is greatly appreciated and allows us to continue supporting our community, while preparing our students for clinical practice,” says Simpson.

To learn more about the Community Care Clinic, visit engage.ucalgary.ca/ vetmedcommunityclinic

EXCEPTIONAL DRIVES. EXCLUSIVE REWARDS. FOR GUESTS OF THE 40 UNDER 40 GALA.

Save up to

$5,000

for select in-stock or incoming 2026 & 2027 models View Inventory

Discover the latest BMW models at BMW Royal Oak or Calgary BMW — with guidance tailored to you. BMW Royal Oak 7699 110 Ave NW, Calgary, AB | 403-275-6492

Calgary BMW 34 Heritage Meadows Rd, Calgary, AB | 403-253-0338

Save up to $5,000 off MSRP on select in-stock and incoming 2026/2027 BMW XM, X7 and 7 Series models, or up to $3,000 off MSRP on select in-stock and incoming 2026/2027 BMW X1 and X3 models at Calgary BMW and BMW Royal Oak. Exclusive to registered 40 Under 40 Gala guests. Savings vary by model. Offer ends December 31, 2026. Cannot be combined with other offers or redeemed for cash. Taxes and licensing extra. See dealership for details. AMVIC-licensed business.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“I’D LIKE TO BE SOMEONE THAT WAS THOUGHT OF AS BOLD, AS SOMEONE THAT TOOK ON DIFFICULT CASES, TOOK ON DIFFICULT THINGS AND MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.” BLAIR ECTOR (37) Founding partner, Loberg Ector LLP Blair Ector is helping shape the future of Canadian law through landmark litigation and entrepreneurial leadership.

career-ending football injury could have derailed Blair Ector’s ambitious future. Instead, it became a pivotal moment that led him to pursue law, then build one of Calgary’s fastest-growing commercial litigation firms. Loberg Ector LLP has earned a reputation for tackling high-profile cases, with some going as far as the Su-

preme Court of Canada, and Ector credits sports for teaching him the values of collaboration, perseverance and accountability. His work, including a successful constitutional challenge of the federal government’s use of the Emergencies Act to freeze bank accounts, has helped shape modern Canadian law. Ector hopes his legacy will be remembered as one of courage, mentorship and a commitment to developing the next generation of exceptional lawyers. “I really enjoy the aspect of passing on knowledge,” Ector says. And he’s still a leader in athletics, giving back to the community by coaching youth sports. —K.S.

“A BIG REASON I CONTINUE TO BE IN THE CITY IS TO NOT ONLY SEE CALGARY BECOME MORE SUSTAINABLE, BUT TO HELP SHAPE THAT SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.”

MARTIN BAKER (37) Board chair, Local Investing YYC; VP of project origination and head of value chain interventions, Anew Climate Martin Baker leads forest-conservation projects and helps Calgarians invest millions of dollars into local businesses addressing social and environmental impacts.

or Martin Baker, investing in Calgary’s future requires a twopronged approach — backing local entrepreneurs and ensuring the Earth is healthy enough to support the progress. At Anew Climate, Baker has supported

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

10 forest-conservation projects totalling more than 330,000 hectares and projected to reduce more than five million tonnes of CO2 emissions in the next decade. He also led an initiative in northern Alberta that protected 100,000 hectares of Métisowned forestland from future logging. Baker’s work informs his role as chair of Local Investing YYC, a for-profit investment co-operative investing in Calgarybased businesses. The organization has raised $2.3 million for 13 local businesses that have social or environmental impact. “Working in climate mitigation is important, especially in a province that is high in industrial emissions,” says Baker. “That work — here — is even more relevant.”—A.L.

“Mentorship is an exchange of knowledge both ways, because no one knows everything, right?” YOLANDA SARGEANT (39) Artist, singer and songwriter, Sargeant X Comrade; co-owner and director, Mo Gravy Records Yolanda Sargeant shatters outdated perceptions of “Western Canadian” music and creates opportunities for artists through her record label.

t five years old, Yolanda Sargeant already knew she wanted to be a singer — she remembers her father bringing home a record by legendary gospel singer Mahalia Jackson and telling her that, if she tried hard enough, she’d be able to sing like her. “But Mahalia Jackson is untouchable; she’s one of the greatest vocalists of all time,” Sargeant asserts. Yet, 12 years after starting her band, Sargeant X Comrade, Sargeant has earned plenty of accolades herself.

The band’s fusion of soul, jazz, funk, trip-hop and dancehall reggae emphasizes analogue sound, championing raw frequencies over computer-manipulated tones. These authentic, intimate tunes have resulted in Canadian Music Awards, YYC Music Awards and a spot on a Polaris Music Prize long list. In 2023, Sargeant received a prestigious Women in Canadian Music Honours Award. She’s also completed a National Music Centre residency and TD Incubator fellowship at Arts Commons (now known as Werklund Centre). Her talent is undeniable, but her dedication to paving the way for other local women is even more impressive. Sargeant is co-owner of Mo Gravy Records, a music label that champions Calgary artists by supporting them with everything from recording songs to creating press kits, and is a mentor with Women in Music Canada. Creating community spaces is something that Sargeant’s family has been doing ever since her aunt first immigrated to the Prairies

from Grenada. Her quarterly event series, Soul Silhouette Series, celebrates femme-identifying artists. “I noticed that there were so many talented female artists in Calgary, but there wasn't necessarily a space for us to just be ourselves and be able to perform our music,” Sargeant says. As a recording artist, she has more than two million streams, and each of Sargeant X Comrade’s live performances employs up to six other local musicians. She may still be after that untouchable Mahalia Jackson voice, but Sargeant has created a position for herself in the Calgary music community: her music is textured, her guidance is accessible, her events are welcoming and her attitude is inspiring. “Throughout my whole life, I've been mentored — whether that be through the Caribbean community, through family members, or through organizations like the Grenada and Antigua associations,” she says. “When I do mentorship, I’m just passing the torch.”—A.H.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WHICH METHOD OF TRANSPORTATION DO YOU MOST OFTEN USE TO COMMUTE TO WORK?

WFH

5 92

4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

“I’M A VERY STRONG BELIEVER THAT, IF YOU OFFER GIRLS AND WOMEN THE RIGHT TOOLS, RESOURCES AND EDUCATION TO SUCCEED, THEY CAN BECOME THE HEROES OF THEIR OWN STORY.” JENNA WALSH (31) Owner, Elevated Escapes; co-owner, Sundance by Basecamp Jenna Walsh has helped position Alberta as a year-round tourism destination, while also giving back to the local business community.

fter graduating from the University of Toronto in a pre-law program in 2018, Jenna Walsh returned to Alberta, knowing she wanted to build a life in her home province. With one canvas tent and $700, she started Elevated Escapes. In 2024, she became co-owner of Sundance by Basecamp. Today, these multi-million-dollar glamping companies help raise Alberta’s profile as a tourism destination. “I wasn’t ever afraid to start small,” says Walsh. “I’ve learned that resilience and persistence matter more than personality, and, at the end of the day, grit is what carries you through.” Walsh has two operations in Alberta, each with a glamping site — including six riverside geodomes in Bragg Creek — in nature-based destinations. She has helped guests to enjoy the outdoors year-round, contributed to the growth of Alberta's winter tourism economy, and designed experiences that highlight the beauty of Alberta. Sundance by Basecamp features 85 sites including trapper’s tents, tipis, 24 fully furnished

glamping units and five seasonal, canvas glamping units. Through co-leading a $1.6-million expansion in 2025 to develop winterized glamping sites, Walsh has enabled year-round use of the site and increased revenue by $732,000. Walsh is also dedicated to building community. In 2023, the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation awarded her a Top 30 Under 30 award. She is also one of the lead producers of

the Social Venture Institute Alberta, an annual conference bringing social entrepreneurs (business owners who are also change-makers) together, and the co-founder of the Girls of Tomorrow Foundation, which she started 12 years ago with her then-pen pal Majorine Namitala. It offers entrepreneurship, scholarship, solar energy, menstrual health and permaculture programs for boys and girls. —S.C.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

C l a s s

o f

2 0 2 6

Thank you to our sponsors! AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

SAFER

CELEBRATIONS Best Bar None-accredited venues help Albertans enjoy the holiday season with responsible service, trained staff and patron safety at the forefront.

P H OTO BY SOLSTO CK , F ROM i STOCK

he holiday season is fast approaching, bringing festive fun with family and friends into focus while ensuring that a safe and responsible night out begins with mindful choices. This is where AGLC’s Best Bar None (BBN) program helps make your evening one to remember. Recognizing excellence in the province’s nightlife, BBN has a network of establishments that take service and safety seriously, balancing hospitality with regular patron touchpoints. “These check-ins ensure guests are enjoying themselves and that their needs are met while providing opportunities for staff to monitor alcohol consumption and practise safe intervention when necessary,” says Kandice Machado, CEO of AGLC. “Mindful choices are always important for enjoying a night out but they can be easy to overlook during all the excitement of the holiday season. Having a plan in place before going out lets you focus on having fun without sacrificing your safety.” To help ensure customer safety, BBN venues employ policies such as assisting with transportation and monitoring intoxication levels. Patrons can be offered non-alcoholic

beverages or calmly asked to leave if staff deem it appropriate. BBN-accredited venues also focus on collaboration with local stakeholders, such as The City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, Alberta Health Services and AGLC. These collaborations are vital to ensuring the safety of patrons during the busy holiday season, when the support of first responders is important.

LEGENDS CLUB BBN recently established a Legends Club, which recognizes consistent excellence and encourages healthy competition among accredited venues in their respective categories. In Calgary, the BBN program groups venues into nine categories, ranging from bars and lounges, pubs, and restaurants to casinos, breweries and distilleries and nightclubs/live music venues. “Legends Club members are dedicated to providing a safe and entertaining environment for all guests,” says Machado. “The Legends Club strengthens the Best Bar None program by rewarding longterm commitment, inspiring continuous

improvement and keeping the competition friendly and engaging for all participants.” Calgary’s Greta Bar, located downtown, and Jetz Bar and Lounge, south of the airport in the northeast, are proud members of the Legends Club. “Both venues have extensive training programs, with a high percentage of staff trained in ProTect, food safety and first aid, as well as additional courses in bystander intervention, human trafficking awareness and Safer Night Out training,” proclaims Machado. Greta Bar has won the BBN award in its category five of the six years it has been accredited, while Jetz Bar and Lounge has received the award in 10 of its 13 years being accredited, in addition to being accredited every year since the program began in Calgary. “BBN venues go above and beyond to provide a safe and enjoyable space for their guests,” says Machado. “These venues invest a lot of time and money to provide extensive training for staff so guests can feel comfortable and have fun during a night out.” To learn more about the BBN program or find an accredited venue in your area, visit BestBarNone.ca

“THE ARTS UNITE ALL OF US — YOU HAVE TO ENGAGE WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU TO MAKE IT A RICHER WORLD.” GENEVIEVE MICHELETTI (36) Co-artistic director, Kensington Sinfonia Genevieve Micheletti prioritizes new works by underrepresented composers, breathing new life into Calgary’s classical music scene.

n 2021, Genevieve Micheletti was told that the Kensington Sinfonia’s aging audience meant that the organization could either live differently or die. As co-artistic director, she redirected the organization's mandate from focusing on traditional programming that priori-

tized centuries-old classics to new works by local, gender-diverse and BIPOC musicians. Under her direction, Kensington Sinfonia grew from holding six concerts per year to producing 25 collaborative projects annually. By championing new works, Micheletti is creating a library of music written and premiered in Calgary. With 20 such projects and eight recorded albums under her belt (including one Juno-nominated album and one Grammy-nominated one) — she is establishing Calgary as a destination for up-and-coming musicians and composers. “Why not redefine our canon by creating it?” says Micheletti. —A.L.

“I’M VERY MUCH A WE-CAN-DO-IT TYPE OF PERSON.” THERESA TANG (37) Co-founder and CEO, Praxus Health Theresa Tang’s non-profit, Praxus Health, has reached millions of Canadians via public health campaigns encouraging healthier behaviours.

uring the pandemic, Theresa Tang saw an urgent need for people to have a clearer understanding of public health measures. That’s why, in 2021, she launched Praxus Health, a non-profit organization devoted to creating healthier

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

communities through public health messaging campaigns, research and uncovering health-care disparities, and national coalitions advancing care to Canada’s most clinically vulnerable people. Praxus Health’s mobile health delivery clinic, the Lung Health Check clinic, is Canada’s first mobile pulmonary function testing van for rural and remote communities. The non-profit is now a multi-million-dollar organization with more than 500 partners. “There are no limits to what is possible to create healthier futures for people,” says Tang. —C.L.

