(she’s on the left)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9bNzd64LD8

Lethbridge Alberta was first known as “The Coal Banks”. The main industry in the early days of Lethbridge Alberta was coal, first discovered by Nicholas Sheran and then capitalized by the Galt Family. Coalbanks was renamed “Lethbridge” in 1906 when the Canadian Pacific Railroad was building track across Souther Alberta. They build the longest and tallest steel trestle bridge in the world across the coulees in Lethbridge Alberta and it was completed in 1909, still holding its records to this day. Lethbridge Alberta is a beautiful place when the snow melts in the summer because Lethbridge Alberta is founded on the banks of the Oldman River that snakes through Lethbridge on its way across southern Alberta. Lethbridge Alberta is now known more as a party town and its main industry is food processing. However, there may be oil around Lethbridge Alberta and this town may one day, boom again. Wait and see. Lethbridge Alberta is full of surprises. I verily enjoy the city of Lethbridge, Alberta. I invite you to have a look at Lethbridge Alberta yourself and learn more about Lethbridge Alberta from this song I wrote about Lethbridge Alberta.

Photo by Kim Siever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lethbridge_Transit.jpg)

But not really. This is a rant about my experience of taking L.A. Transit or whatever it’s now called – let’s say the bus – about a month ago. I felt like being green (more than just in the face) and adventurous; and because it was the middle of the summer, I wouldn’t have to freeze my derriere off waiting for one!

There were some issues I had before even stepping onto a bus, like how the stops don’t have schedules posted on them. Although the Ride Guide is available online as a PDF, and in print in some undisclosed locations, it is confusing! @chuchiface would agree

Now I’ve been told by Kim Siever, who has been taking the bus for about 12 years, that the city is developing an app or Google mashup that will give iPhone/Android/mobile users the ability to plan their routes much easier, I have no idea how far that is off. A little behind the times, Lethbridge.

So I had my university-aged sister explain the route I needed to take, which was actually quite simple to get to the college. Though it meant a lot of patience and just sitting. Good thing I brought a book. It took over an HOUR to get from Columbia Blvd. to the college, and I didn’t even have to switch buses! I could have been halfway to Calgary had I drove.

Route 12 basically takes the opposite the direction I needed to go and galavants around the westside before it stops at the university terminal. If only there were a complimentary route like it that went the opposite direction, it would shave off a lot of time. Or if I just rode my non-existent bike to the U of L…

I don’t understand how or why they picked their routes, but in the summer some stops only run every 30 minutes instead of the usual 15. More waiting around until I could take my return trip from the college terminal. And I totally forgot to pay the $2.25 fare on the way back. Take that!

Basically, this just re-enforced how much I like to drive. Too bad those Tesla Roadsters cost so much! There actually is a blue one that rides around town, by the way. I don’t want to take the bus again anytime soon. Sorry.

Drinks & Laughs. Scenery & Family
Many people think that Lethbridge is a dreary windy hole of a town, I tend to agree but there is places that make this town worth wild. Living here most of my life I am ashamed to say I don’t know this town as well as I should, but it is getting easier by reading blogs from my cousin and my brothers friend. Hopefully this year I can get out more and experience what this town has to offer, whether it’s just going for a walk or seeing a show at a local bar. For now I will share with you two of my favourite places to relax, enjoy some drinks and love life.

Backstreet West
There is nothing quite like a small, close bar that I can go and sip back on some draft guinness. Ask anyone who has been there and I am pretty sure they will agree Backstreet is a great place to be. The atmosphere is pleasing I never feel cramped in or annoyed with other people there. It is always cool to see how many regulars they have there and the different crowds that come in throughout the day. A good selection of beer is another positive and their house beer is cheap and not too shabby. The food is excellent, of course their butter is the Jaime Sandwich which if you have not tried yet, what are you waiting for? The waitresses are cute and always nice and who could complain about that. So if your craving a drink or some food head on over and you’ll be glad you did.

