Festivals' comeback
After two years of COVID-caused cancellations, Airdrie was host to a bounty of festivals this year that highlighted local talent and ingenuity, including the first iterations of Peace in the Park, Homecoming Festival, and Windwood Festival.
First up was the Peace in the Park musical festival, hosted by the Thumbs Up Foundation – a local non-profit that advocates for mental health awareness – in Nose Creek Regional Park on June 26.
According to foundation founder Kim Titus, the live music event aimed to showcase helpers, healers, and heroes with local headliners Nice Horse, Flaysher, Steve Jevne, and Christian Hudson, together with food trucks, raffles, and a variety of unique health and wellness vendors.
A few months later, the City of Airdrie announced its largest festival in support of mental wellness on Oct. 1 to show gratitude to essential service workers, first responders, and local businesses throughout the community. The free, one-day Homecoming Festival included various family-friendly “tailgating events” such as motivational wellness presentations, football games, children and youth activities, fireworks, and a drive-in, outdoor movie showing.
Mayor Peter Brown said the festival was an opportunity to thank Airdronians for their hard work and resiliency throughout the pandemic and connect them with resources.
“The last two and a half years have been tough, both economically and mentally, for our residents, businesses, essential workers, and first responders,” Brown said. “I’m excited about what the Homecoming Festival represents – being on the other side of the pandemic.”
Thereafter, former Airdrie resident and McGill University musician Tong Wang hosted the Windwood Festival in partnership with a long-time friend and fellow classical musician Maitreyi Muralidharan. The two musicians sought to bring their collective passion for classical music to Airdrie, with a series of plein-air concerts and interactive workshops throughout the city from Oct. 4 to 8.
Doctor expands humanitarian efforts
An Airdrie physician who spearheaded an international charitable organization in response to the plight of the Rohingya refugee population in Bangladesh travelled to Pakisatan for 10 days in 2022 to assist in humanitarian efforts following mass flooding in that county.
Dr. Fozia Alvi, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, began her humanitarian efforts in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh in 2019. Shortly thereafter, she founded the non-profit organization Humanity Auxilium.
The organization has since branched out to assist with humanitarian efforts in Yemen, assisting Yemeni people who are subject to a widespread famine, providing medical relief to Palestinians who are caught in the crossfire of the ongoing Israeli-Palestine conflict, and to Uyghurs in exile in Turkey.
Most recently, the team has begun an outreach program in Pakistan to assist with health-care needs following the mass flooding that has occurred in the region as a result of heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers after a sever heat wave impacted the region earlier this year.
As her tireless efforts have highlighted in recent years, Alvi said her aim is to simply help those who are struggling around the world.
“As a physician, I always believe that every life is precious and important, even one far away from home,” she said.
Airdrie author releases two horror novels this year
An author who grew up in Airdrie released two novels this year, including a non-fiction horror anthology called The Inspiring World of Horror on Sept. 27.
Caillou Pettis, a local horror aficionado who has developed a following on YouTube as a film critic, also released a Stephen King-inspired horror anthology earlier this year called While You Sleep.
The up-and-coming author said he always wanted to try his hand at creative writing and got inspired after he saw one of his favourite authors on YouTube publish a book, realizing he could probably do it too.
“I’ve seen so many other people do it and I’ve always thought, ‘I want to do that,’” he said. “I just didn’t know what that would look like. I’ve always been writing stuff; I’ve just never known what to do with it.”
According to Pettis, the second release is a compilation of submissions from authors, screenwriters, actors, directors, and film critics who each provide insight into a horror film that inspired or influenced them in their career.
Pettis said he has wanted to put together a collaborative book with the help of others in the industry for some time.
“I always wanted to … explore how influential so many horror movies can be for so many different people in the industry,” he said.
“I find a lot of people I talk to in the movie community, they tend to say what I always say, [which is that] horror is the best genre of film. But it’s sad, because a lot of horror movies these days don’t make as much as we would like them to.
“But there’s that big community out there that really appreciates them.”
Country musicians see success
A handful of Airdrie's country artists saw plenty of success this year in their respective careers, including participating in esteemed competitions, winning awards, and in one case, setting sail on a solo career.
Airdrie roots-country musician Kyle McKearney took home $75,000 on March 26 after being named the runner-up in the Project WILD competition – a yearly development program and contest that seeks to develop, promote, and launch the careers of the province’s emerging country artists.
The annual competition was hosted by Alberta Music and Calgary country station WILD 95.3 FM. McKearney added the local representation in Project WILD is proof of the Airdrie region’s country talent.
“There’s something in the water,” he said. “I think there’s lots to draw from here. We’re in the country out there. It’s rural. Rather than being in the city, out here, you get more of a taste for that [country essence], and it inspires those kinds of feelings in songs.”