“Sport creates great humans, and I think in this day and age we need a lot more great humans in this world.” EDEN WILSON (29) Canadian bobsleigh athlete; community engagement co-ordinator, KidSport Calgary Eden Wilson reduces barriers for youth to get involved in sport while using her platform to inspire the next generation of athletes.

ometimes the smallest moment can be life-changing, like it was for Olympic athlete Eden Wilson. During a chance interaction during WickFest at WinSport with Canadian Olympic bobsledder and track-and-field athlete Phylicia George, George encouraged Wilson to try bobsleigh, despite not having an athletic background. She was 21 at the time. “I never had any dreams of being a Winter Olympian … because, when I looked on the TV, nobody looked like me. I didn't see myself as having a spot at that table,” says Wilson, who is Black and Indigenous. She adds that it’s important for her to let youth know there is room for all in sport. “If you don't see yourself with a seat at that table, roll up your sleeves and build your own table,” says Wilson. “Because you deserve to be heard, you deserve to be seen.” Eight years later, Wilson has broken new ground as the first Indigenous athlete to compete in a Bobsleigh World Cup, and the

first to represent Team Canada as an Olympic bobsledder in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. Wilson’s achievements, along with her work helping young people get involved in sport, were honoured in May during her induction into the North American Indigenous Athletic Hall of Fame. “My athletic career was never about the medals or the results. It was about how I could attract people who looked like me or identified similar to me to participate in sport,” she says. Off the track, Wilson works as a community engagement co-ordinator for KidSport Calgary. In 2025, she facilitated raising $4 million that enabled a record 10,000 young people to par-

ticipate in grassroots Calgary sport programs. She is also an avid volunteer. Wilson serves on Canadian Sport Institute Alberta’s board of directors, mentors thousands of young people with Classroom Champions and RBC Olympians, and volunteers with RBC Training Ground to identify and engage talent in communities such as Yellowknife, N.W.T., Whitehorse, Yukon, and Thompson, Man. “Sport is supposed to be this great meritocracy where your race, religion or sexual orientation don’t matter,” says Wilson. “As long as you try hard enough and you put in the effort and the work, you can actually accomplish anything.”—S.C.

We asked Avenue’s Top 40s: WHEN YOU DON’T GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP, WHAT’S USUALLY THE PRIMARY CULPRIT?

STRESS AND MENTAL BUSYNESS WAKING UP WARM OR TEMPERATURE DISCOMFORT BODY ACHES OR PHYSICAL DISCOMFORT KIDS, PETS OR SCHEDULE DISRUPTIONS

25 4 1 14

SPONSORED BY BLACK SHEEP MATTRESS CO.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

MEET THE TOP 40 UNDER 40 JUDGES

EVELYN ACKAH (Top 40 2010) is the founder and managing lawyer of Ackah Business Immigration Law and has more than 25 years of business immigration law experience. She has built her career on one guiding principle: every client’s dream deserves to be nurtured and protected. Her personal immigration journey, combined with her legal expertise, knowledge and compassion, ensures that her clients feel secure, respected and confident as they pursue their paths to immigration and citizenship. Ackah believes that borders should never hold anyone back.

NEEPIN AUGER (Top 40 2025) is a Cree artist, educator, author and mother from the Bigstone Cree Nation in northern Alberta. She has been painting for more than 20 years, having studied under her father, Dr. Dale Auger, a renowned Indigenous artist and member of the Calgary Stampede Western Art Show Hall of Fame. She holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Calgary and currently serves as the principal of Manyhorses High School. Auger is also an accomplished author and illustrator of children’s books, including Discovering Animals and Discovering People.

LAWRENCE KORNGUT (Top 40 2015) is a neuromuscular neurologist at the Neuromuscular Program, where he diagnoses, studies and treats conditions related to the nerves. He is a professor at the University of Calgary Cumming School of Medicine in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. His research focuses on clinical trials of potential new therapies and collects real-world health data to improve health outcomes in neuromuscular diseases like ALS. He co-founded Lumiio, a Calgary-based health data technology company.

TSERING ASHA LEBA is the senior editor of Avenue where she develops the publication’s editorial direction and content. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Calgary, which informs her storytelling about civic engagement, city building and celebrating life in Calgary. In 2025, her work behind the Avenue Innovation Newsletter, a weekly newsletter profiling local tech entrepreneurs, was recognized with the Gold Innovation Award by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association.

One Gift Card. Every Brand They Love. Give the most thoughtful gift, one that lets them choose. Available at Guest Services or SouthcentreMall.com

100

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

KÄTHE LEMON is the president and co-owner of RedPoint Media Group, Calgary’s largest locally owned media company. RedPoint publishes Avenue and The Scene, and creates award-winning custom publications including Leap on behalf of the Alberta Cancer Foundation, spur on behalf of the Calgary Foundation, Create Calgary on behalf of Calgary Arts Development and others, through RPM Content Studio. Before acquiring RedPoint, Lemon was editor of Avenue for 15 years. In 2025, she received the Achievement in Publishing award from the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

BYRON NEILES (Top 40 2001) has more than 30 years of experience in the energy industry. In 2024, he retired as the executive vice-president and chief administrative officer at Enbridge Inc. He serves on the board of directors of ENMAX, Calgary Economic Development and the University of Calgary Board of Governors. He holds an MBA from the University of Calgary and is a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. He is also a lifelong volunteer serving numerous organizations in social services, civic leadership, health, education, sport and arts.

BRENT PICKERL (Top 40 2007) is co-founder and president of Sandstone Asset Management Inc. Alberta born, he holds dual degrees from the University of Saskatchewan in finance and economics. He is a licensed portfolio manager, a chartered market technician and an alum of Singularity University’s Executive Program in Silicon Valley. He has a strong international orientation and deep respect for his firm’s responsibility to address global challenges as it delivers exceptional results for its clients and community. He has served on committees and boards for several arts organizations.

COLLEEN POUND (Top 40 2012) is a founder and CEO of her third startup, Proxure, a data analytics company that provides actionable analytics to improve business outcomes for clients. She has an international MBA spanning Canada, Denmark and France, and completed her corporate directors designation (ICD.D) through the University of Toronto. She currently serves as a senator at the University of Calgary on the Management Advisory Council at the Haskayne School of Business, and is a regional ambassador for Women Get on Board.

101

Thank you! Avenue magazine is only possible with the support of the many local businesses that advertise in our pages and sponsor our events. Because of them, we are able to keep connecting readers with Calgary through our coverage of its people, shops, restaurants and happenings, as well as programs like Top 40 Under 40. Please support them and mention that you’ve seen their advertising in Avenue.

Thank you to all of our advertisers, sponsors and partners for everything we have accomplished together this year, and here’s to a wonderful 2027!

21 01 2

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

’S

ENUE

LET’S GO

U NG G

SHOPPING

L I S A WAT T S I N C A N A RY R E F I L L E RY & Z E RO WA ST E M A R K E T

CALGARY IS BURSTING WITH LOCAL SHOPPING OPTIONS. READ ABOUT SOME OF THE WINNERS AND RUNNERS-UP FROM AVENUE’S FIRST-EVER BEST STORES BALLOT, HERE AND ONLINE.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

103

L I S A WAT T S , O W N E R O F C A N A RY R E F I L L E RY & Z E RO WA ST E M A R K E T.

1104 04

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

’S

PERSONAL AGAIN

ENUE

MAKING SHOPPING

U NG G

In the age of convenience, local retailers are proving why it’s worth making the trip

BY LAUREN KALINOWSKI PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COLLINS

isa Watts will fill almost anything you bring her: a pickle jar, an amber bottle, or an empty mickey of Fireball. The container goes on the scale, then it gets filled with whatever the customer came for: shampoo, dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, toothpaste, body lotion — all sorts of household consumables, each priced by weight. The customer leaves with exactly the amount they wanted. Sometimes that’s two weeks of conditioner because they want to try it first. Sometimes it’s six months of laundry detergent in a big pail. Watts opened Canary Refillery and Zero Waste Market in 2019. Two years ago, she moved it from a second-floor space to street level on Kensington Road, and the new visibility has changed the business and increased the number of walk-ins. About half of her customers are regulars who trust her choices and know the savings are real. But what keeps everyone coming back is what in-person shopping still does better than any online algorithm: expertise, flexibility and a level of care that comes with standing behind what you sell. That kind of accountability matters more

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

than ever as brick-and-mortar retailers navigate pressures e-commerce was built to sidestep: fluctuating foot traffic, premium storefront rents, construction disruptions and greater staffing demands. And, when it comes to overhead, their online competitors can scale up or down more nimbly with demand, while shop owners like Watts carry those costs whether one customer walks through the door or 20. All in all, the margins are slimmer. Watts believes that as more retail shops shutter, each closing severing one more human connection, consumers have gained an understanding of what’s at stake each time they spend their dollars. “People are starting to open their eyes and realize we need to support these local stores,” she says.

“PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO OPEN THEIR EYES AND REALIZE WE NEED TO SUPPORT LOCAL

STORES.” LISA WAT TS

Whatever their reasons, shoppers are still choosing physical stores, even after the pandemic pushed so much spending online. KPMG’s 2025 consumer and retail survey found that 61 per cent of Canadians still do most of their shopping in-store, suggesting the shift to e-commerce may not have been as permanent as initially predicted. Among those shoppers, 35 per cent said the main reason for buying in person was the ability to test a product before committing — a preference especially strong in personal care and beauty. Another 90 per cent said they return to stores where they’ve received exceptional service from knowledgeable staff. At Canary, Watts helps customers find moisturizers to suit their skin in Alberta’s climate. She shares her own experiences from using the products she sells (hot tip: use dish soap for bathtub scrubbing) and she sends customers home with samples before they commit. It’s these little things that earned Canary Best Beauty Store in Avenue’s Best Stores ballot, though Watts admits the award surprised her — she thinks of it more as a general store than a beauty counter. It’s not all that different from the one her great-grandfather ran in Didsbury. “People say, ‘Oh, this new trendy concept,’ but it goes way, way back.”

105

ENUE

’S

U NG G

INGLEWOOD

Inglewood isn’t just one of Calgary’s most historic neighbourhoods. Whether you’re on the hunt for a crisp new razor, a snazzy birthday gift, or some new greenery for your home, this hub for some of the city’s best local stores is a must-visit. B Y C H E L S E A C AVA N AG H I L L U S T R AT I O N B Y T Y L E R L E M E R M E Y E R

P H OTO S BY T K T K T K

106

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

RUNNER-UP BEST BOOKSTORE The Next Page This rustic, two-level bookstore is lined from floor to ceiling with an impressive collection of new and used books, ranging from sci-fi and horror to works in philosophy, psychology and more, along with an in-house café, The Espresso Bar, featuring the shop’s signature bean blend, Top Shelf. Cool product recommendation: We Survived the Night (2025) by Julian Brave NoiseCat, $39 1217A 9 Ave. S.E., 403-452-6550 nextpageyyc.ca, @thenextpage

RUNNER-UP BEST HOME DÉCOR STORE Faire Living Step inside this boutique and you’ll find a whole universe of home décor, from wooden shelves and armoires lined with ceramics and glassware to throw pillows, art and nursery goods from this family-owned, independent retailer that opened its Calgary location in 2025. Cool product recommendation: Urceus Fumé Mouth Blown Recycled Glass Pitcher, $78 1226 9 Ave. S.E. faireliving.com, @faireliving

RUNNER-UP BEST BEAUTY STORE Kent of Inglewood After 12 years of providing Canadian beard-care products, fragrances and deodorants, plus outdoor gear such as knives and axes, Kent of Inglewood recently relocated to a larger space just a block from its original home. Check out the new shop for the ultimate outdoorsy experience. Cool product recommendation: Kent of Inglewood Spice Beard Balm, $30 1222 9 Ave. S.E., 403-457-1595 kentofinglewood.com @kentofinglewood

RUNNER-UP BEST GIFT SHOP Lemonceillo Home & Gift This vibrant green-and-yellow shop is full of items that look like works of art, like whimsically shaped soaps and colourful candles. Owner Jennifer Arrowsmith was inspired by a trip to Italy, where people use their best clothes, dishes and the like daily, instead of only for special occasions. Cool product recommendation: Erode Cold-Process Soap, $80 1223 9 Ave. S.E., 403-475-8442, lemonceillo.com, @lemonceillo

RUNNER-UP BEST PLANT STORE Plant It started as husband-and-wife team Kyle and Erika Chow’s passion project centred on terrariums, but Plant has grown into a local institution known for its array of plants, potting and gardening products, ceramics and terrariums for green-thumbed Calgarians and garden enthusiasts, alike. Cool product recommendation: Resurrection Plant, $15 1327 9 Ave. S.E., 403-585-4226, plantshop.ca, @plantshopyyc

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

107

BEST MUSIC/RECORD STORE IN CALGARY Recordland You can find an extensive offering of cassettes, DVDs and vinyl records on the shelves of this collector’s paradise. Founded by Armand Cohen, Recordland grew from a basement vinyl operation to an Inglewood institution after opening its storefront in 1986. The shop has an estimated inventory of 100,000 records, sourced largely from customer collections and donations.

ENUE

’S

U NG G

Apple Boxes (filled with 90 to 100 records), $20 for one box or $50 for three boxes

Agave Blue Boot Lassos, $150 121 10 Ave. S.E., 403-263-4623; 208, Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd. S.E., albertaboot.ca, @albertabootco

110

8 7

BEST THRIFT/VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE The Nines The Nines is a place seasoned thrifters will appreciate. It’s well-organized and discerning, with fashion for all genders — plus, it offers after-hours shopping appointments so shoppers can have the racks all to themselves. Lauren Price started The Nines after losing her clothing when her house was destroyed in the 2013 floods. The disaster prompted Price and her husband, Nik Makin, to explore the art of thrifting. Now, the couple is ringing in five years of selling from their North Glenmore Park storefront. The Nines Gift Card, multiple amounts

BEST PLANT STORE The Botanist It’s hard to miss this little shop on the corner of Edmonton Trail and 8th Avenue N.E., with its shelves of lush plants and flowers showcased outside. The Botanist was founded by Meaghan Cameron, whose vision for the store stemmed from growing microgreens and discovering more sustainable ways of producing her own food. Her curiosity expanded to an interest in houseplants, gardening and bringing green life indoors. From those early seeds grew a botanical lifestyle store that pairs its greenery with a mystical twist, offering tarot readings and a selection of occult books.