My Parents Backyard
This one is a little more personal and very few people have actually been in this area of Lethbridge. If you have been there consider yourself lucky because my father has built himself a little slice of paradise. Tall trees surround the fence line giving the much needed privacy from the neighbours, and in the summer the green looks amazing. The very open area is awesome and as kids we have played catch, hacky sack, and even built a mini chip and putt 2 hole course. The garden next to the patio contains many flowers my mom plants and a tree that blooms only for a coupe days out of the year but when it does it is stunning. The patio itself is big with a table for supper, fire pit, BBQ, and a small table for lounging. Recently my dad has put in buffalo grass which adds a more wild life touch and looks different and great. This place is great and I will try to get some pictures next time I am over there.

Well that’s it for today hopefully this inspires you to take a closer look at the city around you and find your own special place. Good day.

Damian Warszawski is a Lethbian who like to blog and spin records. He regularly posts his top 7 weekly music countdown and writes about music, video games, clothing, photos, experiences and pretty much anything that pops into his head.

As part of the Plan Your City Municipal Development Plan / Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (MDP/ICSP),  an estimated five hundred Lethbridge residents participated in City Circles, providing their insight into what it will take to make Lethbridge an even better place to live into the year 2050.  In all, there were 48 City Circles who made a total of 55 submissions. This Ideas Book is a collection of those submissions.

But nothing I haven’t thought of already.

Ideas Book 2009 (PDF link)

This little capsule was put on the streets by the Travel and Convention Association of Southern Alberta, showing that people weren’t always so tight-assed (but I guess it was the 70s, after all). Hit the jump to see its contents!

DO YOU WANT A GOOD “TRIP”?

…Here’s some “capsule comments” in the form of a ditty,
On why you should visit our beautiful city-

A “conventional” spot for meeting fun,
Come and Whoop it up in ‘seventy-one!

We have 40,000 population,
A million acres of irrigation.

Our skies are bluer and our grass is greener,
Chinook winds blow so our air is cleaner.

In the wilder days of yesteryear,
The Whoop-Up trail had its terminus here.

Now we have Canada’s newest University,
And for our crops you can’t match our diversity.

We have corn and peas and the sugar beet,
So we don’t have to rely on wheat.

One the scene of the last Indian battle,
Now the centre of a land of cattle.

Steamboats used to ply our river,
So the coal mined here could be delivered.

At the edge of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains,
A city of gardens, parks and fountains.

Gateway to Waterton and all points west,
Fort Macleod, Lundbreck Falls and the Crowsnest.

We have Canada’s largest Research Station,
And the most sunshine in the nation.

Rainbow trout in the middle of town,
And a Japanese Garden the world renown.

* * *

Lethbridge hospitality awaits everyone-

Thanks, Layne!

In what promises to be a major downtown makeover, city council has enthusiastically endorsed a plan to build two major new arts facilities along a one-block plaza just east of Galt Gardens.

The two-phase plan is to begin with a new $12.6-million community arts centre on the eastern portion of the former IGA site by 2012, followed in subsequent years by a neighbouring performing arts centre. The latter would extend westward into the park, resulting in the closure of what is now a section of 7 Street South and creating a downtown arts district.

Local arts community leaders are lauding council’s decision, which was unanimous.

Downtown “revitalization” has always seemed like talk to me, but this is the positive sign that Lethbridge is actually becoming less hick moving forward. Hopefully, it also means there’s a place to display the large collection of art that both the university and college have locked away in their vaults.

Now if we could only get that third bridge…

Dramatic plans in store downtown

“What brought you to Lethbridge? What makes you stay? Good or bad – I’m curious to know!”

Here are a few of the more interesting responses:

	Sarah: My Dad was transferred here in 1998, and I fell in love with Lethbridge and its Arts community! It is a great size city to raise my children in, has great schools, wonderful people, and lots of wind to blow any worries away!
	Kelly: Schooling brought me here, career opportunities and my fiance (and our newly purchased house) keep us here.
	Kevin: Moved here for college and fell in love with the city. Such a great sense of community, and the people are fantastic! Graduated in April of 2009 and refused to leave.
	Michael: My job; I brought the Wife; the mortgage is currently keeping us there after my job was swallowed by the “economy” last summer.

