Romance Issue

First dates, wine bars, diamond-studded weekends, and where to propose! The February issue of City Spice - sweet as chocolate and hot as cinnamon.

Online Dating in Alberta

Here’s the inside track from two people who found each other online. Learn where to go for a great date, and get tips from an Internet dating expert. Online Dating in Alberta.

Why internet dating?

Azriel: Right away you can choose people with similar music, movie and activity interests. Many people fear the idea of meeting people online but you have far more information than a chance meeting in public. Sarah Anne: The main thing I liked about Internet dating was the fact that I felt in control. I liked being able to view profiles before I considered sending a message. It allowed me to be a little bit more outgoing. I am a pretty shy girl at first, so lavalife provided me with a medium through which I could approach people and have conversation without all the pressure that you would find in many face-to-face settings.

Hot Tips for Men

Hot Tips for Men Azriel: Read the men's profiles and avoid saying the same things they are. You'll notice a pattern in a lot of people's profiles that will blend you in with everyone else. Hot Tips for Women Sarah Anne: The best advice that I can give is to be safe and aware. You never really know the people that you are going to meet, so make sure that it's in a safe and public place and always go with your intuition. Aside from that, it is important to keep an open mind, because you never know who you are going to meet and the wonderful experiences you may share.

Safety and planning

Azriel and Sarah Anne played pool on their first date. Try a date that focuses on an activity, so you can keep it loose and fun – but still wrap it up if it isn’t working. Your safety is important. Wherever you decide to meet, make sure there will be lots of people around. Make sure you’ve got an easy way to get home on your own. Tell someone where you’re going and give them your date’s full name, address and phone number, as well as his/her profile name. Arrange to check in with a friend during or after the date, or take a friend along.

Great Dates in Calgary and Edmonton

Calgary Winter Lavalife suggests a latte at Caffe Beano, then explore the 4th Street Art Walk. Detour along 17th Avenue for hip stores including Gravity Pope, Megatunes and Purr. Calgary Summer For a great second or third date with someone you liked the first time you met, Lavalife suggests picking up a raft at Mountain Equipment Co-op downtown, then a float down the nearby Bow River. Start at Bowness Park and drift towards Prince's Island Park.

Great Dates in Edmonton

Edmonton Winter Try exploring an eclectic area where you can dart in and out of shops and eateries, giving you lots to talk about on your walk. Old Strathcona or 124 Street fit the bill. Edmonton Summer You can’t miss with a stroll in the Alberta Legislature Grounds. There are lots of people around, so it’s a great place for a romantic walk or a game of Frisbee. Roll up your pantlegs and paddle your feet in the fountains to cool off while your date heats up.

Internet Dating Do’s and Don’ts

Lavalife dating expert Kim Hughes gives tips on how to find The One. DO be specific Be specific. If you say you like movies, say you like suspense movies. If you write, “I like to laugh and hang out with my friends,� -- well, everyone does that. DO phone a friend Don’t be afraid to have a good friend look it over. This is a competitive game and you have to get out there and be a good public relations machine.

Tips from Lavalife dating expert Kim Hughes

DON’T lie Never lie. If you paint yourself as the six foot tall athletic doctor and you’re not that guy, you will miss the girl who wants the five foot, seven inch construction worker. DO be adventurous Don’t forget the reason for online dating is to move it offline. Don’t be tied to a list, be open to all kinds of people. DO post a photo We know from our research that people who post photos get more responses. A good photo is clear and recent. If you have celebrated a birthday or changed a clothing size, then it is time to update your photo. DO show off your hobbies You can post video and multiple photos on lavalife. If you are into snowboarding, get someone to take a photo of you snowboarding. (Editor’s Note: Check out SkiAlbertaLive for where to go). DON’T post a studio shot I’d actually discourage having a photo taken professionally. Because who really looks like that?

