Last week, I posted about some upcoming dance classes. As thanks, Maxine offered me the opportunity to attend one of her classes for free. Although the group was already 4 classes in, my natural grace and rhythm took over. That, and it was a beginner 2-step class. Standard fare if you’ve ever been to Essies, just no mini-jugs of booze.
Since that dance class was offered as part of Lethbridge College’s Mind-Body-Home catalogue, I decided to explore some of the other evening classes they offer. In particular, the non-credit culinary courses really appealed to me, so I signed up for the next available class, which was Vietnamese cooking. I ♥ Vietnamese food!
Taught by Chef Heng Ng, the class was a demo for creating 4 dishes and an accompanying sauce:
Although I tried linking to similar recipes as we received, you can find the actual ones in the Authentic Vietnamese Cooking book. They’re all very easy to cook!
Overall, I was very pleased with the class and loved being able to talk to a professional chef about food, one of great loves (besides Natalie Portman). I’ll definitely be going again.
Culinary Careers
My mom, who is more connected than Twitter, gave me the heads up that the Galt Museum once again will be holding their popular “Scotch & Burns” event on January 22.
Join the Galt for this verrry special celebration of the Scottish poet’s birth. Try haggis, join in on the songs, and enjoy performances by the Lethbridge Highland Dancers and Lethbridge Scottish Country Dance Club, all followed by a Scotch Tasting [tickets at the event]. This year, event honours and commemorates long-time supporter Stewart Christie. You don’t have to be Scottish to attend!
Admission is $3 and kids under 6 get in free! Since scotch is an acquired taste, it’s best to train one’s palate by starting young.
Galt Museum & Archives
My liver can attest, I’m a connoisseur of beers. Imagine my delight when I discovered that Lethbridge has its own beer festival with over 100 types of domestic and international brews, probably including Old Style Pilsner, one of my dear favourites (among MANY others).
Tickets are only $10 in advance, available at The Wine Cavern. I’m so there.
Lethbridge’s International Beerfest
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. That’s what I always say.
Last night, Scott (a.k.a. Heavy P) hosted an Oktoberfest party. We sat down to a feast of Oktoberfest sausage, sauerkraut, perogies and my special bacon+onion gnocchi dish, all accompanied by a wide assortment of fine European beers and great Bavarian music! The aroma in the household was very manly, to say the least.
Continue reading ‘Lethbridge Sausage Party!’
That’s right, it’s International No Diet Day, where finally you have an excuse to gorge yourself. Today, we can all take a break from dieting (like I need to!), and exercise (lol) acceptance for all fatsos, despite their front asses and back boobs.
International No Diet Day aims to raise public awareness of the dangers of improper dieting, weight loss and weight obsession. INDD is an annual celebration of body acceptance and body shape diversity. This day is also dedicated to raise awareness of the dangers in diets. There are several goals to the INDD:
- Doubt the idea of one “right” body shape.
- Raise awareness to weight discrimination, size bias and fatphobia.
- Declare a free day from diets and obsessions to body weight.
- etc.
I guess I forgot about the twigs out there. Let’s go to Red Dog for some poutine and hot dogs. We can go back to eating healthy tomorrow.
International No Diet Day
This week celebrates the people and stories of our city, featuring concerts & exhibitions, film screenings, kid events, lectures & literature and other special events. The theme is the dirty 1930s.
But why have I not heard of this week before? Perhaps because it’s a tad boring with events like “Knitting Time’s Wool Challenge,” where there’s a contest to see who can knit a sweater in the fastest time possible. Though the Chili Challenge sounds like gastronomical fun, as does “Taste Of Downtown.” I was particularly interested in that until I found out it’s already sold out. I guess I’ll go back to licking the pavement and lamp posts.
Hopefully next year’s theme will be the 1920s, to commemorate our Red Light District. “The Point,” as it is called…and a favourite hangout of mine. Has anyone seen the twins lately?
Historic Lethbridge Week
I’m not sure if @hotpepper is aware that it’s National Composting Awareness Week, where people are made aware of composting. He was reveling in how great the snow was for his shit pile, so I’m dedicating this post to him.
In case you’ve been living in a void:
Composting is an important way to recycle — both at home and at work, where organic material is used and waste is created. It is estimated that about 50 percent of the total waste stream could be composted! Composting not only helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, it produces a valuable soil amendment which can improve the texture and fertility of the soil.
Unfortunately, I live in a condo and don’t have a backyard for a compost heap, so I’ll at least do a small part and not flush my toilet this week. Maybe I can grow some mushrooms.
National Composting Awareness Week
Allow me to introduce our first guest blogger, Carli Kogler.
I first met Carli a couple years back, when she interned in my office. Unfortunately, she wasn’t one of “those” interns – the kind that gets you coffee and “muffins,” but I didn’t hold it against her. She’s a fellow web designer, anime geek and artist. She also makes great dip. And is a ginger.
She’s going to write about stuff, so welcome to Lethbian Love, Carli!
Today is the birthdate of Jack Miner; some dead guy I never heard about until today. While miners played an important part in the early days of Lethbridge (the city was once named Coalbanks), this “Miner” was important for another reason.
“Wild Goose Jack,” as he was known, is the grandfather of Canada conservationism. He established sanctuaries and wildlife refuges across Canada, and lectured on habitat preservation among other things.
For this reason, National Wildlife Week (April 5 – 11, 2009) was established in his memory. This week is a tribute to the man who created public interest in wildlife and habitat conservation.
Established in 1947, National Wildlife Week is celebrated during the week that includes 10 April, the birth date of the late Jack Miner, one of the founders of Canada’s conservation movement.
Although Lethbridge is in a semi-arid climate, we have many plants and animals native to our area, none of which I can name right now because I have drank too much wine. But if you have an interest in knowing more, I highly recommend taking a few hours to explore the Birds of Prey Sanctuary or the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
Being a furry, I’m more than willing to explore and embrace a special wild place. Too bad chimpanzees aren’t native to Southern Alberta. Regardless, meat is on the menu tonight. I’ve got a stomach for conservation.
National Wildlife Week