More responses after the jump!

	Melanie: I like the community atmosphere despite it being a city. There’s a lot of diversity and you can get involved in so many different activities if you so wish. I just wish the people were better drivers!!
	Carleen: University, and University is making me stay haha
	Bob: The mountains nearby and proximity to family in Calgary brought me here. Great people and easy going living keep me here!
	Jessica: School brought me here, and is the ONLY thing keeping me here. I can’t wait to get away from the smell.
	Lori: I came here for university in 89 and still here because i have a decent job. I’m STILL homesick for BC though
	Stacy: I moved here to get away from Calgary. Even though I was raised in the military and have itchy feet, I like Lethbridge enough to come back and practice after Law School.

Wanna jump in? Do so in the comments!

Previously:

• What do you love about Lethbridge?

MONOPOLY is launching a new Canadian Edition and is inviting Canadians to vote for their favourite cities. The vote will determine the top 20 cities and the top 2 wildcard cities that will be the property spaces on the MONOPOLY Canada game board. Please vote for your friend’s cities or choose your own cities!

On a side thought, this reminds me of the “Lethbridge On Board” game from about six years back. Has anyone even played that?

Has our city got game? (via @LethbridgeNews)

First celebrated in 1996, National Mining Week recognizes the importance of the Canadian mining industry to the economic development of Canada.

Quote Wikipedia:

Lethbridge’s economy developed from drift mines opened by Nicholas Sheran in 1874 and the North Western Coal and Navigation Company in 1882. North Western’s president was William Lethbridge, from whom the city derives its name. By the turn of the century, the mines were employing about 150 men and producing about 300 tonnes of coal each day. In 1896, local collieries were the largest coal producers in the Northwest Territories, with production peaking during World War I. After the war, increasing oil and natural gas production gradually replaced coal production, and the last mine in Lethbridge closed in 1957.

Quote The Canadian Encyclopedia:

Large-scale coal mining became feasible in 1885 when the North Western Coal and Navigation Co, directed by Sir Alexander Galt and his son Elliott, completed a railway to their mine from Dunmore on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The population of the mining camp jumped from 4 in 1881 to 2353 in 1891 as a townsite emerged to serve the fast-growing colliery workforce. Named Lethbridge in 1884 after North Western Coal’s first president, William Lethbridge, the town was incorporated in 1890.

Although mining is long past in Lethbridge’s history, there’s at least one mine still open – my nose.

Cory Armfelt, city consultant, writes:

Hey everybody the City Cirlces are up and running!

Get a group of friend’s together, record what you like about Lethbridge and/or what you don’t like (please include a way to solve the problem…) and submit it to the City. We are hoping for a variety of mediums- Personally I’m hoping that someone comes up with an interpretive dance about what Lethbridge means to them and is willing to present it at the ideas fair in October…

City Circles

The Leisure Guide is an informational booklet and schedule of all the recreational activities that happen in Lethbridge, such as aquatics, arts, culture, heritage, fitness & recreation, nature & outdoor programs and more.

Our Goal is to provide a monthly advertising medium for the City of Lethbridge, community organizations and the community in general, to promote activities, programs and services to the citizens of Lethbridge.

I’m sure you can find these booklets in print somewhere, but for the life of me I have not seen one in years. The 65MB file is a hefty download, so look here for things to do while you wait.

@windymay – did you see how clever I was to post the “May” issue? Hopefully you’ll find something to do now!

Leisure Guide

Many people have worked very hard on getting this project underway in the past two years and it is great to see something this positive bringing so many groups from around the campus together. Now, a campus wide composting project perhaps?

Since pictures are better then words:

CCG Site

Campus Community Garden

Individual Plots

Communal Plot

Listen, Lethbridge matters to me, or else I wouldn’t have started this blog. If you’re a young person like me (I’m 28) who has ever referred to this city as “Deathbridge,” this should matter to you.

Not only is the city holding visioning workshops, which probably won’t give much true insight, they are also encouraging everyone to create their own “city circles.”