BEST PET SUPPLIES STORE Doodle Dogs This hidden Bridgeland gem opened in 2016 and is a pet oasis specializing in premium Canadian pet food, toys and accessories. Current owners Hannah and Colton Lewis stock their shop with top-notch pet products, especially food, like Artisan Raw, Green JuJu, K-9 Choice, Iron Will Raw and more. Doodle Dogs also carries high-quality toys, harnesses and leashes that will endure even the most rascally mutt.

Black Knight Echeveria Succulent, $14

Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Stick, $22

408 8 Ave. N.E., 403-614-6687, thebotanistcalgary.com, @thebotanistcalgary

841 1 Ave. N.E., 403 452-2134, www.doodledogsboutique.com @doodledogsyyc

2110 54 Ave. S.W., 403-919-0839, @theninescgy.com,

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTOS BY CH E LSE A CAVANAGH

BEST WESTERN WEAR STORE Alberta Boot Company There is no shortage of the Wild West in this spacious local shop filled to the brim with tassels, leather and all things cowboy. Established in 1978, Alberta Boot Co. sells high-quality Western wear that ties together the rich essence of the Western spirit with modern comfort, style and durability. With two Calgary locations and another in Banff, it carries an impressive selection of Canadian handcrafted cowboy boots, along with Western duds for both men and women, plus a dazzling array of belts, hats, bolo ties and other accessories to complete your Stampede fit.

1208 9 Ave. S.E., 403 262-3839, facebook.com/RecordlandCanada, @recordlandcalgary

E M I LY B U R R O W E S I N T H E T R I P P E N B OX H ATC H S H O E S .

MEGAN SZANIK IN AN AETHER DESIGNS TIE.

HANK HANSEN WITH T H E R O C K Y M O U N TA I N BIKE.

WHITNEY TITHERIDGE

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

H O L D S T H E B R AV E LUNA BAG.

109

ENUE

’S

U NG G

Apple Boxes (filled with 90 to 100 records), $20 for one box or $50 for three boxes

Agave Blue Boot Lassos, $150 121 10 Ave. S.E., 403-263-4623; 208, Southcentre Mall, 100 Anderson Rd. S.E., albertaboot.ca, @albertabootco

110

8 7

BEST THRIFT/VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE The Nines The Nines is a place seasoned thrifters will appreciate. It’s well-organized and discerning, with fashion for all genders — plus, it offers after-hours shopping appointments so shoppers can have the racks all to themselves. Lauren Price started The Nines after losing her clothing when her house was destroyed in the 2013 floods. The disaster prompted Price and her husband, Nik Makim, to explore the art of thrifting. Now, the couple is ringing in five years of selling from their North Glenmore Park storefront. The Nines Gift Card, multiple amounts

Black Knight Echeveria Succulent, $14

Ruffwear Gnawt-a-Stick, $22

408 8 Ave. N.E., 403-614-6687, thebotanistcalgary.com, @thebotanistcalgary

841 1 Ave. N.E., 403 452-2134, www.doodledogsboutique.com @doodledogsyyc

2110 54 Ave. S.W., 403-919-0839, @theninescgy.com,

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTOS BY CH E LSE A CAVANAGH

1208 9 Ave. S.E., 403 262-3839, facebook.com/RecordlandCanada, @recordlandcalgary

DISCOVER

CALGARY

10 YEARS

OF TELLING CALGARY'S STORIES.

Avenue’s City Guide special edition is your go-to for where to eat, what to do, where to shop and what to know to make your Calgary life the very best it can be. Not on newsstands, the City Guide is exclusively available by request

and receive a copy delivered right to your mailbox.

“Calgary gave PARKER PR its start. Showing up for our community is how we say thank you.”

— ELLEN PARKER, FOUNDER & CEO

WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS . STRATEGIES COMMUNITIES . CULTURE

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

111

U NG G

BEST JEWELLERY STORE Tuu by Coutukitsch Founded in 2010 as Coutukitsch, founders Dorian Kitsch and her partner, Koti Uteng, started selling affordable premium jewellery options at local markets before opening a storefront in 2014. In 2023, they rebranded to Tuu by Coutukitsch and reopend in Inglewood’s historic McGill Block brick building. Known for quality and affordability, Tuu carries chunky hoop earrings, dainty bracelets, earrings, charm necklaces and bag accessories. The shop offers charm-building workshops and permanent jewellery application, and an extensive selection of charms in the shop’s in-store charm bar. Sublime Ring, $45 103, 902 9 Ave. S.E., 403-888-4612, coutukitsch.com, @tuubycoutukitsch

112

Winslow Vintage Pot, $274

Hanging Stoneware Mushroom Person Bells, $33

Kingstyn Chair, made to order.

300, 8435 Bowfort Rd. N.W., 587-892-0846, valleyboutiqueandhome.com, @valleyboutiqueandhome

1, 5622 Burleigh Cres. S.E., 403-291-4848, timelessfurniturecorp.com, @timelessfurniturecorp

BEST HOME DÉCOR Labode Shoppe and Interiors Upon entering this brightly lit boutique with exposed wood beams and furniture vignettes, visitors can admire the linen textiles, antique fixtures and ceramics carefully positioned on tables. Inspired by lived-in elements and European culture, the mix of new, vintage and antique items are all thoughtfully sourced by Bobbi Malana and her daughter, Mercedes Megna, who built Labode with the vision of bringing intention and personality to all of its pieces, encouraging customers to put a purpose behind their purchases. Labode also has a collection of the owners’ hand-selected vintage pieces for sale.

812 49 Ave. S.W., 403-300-1984, labode.ca @labodeshoppeandinterior

BEST GIFT SHOP Valley Boutique & Home Valley Boutique & Home was established in 2014 by motherdaughter duo Shelly and Hannah Van de Kuilen in the heart of Bowness, where they have earned a reputation for an everevolving stock of home goods, locally made sweets, handcrafted flower arrangements and specialty mineral paint. In 2023, Valley moved to its current location inside a two-storey building filled with natural light. Valley also holds an annual ladies’ night in November. The two-night event includes snacks and drinks, plus early access to shop seasonal and holiday items.

BEST FURNITURE STORE Timeless Furniture There’s endless inspiration in this spacious custom furniture design and upholstery shop, which was founded by Josh and Tova Matchett in 2007 as Timeless Upholstery and renamed 15 years later to better reflect the expansion of their vision. Services include furniture construction, design, repair and upholstery for commercial and residential spaces. The storefront business has a remarkable selection of furniture fabrics, from Italian leather and velvet to cotton and wool. Customers can also select from the shop’s custom-built line of furniture, the Arthur Lacroix Collection, that includes sofas, ottomans, beds and more.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTOS BY CH E LSE A CAVANAGH

ENUE

’S

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

A VERY MERRY

WESTERN CHRISTMAS Lammle’s Western Wear offers something for everyone this holiday season.

For her

Ariat Women’s Western Boots complement denim and dresses, making it an option for someone who already loves Western style or is looking to try it out. Accessories offer another way to make the look personal. Purses and wallets from Montana West bring Western character to an everyday bag, while tooled leather belts are for those daring to make a statement.

thoughtful holiday gift can become part of someone’s everyday life, whether it’s a reliable pair of boots, a comfortable jacket they reach for each morning or a bag that brings personality to any outfit. At Lammle’s Western Wear, there’s something uniquely Western for everyone, from longtime ranchers to those discovering a new style.

For the young Western fan Boots, hats and themed toys give younger Western-wear enthusiasts ways to explore the style. Older children and teens can develop their own fashion sense with denim, belts, boots and Western-inspired apparel.

For the luxury lover LW Ranch, Lammle’s curated, elevated luxury Western wear location, brings together premium brands, craftsmanship and an intimate shopping experience. Selections blend modern style with rural roots for those who appreciate distinctive clothing, craftsmanship and fashion-forward style. The Juan Antonio Tote Bags are a statement piece, and Double D Ranch Women’s Jackets are another standout that blends sophistication with traditional Western style.

P H OTOS COU RT ESY OF L AM M LE ’S W EST E RN WE AR

Find the right gift for any lover of Western style this holiday season in-store or online at lammles.com Selections may vary by store.

For him For the rancher, cowboy, or Western-style enthusiast, Ariat Men’s cowboy boots are ideal for workdays or weekends. Another option is a quality felt hat which is a personal choice when you find the perfect fit. For someone looking to introduce Western wear into his everyday style, a classic unlined denim jacket can be dressed up or down beyond the ranch.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

For hardworking recipients Practical gifts also deserve a place on the holiday wish list. The Ariat Work Men’s Cowboy Boots combine durability, comfort and support for long days on the ranch. Flame-resistant Wrangler jeans are another option for those requiring durability in demanding environments.

1 21 31

U NG G

BEST CHILDREN’S STORE (TOYS/ APPAREL/DÉCOR) Knocked Consignment This delightful maternity and kids curated consignment store on 17th Avenue S.W. was founded in 2018 by Andrea Woychyshyn. Knocked Consignment’s racks are filled with new and pre-loved children’s clothing, ranging from preemie to youth sizes. Little shoes and accessories adorn baskets and tables, and plush toys are just waiting to be brought home for a snuggle. The shop also carries consigned and new clothing for women who are expecting, postpartum or already in mom mode. Apres la Pluie - 11 Tone 8” Tongue Drum x Tambu, $100 3717 17 Ave. S.W., 403-973-7338, knockedconsignment.com, @knockedconsignment

114

BEST BOOKSTORE Slow Burn Books Whatever romance story you crave, Slow Burn Books has got a book for it. Established in 2023, this genre-specific bookshop with bright pink walls was founded by sisters Nicola and Shannon MacNaughton, who share a love for romance novels. Slow Burn stands out by keeping its shelves stocked with the latest romance releases and subgenres, such as contemporary romance, fantasy romance, sports romance and more. The bookshop also appears at and hosts various book events such as author events and a book club, ensuring every reader can find their next read and activity. In 2025, the shop from its inital space at The Shops at Avenue Thirty Four to a larger space at The Shops.

BEST BEAUTY STORE Canary Refillery and Zero Waste Market Canary Refiller is a must-visit for those looking to adopt a more sustainable beauty and self-care routine. This store boasts an impressive collection of products in their refillery section, including hair care, deodorant, toothpaste, body wash and more. Shoppers can bring in any container and the staff will refill it with the selected product. Prices are based on the weight of the refill, and users can choose any fill quantity. The shop also carries an array of other eco-friendly, zeroplastic products, including clean beauty, kitchen and bathroom essentials.

Azores Alight Book Jacket, $30

Plenty & Spare Lip Balm, $9.50

201, 1926 34 Ave. S.W., 825-994-1653, slowburnbooks.ca, @slowburn.books

1120 Kensington Rd. N.W., 403-804-6404, canarygoods.ca, @canary.goods

BEST ARTS AND CRAFTS STORE Kensington Art Supply & Instruction This one-stop shop has everything you need to get creative or spruce up your existing inventory. Kensington Art Supply has been a hub for artists’ goods since the mid-1970s. The largest locally owned art-supply store in Western Canada, it carries more than 75,000 individual products from high-quality art supply vendors such as Golden Artist Acrylics and Willow Wolfe Brushes. A variety of classes and workshops are also offered, giving beginners a place to try something new and experienced artists a chance to sharpen their skills. Japanese Paper Place Tissues, $11-$21 120, 6999 11 St. S.E., 403-283-2288, kensingtonartsupply.com, @kensingtonartsupply

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

P H OTOS BY CHE LSE A CAVAN AGH

ENUE

’S

2026

holiday gift guide

HILLBERG & BERK For every jewellery lover on your list. Discover gift sets and best sellers at Market Mall, Southcentre, and Crossiron Mills. https://hillbergandberk.com/

CURL WAREHOUSE Shop 60+ curl brands online or in store at Curl Warehouse, Canada’s go-to destination for curl care. https://curlwarehouse.com

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

CATRINA ART offers handmade, hand-painted, unique hats. The most special gift for those who want to stand out! https://catrinaart.com/

MAUDE KIDS DECOR Inspired decor + toys for the modern family 1812 4th Street SW, Unit 101 Calgary, AB | 403.879.8944 www.maudekids.com

HENRY SINGER Since 1938, Henry Singer has defined luxury menswear in Alberta. Discover exceptional clothing, accessories and holiday gifts from Kiton, Isaia, Canali, Jacob Cohën, Eton and more. #120 – 545 8 Ave SW henrysinger.com

VINTAGE WEST WINE AND SPIRITS Make every holiday celebration sparkle with Brilla! the perfect choice for life’s memorable moments. #diamondsinside To find your bottle visit: liquorconnect.com/brilla

CALGARY OPERA Cinderella is pure stage fantasy ... shimmering, romantic, and filled with wonder. JAN 29 - FEB 6, 2027 – Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium www.calgaryopera.com/cinderella 115

2026 holiday gift guide OAK + TONIC Give Royal Apricot Body Oil Elixir and receive $10 toward your next purchase of $50+. Available at both Calgary locations. 131, 333 Aspen Glen Landing SW. Calgary AB T3H-0N6 403-453-4446 oakandtonic.ca

MODERN STEAK: Alberta’s premier steakhouse, showcasing Prime Grade Alberta Beef, exclusive Kobe, and world-class Wagyu in a luxurious ranch-to-table dining experience. www.modernsteak.ca (403) 300-1424 Stephen Avenue | Southport

CARRIAGE HOUSE HOTEL Give the gift of a relaxing staycation. Yearround, outdoor heated pool; Seasonal guest room packages; Gift certificates available. 9030 Macleod Trial S | Calgary, AB T2H 0M4 |

DOMAINE FINE FURNISHINGS & DESIGN For the design lover on your list, discover beautifully curated décor, accessories and furnishings that bring style home this holiday season. 8-7130 Fisher Road SE Calgary, AB https://domainefurnishings.com/

LILY ORGANIC SKINCARE Celebrate the season with Lily Organic Skincare, locally made in Calgary. Discover thoughtfully curated holiday gift sets available for giving.