Similarly, local country duo Flaysher (featuring brothers Brad and Ryan Fleischer) landed in the top 12 of the same competition, snagging the opportunity to perform their new single – “Wild One” – during the showcase on Feb. 26.
Airdrie was also well-represented at this year’s YYC Music Awards on Sept. 18, featuring McKearney (who took home Songwriter of the Year award), and country music star Brandon Lorenzo, who was nominated in the Best Solo Artist category.
While Airdrie’s own Lorenzo did not win in his category this year, he said it was a blast to once again be nominated for the YYC Music Awards.
“We didn’t take the win, but being nominated in itself is a win,” he said. “It was really cool to get to see everybody and get together.”
Another Airdrie-based country musician Steve Jevne had a momentous 2022, releasing his first song as a solo artist, “Best Friends Fall in Love” on June 17.
“This is the beginning of everything for me,” Jevne said that night, before taking stage to perform his song live at the King Eddy. “I think this is the most important part of my career so far.”
Lastly, Katie Rox, a former Airdrie resident, performed at the 2022 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) in 2022 with her all-female country quartet Nice Horse on Sept. 11. The band also took home an award that evening.
Community Links' 40th anniversary
2022 saw North Rocky View Community Links Society celebrate 40 years of connecting individuals and families to services, support, and resources to inspire hope, health development, wellbeing, and resiliency in their communities.
The non-profit organization celebrated the four-decade milestone with a 1980s-themed birthday bash attended by community members and local dignitaries this summer. Local restaurant Mr. Mikes served up barbecue for attendees of the event hosted by Community Links at Nose Creek Regional Park on Aug. 26.
Brenda Hume, executive director of Community Links, said the celebration was a thank you to all who have helped the organization in their vision of fostering strong individuals, families, and communities over the years.
“On behalf of the agency, we are so grateful for the amazing support we have received over the years,” Hume said. “Our success is attributed to everyone who has connected with Community Links.
“We are truly appreciative of your time, guidance, partnerships, relationships, financial support and help to make a positive difference for so many people.’
The non-profit organization has won various awards over the years, including the Advocate Award at the City of Airdrie Volunteer Awards in 2016, and the first Pink Wand Workplace Award through the AIrdrie Amazing Women’s Awards in 2020.
“Our continued goals are to facilitate social connection to build capacity and develop [and] strengthen skills,” a Community Links statement read.
“And to provide activities that inspire hope and support individuals, families, and communities.”
Smitty's reopens with new owner
A long-standing pillar in Airdrie’s hospitality industry returned to the community together with a new owner and a new look this this year, after it was shuttered during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Airdrie Smitty’s location in East Lake reopened earlier this month thanks to Calgary-based restaurant investor Desikan Thiruvendipuram, who saw last year’s Airdrie City View article about the closure of the diner amidst ongoing economic woes and increasing restrictions on the hospitality industry during the pandemic.
The investor saw the retired diner as an opportunity to bring the community together under the Smitty’s banner once again.
“It has a place in the community. It has a place among the staff,” Thiruvendipuram said. “There is no reason for this particular business to be shut down, so I took the decision to reopen it.”
He said guests walking into the restaurant can expect the same experience and meals, but a revamped environment, with a family-friendly focus in the dining area, and a sports focus in the lounge.
“You’re not going to get a tired old restaurant,” he said. “It has a fresh new look to it and it’s not just surface – we really invested a lot of money to make this a nice venue for people to come and enjoy their time.”
The entrepreneur said he also wanted to hire back as many former employees of the previous Smitty’s restaurant as possible to ensure it had the same community feel.
“A good business has a place in this community. It helps the community, and I wanted to continue that,” he said. “The most important thing for me is to feel welcomed in the community and to actually be part of the community, engaging the community, hiring the old staff.”
Breweries collaborate
A quartet of Airdrie breweries teamed up to prepare a custom-made pint in 2022 that not only tastes great but pays homage to the city it comes from.
The new brew was dubbed ‘Next 4 Exits’ – a play on both the number of local breweries in Airdrie and the soon-to-be number of highway exits in the community.
The joint effort followed last year’s ‘Next 3 Exits’ collaboration between local breweries 948 Brewing Co., Fitzsimmons Brewing Co., and Balzac Craft Brewing Co. In 2021, the trio teamed up to brew a double IPA that for a period of time was sold in each of their establishments.
A year after that successful experiment, Kyle Wudrich, co-founder of 948 Brewing, said the breweries decided to band together once again this year to show the community what they had accomplished and what they could do.
The project widened in 2022 to include the latest brewpub to set up shop in Airdrie – Atlas Brewing Co., which opened earlier this year in Kingsview Market.