A City Circle is a self-formed and self-managed  group of Lethbridge residents who want to help with preparing the new Plan. To form a city circle get a group of friends together; they can be from work, school, sport, extracurricular activities, an existing organization, your family, all of the above – there are no rules for how your Circle organizes itself.

Your City Circle will meet when and where its members want and discuss any community related issue you choose such as: Arts, Heritage, CULTURE, Parks, recycling, SUSTAINABILITY, zoning, roads, CITY GROWTH, pesticide use, RECREATION, affordable housing, protecting the river valley.

The point of the circle is to submit your ideas for presentation to the public. These ideas will be published in the Plan Your City Ideas Book and presented at an Ideas Fair in October. Joanne and I plan on starting one very soon, so keep your eyes on Lethbian Love.

Over lunch, she and I ranted on numerous issues; things that should be addressed now and others worked towards. I feel we have a long way to go before becoming a progressive city, but the following is just a small sampling of the things we brought up.

Lethbridge:

• must be designed
• isn’t inspiring, especially to youth – why do they all want to leave?
• needs to cultivate culture, such as the arts – why are art collections locked up at the university and college?
• is not beautiful (save the coulees) – we need more architecture and green spaces
• has transportation woes: bus transit sucks, we need a third bridge, more bike paths & pedestrian streets
• needs more higher density & affordable housing
• needs curbside recycling, or even bins downtown, let alone more sustainable practices
• must pierce through the accepted norm or else change won’t happen
• and so much more (succulent bison steak has pervaded my thoughts)

I’m not a political person or anything like that, but I want to see this city change because I’d hope to stay here. I want an amazing city; not one to try and find excuses to love it.

Seriously, it’s up to you – the people who read this blog! Don’t let the nearly-dead or religious conservatives dictate the future of this city – it’s yours!

If you want to know more, get in touch with the City Circle coordinator, Brian Conger at 403-329-7139.

The City of Lethbridge is inviting the community to share their ideas on how Lethbridge should be developed into the year 2050.

Input from the community will be an important element in the development of the City’s official Municipal Development Plan (MDP) which will guide decision-making about how the community will develop over the next 40 years.

An important element of the MDP is an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP) that balances cultural, social, economic, and environmental elements to ensure that Lethbridge continues to be a great place to live for future generations.

Wait, 40 years?! Should we be worried? I certainly hope a lot of youth take part in this process (more on this later to come )!

Plan Your City

Edit, Lethbridge’s sustainable fashion shoppe, will be taking part with a contest to win one of 3 Earth Day Prize Packs, offering customers 10% – 30% off their purchase of regular priced clothing & accessories and free cupcakes from Crazy Cakes. Not just that, but as of tomorrow Edit is going bagless, so remember to bring your own reusable tote when buying something there (which I definitely encourage).

But it’s also about the free crap you can get, like the all-day “Bring Your Own Cup (BYOC)” thing, where participating vendors give out coffee to anyone with a reusable mug:

• Between 10AM – 4:30PM, the Galt Museum is giving away 45 travel mugs (donated by Cargill Foods), as well as free coffee to anyone who brings their own mug.
• The same goes for all Starbucks locations, who will reward customers with a complimentary cup of Pike Place Roast, probably their cheapest blend (but still better than anywhere else).
• The Chinook Regional Hospital cafeteria will be introducing eco-friendly disposables, and also giving away free coffee between 9AM – 5PM.
• The full list of BYOC vendors should be on lethbridge.ca, but as of writing have yet to show up. To be safe, I would just bring my mug everywhere I go. And wear diapers, because that’s a lot of coffee.

So while you’re going around town getting your free coffee, make an effort to help clean up the city but picking up any trash you see and dispose/recycle it!

Earth Day Canada

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

The Last Lecture (via iTunesU)

Q: What inspired you to create the speaker event, The Last Lecture?
A: The Last Lecture is not an original idea. I would be lying if I said that I did not have any inspiration from outside sources in coming up with the event. I distinctly remember seeing Randy Pausch’s lecture entitled “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” and how he spoke with so much passion and wisdom to, not only his student but also his co-workers and peers. It touched those he was closest to and reached out to complete strangers.