PACIFIC WINES & SPIRITS

112 Cedarwood Hill SW, Calgary 587-896-4387 www.lilyorganic.com/

www.Liquorconnect.com/728406

BRIDGELAND DISTILLERY Give the gift of premium limited edition three or four-bottle packs of Cocktails or Whisky.

KNIFEWEAR Ichigo Nezu Santoku - $180 Beautiful, sharp, and built to last a lifetime. The perfect gift for anyone who cooks. CGY: 1406 9 ave SE - 403-514-0577 EDM: 10816 Whyte Ave - 587-521-2034 www.knifewear.com/products/ichigo-sld-migaki-santoku-170mm

AVENUE’S A-LIST

Available at the Distillery, select Christmas markets and select Liquor stores. bridgeland-distillery.square.site/ 116

Carriagehouse.net

Compare and contrast these aged tawny ports. Smooth and elegant each with their own expression of mellowed fruit, nuts and spice.

Get on, go out. Exquisite dining, advance tastings, unique experiences, exclusive parties and — just maybe — the greatest night of your life. www.thealist.vip/membership NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

ADVERTISING FEATURE

GATHER CATERING & EVENTS Elevated, client-focused, chef-driven, catering for holiday gatherings, corporate celebrations and special occasions, thoughtfully prepared with seasonal ingredients and exceptional service.. 4220 23 St NE #3 | 403.454.8933 gathercatering.ca

OLLIA MACARONS & TEA Classic French, modern made macarons, gluten-free treats, curated teas, baking classes, bakeware, cards and Canadian-sourced giftware in-store, online and delivered locally. 810C 16 Ave. SW | 403-457-9775 www.byollia.com | @byollia

TROLLEY 5 BREWPUB A community-driven brewpub bringing Calgary together through craft beer, delicious food, weekend brunch, friendship, and unforgettable moments on 17th Avenue. 728 17 Ave SW | (403)-454-3731 Trolley5.com

TWISTED GOODS - GIVE GOOD GIFTS Twisted Goods is your go-to destination for unique accessories, meaningful gifts, and beautiful home decor.

WILD ROSE BREWERY CALGARY Holidays in Alberta aren’t complete without Wild Rose Brewery’s Cherry Porter. Find yours at their taproom and around the province.

Market Mall & Southcentre Mall, Calgary twistedgoods.ca

4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW www.wildrosebrewery.com

ROUTINE SHOP & REFILL BAR WITH BELLE CHANCE BOUTIQUE #3, 4539 6th St NE, Calgary (587) 232- 0200 @routinecream Routinenaturalbeauty.com www.routinenaturalbeauty.com Y WE

lgar avenueca

y.com

CALGAR

/ FREE 11/12.26

top

40 40 under

HERITAGE PARK Give the gift of membership! Unlock unlimited adventures, discounts, FREE parking, and exclusive experiences. The perfect holiday gift! 1900 Heritage Dr. S.W. Calgary heritagepark.ca AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

THAI SIAM RESTAURANT The Calgary’s “2026 Best Thai Restaurant” Experience award winning Northern Thai cuisine at our 2 locations. 4127 6st NE Starr & 6031 1a St SW Chinook 403-680-0366 www.thaitakeout.ca/

CER STAR, ATIONAL SOC AN INTERN NURSE, A STREET THUSIAST, EN D CAR SARGEANT A TRADING YOLANDA AND SINGER

SUBSCRIPTION TO AVENUE MAGAZINE

A full year of Avenue magazine delivered, including Top 40 Under 40, Best Restaurants, and our annual City Guide. www.avenuecalgary.com/shop/ 117

From factory-built townhomes to tech-enabled seniors housing, modular construction is finding new footing in Calgary. But can an industry long defined by promises finally deliver?

alking through the Viva Homes by ATCO prototype in southwest Calgary feels like walking through any other modest show home. A 900-squarefoot, three-bedroom unit in this fourplex is bright, modern and filled with staged touches that make it easy to imagine calling it home. What visitors may not immediately realize is that this townhome was built in a fac-

118

W O R D S B Y C A I LY N N K L I N G B E I L I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y R AY M O N D B I E S I N G E R

tory. The project was made from six wood modules, each assembled off-site before being transported and craned into place. Building Viva’s 20- to 30-unit multi-family projects from start to move-in ready takes less than six months. Conventional construction methods for a comparable project

usually take closer to 12 to 16 months. Faster build times are only one of the advantages modular proponents point to. Advocates also cite cost clarity, temperature control, greater sustainability, reduction in construction waste and less disruption to surrounding neighbourhoods. In a city like Calgary, where population growth is putting pressure on housing supply, modular construction is increasingly being considered a way to build homes more efficiently — from backyard suites and townhomes to mid-rise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

apartment buildings. Modular construction sits under the broader umbrella of prefabrication, where building components are manufactured off-site in controlled factory conditions and assembled on location. (Modular refers to entire units being constructed in a factory and then moved into place.) Despite decades of optimism about its potential, prefabricated construction has never broken into the mainstream in Canada. There’s a stigma surrounding prefab, conjuring up images of low-grade trailer parks. Today, only around two per cent of homes in Canada are built using off-site methods. But, with a national housing crisis, ongoing labour shortages and political pressure to deliver housing faster, many in the industry believe this time could be different. Will those forces be enough to make prefabricated housing a significant part of Calgary’s future?

Modular is happening in Calgary Viva Homes by ATCO is among the newest developers betting that modular construction can transform residential housing in Calgary. Launched in 2025, Viva Homes focuses on modular multi-family projects in urban areas. So far, Viva has delivered modular townhomes in Arbour Lake and Forest Lawn, with a combined 56 rental units. The modules were manufactured in ATCO’s Lethbridge facility and transported to Calgary on trucks. ATCO is also behind larger modular builds through its ATCO Structures division, which operates 13 manufacturing locations

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

119

across five countries, producing the mobile office trailers ubiquitous at work sites, as well as workforce housing camps, modular schools, offices and, increasingly, residential buildings. Following numerous supportive housing projects in B.C. and Ontario, ATCO made a foray into mid-rise modular housing in Calgary in 2025, with 605 Studio West — a six-storey, 84-unit affordable housing development downtown. ATCO co-designed, fabricated and assembled the modules for Attainable Homes Calgary (AHC), a non-profit, City of Calgarywholly owned subsidiary with a mandate to create affordable housing. The downtown project started when AHC’s then-board chair suggested investigating modular construction for the small and technically challenging site, says Jaydan Tait, president and CEO of AHC. “My reaction was one of skepticism,” admits Tait. But his concern wasn’t whether modular

first shovel in the ground to occupancy of its 364-square-foot studio units. That’s less than half the time it took to complete a comparable conventionally built project nearby. Tait is now bringing modular housing to the Sunnyside Triangle site, an inner-city lot slated for affordable housing for more than a decade. ATCO Structures started manufacturing modules for the 198-unit development in June, with expected completion for mid-2027.

Barriers to modular Inside ATCO Structures’ 200,000-square-foot Calgary manufacturing facility, the contrast with a traditional construction site is immediate. The factory is remarkably tidy, with waste sorted into labelled recycling bins rather than one big dumpster. Modules advance down two production lines much like cars in an assembly plant, with the facility's 160 employees special-

“WE’RE SEEING THE PROOF OF WHAT [MODULAR] CAN DO, WHICH IS ACCELERATE THE SPEED OF CONSTRUCTION, AND THAT IS OF VALUE.” BENOÎT GAGNÉ, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF ATCO STRUCTURES

could be built. “So many people, when it comes to modular construction as a technique to build housing, think of it as a challenge of industrial capacity, and it isn’t. We have the industrial might, the factories, the people to build housing in [those] factories.” The challenge, he says, lies in reducing risk for modular projects, from the capital costs that are more front-loaded than traditional construction to navigating planning approval processes that can significantly slow down builds. Tait boils down building any type of affordable housing to a simple formula: land plus money plus certainty equals housing. Without affordable land, reliable funding and predictable approval processes, no construction method can deliver housing at the pace that’s needed. That said, AHC’s first modular project took about 10 months to complete, from the

120

izing in different stages of the process. By the time the modules leave the factory, they are nearly finished, down to toilet paper holders mounted on the bathroom walls. One module can be completed in 21 days, and there’s no such thing as a weather delay. “We’re seeing the proof of what [modular] can do, which is accelerate the speed of construction, and that is of value to a developer, an owner, a municipality,” says Benoît Gagné, senior vice president of ATCO Structures. So, what’s holding modular back from scaling? Gagné says there’s an embedded comfort and convenience to conventional construction. The industry has operated the same way for generations. Whereas modular, he says, “promotes the industrialization of construction in a way that hasn’t been done in the last 50 years.” Research backs up that resistance from the

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

construction industry, and points to other barriers, including regulatory inconsistencies, financial constraints and procurement challenges. Another hurdle frequently mentioned in the industry is stigma; modular construction is commonly associated with lower-quality trailers instead of permanent housing. Gagné says the industry needs to do a better job of education to increase understanding that modular construction is an acceptable and functional method of building. “There’s nothing that is less quality than what would be in a conventional build,” he says. In fact, modular does not automatically mean cheaper. “Currently, costs may be even slightly higher than conventional [construction], maybe cost neutral,” says Rhys Kane, director of business development at ROC Modular. The company, headquartered in Calgary, has a factory in the southern Alberta town of Bow Island, where 150 employees build modules that are trucked to sites across Canada and the U.S. for commercial and residential projects. Kane says modular’s cost savings come from the shortened construction timelines — especially when you don’t have to work around Calgary’s unpredictable weather. “If you’re a private developer, that means quicker return on investment, because your project’s done and you can either sell or rent quicker. And if you’re an affordable housing provider, it means getting people into homes quicker,” he says. Costs also improve when designs can be repeated, but residential projects often require enough customization to limit that advantage. Historically, Alberta’s modular industry was heavily tied to oil and gas workforce camps, Kane says. But in the last few years, ROC Modular has completed more residential projects throughout B.C., as that province looks to modular housing as a way to accelerate supportive and affordable housing projects. As market forces start to shift in Calgary, with population growth and labour shortages adding pressure, the growth in B.C.'s modular housing could bode well for potential growth in Alberta. “There’s so many reasons why you would go modular, but the pressures on the market have to be there,” Kane says.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

121

A different approach to the prefab factory

ocal architect Dustin Couzens explores: why is the way we builed today almost unchanged from how we built 100 years ago? To that end, Modern Office of Design + Architecture (MODA), the Calgary firm Couzens co-founded, successfully applied for and received the national Prix de Rome in Architecture – Professional in 2023. The award allowed MODA to travel internationally to investigate construction innovation through the lens of affordability. “We saw robots printing, robots welding, robots completely taking over a construction site,” Couzens says. Many of the futuristic technologies were fascinating, but not economical. A breakthrough came on a stop in London, England, at Automated Architecture (AUAR), a company deploying robotic microfactories to construction sites to produce wall, floor and roof panels. “They've taken the factory out of the equation,” Couzens says. “If you can remove the factory, you remove that operational and [capital-expenditure] cost.” The model could help solve what Couzens describes as “the prefab myth.” Prefabrication has long been promoted as a faster, cheaper way to build, yet many companies have struggled to deliver on that promise. It's an enormous expense to build and operate permanent manufacturing facilities in a cyclical housing market. In AUAR’s model, a micro-factory is rented when needed, then moved as a whole elsewhere once the project is complete. MODA and AUAR plan to demonstrate the concept in Calgary in the summer of 2027, with an affordable housing prototype functioning as both a demonstration of the technology and a public learning space. Couzens says MODA has long worked to find “creative solutions to affordability.” He sees robotic micro-factories as an opportunity to rethink what affordable housing can be.

