Cold Garden is making wine now
Cold Garden added wine to its lineup, and council spent hours on the next four-year budget.
Cold Garden Beverage Company has moved into winemaking. Co-founder Blake Belding began experimenting in 2020 with 1,000 litres of juice, producing an early batch that the brewery quietly sold in its Inglewood taproom. The full public launch came at a Valentine's Day wine rave this year with two wines: a fruity riesling and an oaky chardonnay made from grapes sourced across Canada. Cold Garden also introduced canned sparkling wine cocktails in three varieties: a French 75, a mimosa and a kir royale. Belding says the move builds on the flavour experimentation familiar to craft-beer drinkers, giving the Calgary brewery both beer and wine under one roof. (Avenue Calgary)
A Calgary community is getting a new soccer pitch
One Calgary community is in line for a new mini soccer pitch, but the recipient community has not been announced. Calgary will receive one of 25 free pitches planned across Canada through a partnership between the federal government and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. The announcement was made at Beacham Park in Beddington Heights, although that is not necessarily the final site. Officials say community consultations will consider current access to nearby facilities and where a new pitch could remove barriers to play. No construction or site-selection timeline was announced. (LiveWire Calgary)
Property taxes hang over the next four-year budget
Calgary city council spent several hours behind closed doors discussing the 2027-30 budget with city administration. Council then voted 8-7 to use an increase in 2027 property-tax revenue as a planning guide while spending requests are refined. Mayor Jeromy Farkas said residents should expect some level of increase next year but did not name a figure. The draft must weigh requests including police hiring, recreation projects, parks, playground repairs and a larger city commitment to the Werklund Centre modernization. A draft budget is expected in the fall, with council deliberations scheduled for November. (Global News Calgary)
Stampeders take a 44-20 road win
Calgary beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 44-20 on the road Saturday, improving to 4-4. Linebacker Kyle Wilson returned a fumble 28 yards for a touchdown, and defensive back Derrick Moncrief added a 25-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. The Stampeders held Hamilton to a season-low 20 points and outscored the Tiger-Cats 20-1 in the final quarter. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. completed 18 of 25 passes for 252 yards and one touchdown without an interception. Calgary visits Toronto on Thursday, Aug. 6. (Global News Calgary)
Guided walking tours on Stephen Avenue today
Historic Stephen Avenue Guided Walking Tours run today, Aug. 4, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The approximately 90-minute route covers the architectural landmarks and stories of Stephen Avenue, Calgary's National Historic District, along with part of the surrounding area. The starting point is Stephen Avenue Walk at 340 8 Avenue S.W. Groups larger than 20 and private tours are directed to Heritage Calgary. (Explore Downtown YYC)
Picklefest, Pride Week and GlobalFest fireworks in August
Calgary's August calendar includes Carifest from Aug. 13-16, with dance workshops, a Cowboys Park kickoff party and a downtown parade. GlobalFest follows Aug. 27-30 at Spruce Meadows with a drone show, fireworks and daily cultural programming. ReggaeFest is Aug. 28-29 on St. Patrick's Island, while the Great Outdoors Comedy Festival runs Aug. 28-30 at Prince's Island Park. Calgary's first Picklefest lands at Big Rock Brewery on Aug. 29 with more than 40 vendors. Pride Week runs Aug. 31-Sept. 6 with citywide activities organized around seven themes. (Avenue Calgary)
Bow-making workshop at TELUS Spark
Humility Science: Bow-Making Workshop is set for today, Aug. 4, at TELUS Spark Science Centre, 220 Saint Georges Drive N.E. Knowledge Keepers Alice Kaquitts and Tom Snow lead a hands-on session connecting bow-making with physics, aerodynamics and ancestral teachings, including gratitude before carving and lessons drawn from birds when adding feathers to an arrow. The workshop is free for Indigenous youth under 18 and includes food, transportation and supplies. (Explore Downtown YYC)