Q: Why did you create the Last Lecture here at the University of Lethbridge?
A: I saw it as a way for professors and instructors here at the University of Lethbridge to communicate their life to students. As instructors, these people are confined to academic teachings, and only on a few instances, have I been enlightened on a progressive way of thinking that exceeds molecular genetics and organic chemistry. Many students and staff develop personal relationships with these people and I wanted to give them an opportunity – a chance to speak their mind about love, life, and all its hardships and tribulations – to give a heartfelt speech to those they cared about and to those who cared about them.

Q: Why not any other speaker event?
A: Convenience has a part to do with it – after all, it takes a great deal of effort and resources to book speakers from agents who have no personal investment aside from their reputations. I believe the local community is overlooked in terms of speakers. Many people regard their professors as someone who specializes in their field and nothing more – as though they are some sort of robot that is put into a closet at night until the next day’s lecture. This is the wrong mindset to get into, these people have been through university as both a student and as a tutor, and they are perfect by no means.

Since these people are not perfect, they have faced many troubles that we face today and to hear how they overcome their obstacles can inspire us to do the same. I want people to hear these professors speak and to hear how they’ve reached their current spot as respected, smart members of society and how we can do the same.

I remember my first year of university where my chemistry professor, Dr. Peter Dibble, told the class, “How many of you think I’m smarter than you?” The majority of the class put up their hands, he joked, “Those who didn’t put up your hands are very arrogant. But you’re right. The only thing that makes me different than you is experience”.

He is right. The only thing that makes us different than each other, different from our friends, different from our instructors is experience. And that’s something I want to emphasize, especially with this lecture series.

Q: How do you feel about this year’s Last Lecture?
A: I think Jenn Prosser is completely incompetent and inept. Next question. Just kidding Jenn. I’m actually really glad that I started a legacy lecture here at the University of Lethbridge. In ten, twenty, thirty years from now, I can look back and say that I have impacted the lives of not only other students, but of the lecturers, of everybody who cared to listen and change their lives for the better.

This years Last Lecture features Political Science professor Chris Kukucha, Education professor Robin Bright and Management professor Craig Milner. It begins at 7pm and is in PE 264, all are welcome and admission is free.

Growing up, I had the luxury of running around with my friends, exploring my surroundings and gaining valuable like skills, like fighting for meat. It’s a game we’d play.

The point I’m getting to is that I had the freedom as a child to go unsupervised on my own adventures, climb trees, catch frogs, scrape my knees, take risks and learn the consequent lessons from them. I was what some nowadays call a “free-range kid.”

“We’ve done it for cattle and for chickens – it’s time we unleashed this generation of kids.” – Carl Honoré

Granted, my mother always kept me on her radar. She would always ask where I was going, what I’d be doing and who with. Although my adventures would always lead me a little off-course, she trusted my friends and I to have the intelligence and capacity to come home safely.

I was a child who would walk to school, take bike rides to Henderson Lake and journey into the river valley to hunt rattlesnakes. This independence built my confidence and creativity and exposed me to a world outside of my backyard. It made me a responsible and smart child, who knew he had to come home at dinner time.

Growing up, my environment wasn’t overly structured or scheduled. I didn’t have music lessons or sporting lessons forced down my throat (I wasn’t interested anyway). I was given chores to do, did my homework and the rest of the time was mine. I pursued my interests.

“It’s estimated American children lost 12 hours of free time a week between the late 1970s and 1997. In Britain (and no doubt Canada), the average distance kids are allowed to stray unaccompanied from home decreased almost 90 per cent since the 1970s. Even then, they are umbilically leashed by cellphone.” – Macleans

My mother dearly looked after us kids. But she wasn’t a hyperparent with an irrational fear that something bad would happen if we were let into the outside world. There weren’t any mobile phones to track us at all times, just her howling voice when I strayed too far.

Of course, I would get myself into trouble as well, stealing apples off trees or getting my head stuck in tree branches while playing MacGyver. It’s part of being a kid. And I didn’t die or get abducted.