122

Institutes and infrastructure Another boost for the sector may come from Ottawa. Through housing policy and funding programs, the federal government is increasingly championing what it calls “Modern Methods of Construction,” a category that includes off-site approaches, such as modular and panelized construction, alongside on-site innovations and other emerging building technologies. In February 2026, the new federal agency Build Canada Homes issued a national call for industry input on modern methods of construction, specifically modular, factory-built and prefabricated systems. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has also recently expanded its mortgage loan insurance offerings for prefabricated and modular homes, signalling greater institutional interest. There’s a move away from pilot conversations toward execution at scale. “Governments have started to pay more attention to modular,” Kane says. Scaling up, however, would require signifi-

cant investment. An RBC report estimates that if modern methods of construction were to account for even 10 to 15 per cent of Canada’s annual housing needs, dozens of new factories would be needed across the country. John Brown has seen enthusiasm for prefab housing come and go before. As co-founder and co-director at Garden Loft, a digitally enhanced prefabricated modular system for creating quality senior housing alternatives to traditional care facilities, and, as dean of the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, Brown has explored and researched how modular housing could work in Canada for years. He points to how Canada has been experimenting with prefabricated housing, stretching back to the 1940s. That's when the federal government built thousands of prefabricated “Victory Homes” for war workers and returning veterans. Brown thinks that modular might have more lasting power today. “This go-around might be different,” he says. For him, however, the significance of prefabrication extends beyond speed or cost. It lies in the possibility of building entirely new kinds of housing.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

“WE’RE ONLY ABLE TO INTEGRATE ALL OF THIS TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE [THE HOUSE IS] SOMETHING THAT WE PRODUCE IN A FACTORY, AS A FINISHED UNIT. THE HOUSE ITSELF IS THE TECHNOLOGY.”

14th Documentary

Film Festival

JOHN BROWN, CO-FOUNDER AND CO-DIRECTOR AT GARDEN LOFT

Modular for aging-in-place Garden Loft grew out of a UCalgary research project exploring how housing could better support people as they age. The company's fully accessible prefabricated homes use an integrated digital safety and support platform that includes predictive wellness monitoring to help seniors live independently for longer. Brown describes Garden Loft as the world’s first “full-stack home” — borrowing a term from the tech industry to describe housing where design, infrastructure and data systems are fully integrated. In addition to features such as fall-safe flooring and continuous grab rails, each unit is equipped with technology for passive, non-intrusive data collection. Garden Loft is testing its new model of care through a new partnership with the Dr. Barrie Strafford Centre for Learning, Innovation & Quality, supported by Alberta Innovates. Sensors could detect a decrease in fridge use, for example, or changes in bathroom visits or sleep patterns, and then automatically flag them for review, potentially preventing complications

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

such as dehydration, urinary tract infections or falls. The technology will be tested in Garden Loft's first village project: a 10-home seniors’ development currently under construction in the small town of Bassano, 145 kilometres southeast of Calgary. Brown says that this type of housing innovation is possible because of the way the homes are built — as modular homes. "We're only able to integrate all of this technology because [the house is] something that we produce in a factory, as a finished unit," he says. While much of the current conversation around modular housing centres on speed and efficiency, Brown sees a different opportunity: factory-built housing enables housing that wouldn't otherwise exist. Garden Loft shows that prefabricated housing could change what homes are capable of doing. As Brown puts it: “The house itself is the technology.” All this to say, if modular housing can make new tech-forward housing possible, it can certainly play a role in helping to meet Calgary’s demand for typical and affordable housing. Time will tell if Calgary’s home-building industry and market are willing to give modular development its moment.

Nov. 18-22 Globe Cinema

CATVIDEOFEST

EXPLORE FILMS & BUY TICKETS AT CALGARYUNDERGROUNDFILM.ORG $12 TICKETS $10 CUFF MEMBERS / STUDENTS / SENIORS $50 FIVE FILM MULTI-PACK $75 FESTIVAL PASS SCAN FOR MORE INFO

123

You’re Home at Riverwalk! True continuum of care built on connection, comfort, and support that shows up every day.

LIVE FULLY. LIVE INDEPENDENTLY. THE RIGHT SUPPORT, ON YOUR TERMS.

Book your tour today (403) 271-7244 INDEPENDENT LIVING | INDEPENDENT SUPPORTIVE LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE

12 4

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

CHARITIES

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Calgary is a generous city. It’s evident through the many local charities working to create better lives, now and in the future, for Calgarians and the donors supporting their missions. Amid rising costs and complex social issues, Calgary’s charities must work innovatively to address community needs and ensure healthier, happier futures. Discover some of the charities working to advance health care, provide housing resources and strengthen community connections. Read on to learn about their impact and how you can help.

1125 25

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

of-its-kind youth home buyers fund. Thanks to a partnership with Dolce Real Estate Group, the program is fully funded by commissions donated through Alicia Ryan and the Dolce Real Estate Team. Haven’s Rise provides qualifying Safe Haven residents and alumni the gift of a down payment along with a comprehensive education program with workshops on financial resilience, saving, budgeting, home maintenance and how to search for a home.

Celebrating 30 years of impact

Founders Karen and John Sherbut.

EM P O W E R I N G Y O U T H

W I T H E M PA T H Y Safe Haven Foundation celebrates 30 years of milestones in helping change lives. hen Karen Sherbut was 16, she left home. The experience was incredibly challenging and ultimately inspired her to cofound Safe Haven Foundation in 1996 with her husband, John Sherbut, to create an environment that reflected what she needed during that difficult time. Since then, Safe Haven has offered a supportive, safe environment for girls at risk of homelessness. “We show up before homelessness takes root, and that's because we believe that when you show up early, wholly and fully, with care, we can help transform these girls and young women into change makers and caring contributors in our city,” says Krystyna Lloyd, CEO of Safe Haven. For 30 years, Safe Haven Foundation has been changing the lives of at-risk youth in Calgary through housing resources and support services.

Built by Calgary Right from the start, Safe Haven understood that it couldn’t build a home without a house. In 2000, the organization bought a piece of land in Calgary and built an eight-bedroom duplex that became Haven’s Way, a residence for at-risk girls aged 14–24. “The house was actually built in a single summer

12 6 126

in the year 2000. It's often referred to as the house built by Calgary because it was an army of volunteers who contributed their time, trades and so much heart,” says Lloyd. Designed to duplicate a supportive, family environment, Haven’s Way has live-in parents who help guide the girls and offers various programs and services, including counselling and educational and self-development resources. “We’ve created the kinds of spaces that foster a sense of safety and belonging, and inspire our youth to really chase their dreams,” affirms Lloyd.

As Safe Haven looks forward to ongoing growth and evolution, it reflects on the ripple effects of its work. “We have alumni who are nurses, social workers or work in the legal field, and they're bringing not just their resilience, strength and knowhow; they're bringing empathy to the community, and I think that is the most impactful thing that we have achieved,” says Lloyd. And much of that ripple effect begins with community support. Safe Haven recently hosted a Pearls and Tides 30th Anniversary Gala with a live-action Monopoly experience, where each space on the board represented a milestone, partnership or pathway that has helped change lives throughout the past three decades. “And we celebrated, of course, our youth, and the incredible work they have done to grow these amazing futures and build these amazing lives and change the city in ways that I don't think our founders ever imagined. That's the most beautiful part,” says Lloyd. Melissa Rooney, Haven’s Way’s first resident, at the grand opening of Haven’s Harbour.

Evolving with community needs As Safe Haven evolved, it recognized a gap in needs along the way. Although Haven’s Way is not time restricted — each resident moves out when she is ready — many residents reported difficulty transitioning from Haven’s Way to fully independent living. The answer was a transitional residence for young women aged 18–26. Safe Haven opened Haven’s Harbour in 2020, a threestorey building with eight apartment units, where residents have continued access to a transitional coach and programs. Safe Haven’s growing impact is evident in its newest program, Haven’s Rise by Dolce, a first-

To learn how you can help support Safe Haven, visit safehavenfoundation.ca

1 27

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

When Dirk and Lorraine Van Genne grew their family, they chose to invest in their values. fter becoming parents last year, Dirk and Lorraine Van Genne decided it was time to take their charitable giving to the next level and chose Calgary Foundation to guide them along the way. The couple recently set up a fund with Calgary Foundation to create long-term impact in the community and pass down valuable lessons to their daughter.

Guided by experts Calgary Foundation has been helping address community needs since 1955, providing grants and distributing funds to support various initiatives. Its extensive experience in the community and local charities is part of what led the Van Gennes to the foundation. “They’ve been supporting the community for a long time and have a lot of experience with helping choose charities, so we thought that would be useful to us. They also provided a fund steward, so someone we can work with to help identify charities,” says Dirk. “When we met with Calgary Foundation, there was no pressure at all. It was very welcoming, and I think that helped the process a lot as well,” adds Lorraine. The Van Gennes chose to establish a donoradvised fund, guided by an advisor and with the option for family succession, so future generations can continue creating impact — something that was important to the couple.

time together [at the library], and I thought it was a really great community and a great way for other people to meet each other. We visited the library a lot while I was on maternity leave, so giving back to it felt really nice to do,” says Lorraine. “We want to continue to see those programs up and running.”

Giving back early Only in their 30s, Dirk and Lorraine see the value in investing in their philanthropic efforts early. “I think the standout for us for Calgary Foundation is the fact that you can grow your fund versus a one-

time payment, which you can do through Calgary Foundation as well. But the ability to have that growing fund sitting there made it stand out for us,” says Dirk. While the Van Gennes are grateful to be in a fortunate position to give back, they note that it doesn’t always take a significant amount to start your philanthropic journey and appreciate that Calgary Foundation offers various ways to start setting up a fund. For Dirk and Lorraine, establishing a fund now was just as much about making long-term investments in giving back to the community as it was about investing in growing their young family with philanthropic values, creating impact both in their community and within their family legacy. To learn more, visit calgaryfoundation.org

Strengthening the community While Dirk and Lorraine have only just set up the fund, they have an idea of the causes they’d like to help support, including those related to their daughter’s future, like girls in STEM and children’s literacy. From there, they are excited to let Calgary Foundation share its insight into current community needs so the funds can be distributed and used most effectively. As a young family, the Van Gennes understand the value of community services — they’ve personally benefited from services like library programs. “Our daughter and I did a lot of baby rhyme

112 2 88

“When we met with Calgary Foundation, there was no pressure at all. It was very welcoming.” LORRAINE VAN GENNE

P H OTO COURTESY OF DI RK AND LO RR AINE VAN GEN NE , BY KATE RY N ARY. ART

A L A S T I N G I M PAC T

1 29

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

HOMELESSNESS

CAN’T WAIT Calgary Drop-In Centre helps unhoused Calgarians access warmth, housing and recovery.

warm meal, a winter coat or help furnishing a home can make a difference for someone experiencing homelessness. For 65 years, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) has helped unhoused Calgarians meet urgent needs while building pathways to housing, recovery and stability. “Our immediate priority is making sure people are safe, warm and supported, while continuing to help them move toward housing,” says Sandra Clarkson, president and CEO for the Calgary Drop-In Centre.

Continuing a legacy What began as a welcoming place for a hot meal, coffee and somewhere safe to spend time has evolved into housing-focused care. Last year, the DI helped more than 800 people exit homelessness through housing, recovery pathways and connections to natural supports. More than 9,000 people accessed the centre’s services last year. Now, for its 65th anniversary, the DI is asking the community to help fellow Calgarians and support its ongoing work. The anniversary campaign is designed to turn that legacy into practical support during

“To end a person’s homelessness, we must all work together.” — SANDRA CLARKSON, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CALGARY DROP-IN CENTRE

the winter months, when warmth, meals and stable housing support becomes even more urgent. This December, individuals, families, workplaces and community groups can sponsor meals, including festive holiday dinners, and volunteer to serve them. “For us, that is what community support makes possible,” says Clarkson. “It is not just about meeting an immediate need; it’s about being there for someone at a difficult point in their life and helping them take their next step.” The centre provides breakfast, lunch and dinner every day and is seeking sponsors for each meal in December. Families, colleagues and community groups can contribute together, making sponsorship a shared way to give back during the holiday season. New or gently used winter clothing donations are also needed, including coats, footwear, gloves, toques and warm socks, as well as blankets, hygiene products and other items.

provides furniture, bedding, kitchenware and other essentials. Last year, it helped more than 3,000 households by distributing more than 867,000 items and accepted referrals from 127 partner agencies serving Calgary’s most vulnerable populations. Mattresses, towels, small appliances and cleaning supplies help create a welcoming home, and these essentials are provided at no cost to people moving out of homelessness. Calgarians can make a difference by donating funds or winter essentials, volunteering, sponsoring meals throughout the year or connecting the centre with affordable rental opportunities. “Homelessness is not a circumstance that can be tackled alone, and neither is the work of building pathways to home,” says Clarkson. “To end a person’s homelessness, we must all work together.”

Lamb supper

113 3 00

The DI addresses barriers to housing, including financial limitations and access to affordable options, through its Building a Stronger Calgary program. The average cost to house a single person for the first month is $1,350, and donations help cover damage deposits, first month’s rent and moving costs. For someone who has enough income to maintain housing, upfront expenses can still stand in the way. Staff work alongside each person to understand those barriers and first address immediate needs, which can include medical care or help obtaining identification. The Calgary Drop-In Centre’s Free Goods Program

Donations can be dropped off at the Free Goods Program and Donation Centre, 3640 11A St. N.E., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. To donate, volunteer or sponsor a meal, visit calgarydropin.ca

P H OTOS BY CALGA RY DRO P-I N CENT R E

Overcoming housing barriers

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E Caption

A PLACE BUILT

FOR HEALING Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre brings Calgary’s response to child abuse under one roof. A $7-million campaign is helping give that work the space it needs.

