📢 Wildfire Help

Good morning, Bow Valley!

For all you aurora chasers, tonight is supposed to be a great night to see the Northern Lights (but only if the sky is clear).  If you get any sweet pictures, please tag us on Instagram.  

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Jasper’s historic fire + how you can help

• Last day for Banff’s pedestrian zone advanced voting

• Sunshine gets a new ski llift
  
  + 50% off sushi

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan, Shireen Ahmed, Lauren H., & Ben S.

Want to advertise to Bow Valley locals? Fill out this quick form

HELPING HANDS

What’s happening: The Bow Valley community is rallying around displaced Jasperites. It's great to see the support and solidarity during this tough time.

Donation pause: There’s a hold on new donations at the donation/pick-up center, but you can check out the volunteer schedule to help. The Rocky Mountain Community Relief Fund is still active and contributions will be directed to wildfire response and recovery efforts in Jasper and nearby communities.

Emergency payments: Those affected by mandatory evacuations from Jasper, Little Red River Cree Nation, or Chipewyan Lake, might be eligible for emergency evacuation payments. Appply online or call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 for help. Additionally, look here for a list of jobs with staff accommodations. 

In-Person Help: For those who need face-to-face assistance, Alberta Supports offices are open. Check their website for updated hours and locations.

THE DIGEST

• 🗳️Advanced voting wraps up tonight. Have your say from 4-8 p.m. at Banff Town Hall, Council Chamber (110 Bear Street). The big vote on August 12, 2024, will decide if the Banff Avenue pedestrian zone stays or goes.

• 🚠Sunshine Ski Area near Banff is upgrading to a new Super Angel lift, Debuting November 2024, it replaces the Angel Express, speeding up rides and boosting capacity from 2,400 to 3,000 skiers per hour.

• ✅Parks Canada has declared the Waputik Peak wildfire under control thanks to the efforts of helicopter pilots and Parks Canada crews. As of 9:00pm Sunday night, Wildfire CWF-057, west of Water Valley is being held. 

• 🚧Heads up, climbers! The Grassi Lakes climbing routes on the right side of the Meathooks area, including B60 OFO and Born from the Mountains, are closed until further notice due to a swallow nesting site. The left side of Meathooks and the rest of Grassi Lakes are still open. This closure helps protect the swallows, which have adapted to nesting in various artificial locations.

• 🍴Kosher On-The-Go! Banff now boasts a mobile kosher kitchen. It is the first of its kind in North America, complete with a BBQ, two gas ovens, charbroiler, griddle, full stand-up fridge and freezer; 50-pound deep fryers; and a 10,500-watt generator. The kitchen can “be rolled into the middle of the desert and feed 200 people,” says Rabbi Pinson.

HISTORIC BLAZE

What’s happening: This is the largest wildfire recorded in Jasper National Park in the last 100 years. 32,000 hectors is still burning to the north, south, and east of the town though the wildfire perimeter has been generally stable since the 12mm of rain received on July 25th.

Firefighting Efforts: Crews are making progress, focusing on hot spots and using bulldozer protection lines to control the fire’s spread. Thanks to firefighting teams from Valemount, McBride, and Clearwater who have come to Jasper’s aid despite battling their own fires.

Town Status: Jasper’s townsite is still evacuated, with RCMP securing checkpoints and restricting access to prevent unauthorized entry. Recovery efforts are underway, including damage assessments and building containment lines. An official map of damaged areas has been released and can be assessed here.

In the Know: The best place for the latest updates is the Municipality of Jasper Website. 

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Build your own course and play some indoor disc golf. July 29, 12-1:30 PM. The Fenlands, Banff.

• 50% off sushi. Roll on in and fill up every day 4-5 PM. Hello Sunshine, Banff.

• Free dinner and company. Check out Food and Friends July 29, 5-7 PM. St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Banff. Jasper evacuees welcome. Donations welcome.

• Slacklines, flow toys, instruments, and hammocks. Join Bow Valley Slackliners July 29 in the evening to practice, learn, and have fun! Riverside Park, Canmore. Free.