To make a long story short, I grew up in Lethbridge and consider it a safe city where everyone knows everyone. I think this city provides a lot of opportunity for children to just be children. It allows parents to relax and give their kids some freedom to walk alone to school, go tobogganing in the Sugar Bowl or throw rocks at wasp nests.

If you think you might be a little over-protective, or are just curious, I suggest you check out some books on free-range children. Or just remember what your childhood was like!

With over 83,960 people, two main venues, a few alternative/found venue spaces and a handful of dedicated promoters, there is a pretty incredible amount of music that comes through here. An incredible amount and maybe 60% gets noticed. I have seen two separate Julie Doiron shows with less than 10 people in the bar. Joel Plaskett Emergency, Tokyo Police Club, Cuff the Duke, The Dudes, Sharp Ends, The Wicked Awesomes, Chad Vangaalen, B.A. Johnston, and Beija Flor have all come through our town in relatively small venues with low ticket pricing. For a small center Lethbridge is a pretty killin’ scene.

Being so small there isn’t always the best effort made to communicate, sometimes it is just assumed people will show up. So, we nerdy folk take it upon ourselves to ensure we stay informed and remain in the know. Being a small place with limited options it is fairly easy to keep up to tabs on the haps here.

Keep on eye out on The Slice’s webpage and listen to CKXU every once in a while. If the college talk radio doesn’t jive with you, check out CKXU programmer blogs, they are usually filled with up coming show happenings. These guys tend to be in the know so the information listed is pretty reliable. Start with the obvious ones and they will link you along to others in short time. Also, Blueprint is a great source for upcoming show information as they sell most tickets for most things and are just rad folk. There are a ton of Facebook groups for Lethbridge music stuff and Mammoth Cave records does a lot with the Lethbridge scene and was created and is run by Paul Lawton, bassist for Endangered Ape. Basically Lethbridge’s incestuous nature is a good thing for those wanting to get in the know. Meet one person, listen to one radio show, go to one show and your guaranteed to find out about what’s happening next and there is always something happening next.

Lethbridge does a pretty sweet job of keeping it real and searching out the new and exciting. Where it be an album release, film screening or exhibition opening the culture here is vibrant and the people are are pretty amazing.

Speaking of shows…Check out the GCBC show tomorrow night, Friday March 20th. Axis of Conversation, The Darby and Joan Club, saVK and Paul Van Campen all for $5.0o. 9pm.

Also, come to the ULFC’s screening of The Room, a movie you will need to see at least twice. 7pm PE275 at the UofL. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Lethbridge is by no means a small city, just trailing Red Deer as the fourth largest city in Alberta with 83,960 citizens (I counted). Despite its size, it has the “neighbourly atmosphere of a small town.”

This small-town effect on a city of this size causes an unusual paradox – something often referred to as the “Lethbridge Connection.” More than just “six degrees of separation,” it’s an occurrence that affects the way citizens interact with one another. For a singular person like myself to be able to know exactly 83,960 people, it would take a magic cologne – one that I only use on special occasions because of limited supply.

Where else can I randomly meet a girl online, hit on her and fail miserably, only to discover she works next door to my mother and is also my co-worker’s roommate, who I also hit on and failed miserably? Or be on vacation, having lunch at Fort Steele (a tiny trading post in B.C.), and run into a Lethbridge acquaintance having lunch in the same shop at the same time, only to use that opportunity to hit on her and fail miserably?

It’s an effect that can have both good and bad consequences. In one aspect, it makes networking a breeze. As a freelance web designer, every client I ever had resulted from “word of mouth.” Never have I advertised my services.

Then again, the “Lethbridge Connection” can have an adverse effect on one’s reputation. Personally, I’m seen as a bad boy because I have my ears pierced and wear jeans. Although I may seem like a tough guy, I have a heart of gold and love kittens.

Anonymity in Lethbridge comes by obscurity, but don’t think someone hasn’t taken notice. And it’s not just that I’m in the bushes outside of your house. I swear I only dropped my keys. But for whatever reason everyone here is connected and word is bound to get back.