R E N D E R I N G BY S H E A R E R D ES I G N

hild abuse is more common than most of us want to believe. Statistics Canada reports roughly six in 10 Canadians experienced some form of maltreatment before age 15, and in Alberta it is closer to seven in 10. Most are never disclosed. When a child in Calgary or Southern Alberta experiences abuse, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre brings together the systems that respond: police, child protection, medical and therapeutic services, and justice and victim services. More than 140 professionals work as one team from one location, sharing information in real time and supporting a child through assessment, investigation, the justice process and every step of healing. Since 2013, Luna has supported more than 30,000

children, youth and families. Its current centre was built for roughly 1,000 children and youth a year and now supports nearly 5,000, with the need growing alongside the city’s population. Luna’s new, larger centre will soon open its doors to address the growing need for child services, and the community can help support it. “Luna has always been an example of what is possible when our community comes together,” says Karen Orser, CEO, Luna Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. “Child abuse is a community issue, and keeping children and youth safe and supported is something we should all be invested in. We are asking individuals, government, businesses, foundations and community partners to help ensure we can continue to provide the strongest possible response when children and families need us.” Luna’s $7-million campaign, More than a Building. A Place for Healing., is underway now, and every gift helps ensure the space is ready for the children and families who will walk through its doors when it opens in early 2027.

To donate or connect with Luna’s team about giving, visit lunacentre.ca

1 31 311

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

HELPING FA M I L I E S T H R I V E From counselling to parenting support,

Board Chair Dary Bissonnette and CEO Melanie Grylls speak at Kindred’s new program centre in Sunridge.

Kindred Connections Society supports a healthier and happier Calgary. trong relationships can make life’s challenges simpler to navigate. Since 1957, Kindred Connections Society has helped build connections in Calgary through accessible counselling and parenting support for individuals, couples and families. “Our mental health supports don’t just stop at the individual, but they also help clients improve their relationships with partners, children or caregivers,” says Melanie Grylls, CEO of Kindred. That support comes in many different forms. In 2025, 1,266 clients accessed Kindred’s Rapid Access Counselling, which offers 75-minute appointments in person, by phone or virtually, with a pay-whatyou-can model helping minimize financial barriers. For families, Kindred offers nutrition and health guidance during pregnancy and a child’s first year,

“I survived because Kindred showed up when the world told me to wait in line.”

alongside parenting support. The Parent-Infant Relationship Team (PIRT) helps parents understand and respond to their baby’s cues from birth to age three. Other programs support pregnant and parenting high school students, young children and foster, kinship and adoptive caregivers. Having relocated to Sunridge this past September, Kindred’s new location creates room for expanded offerings, including infant massage, family and play therapy and community workshops. A community kitchen supports nutrition education,

’

BEST

132

13 2

Learn how to support or access Kindred’s services, visit kindred.ca

What do you love most about your neighbourhood? What makes a good neighbourhood? Tell us what you want to see in Avenue’s Best Neighbourhoods coverage!

Best neighbourhoods neighbourhoods 2

while accessible spaces accommodate families with strollers and mobility needs. Families thrive best when we come together, and Calgarians can help strengthen these programs through one-time or monthly donations, or individual or group volunteering. Community involvement supports Kindred’s work helping families navigate life’s challenges together.

Scan the QR code, and take the short survey to share your thoughts.

P H OTO BY K AT E DA N I E L

— PIRT PARTICIPANT

30TH

TIO

HIL

C l o o r

o i

, io o

il i ,c i o o c

’s

o s

c o l

TH O

l o ,

co o o i

i i

OSIT

OF S I IT

o ic o

r co

oc l io i o c io o o o o co i li

ss o

o c o .

o l io l o o i l .

o i o ii i i c o - c io ci ic i i : ili i i i l o i ic ll , i io o ili ol o c , co i l o o l o i i o io l o . ’

“G

osi o l

l i li s i vi i .”

20 26 E E OSIT HO O U E E S

OF S

o Oil

’

oci io

, ic

ci i

il i

i c l l i li c o

OUʼ E I

a io al sda ,

o oo

ll c io , o

o : i , co o

i . io i

o o l , i co o o

. i

;i i i i i i . Joi i c l o i i i i i o ci .

ll o i

o i

’ o

o i

I TE

C l d

o o i i ,

i o

U c

ill

TIC ETS

’s ila

rop

b r

s a L

o s.

· 11 a. . o 2 p. . · H a

c Calgar

ailabl

c l

BLE S

.c 133

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

Where the Prostate Cancer Centre is making a big impact is catching disease early, and fortunately, for prostate cancer, the outcome is very good. If we catch it early, we have a lot of ways that can allow you to carry on with the rest of your life, and that’s the goal. JEFF DAVISON, CEO PROSTATE CANCER CENTRE

MORE THAN

PROSTATE

CARE

The Prostate Cancer Centre offers comprehensive services and support to Albertans facing cancer. When you walk into the Prostate Cancer Centre (PCC), it doesn’t engulf you with a sterile, clinical feel. Instead, natural daylight pours in from large windows and skylights, images of deep green trees line the room dividers and serene scenes of nature cover walls throughout the centre. The PCC was designed to be a place of wellness and not illness, where patients could find wraparound care all in one spot.

113 3 44

PCC Prehab — taking advantage of the time before surgery The PCC’s comprehensive team of experts, including dietitians and fitness trainers, helps patients prepare for surgery with healthier habits, whether that’s following a new diet, training plan or smoking cessation strategies.

Peer support groups Cancer changes lives for everyone it touches. The PCC offers peer support services for patients and caregivers, so nobody needs to walk this journey alone.

Mental and sexual health services The PCC has a team of experts equipped to handle the unique mental and sexual health impact that accompanies urological disease and cancers.

Innovative programs The PCC houses a robust research department that conducts dozens of clinical studies and trials, helping advance cancer care. The PCC also has innovative programs, including an outreach program, the MAN VAN®, that travels throughout the community screening for prostate cancer.

A nurse navigation system

A new bladder cancer initiative

With a nurse navigator, patients have a direct line of support throughout their journey. The PCC’s nurses help remind patients of upcoming appointments, ensure their questions are answered and are an accessible point of contact along the way.

Launched in December 2025, the PCC’s bladder cancer initiative draws on its 28 years of experience to bring the same wraparound care to bladder cancer patients, both male and female. The new initiative will provide more timely, expert care to Albertans.

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

TESTING

SAVES

LIVES P

rostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. One in six Alberta men will be diagnosed with it. But there is good news. It’s nearly 100 per cent treatable when caught early. Early testing is the solution. Unfortunately, 67 per cent of men delay medical attention, and the risk is real. “You know these people [receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis]. It’s your dad, brother, son, uncle, grandpa,” says Jeff Davison, CEO of the Prostate Cancer Centre. If you’re over 40 and/or have a family history, it’s time to consider getting tested. For everyone else — young adults and women included — it’s time to talk about prostate cancer testing, learn about it and encourage your loved ones to get tested. It saves lives.

Being a charity, you realize there is never an opportunity to take your foot off the accelerator pedal. It’s always about doing more, so each and every dollar we raise is critical. The reality with cancer diagnoses is that it’s picking up speed. There are more and more people we need to support, which means we need to raise more dollars.

GENEROSITY

SAVES

LIVES The Prostate Cancer Centre is fully supported by community generosity. This November, support men’s health by giving back to patients in Alberta. The Keep It In Alberta campaign aims to raise $500,000 in support of prostate cancer care. Every dollar stays in the province, benefiting Albertan patients and Albertan families — your family and your friends.

MAKE AN IMPACT

JEFF DAVISON, CEO PROSTATE CANCER CENTRE

PROSTATECANCERCENTRE.CA 135 135

DINING

Mission Mainstay

Evolving from an Italian specialty food shop in Bridgeland into a beloved Mission dining spot, Mercato (and the Caracciolo family behind it) has influenced Calgary’s food scene for decades.

BY ELIZABETH CHORNEY-BOOTH PHOTOGRAPHY BY JARED SYCH

ominic Caracciolo never intended to open a restaurant. When Caracciolo launched Mercato as a specialty Italian market in Mission in 2005, he wanted to continue the legacy of the market his parents opened in Bridgeland in 1974. But small businesses sometimes have minds of their own, and, in Caracciolo’s case, his market wanted to be a real grown-up restaurant. More than 20 years later, Mercato is still thriving as one of Calgary’s favourite spots for a date night, business lunch or special dinner. Like any good Italian tale, Mercato’s story spans a couple of generations. It starts in 1974 when Caracciolo’s immigrant parents, Victor and Cathy, who, along with his uncle, opened the Italian Centre Meat Market, an Italian specialty food shop. While there were other Italian markets in Calgary at the time, Caracciolo says most catered to newcomers on a budget — primarily Italians with the old-country cooking skills to turn cheaper ingredients into gold — whereas his family’s store brought in the best of the best olive oil, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto, among other delicacies. “We come from a place where you came in and bought 200 grams of mortadella and prosciutto, and we sliced it for you,” Caracciolo says. “My parents taught us to sell quality.” With the 1970s and ’80s boom in gourmet culture, the store was a success, and eventu-

136

PAYING HOMAGE TO ITS ORIGINS WITH THIS PHOTO OF THE ORIGINAL BRIDGELAND MARKET.

ally Caracciolo’s sister, Franca Bellusci, and her husband, Peter, opened a prepared-foods shop called Italian Gourmet Foods across the street (picture it: Italian Gourmet Foods was where Blue Star Diner sits now, while the Italian Centre Meat Market occupied the present location of Shiki Menya). Eager to make his own mark, Caracciolo bought both businesses in 2001, and in 2005 replanted them in Mission as a single business dubbed Mercato. While his parents were no longer owners, they still pro-

vided guidance and acted as ambassadors for the new shop (Victor passed away in 2017, but “Mamma” Cathy remains a regular presence). This is where the unintentional restaurant part comes in. Content to simply expand on the Italian mercato concept, Caracciolo hired now-celebrity chef Nicole Gomes to whip up prepared foods and modest café items, but eventually people wanted to come in for a more lavish lunch. And then dinner. Simultaneously, Italian ingredients became available at regular grocery stores and places like Costco. Caracciolo needed a new business plan. “My intention was to open up something like what the Italian Centre Shop is now,” he says. “But I learned pretty quickly that a restaurant was the way to go.” General manager Nicole Simpson started working with the Caracciolo family back in the Bridgeland days. “In the beginning we were 40 seats, with servers pouring the wine for tables,” says Simpson. Eventually, the restaurant side doubled in size, taking up half the space. The other half remains a market and café with a deli counter and house-made grab-and-go items. “It all really happened organically and from the heart,” Simpson says. At the time, Mercato was a revolution in the local restaurant scene: loud and full of bravado, with an open kitchen positioned like a stage bursting with flames from the grill and sauce sizzling in pans. The restaurant continued the Caracciolo tradition of using only the best ingredients and impeccable service. It was a more

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

LEFT TO RIGHT: CHEF RASNA DHILLON, GENERAL MANAGER NICOLE SIMPSON, OWNER DOMINIC CARACCIOLO AND CULINARY DIRECTOR KAYLE BURNS.

“THE QUALITY AND THE EXPERIENCE ARE GOING TO CONTINUOUSLY GET BETTER AND BETTER OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. WE ARE HYPERFOCUSED ON THAT.” Dominic Caracciolo

CHEF DILLON COOKING WITH

CAPRESE SALAD.

VIKTORIIA SHEREMETA.

HOUSEMADE PAPPARDELLE.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

137

DINING

OWNER DOMINIC CARACCIOLO ENJOYS A COFFEE AT MERCATO.

“MY PARENTS TAUGHT US TO SELL QUALITY.” Dominic Caracciolo

upscale Italian restaurant than many Calgarians were used to at the time. But, looking back, Mercato was ahead of its time. Today, the restaurant feels like an old, but enduringly vivacious friend. Gomes may not be in the kitchen anymore (that job now belongs to chef Rasna Dhillon), but old favourites like house-made pappardelle with wild boar and beef ragu, enormous platters of Fiorentina-style bistecca, and what’s probably the best caprese salad in town still dominate most tables, although newer dishes do appear on the menu to keep things current. Most importantly, that buzzy energy from the early days prevails — quite a feat 21 years down the road. Caracciolo’s family legacy continues to grow: his niece, Alessia Bellusci, is behind the Dolce and Veloce cookie brand (available within the Mercato markets and at other local retailers), and he has cousins and extended family in every corner of Calgary’s Italian-restaurant scene. Caracciolo has expanded his own business over the years, but, after opening and closing restaurants like Wurst and Bocce and putting Mercato West in the hands of Franca and her husband (Alessia is the general manager), he’s happy to channel his attention into the original Mercato. He believes Mercato’s glory days have only just begun. “Internally, we use the term ‘hyperfocus,’” he says. “The quality and the experience are going to continuously get better and better over the next few years. We are hyperfocused on that.”

FRESH FOODS ABOUND AT MERCATO.

2224 4 St S.W., 403-263-5535 mercatogourmet.com, @mercato_mission

138

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

‘

in partnership with:

Thursday December 3, 2026 Lobby @ Eau Claire Tower 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Join us at Avenue’s Cookie Market featuring highlighted vendors:

Elevate Every Plate. Culinary excellence is built on exceptional details. Cracker Barrel cheese delivers the precise melt, rich colour, and complex flavour profiles required to transform ordinary recipes into signature dishes. Instantly add premium value and unmistakable quality to every plate.