“Lucky for us, they started building the fourth overpass for traffic [in Airdrie] so we wanted to incorporate more of what the City is doing and include Atlas and create another style of beer and have some fun and welcome Atlas to the brewing community,” Wudrich said.
The ‘Next 4 Exits’ beer was released to the public on July 1 and was extremely popular with each brewery’s patrons, available only until stores ran out of the brew.
Airdrie alopecia advocate raises awareness of condition
An Airdrie resident who was diagnosed with alopecia 20 years ago – an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss on the scalp, face, and body – began speaking out this year to raise awareness of the condition and to provide support to those who are newly diagnosed.
Kristen Vaccher was given the official diagnosis of alopecia after her hair began to fall out in clumps at the age of 13.
Vaccher said the disease soon progressed to alopecia totalis, resulting in hair loss across the entire scalp, and then further progressed to alopecia universalis, which is a more advanced form of alopecia totalis that results in hair loss across the entire scalp, face, and body.
Dealing with the initial diagnosis during her teen years wasn’t easy, Vaccher added, and she often experienced bullying and mean comments from fellow students at school.
“I used to sit in the front of class, but I moved to the back because my hair would fall out all around my chair and I’d stay back to pick it up so it would be less embarrassing for me,” she said.
Alopecia became more well-known in 2022 following Hollywood actor Will Smith's “Slap seen 'round the world” at the 2022 Oscars, when he struck host Chris Rock in the face on-stage for making a joke about Smith's wife, who has the condition.
Vaccher decided she needed to speak out about alopecia to encourage others who are also diagnosed with the condition after hearing several stories of young girls who were recently diagnosed and were struggling to accept themselves.
In the first year of her alopecia awareness journey, Vaccher became involved in a social media support group, The Baldtourage, which is a community of women who have experienced hair loss. The group was started by Christie Valdiserri, the first bald Sports Illustrated swimsuit model.
Vaccher has been mentoring other women and girls diagnosed with alopecia through the community.
“When there’s 147 million people worldwide that have alopecia, something’s got to be done,” she said. “Awareness has to be brought to this disease because although it’s not fatal, it is still a huge mental journey.”
Airdrie videographer films game show
An Airdrie-based production company spent some of 2022 scouting for contestants and sponsors for a new locally filmed game show that will take viewers back in time to the bygone era of rental video stores.
Crooked Cinema Productions, a small venture film and photography service founded by Airdronian Mitchell George in 2012, has in past productions striven to involve as much Airdrie talent as possible.
Rental Rewind, “the game show with no late fees” designed for film buffs and lay-z-boy scholars alike, will be no different, according to project manager Brodie Parker.
“We know there’s a lot of talent in town and it’s time to get everyone out of their basements and out of their home studios,” Parker said of Crooked Cinema’s latest intent to showcase Airdrie talent.
In 2022, the production company was given the go-ahead to film three pilot episodes in partnership with TELUS Optik TV for a tentative release early next year.
“We’re looking to show TELUS that we’re good stewards of their money and that Airdrie deserves to have this industry,” Parker said. “Right now, we’re the ones willing to deliver that so we’re hoping everything goes well.”
According to Parker, Rental Rewind will showcase local contestants and build the business case for a local film industry.
“Airdrie is incredibly important to us, and so we’re really looking at doing this right and getting the right message out there,” he said. “We’re really hoping this project gives us the license to continue being the ones that can deliver this for everybody who wants to see it.”
Dog park missed connection
In mid-June, two dog-owners met in a local off-leash park in Airdrie and spent an hour exchanging life stories as they walked around the park with their pooches.
Having thoroughly enjoyed the conversation and the commonalities he experienced with the woman, Brandon Paris, a then-49-year-old Airdrie resident, visited the East Lake Avenue dog park nearly every night at 7 p.m., (the time the two originally met) for the next few weeks, hoping to reconnect with the woman he felt a spark with. However, she didn't return.
Recently divorced, Paris did not want to let a potential opportunity for love pass by him. Shifting his strategy, he posted a flyer in the dog park, which included information about the pair's conversation and details about the mystery girl that he recalled from their chat.
“I feel like I can’t just let it pass by because the chances of meeting someone in person that you get along with so well is one out of several thousand,” Paris explained in an interview on July 29, after being contacted by the Airdrie City View.
After the City View's story about Paris went viral, becoming AirdrieTODAY's most read story online in the website's history, the girl from the dog park reached out to him, having come across the article.
Although Lacey Christiansen was not looking to connect with a stranger, she said she was happier to meet someone in person rather than through an online app.
“I can see the romance and I don’t think there were any red flags. Obviously, if there was, I wouldn’t have reached out [to him],” she said. “I think it was done very respectfully.
“I would prefer someone reach out to me like [this] than just a message online or see a picture of me and it’s like, ‘I want to try to get to meet her.'"