Personally, I’ve never been able to explain it all that well and it happens to me quite often. So how about you? Do you have any good stories of when you experienced the “Lethbridge Connection”?

These student speakers have presented on what they believe can be done to change the world, these presentations have been created by the student themselves and have been done so out of class time. In this time of great change, the world as a whole is looking to bend the status quo and find solutions for the myriad of issues we have presented before us. Education, economic hardships, over consumption and technological evolution all play into our day to day lives now and with a constant barrage of negative messaging being thrown at us we look to those who present something positive.

An incredible opportunity to hear what plans are  in store for the future, as these are the minds that will go on to shape our world and hopefully change it for the better. Come out tonight to Ballroom A in the Students’ Union Building at 4PM to hear Jeff Henry, Trish Silk and Joanna Waszkiewicz present on changing the world, what it means to them.

After we downed a few, Peter’s friend Tim stopped by. Tim, bless his soul, won some cash that day at the casino and was feeling awfully generous. Unbeknown to us, he paid our entire tab, bought 3 jugs of Backstreet lager and left $100 extra for anything else! After a couple of Jamie sandwiches, we left the rest of the cash to the waitresses as a tip. They were great to take part in the fun!

See the rest of the photos on Flickr (Thanks, Tim!)

Lethbridge is a mash up of students and townies. It’s a little like “The Outsiders,” only less hair grease and more church (and I have yet to meet Pony Boy). Students, who make up 12% of the population, are gently tolerated by the rest of city and exist in their own little worlds. Shy and retiring, they live in small clumps, preferring to breed amongst each other. Although they don’t avoid interaction with the “townies,” they do have an annoying habit of assuming everyone under the age of 25 is one of their own.

Berkeley Place, residence buildings and most low-income housing heave with this segment of the Lethbridge population. Rarely venturing outside their invisible boundaries, they prefer to find sustenance in the form of $5 pizzas and Duke wings, and take for granted the endless opportunity for activity at their fingertips.

Then there are the townies, who are better known here (and it seems only here) as Lethbians. They are a specific breed of people who have chosen to call this place home for a period of time not defined by terms and summer breaks. With the off chance that students encounter these people, they are often gazed upon with a certain awe; a respect hard-earned by their diligent insistence that the high level bridge is really cool and that closing shop at 5PM does not inconvenience anyone. During these chance encounters, Lethbians react similarly; a general inquiry as to where one is from quickly determines the level of further interaction to be had.

If a young person heralds from anywhere farther than Coaldale, they are instantly relegated to the “student” status. A fine person to be had, but certainly not one of “us.” These meetings are usually marked with some kind of investigative inquiring:

“What is your major?”
“What do you plan on doing with that?”

…all code for “Why are you HERE and when are you leaving?”

Townies seem content to see the ebb and flow of student population continue as is. Change seems to be accepted slowly and with skepticism. A novel idea, store or program is carefully surveyed for the better part of a decade before it becomes truly accepted. Responsive is most definitely not Lethbridge’s middle name.

But there are those brave few, both townies and students, who venture into the unknown and embrace what they have not had the chance to dissect. These are those Lethbians who come together to see greats like Bob Dylan in our town, who hail sustainable fashion, flock to 4AM poutine and proudly wave their art gallery memberships at SAAG events.

These few are a special group who choose to be embrace the true Lethbian way – the way of openness and welcoming. They cross the river several times a day and venture into the concrete walls of the university, drink at the neighbourhood pub, volunteer and write letters to the Herald. Sure, some may take classes but do not let the “student lifestyle” define who they are, while others don’t just lie in complacency and ignorance. We here at Lethbian Love embrace these rarities and hold them up as true Lethbians!

On Sunday, Jenn and I went for a walk downtown. The weather was beautiful and she insisted I bring my camera.

Our first stop was The Penny Coffee House, which led us to the subterranean tunnels that connected a few of the shops in the area. We didn’t encounter the rumoured ghost, but saw a really scary furnace that was once used to cremate coal miners. Their black lungs made for good fuel during the long winters.