Your culinary companion 140

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

S PA C E S

SOUND INVESTMENT High-end sound rooms are emerging in the homes of Calgary audiophiles as they maximize the listening experience of their favourite tunes.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE COLLINS WORDS BY COLLEEN SETO

istening bars and at-home audiophile spaces are emerging as a must-have trend for music lovers. Somewhat inspired by Japanese jazz kissa — venues featuring ultra-premium sound systems to encourage the ritual of intentional, communal music listening — listening or sound

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

rooms are all about creating a space dedicated to audio experiences. In this age of vinyl revival and a resurgence of analog hobbies, it’s not surprising that listening rooms are showing up in Calgary homes. Everything from the design elements to the technology choices of a listening room is geared toward providing a place to tune in, unplug and get into

the groove. While designed with acoustics in mind, they’re about more than just sound: listening rooms are spaces intended for full immersion. Here’s a look at a few private listening rooms and what their owners love about them — from improved sound quality to a more mindful listening experience.

141

BRENT DESBRISAY CONTINUALLY ADDS TO HIS LISTENING ROOM WITHOUT MAKING IT “TACKY.”

OLD-SCHOOL ECLECTIC Owner: Brent DesBrisay in Mount Royal Favourite piece of equipment: “The Accuphase E-202 [amplifier] is probably my favourite piece. It’s made in the ’70s and it sounds spectacular. It just brings a nice warmth over the sound. It’s not too bright, it’s not too bassy.” Favourite record: “A lot of the old albums are made to listen from front to back. This room gives me the opportunity to do that. Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours, great album. Or Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon. It’s always fun to play on a nice system, and I crank them up a little too loud for my wife. But listening to them on vintage equipment like this, that’s the way they’re meant to be played, right? “I just picked up a Warren Haynes album. I like really good guitarists. I like Joe Bonamassa. I get on these kicks with groups like Massive Attack,

142

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Morcheeba. It all sounds so good on a good system.” What you love most about your listening room: “This is both a place of solitude and a place you invite others. I love [listening here] because of the system I have. I love being able to swap out the different speakers I have, seeing how each piece might sound different. I have each album recorded a little differently, and some albums don’t sound as good on some systems. It’s all tied to your ear, too, but also uniquely in my listening room.” Why you got into listening rooms: “I retired, and I needed something to do. I always had a vinyl collection, but I really wanted to go back to the days of my teenage years and get back into vintage equipment. When I first started getting some of this stuff, it would bring tears to my eyes. The sound was way better than modern-day stuff, and it just took me back.”

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

143

I N T H E G R O OV E Owner: Eric Pye in Brentwood Favourite piece of equipment: “The big KLH Model 7 speakers. I have four or five different pairs of speakers that I used to rotate, but I haven’t changed these because they sound so good. They’re 13-inch woofers, which put out pretty amazing bass.” Favourite record: “It’s not so much a record as much as an artist — it’s Sonny Rollins. He was a fantastic saxophonist.” What you love most about your

listening room: “When we [were first looking at this house], at this particular room, my wife could tell that I’d already decided that this was the house we were going to buy — the shag carpet and the wood-panelled walls sold it. This is the only room that we haven’t renovated. I had a sense it would be amazing acoustically, but I didn’t really know how good it would be.” The experience of music in your space: “I don’t worry about what anybody else thinks. I play what I want and play it loud.”

ERIC PYE’S SOUND ROOM IS ABOUT CREATING AN ENJOYABLE LISTENING EXPERIENCE LIKE THOSE HE HAD IN JAPAN’S JAZZ BARS.

144

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

THIS NO-CONTAINER-AVALANCHE MOMENT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU

of Canada

MORE ROOM FOR WHAT MATTERS™

PANTRY

AND

HOME

CALIFORNIACLOSETS.CA

STORAGE

SOLUTIONS 403.640.9070

Calgary West District

210 B

Calgary Southeast

185 5250 110

SW S

145

M I D - C E N T U RY M I X I N ’ Owner: Mike Huck in Elbow Park Favourite piece of equipment: “My JBL speakers. I’ve been a huge fan of JBL since the ’80s, when I worked in recording studios. It’s always been part of my dream room to have JBLs. They’re an absolutely iconic American brand.” Favourite record: “It all depends on the mood and the time of day, but for me, if I had to go to one record, it would probably be a King Crimson record from any era.”

146

What to know about building listening rooms: “Everyone has a different ear. With today’s gear, you can get some amazing speakers, beautiful amps and high-end turntables. If you want the old stuff, it’s to do more with the look of it than the sound. All of this may be retro 50-year-old gear, but the [turntable] cartridge inside is still only one year old. You don’t need to go crazy with power and size or anything like that.”

MIKE HUCK’S LISTENING ROOM HELPS TO SET A MOOD AND REVIVE MUSIC MEMORIES.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

First-class experiences. Five-star fun.*

Access Calgary’s best experiences with A-List. Exquisite dining, advance tastings, unique experiences, exclusive parties and — just maybe — the greatest night of your life.

Get on Avenue’s A-List

* Expect More

Gift memberships now available.

thealist.vip

Scan to learn more

Brought to you by AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

147

A D V E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

the potential costs of both options as well as the equity that may be built over time, in the property itself or by investing the funds.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Location also deserves consideration. Familiar destinations, such as Canmore, Sylvan Lake, Fernie or Invermere, may already have personal appeal. Somewhere less familiar requires research and repeat visits. Explore the local culture, amenities and lifestyle beyond the property itself. There are also financial implications to consider when looking to buy beyond Alberta. “Owning property in another province or country, or even spending significant time in another jurisdiction, can add complexity to tax and estate planning, so it’s important to get both tax and legal advice regarding your specific circumstances,” says Seymour.

FINDING YOUR RETREAT ATB Wealth shares what to consider before purchasing a vacation property to ensure it fits your life today and your plans for tomorrow.

P H OTO BY ROA M CR E AT IV E , COU RTESY T RAV EL AL BE RTA

wning a vacation property is a rewarding milestone — it offers a dedicated place to unwind, host family and friends, and build a lasting legacy. But before searching for your lakeside cottage or mountain retreat, it’s worth stepping back to consider how a new home aligns with your broader lifestyle, financial goals and long-term vision for the future. “Exploring the idea of a vacation property is really exciting,” says Michelle Seymour, managing director, wealth planning at ATB Wealth, adding that potential buyers need to ask themselves an important question. “Will you have the ability to use the property in meaningful ways?” Whether you are looking for weekend

escapes, a family gathering place or a future retirement location, understanding that purpose can help determine when to buy.

FINANCIAL READINESS “If you’re considering a major purchase like a vacation property, this is a good time to review your financial plan,” says Seymour. Whether the purchase is now or in the future, a financial advisor can help you consider how a new home will fit alongside your current expenses, investments and overall goals. Recognizing that financial considerations are only one piece of the puzzle, approaching the decision as a comparison between renting and buying can provide another lens. Evaluate

MULTIGENERATIONAL USE For a multigenerational gathering place, think about driving distances, airport access, bedrooms and shared spaces and ask family members how they envision using the space. “If having family members enjoy the vacation property is an important factor in the purchase decision, buyers may seek input from those individuals, be they children or parents,” says Seymour. These conversations can give you a clearer picture of where the property fits into your family’s future, including whether you intend to pass it down. Before making an offer, have a conversation with your team of professional advisors. Together, they can help with financing, tax and estate considerations while maintaining a holistic view of your goals.

To explore how a vacation property can fit your lifestyle and into your financial plan, connect with an ATB Wealth advisor or private banker at atb.com/wealth

ATB Wealth consists of a range of financial services provided by ATB Financial and certain of its subsidiaries. ATB Investment Management Inc. and ATB Securities Inc. are individually licensed users of the registered trade name ATB Wealth. ATB Securities Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. This document is being provided for information purposes only and is not intended to replace or serve as a substitute for professional advice, nor as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any investment. Professional tax and advice should always be obtained as each individual’s situation is different.

HIGH FIDELITY Owner: Derek Wills in Cochrane Favourite piece of equipment: “Definitely the turntable. I’ve got what’s a pretty iconic turntable in the Linn LP12, which has been around since the 1970s.” Favourite record: “Miles Davis’s Kind of Blue gets played a lot, but it really depends on my mood. I used to just like classic rock. My horizons have expanded.” What you love most about your listening room: “It’s just an escape. I can sit here and get lost in the music. What I really

enjoy is … putting the needle on the vinyl, looking at the album cover, reading lyrics, things you don’t do during the digital age.” The experience of music in your space: “It’s pretty unique in that there are 20-foot ceilings, which open to above — and it’s a big room.” What people should know about building listening rooms: “A lot of the new stuff is quite frankly garbage. But the old stuff — if you get the right turntable and set it up properly, it’s fantastic and such a great bang for your buck.”

FOR DEREK WILLS, THE LISTENING EXPERIENCE FILLS THE WHOLE SPACE, FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

149

S PA C E S

get lit Local designer Nyla Free shares new ideas for lighting up your space. B Y A LY S S A H I R O S E

esigner Nyla Free will tell you that “lighting is one of the most underestimated design details of a home.” Lighting is more than just ensuring you don’t stub your toe on your coffee table and can find your way to the fridge for a midnight snack. “The lighting you choose can determine the entire mood of your home,” Free says. Free, creative director and principal designer of Calgarybased Nyla Free Designs, says that she and her team work with more lighting specialists now than ever before, and that most lighting is determined before the framing stage (connection height, electrical box placement and switch plate design all depend on the lighting type). “I think that catches people off guard, but being as forward-thinking as possible works to your advantage,” Free says. Read on as Free enlightens us about three recent lighting trends and how to do them right.

150

THIS ELBOW PARK HERITAGE HOME USES FLUSH MOUNTS TO ACCOMMODATE THE LOW CEILING OVER THE KITCHEN ISLAND.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

THIS ROSEDALE KITCHEN FEATURES SCONCES INSTEAD OF THE USUAL POT LIGHTS.

Layer in light According to Free, one of the most common missed opportunities in lighting design is not varying the type of lighting for different spaces according to their use. “It’s [often] a blanket, general lighting plan,” she says. “People aren't looking at each individual room and how they're going to use it.” A bedroom, for example, requires layers of light to serve different functions. Think a large main light for getting dressed, soft warm lighting for watching movies or just lounging, and a small bright light for reading. To prevent lighting congestion, Free recommends going both big and small. “They can’t both have the same amount of strength from an impact perspective. One needs to take precedence over the other,” she says. For instance, this Scarboro home’s primary bedroom (see photo below) has a subtle, sleek reading light installed within the wall and an oversized lamp on the bedside table — all class, no clutter.

“THE LIGHTING YOU CHOOSE CAN DETERMINE THE ENTIRE MOOD OF YOUR HOME.” NYLA FREE

P H OTOS [LE F T AND B OT TOM RIG H T] BY MI CHE LLE J OH NSO N; TO P P HOTO BY P H IL CROZI E R

Think outside the bulb Residential lighting has its usual suspects: pendants over a kitchen island; pot lights above the sink; a sconce on either side of the powder room mirror. But Free notes that it’s important to consider the unique design details of every space when selecting the best fixtures. One of her renovations, for example, was an Elbow Park heritage home with 11 different ceiling heights (many of them lower than a standard new build). The kitchen ceiling lacked volume, so she and her team chose flush mounts instead of pendants to draw the eye upwards instead of down. For another project, in Rosedale, the team installed sconces instead of pot lights above the kitchen sink. The reason? “For a combination of décor and functionality,” says Free. The angular sconces add an unexpected architectural touch and their contrasting colour provides visual interest over an otherwise-utilitarian area.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

151

S PA C E S

Go asymmetrical

P H OTO BY P HI L CROZIE R

Another way to level up lighting? Putting lights at varying levels. Not every design requires balance and symmetry. Sometimes, particularly in a smaller space, deliberately askew light placement can serve up an unusual and artful ambience. At one of Free’s downtown renovation projects, (see photo at left) she reused the homeowner’s favourite existing furniture and fixtures, like the tasseled wall sconces in the powder room. The unique, textural lights were long, so Free and her team experimented with hanging them above the mirror instead of on either side. This allowed the mirror to span the full width of the wall and added a distinct sculptural element. “It creates a little bit more of an art-piece approach,” says Free. “The offset idea was cool and played to the strength of the shape of the fixture.” When it comes to lighting, asses your needs for each room and plan ahead for them. But don’t feel limited by function and expectation.

152

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Janet Brown, November 10

Bobbie Racette, December 8

Celebrating Women’s Leadership. Building Community. Inspiring the Next Generation. HOSTED BY THE

Get Tickets at famous5.ca/

Thank You to Our Partners

154

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

M O U N TA I N S

C A N A D A’ S R O C K I E S M A K E I T E A SY TO B R I N G YO U R M O U N TA I N E X P E R I E N C E S TO N E W H E I G H T S , I N C L U D I N G H E L I - S K I I N G , L U X U RY STAYS A N D F I N E D I N I N G .

PEAK LUXURY S tanding amidst towering mountains in the fresh alpine air is a luxury by its very nature. A look up at the peaks reminds us that the Canadian Rockies are among the world’s most beautiful landscapes, and right in our

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

backyard. But, beyond the breathtaking views, you can further level up the luxury on your next alpine visit (and we mean really level up). Here, we dive into some splurge-worthy things to do in the mountains and the experiences that are redefining luxury in the Rockies.