• Head to Banff for a fun game! Doors open at 7 PM on July 29. Bring snacks and enjoy light refreshments! Banff Public Library, Banff. Free.

• Explore Banff’s hidden history on a Ghost Walk. Evenings at 7 PM. Starts at Banff Good Earth Coffee House. $38

Tuesday

• Magic show! Check out this family-friendly event with Brian Lehr July 30 at 2 PM. Canmore Public Library, Canmore.

• Half price bowling and $15 pizza. Fun and food from 4-6 PM daily. High Rollers, Banff.

• Learn about sustainable gardening and food systems and top it off with a seed exchange. Check out this month’s Library Studio Presents July 30 5-6 PM. Canmore Public Library, Canmore. Registration required. Free.

• Enjoy a free pasta dinner. CYAN hosts Pasta Night July 30 6-8 PM. Miners Union Hall, Canmore. Free.

• Play some BINGO! Bingo night is the Bow Valley’s favorite pastime. July 30, 6:30 PM. The Legion, Exshaw.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 📱Token Transit is an app that lets you buy Roam transit fares on your phone with a credit card and show the pass to board. Great for Banff/Canmore commuters!
  

• ⛔Rundle Bridge where the switchbacks meet the hydro plant in Canmore is closed today from 8 AM to 6 PM. Email [email protected] with questions.

• 🛑Reclaimer Trail is closed to mountain bikers from July 23 to August 15 for drainage and repair work. Please follow all signs.

• 🛎️Looking for a cheap date night? LUPO Banff has Aperol and Park Distillery cocktails from $7, plus $16 pastas and pizzas, Monday to Thursday, 4-5 PM.

• 🎬Got acting chops? Pine Tree Players  is holding auditions for their fall show Seminar by Theresa Rebeck on August 19 and 22, directed by Lauren Hawkeye.

• 🎒Crossway Community Thrift Store offers a Back to School program with vouchers for supplies at Bow Valley Basics. Apply by August 15, 2024, with a ‘Banff Access’ or ‘Canmore Affordability’ card.

• 📚Beyond Books… Banff Public Library’s Little Free Pantry and Diaper Bank offer non-perishable food, hygiene products, and diapers. For info, call 403.762.2661 or email [email protected].

• 📝The Affordable Services Program in Canmore connects qualified applicants with discounts and offers to programs, services, transportation, and recreation with a single application. Apply at the FCSS office.

• 🧗The climbing gym at Elevation Place will be partially closed for route updates on this morning.

• 🚧Nigel Pass Trail in Banff is closed for wildfire safety. Violators could face a $25,000 fine.

CIVIC NEWS

• Roam Transit needs input to make their services better. Please take a few minutes to complete a survey on Route 8x, General Service, or Route 12. Your feedback helps them improve!

• The MD of Bighorn is reviewing its ward boundaries and council structure for the first time since 1989, and also considering changing the title of the chief elected official from 'reeve' to 'mayor'. Your feedback on the ward system and title change is crucial as they navigate this review. Share your thoughts to shape the future of local governance!

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, July 29, 7:30 PM: Canada’s top young musicians perform with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada. Location: Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre, Banff. $55

• Monday, July 29, 10 PM: All-woman rock band Las Mambas. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No cover.

• Tuesday, July 30, 10 PM: Beats with DJ Styler Nazo. Location: High Rollers, Banff.

• Tuesday, July 30, 10:30 PM: Karaoke night with Andrew Staygold. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff.

SPORTS

• Canmore’s Logan Sadesky snagged bronze in the elite men’s XCO Canadian Championships in Kentville, Nova Scotia, marking his best national finish yet. Congratulations, Logan!

• The Canadian Women’s Rugby Sevens team split their games on Sunday and sit third in Pool A Standings. Cheer on Canmore Olympian Krissy Scurfield as Canada closes out pool play against China this morning at 8:00am.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, same time, same place!