Painting E-Town Red

Dek: Let Edmonton’s culture scene lure you from the couch this February. Grab your best girl or guy and get your woo on. By Caitlin Crawshaw When the mercury dips below minus 20, it can be tempting to build a nest of blankets on the couch and watch Jack Bauer save the world in 24 hours (again). But, like a long-running television series, this hibernation thing is getting a bit too familiar. Though venturing out means warming up the car and slapping on some cologne, Edmonton’s culture scene has a lot more to offer than mindless television – and lots of great excuses to ask out that cute barista you’ve been flirting with. Here are a few date ideas to get the blood pumping:

Edmonton’s culture scene

When the mercury dips below minus 20, it can be tempting to build a nest of blankets on the couch and watch Jack Bauer save the world in 24 hours (again). But, like a long-running television series, this hibernation thing is getting a bit too familiar. Though venturing out means warming up the car and slapping on some cologne, Edmonton’s culture scene has a lot more to offer than mindless television – and lots of great excuses to ask out that cute barista you’ve been flirting with. Here are a few date ideas to get the blood pumping:

Oh Susanna! In Edmonton

If your date has a wicked sense of humour and gets bored easily… If your date has a taste for saucy quips and enjoys live theatre, take her to Oh Susanna! The improvisational variety show at the Varscona Theatre in Old Strathcona delivers rib-cracking hilarity and is perfect for the heckler in your life (http://www.varsconatheatre.com/ohsusanna/) Hosted by Susannah Patchouli (local actor Mark Meer), the show runs the last Saturday of every month, at 11pm.

The Silver Skate Festival

If your date wears tweed coats and knows all the Shins albums by heart… What could be more romantic than a day spent in the great outdoors, strolling amidst the silvery splendor of an Alberta winter, hand in mittened-hand? The Silver Skate Festival (http://www.silverskatefestival.org) runs Feb. 21-22 in Hawrelak Park and offers opportunities for romantic interludes. Snuggle together as you watch the ice dancing, or huddle together for warmth as you peruse the ice sculptures. If you’re not fiercely competitive (which can be death to a burgeoning romance) slip into a pair of skates and participate in a skate race together. You might lose the race – but win her heart.

The AIR Show at the Roxy Theatre

If your date has an asymmetrical hair cut and collects vinyl… You’ve got your eye on someone your mother describes as ‘artsy.’ The pressure is on to think of an outing that will appeal to this artistic temperament, without coming across as an out-of-touch nerd. Mile Zero is sure to impress. The avant-garde dance company will twist your date’s assumptions of the art form. Check out Mile Zero’s International Artist-in-Residence, Harriet Macauley, at “The AIR Show,� at the Roxy Theatre Feb. 26-March 4.

Whyte Avenue in Edmonton

If your date puts the recycling through the dishwasher and knits like it’s going out of style… Grab a latte on Whyte Avenue on a Saturday afternoon and head over to the Old Strathcona Farmers’ Market (www.osfm.ca/). Woo your sweetheart while supporting local artisans and farmers, and stocking your fridge (just don’t forget to bring a reusable grocery bag). A tasty and economical meal at Cajun diner Dadeo’s on Whyte Avenue is perfect fuel for a night of folk music. The Full Moon Folk Club hosts regular performances at St. Basil’s Cultural Centre, about 10 blocks from the heart of Old Strathcona (www.fmfc.org). Another nearby folk club, the Northern Lights Folk Club (www.northernlightsfc.ca), hosts regular shows at the Queen Alexandra Community Hall, which is also stumbling distance from Whyte Avenue. By Caitlin Crawshaw

Hot Jams, Cool Scenes

Live music in Alberta is… well, it’s alive! From coffee houses to country bars, city venues feature an ever-changing line-up of concerts and gigs. The backbone of city entertainment? Talented locals keep the music rolling. In this monthly column, City Spice profiles some of the movers and shakers in Alberta’s vibrant live music scene. This month we put the spotlight on Edmonton artist Julie Jonas.

Listen While You Read

Listen to music from Julie Jonas while you read our City Spice interview.

Julie Jonas City Spice Interview - Page 3

Music for a Romantic February Singer Julie Jonas is new to the Edmonton music scene. Listening to her powerful pipes is the aural equivalent of stepping back in time. You’re in the lounge of a 1950’s cruise ship, or wearing a tux at one of those restaurants-with-dinner-shows that only seem to crop up in black and white Hollywood flicks. Smoky and sultry, with a sense of lazy luxury, Jonas’s music calls out for a suitably glamourous setting – but if you’ve left your gold satin evening gown at home, you may be able to track her down in the intimate surroundings of Steeps or the Savoy.

