If you’re reading this hot off the press on Saturday, March 21, zip on over to Calgary Farmer’s Market South right now to catch our Random Acts team on the market floor.
Stay in the loop. Win at trivia. Wow at parties.
Written by Nathan Iles
INTERNATIONAL:Poland has quietly climbed into the world’s top 20 economies, surprising anyone still stuck on the “post‑communist underdog” narrative. Fueled by EU cash, a skilled workforce, and smart investment, the country is speed‑running economic development and looks ready to outpace half of Western Europe.
NATIONAL: A new survey shows Canadians are officially done with “tip creep,” with 67 percent voting to scrap the entire idea of tipping. After endless digital tip prompts, rising suggested percentages, and total confusion about how any of it gets taxed, Canadians seem ready to hit “no tip” on principle alone.
LOCAL:The Wilder Institute just welcomeda new polar bear, Yellé, a 20‑year‑old Quebec transplant now settling into quarantine before meeting his future roommate, Siku. If everything goes swimmingly, we could be seeing Yellé roaming the big bad shores of the Calgary Zoo by April.
Spending an afternoon exploring this scenic small town, toddler in tow.
By Sarah Comber Photos by Sarah Comber Photography @sarah.comber
It’s 11 a.m., and after a lazy Saturday morning, my three-year-old is itching for an adventure. Only 30-minutes away, Cochrane immediately springs to mind. The scenic downtown offers a range of distractions for parents and littles alike, and the surrounding greenspace is fantastic for tinies with seemingly endless energy.
It’s nearing noon by the time we park in Cochrane’s Hallmark-like town centre. We head to Cochrane Coffee Traders, a log-cabin-esque building with a towering cathedral ceiling.
A cozy interior, complete with a roaring fire, greets us. I ordered a latte and a coffee cake muffin. My son has already honed in on the funfetti sugar cookie. My mind immediately calculates the countdown I’ll face once the sugar hits, but it’s too late; he’s ordered, and I don’t have the heart to say no.
We munch on our treats, and I sip on my coffee as waves of people come and go. I spied a small collection of shops across the street and am keen to see what it’s about before my son’s attention span dwindles.
In the corner of the Rustic Market Square shopping district, we head into Stillwater Tea Shop. Row upon row of large glass jars holding every type of tea imaginable line the walls, and white tables stocked with tea accessories sit at the perfect height for little curious hands.
“We have around 100 different teas in-store,” says Alexandra Graye, who manages the tea shop owned by her mother, Angela. “And around 145 online. Many of the teas are the same all year, but we swap some out seasonally.”
Leaving the shop, I see a sign for The Messy Moose, and we stumble upon an interactive, sensory play place and art studio. With drop-in rates and monthly subscriptions, parents can relax in a circle of chairs by the front entrance while their children build blanket forts, craft, and play in a quiet, safe space. “I feel so strongly about messy play and the importance of play for learning, especially motor skills and the connections it makes in the brain,” says owner Erin Lirantzis.
My son zooms outside, shoes back on feet. The sugar has hit. It’s around 2:30 p.m., and I know our next step needs to let him burn off a little energy before the drive home.
Luckily, we have a few options. The nearby Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary makes for an interesting visit. Only 30 minutes away from Cochrane, Ghost Lake is a beautiful spot ideal for canoeing/kayaking, camping, and fishing. However, I need something a little closer. Fortunately, the trails beside the historic Cochrane Ranche House are only a few minutes away.
We slowly wander toward the river, enjoying the trees and keeping an eye out for wildlife. It’s now nearing 4 p.m., and time to head back to the car. Unsurprisingly, my son drifts off on the drive back; the sugar-crash in full swing, tuckered out from a day exploring Cochrane.
Luxuries in Disguise
Written by Nathan Iles
In Calgary, we tend to think “luxury” means something dramatic. Think a weekend in Banff, a new truck you definitely don’t need, or brunch in Inglewood that costs more than your phone bill. But most of the luxuries in this city are hiding in plain sight.
That $7 Phil & Sebastian latte you grabbed without blinking? Luxury. The Uber you take because the CTrain was, in typical fashion, disrupted? Luxury. Replacing your MEC slippers right when they start to crease up? Absolutely a luxury. We’ve normalized these little indulgences so thoroughly that they barely register. It’s just another Tuesday.
But reframing them can do two things for you.
In a city where rent keeps climbing, seeing these purchases clearly can inspire you to save some cash. Try grabbing some local beans and making your own coffee, cooking at home instead of ordering Skip for the third time this week, or trying to repair the dang slippers. Now, instead of depriving yourself, you’re choosing luxuries that actually count.
But if you’re in a “treat yourself” mood, go ahead and enjoy the hell out of that $10 pint from Village Ice Cream. Savour every lick. Make it a moment, not a routine. (We’re fans of the Salted Caramel over here at Randomly Validating.)
The Blue Sky City feels a lot kinder when you treat the small joys like they matter.
A Black-Capped Chickadee playfully poses after a heavy snowfall in Glenmore Park.
What is this, anyway?
Randomly Validating is the newsletter of Random Acts by ATB, a new way to connect to our communities with no catch, tricks, or guilt trips. From free pet photos to meal deliveries, we pop up in the spaces you use every day to provide relief and maybe even get a genuine, “Huh, that was cool!”
Some clues to where we’ll be this month:
Look for us under a big roof surrounded by fresh produce and local crafts on March 21
Want to learn more about Random Acts? Have some friends who need a little Random Validation? *Game show chanting* Click. That. Button! */chanting*
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