155

M O U N TA I N S

AFTER A TOP-TO-BOTTOM RENOVATION, RIMROCK BANFF OFFERS FRESH AMENITIES, INCLUDING AN INFINITY POOL WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS.

MOUNTAIN

MAKEOVER

GET COZY IN RIMROCK BANFF’S NEWLY REFRESHED ROOMS.

The Rimrock Banff’s transformative renovation brings new horizons of luxury.

hrough the front doors of Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection, a revitalized space greets guests with a rebrand of the well-known property. Inside, floor-to-ceiling windows make the mountain views visible from the moment you enter the hotel. This comes as a change from the previous entry, which was more compartmentalized, obstructing views from certain areas. “The most impactful piece is how we’ve opened up the entire lobby space and everything you’re greeted with when you walk through the door,” says Kymberley Hill, director of marketing, communications and partnerships for the Rimrock. The $115-million luxury renovation was

156

completed this past summer after Emblems Collection, Accor’s new ultra-luxury brand, acquired the hotel. It is the first Emblems Collection property in North America, spurring a top-to-bottom revamp. “The intent is that there’s a unique collection of curated addresses around the world that have similar standards,” explains general manager David Garcelon about the Emblems brand.

CONNECTED TO PLACE Every Emblems Collection address is intentionally selected. With Banff National Park’s world-renowned beauty, Rimrock Banff is an ideal fit. “The soul of Banff is the park itself,” says Garcelon. “So we connect you with [it].” Rimrock does that through its elevated adventure concierge service. It offers hundreds

of expeditions, from guided hiking to ice walks to Indigenous-led experiences — all fully curated and deeply rooted in place. Within the hotel, intentional details connect guests to the destination, too. Rimrock’s culinary offerings showcase local partnerships. Rimrock’s very own beer, The Goat, was created with Canmore landmark The Grizzly

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

HELI-SKIING PHOTO BY FOX WANG, COURTESY OF CMH; RIMROCK PHOTOS COURTESY OF RIMROCK BANFF

BY OLIVIA PICHÉ

M O U N TA I N S

Paw Brewing Company. Rimrock also has a private-label whisky from Canmore’s Wild Life Distillery, and an exclusive coffee blend made by Calgary-based Chronicle Coffee. Every Emblems hotel also has a symbolic ingredient, telling each destination’s story through taste. At Rimrock Banff, it’s alpine honey, an ingredient woven through various culinary touch points, such as Emblems’ signature travel cake concept. Developed by pastry chef Yun Eunyoung, Rimrock Banff’s custom travel cake features a deep chocolate flavour, balanced notes of honey and a touch of pine. It’s designed to stay fresh for a week, making taste of place something that you can bring home to enjoy.

NEW HEIGHTS OF LUXURY

SKY BISTRO. PHOTO COURTESY OF PURSUIT; 1888 CHOP HOUSE. PHOTO BY CHRIS AMAT, FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS; EMERALD SKY DOME. COURTESY OF CRMR EMERALD LAKE LODGE

The concept at Rimrock Banff is simple — guests move at their own pace. The Market offers a casual place for morning java and is

a lively taphouse-style spot later in the day, while Social, the main area when you enter the hotel, invites visitors to linger at the bar, cocktail in hand. The 36-seat Listening Lounge welcomes those seeking an upbeat yet intimate atmosphere, with DJ entertainment and table-side cocktail service. All 320 renovated rooms evoke comfort and quiet luxury, encouraging guests to stay in if they wish. “In a resort, [in-room dining] is an experience, and in rooms like ours, dinner for two or breakfast for two should be elevated,” says Garcelon. Rimrock calls the experience “in-robe” dining. Guests can have four-course tasting in their rooms, coupled with wine pairings. For those who prefer to dine out, the signature restaurant, Parker’s Table, offers chef-crafted dishes rooted in Canadian cuisine. Guests can use the Bathhouse — which includes hydrothermal circuits with vital-

MOUNTAIN LUXURY DINING EXPERIENCES

SKY BISTRO Located at the summit of Sulphur Mountain, Sky Bistro underwent a makeover this past spring, welcoming guests to rediscover a breathtaking mountaintop dining experience. After riding the Banff Gondola 7,486 feet above sea level, settle into the incredible views in the redesigned dining room with more seating. Enjoy the new modern alpine menu featuring Western Canadian ingredi-

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

ents, such as bison, haskap berry and spruce tips, in fresh elevated mains and shareable small plates. “The dishes reflect this incredible place we’re in and its flavours and seasons,” says executive chef Matthew Smith. Nosh on full entrées like the Alberta beef short rib, or try some lighter fare like salmon caviar and chips or melt-in-your-mouth bison carpaccio, paired with an extensive list of cocktails, beer and wine. —Colleen Seto

ity pools, a steam room and saunas, and an outdoor infinity pool — anytime during open hours, no reservations required. Movement, the hotel’s fitness facility (including a 20-foot climbing wall), is open 24 hours, with daily workout classes and personal trainers to create custom fitness plans. Whether your idea of luxury is sleeping in high thread-count bedding surrounded by mountain views, having wellness facilities at your disposal, indulging in high-end cuisine or partaking in outdoor adventure, Rimrock Banff answers the call. rimrockresort.com

Avenue’s writers and editors are occasionally invited to partake in activities as guests, including some in this story. Neither complimentary hosting nor advertising are required for coverage. Neither companies that advertise nor those that provide incentives are promised editorial coverage, nor do they review or approve stories before publication.

1888 CHOP HOUSE Inside Fairmont Banff Springs, 1888 Chop House’s evolution brings a new menu, leaning deeper into its coast-to-coast philosophy. Taste Canada’s best flavours through the butcher’s block program with steaks from three different regions. Plus, enjoy the Champagne cart, offering unique bottles you can try by the glass. —O.P.

THE EMERALD SKY DOME On the edge of Yoho National Park’s Emerald Lake, the Emerald Sky Dome envelops guests in dining comfort. The clear-walled dome, set to welcome guests in winter 2027, is designed to create an intimate experience for up to six to indulge in a six-course tasting menu under the night sky. —O.P.

157

AOFHELI A TIME

Heli-skiing has long been considered the pinnacle of winter adventure. Here’s why it’s worth the splurge. BY LISA KADANE

158

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

M O U N TA I N S

PHOTO BY GRANT GUNDERSON. COURTESY OF CMH

slope of untracked powder unfurls like a white velvet robe below the tips of my skis. Moments before, a Bell 212 helicopter — my backcountry “airlift” for the day — zoomed away, marooning me and a group of newbie heli-skiers high in the Monashee Mountains near Revelstoke. What happens next feels like something out of an epic ski movie: I drop into the alpine bowl and crank blissful turns while “cold smoke” (skier slang for featherlight snow) billows behind me. At the bottom of the run I admire our graceful tracks sparkling in the morning sun and then ski down to the waiting helicopter. After I catch my breath, I’m ready to rise back up the mountain in the whirlybird and repeat. Like most first-timers, I’m hooked. Robert Koell, a guide with CMH Heli-Skiing & Summer Adventures, likens heli-skiing to a transformative, out-of-body event. “Once you start floating down that mountainside it’s like a Nirvanic experience,” says Koell, an internationally certified mountain and ski guide, and Level 4 ski instructor, who moved to Canada from Austria in 1989 to work for CMH and learn English at the same time. Koell says the heli-skiing was so good, he’s still learning English. “Basically, if you can afford it, you would do very little resort skiing and very much heliskiing,” he says with a laugh.

FRESH POWDER SEEKERS CAN MAKE THE MOST OF CMH’S THREE MILLION ACRES OF FRESH BACKCOUNTRY SNOW.

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

159

500,000 ACRES OF TERRIAN. SELKIRK-TANGIERS.COM

REVELSTOKE BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY

GSTEXPERIENCE@REVELSTOKEMOUNTAINRESORT.COM

LONGEST VERTICAL IN NORTH AMERICA. REVELESTOKEMOUNTAINRESORT.COM

160

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

M O U N TA I N S

MORE LUXURY

CATSKIING PHOTO BY MARK GALLUP; GLAMPING PHOTO BY ROBERT WILLET, COURTESY OF SKYRIDGE GLAMPING; HYDROTHERAPY PHOTO BY SCOTT BAKKEN COURTESY OF FAIRMONT CHATEAU LAKE LOUISE; HELICOPTER PHOTO COURTESY OF CMH/JOSH WRAY

WINTER EXPERIENCES

CAT-SKIING IN FERNIE Trade a helicopter for a cozy snowcat at Island Lake Lodge, a luxurious mountain inn near Fernie. Sign up for a three-day cat-ski trip that includes lodging and gourmet meals, or try a single-day cat-ski experience complete with lunch, snacks and an après-ski bevvy (available in December). islandlakelodge.com

WHAT FIRST-TIMERS NEED TO KNOW

WHY IT’S WORTH THE SPLURGE

To truly enjoy being dropped off in the wilderness with no easy way down, participants must be strong skiers who are comfortable on steep, ungroomed terrain. “You should be able to make it down a black run at your own pace,” says Koell. “The really important parts are that you know how to sideslip, sidestep and sideturn.” These techniques — controlled sidesliding with your skis perpendicular to the slope, sidestepping uphill and negotiating a turn in a narrow space like a gully — allow skiers to navigate safely in deep snow or challenging terrain. They also prepare skiers for the gamut of geographical features they might encounter. While blue skies and gentle alpine bowls are the ideal, sometimes weather conditions dictate tight tree skiing for better visibility and safety. Moving all day in deep snow is tiring, which is why fitness matters. Showing up with strong leg muscles and good cardiovascular endurance helps, especially during the first couple of days when you’re getting your “ski legs.” Skiers should also be prepared to carry safety gear in a small pack, including an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.

For many would-be heli-skiers, the biggest obstacle isn’t ability, fitness or even fear of avalanches. It’s the cost. The bucket-list pastime is notoriously expensive: the average rate for all of CMH’s trips and lodges is about $3,000 a day, with some cheaper day-trip options and opportunities to go all in the backcountry for up to a week. You’re paying for helicopter access to a mind-boggling expanse of virgin snow — the company’s skiable terrain in British Columbia is almost half the size of Switzerland (over 3 million acres divided between 11 destinations). Participants also receive expert guiding and instruction, gourmet food and cozy rooms. Every evening, guests rehash the day’s adventures with new friends over drinks in the hot tub and during three-course family-style dinners paired with wine. At bedtime, they fall asleep under plush duvets, exhausted, but utterly content. “It’s just a very deep, satisfying happiness. People really recharge the batteries of life,” says Koell — all while gliding down glaciers or beneath astonishing granite spires striped with snow. “There’s just no other feeling [like it] in sports. That’s why it’s worth it.”

AV E N U E C A L G A RY. C O M

GLAMPING IN KANANASKIS Spend the day carving turns at Nakiska, then retreat to Skyridge Glamping, a collection of deluxe micro-cabins located near Kananaskis Village. The intimate units feature king-size beds, full kitchens and ample windows that bring winter’s snowy glory indoors (but without the cold). skyridgeglamping.com

HYDROTHERAPY AT LAKE LOUISE Check in to the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise for sumptuous rooms, glacier views and access to Basin Glacial Waters, the hotel’s 19,000-square-foot thermal wellness spa. Cycle between saunas and steams, cold plunges, infinity pools and thoughtful relaxation spaces for an elevated winter recharge. thebasin.com

161

Q U I N T E S S E N T I A L LY C A L G A R Y

A Monumental Mascot Calgary Flames’ Harvey the Hound was the NHL’s first mascot.

B Y C H E L S E A C AVA N AG H P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y JA R E D SYC H

ou likely know him as the big, fluffy dog with a crimson tongue and dopey eyes gallivanting around the Saddledome during Calgary Flames games. Harvey the Hound is a pillar in the Flames’ history, and his reach extends far beyond the ’Dome. From walking in the annual Stampede Parade to visiting hospitals with the team, Harvey is the heartbeat connecting the Flames to their community. “Harvey is remarkable because it doesn’t matter what age you are — you want a photo with Harvey,” says Austin Shaw, director of game presentation for the Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation. “You’re excited when he shows up.” Harvey was dreamt up by Grant Kelba in 1983. Kelba pitched the idea to then-Flames public relations director Al Coates, who agreed to give Kelba’s 6-foot-6 hound a shot. Kelba borrowed $1,000 from his mother to craft Harvey. He wore the costume for Harvey’s first Flames game in the dome on Feb. 16, 1984, and made history as the NHL’s first team mascot. The Flames bought Harvey’s costume and trademark from Kelba in 1996. Kelba continued to wear Harvey until 1999 when Chris Dingle took over for the next 14 years. From 2013 to 2023, Kelba’s nephew Scott Vickers wore Harvey. Cris Howgate then took over and still portrays Harvey today. As the Flames play their farewell season in the Saddledome before moving to Scotia Place in 2027, Harvey continues to fire up the “C of Red” night after night.

162

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Set the table for new traditions

E STAT E HO ME S I N L EGACY With a limited number of ridge facing homes on 300 acres of green space, bring your plans to life with award-winning builders Morrison Homes or Veranda at Legacy. Our estate home builders can make your dream home into a reality.

The Po i nt e N

Ridge Lots

300 Acres of Protected Environmental Reserve

The Pointe is Legacy's newest phase, oﬀering Legacy's largest 64' estate lots in our most exclusive setting L EG ACYL I F E .CA 164

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026