Julie Jonas City Spice Interview - Page 4

Q: What's the most important thing an audience can do when attending a live performance – why? A: I think it's really important for artists, especially up and coming artists, to get feedback from an audience. We can only become better performers if we have some scope on how we are received, be it positive or negative. Oh, and clapping is great. I know my music may not affect everyone in the same way, but even if you were'nt listening you can clap and pretend that you were! Q: What is the most important step an artist can make, and have you made it yet? If not, how do you plan to do it? A: In my opinion the best thing any artist can do is share what they create. That's what its all about. It has taken me a very long time to figure out that

Julie Jonas City Spice Interview - Page 5

my music can, and should, be shared. I've met some really neat people who have inspired me to get out there and start playing and it's turning into this wonderful and terrifying adventure! Im just in the midst of putting some shows together and stepping into the limelight and I could not be more excited! That's the most important thing. Just do it! 3) Describe the perfect audience-take one of them- tell us what he or she is wearing, drinking, eating, when they see you live. Men in suits, drinking martini's, ladies in dresses, kids in chucks and hoodies, drinking whisky, they can be eating whatever they want, what's important is if they are listening. I would like to think that my music will be enjoyed by everyone, though thats always a trick. 4) what food best describes your music?- why? Hmmm perhaps an Oreo cookie. My music is layered with piano and voice melodies kind of like and Oreo. Its got some really smooth, lulling qualities that might be compared with the delicious white filling part, but also some darker, melancholy bits, like the cookie part. I also just really adore oreos.

Julie Jonas City Spice Interview - Page 6

Q: Where is your favorite getaway spot in Alberta? A: I love Banff and Jasper. It's just so refreshing to get up to the mountains from time to time, take a break from the city. Anywhere I can Ski AND go boating, cliff diving, fishing, climbing and god knows what else, is a personal paradise. Q: What makes the Alberta music scene unique for artists, and how is it a benefit for local audiences? A: In my experience, the Alberta music scene is one that is crazy creative, accessible, and really supportive. The local shows which I have been to or have been a part of have all been really fun, and generally, pretty easy going. All these artists have a great time doing what they do, whether they are searching for stardom or simply enjoy performing as a creative hobby. It's great for local artists because

Winter Holiday Packages

Get your free download of Alberta's best holiday packages.

Winter Romance - 5 romantic getaways

5 romantic getaways to spoil the one you love this February.

Romantic getaways

John Shaske is a bit of an old fashioned romantic, particularly when it comes to his two passions: nature and trains. In fact the locomotive aficionado has spent more than two decades helping travellers of all ages fall in love with each other and with train travel by offering customized excursions through his company John Steel Rail Tours "Romance by rail is perfect for lovers young and old," says Shaske, who just released his first book, Canada by Rail: The Complete VIA Rail Travel Guide. So why does such an antiquated form of transportation seem to produce the perfect recipe for romance? It's simple, he says. "(On board) there are no cell phones, no emails. You're isolated from the outside world. "It's cocooning at its finest. You have no choice but to slow down and relax."

All aboard the snow train of love

One of Shaske's most popular excursions is the Snow Train Circle - a five-hour journey between Edmonton and Jasper departing three times a week from November thru April. Guests are whisked away in VIA Rail's Comfort Class, arriving at Jasper’s downtown train terminal where they are free to spend a few days on the slopes or to explore the eclectic mountain town before catching the next train back to Edmonton. Prices start from $359 per person, including two nights’ hotel accommodation, transportation and transfers.

Feeling sexy in the city

Back in the city, Calgary's Hotel Arts is the place to be for lovers who want to indulge like a couple of pampered celebrities. The decadent pool suites overlooking the South-Beach inspired pool and patio are what the hotel's Director of Sales and Marketing, Fraser Abbott, refers to as " the rock star suites". Why? Because they're decked out with king-size beds, designer lounges and two-person spa rain and steam showers - oh yeah- and they’re where rock stars really do stay. Raw Bar, the hotel's ultra-cool restaurant, serves up culinary masterpieces to the background tunes of sultry house music. And, says Abbott, if you ask nice enough, they may even figure out a way to bake that engagement ring into your date's chocolate mousse.

Kensington Riverside Inn - Winter Vacations

The Kensington Riverside Inn is the Hotel Arts’ sister property located in Calgary's trendy Kensington district. The Canada Select Four Star boutique inn is sophisticated and European in its sensibilities, making it a favorite among honeymooners and guests who appreciate the inn’s private collection of artwork and the selection of three junior suites with Jacuzzis, fireplaces and amazing views of downtown and the Bow River. Guests can enjoy a meal prepared by Chef Yeaman and his team at the Chef’s Table, the in-house restaurant that recently underwent major renovations and was selected by enRoute Magazine as one of Canada’s Best New restaurants of 2008. Watch the website or phone 403.228.4442 for details about the upcoming Valentine’s Day buffet.