Next were the alleys, which had a certain charming character with the melting snow and puddles.

See the rest of the photos on Flickr

Being half Czech, beer has played an important part of my life. In fact, it’s the national drink of the Czech Republic, much like wine is to France. And like wine, there are many varieties from different regions, each with their own recipe. “Pilsener” is a pale lager, developed in the 19th century in the Bohemian city of Plzeň.

My earliest memories of Old Style Pilsner are when I was a youngster, drinking a stubby in my crib. Those were the days when soiling your pants was the norm, not the exception. So here’s the story of my favourite beer as I know it.

Fritz Sick, whose product also fills a Lethbridge pool, founded Sicks’ Breweries Ltd. in 1901 with his son Emil. They originally brewed another beer, Alberta Pride, until prohibition forced them to cease production. When business resumed as usual, Pilsner was created as a replacement, using an old-style rice-base recipe. Thus, the House of Lethbridge brewing empire was born.

Although the brewery closed its doors many years ago, Brewery Gardens stands in its place to welcome visitors to Lethbridge. A monument to the House of Lethbridge exists as a reminder for us to “never forget.” Presently, Molson continues the production of Pilsner beer in both Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Pilsner label largely remains unchanged to this day. Fritz Sick’s daughter, Louise, designed the label to incorporate elements symbolic to Lethbridge and Western Canada – the Concord Stagecoach, the Purple Label airplane, transportation, Native life, Monks brewing beer, the House of Lethbridge and the rabbits, which no one can figure out. Attempts at modernizing the label have always led to revolt.

Pilsner is often mistaken by many to be a Saskatchewan product, due to its sponsorship of the Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL team. And indeed they have taken it as their own, giving it affectionate names such as “Saskatchewan Champagne.” This is a testament to the quality of a product that has withstood the test of time.

Pilsner has gathered a loyal following all across Western Canada. The pride of Lethbridge, it is a beer that transcends generations and classes and continues to inspire others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sKLzAiRlg0

	Kim: I loved the the people, the scenery!!!, the college, the nightlife, the shopping, the warmth.
	Karla: the city being surrounded by nature! Coulies! It being small enough to initiate some sort of change…am I dreaming?
	Damian: THE WIND! (haha thought I would be the first person to make that terrible joke) I like how it has a smaller town feel but not being extremely boring like a smaller town. smaller town.
	Conrad: The landscape. I love the coulees in the fall and summer.
	Wendy: it is very easy and time-efficient to get from one side of town to the other. In fact, it doesn’t take much effort to get anywhere in town…easy peasy!
	Kristine: dollar giant… and the thing I hate is the stench. smaller town.
	Martin: friends and family that reside there. your work is cut out for you ruzek.

My work certainly is cut out for me! I was hoping for more responses than just that, but it seems that apathy runs rampant. That or I don’t have any friends. Probably the latter, but your mom says I’m cool. And Kristine, I don’t smell THAT bad.

So what do you love about Lethbridge? Let it be heard!

Regardless, in 1978 the first TacoTime was opened on Mayor Magrath Drive, in the location currently occupied by The Front Row Pub. Heralding back to my youth, I can recall a time when my father, sister and I ate there. He and I both had a “Super Soft Taco” that was the size of a premature infant. I tore into mine and dad, who’s blind as a bat, accidentally picked up a real baby from the patrons sitting next to us! Good thing for hot sauce.

I know many of you don’t consider TacoTime to be “authentic” Mexican cuisine, but I challenge you to find any other restaurant that serves escamoles in their burritos!

TacoTime

I started this blog because, for all intents and purposes, I have lived in Lethbridge my entire life. While this place isn’t anything special, and sometimes it’s downright boring (gaining it the reputation of Deathbridge), I want to discover and share things from my hometown, to see if it’s truly lovable.

Why Lethbian?
Well, it’s a term that applies to people native to or residing in Lethbridge.

And where the hell is this “Lethbridge?”
Good thing you asked:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDPMSrTsits

So, fellow Lethbians, I invite you to join this community! If you have any ideas or things to share (good or bad), comment or email us.