Live like royalty - Alberta Getaways

Finally, if it’s a weekend of extreme opulence that gets you in the mood, nobody does a better job of creating fairytale getaways than the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. “We make moments into memories for the guest,� says Alicia Chelsom, a public relations manager with the company. “We will bend over backwards to make it happen.� If you don’t have a particular fantasy in mind this winter, take advantage of one of the packages available at any of the three Rocky Mountain destinations: For just $279 per night, enjoy the Love and Hugs package available at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, one of the most romantic destinations in the world. The package includes breakfast, accommodations and a keepsake teddy bear, or you can try out the Romance Package at the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. Romancing the stone The crown jewel of the Fairmont trilogy is the Diamonds are Forever Package available at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Resort; a two night escape priced at $8,499 and includes, among an assortment of luxuries, a half carat loose Canadian Diamond. Now that’s what I’m talking about. By Jodie McKague

Romancing the stone

The crown jewel of the Fairmont trilogy is the Diamonds are Forever Package available at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel and Resort; a two night escape priced at $8,499 and includes, among an assortment of luxuries, a half carat loose Canadian Diamond. Now that’s what I’m talking about. By Jodie McKague

Travel Alberta Holiday Card

Travel Alberta Holiday Card Special offers. Your wish is for an Alberta holiday that involves all things urban. You'll thoroughly enjoy the many Alberta Holiday card offers that suit your individual style.

Vino Divino, Calgary Style

Leave your inhibitions at the city limits! At Calgary’s wine bars, “sexy� is back in style. What happened to Cowtown? Calgary is showing off its cosmopolitan side with a host of new wine bars. Luxurious interiors form the backdrop for even more luxurious menus, and the wine is the inspiration behind it all. Wine bars nowadays cater to all levels of enthusiasts. All you need is a passion to try something new. So leave your inhibitions at the city limits, because “sexy� is back in style.

Calgary's cosmopolitan side

Pamper your date Upscale casual defines the décor at Calgary’s newest wine bars. You’ll find chaise lounges at Vin Room and rich zebra mahogany and leather walls at Parkerhouse Grill & Wine Bar. The atmosphere is unpretentious with a luxurious twist that is oh-so Calgarian.

Pamper Your Date - Winebars in calgary

These wine bars are distinctly sexy. The owners’ fierce passion for wine and food is infectious, making wine bars perfect for a Valentine’s Day date. If you know a thing or two about wine, you can impress your date with a flight (selection of tastings). Or let the staff pamper you by suggesting pairings. You’ll have more time to gaze into the eyes of the one you love if you’re not staring at the menu! And don’t forget the wine…

Newest Wine Bars in Calgary

Good taste This precision in the pursuit of the perfect glass of wine is born from wild passion. Calgary’s newest wine bars cater to all levels of wine enthusiasts. “It’s about what you like and tastes good to you,� explains Phoebe Fung, owner of Vin Room. This passion for good taste is carried through to the menu. The chef and the sommelier develop their menus together to make sure the food complements the wine perfectly. Winebar Kensington, from the creators of Muse restaurant, has gourmet nibbles or meals, while Vin Room has a tapas selection suited for sharing. And while Adam Snelling, General Manager and Sommelier of Parkerhouse, insists “we are not a steakhouse,� they have arguably the most comprehensive beef program in the city.

Divine Wines in Calgary

It includes beef from Alberta’s Diamond Willow farms who are “basically above and beyond organic, where cows sleep on pillow top mattresses and listen to Kenny G.� Forget your worries, discover your passions With their sumptuous food and divine wines, wine bars provide a luxurious escape from the stresses of urban life. As Fung says, “In these economic times, people want to spend more time with family and friends. They can come to Vin Room and do that, and let us take care of them.�

Calgary and Area Wine bars

Calgary & Area Wine Bars 507 Wine Bar 507 10 St SW 403.481.0514 Divino Wine & Cheese Bistro 113 8 Ave SW Calgary, Alberta 403.410.5555 Gypsy Bistro & Wine Bar 817 1 St SW 403.263.5869 Parkerhouse Grill & Wine Bar 131 6 Ave SW 403.237.9585 Quarry Bistro & Wine Bar 718 Main St, Canmore 403.678-6088 Vin Room 2310 4 St SW 403.457.5522 Winebar Kensington 1131 Kensington Rd NW 403.457.1144 Zia’s Enoteca 425 11 Ave SE 403.984.9429 By Wendi Seskus-James

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