Hockey, lacrosse, speedball and high-flying luchadores highlight the week ahead at Stampede Park.

Details on that and more here:

• NHL Hockey:  The Calgary Flames take on the San Jose Sharks at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday, January 24.  Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster.
• WHL Hockey:  Meanwhile, the Calgary Hitmen play thrice this week at the Saddledome.  First, they take on the Brandon Wheat Kings on Wednesday, January 25, followed by the Vancouver Giants on Friday, January 27 with both games starting at 7 p.m.  The Hitmen finish off the week with the Tri-City Americans on Sunday, January 29 at 4 p.m.  Tickets for all three games are available through Ticketmaster.
• Heroes Hockey Challenge:  A fundraiser for soldiers, veterans and their families, come watch as Calgary Flames Alumni take on members of the Canadian Forces clad in specially designed “desert cam” based hockey jerseys on the ice in an old-fashioned hockey game.  It all starts Thursday, January 26 at 7 p.m. in the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Tickets for this special game are available through Ticketmaster.
• Calgary R.V. Expo & Sale:  The 43rd annual Calgary RV Expo & Sale will feature many RV dealerships from the Calgary area where you can learn about at all the latest models and more about the RV lifestyle.  January 26 – 29 in the BMO Centre, Halls A, B, C, D and E.  Tickets will be available at the door and advance tickets are available online.
• Canadian National Speedball Championships:  The 20th annual Canadian National Speedball Championships will be taking place this week as teams vie for over $25,000 in prizes.  Featuring the X-Division All-Star Game on January 27 at 7 p.m. and the largest paintball tradeshow of the year, this exciting event is free for spectators and open to the public.   January 27 – 29 in the lower level of the Agriculture Building.
• Lucha VaVoom:  It’s Sexo Y Violencia as luchadores take over Stampede Park as part of this year’s High Performance Rodeo, Calgary’s International Festival of the Arts!  Authentic masked Mexican wrestling, saucy striptease and comedy collide at Lucha VaVOOM, a non-stop, action-packed scream-a-thon where heroic técnicos battle evil rudos in Lucha Libre exhibition-style matches! Masked wrestlers flip and fly, performing breathtaking acrobatic feats, bringing the bizarre world of ’60s Mexican Lucha cinema to life.  January 27 and 28 in the Big Four Building, with both shows starting at 8 p.m.  Tickets for both shows are available through hprodeo.ca.
• NLL Lacrosse:  The Calgary Roughnecks take on the Toronto Rock on Saturday, January 28 at 7 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Tickets for this game are available through Ticketmaster.

Did you know that 2012 is the Calgary Stampede’s centennial?  There will be festivities and other celebrations happening all over the place throughout the year to help celebrate 100 years of the Calgary Stampede and show why We’re Greatest Together, so make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Hello again fellow readers, bloggers and all in between!

I hardly know where to start this blog off because I am so excited to tell you about my day! Our lovely Indian Princess Amelia Crowshoe and her family invited us three ladies to the Napi Friendship Centre 40th Anniversary Competition Pow wow in Pincher Creek, Alberta! The more time I spend with Amelia, the more I crave to learn about her cultural background. Now I’ll admit… I am not the best dancer (hard to believe, I know ), but I had so much fun participating in the dancing and the grand entry that they have at the beginning of the day! As we got to stand in the middle of the room with other royalties and dignitaries, all the dancers were introduced by category and came dancing in. The sea of colour, jingles, and music was enough to get my adrenaline going!

Being the Centennial Queen, my goal this year is to make sure I do the best of my abilities to support all aspects of the Calgary Stampede. Being able to go today gives me a bit more confidence that I will be able to support the Indian Village in times where Amelia may be at different events or traveling to promote the Calgary Stampede Indian Princess Program.

It didn’t matter where you were from, everyone was family there today. Just the sense of community in that building was incredible and I was so happy to be apart of that. As Amelia’s Stampede sister I was a little biased and thought she was obviously the best , but all the dancers in each category for men, women, youth, kids, and seniors brought their own unique presence and passion to each dance.

Thank you again to the Crowshoes, the Napi Friendship Centre and everyone involved for having us there and letting us be apart of it!

This week the other Royalty and I had the honor of being invited to dinner by some of the most important members of our Stampede Family! Mr. Mike Casey, the President and chairman of the Calgary Stampede board of directors, along with Mr. Bob Thompson, first vice-chairman of the board of directors, Mr. Bill Gray, second vice-chairman of the board of directors, Mr. Vern Kimball, chief executive officer of the Stampede and past President and chairman, Dr. David Chalack. These men are five of the busiest and most important members of the very large and complex society that is the Calgary Stampede.
Mr. Casey treated us to a wonderful dinner at Sugo’s Restaurant, and Dani, Candice, Amelia and I felt truly honored that each of these men took the time out of their very busy schedules, in thirty below weather, to join us for dinner. We all had a wonderful time and it was so great to get to know everyone a little better.
This very special experience made me truly understand the value of the position that the other Royalty and I have been given, especially during this incredibly significant year. The Calgary Stampede relies on so many amazing volunteers and employees to function with such finesse and our role holds its own unique importance. I am so grateful to be in this position for the hundredth anniversary of the Stampede, and to have the ability to meet and work with the other devoted members of the Stampede family. I am very proud to be an ambassador for such an organization.
I would like to say thank you once again to Mr. Casey, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Gray, Dr. Chalack and Mr. Kimball for their time and consideration of us, it is truly appreciated! Looking forward to an increasingly exciting and amazing year with the Stampede and my three Stampede sisters!

This week features the return of NLL action to the Saddledome as the Calgary Roughnecks play their first home game of the 2012 season, as well as the return of the Calgary Wedding Fair.

Details on that and more here:

• WHL Hockey:  The Calgary Hitmen play thrice this week at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  First, the Hitmen take on the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, January 18 and the Prince George Cougars on Friday, January 20.  Both games start at 7 p.m.  Finally, the Hitmen take on the Red Deer Rebels on Sunday, January 22 at 4 p.m.  Tickets to all three games are available through Ticketmaster.
• NLL Lacrosse: The Calgary Roughnecks’ 2012 home opener is this week against the Colorado Mammoth at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday, January 21 at 7 p.m.  Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster.
• Calgary Wedding Fair:  Ease some of the pressure of planning a beautiful wedding by attending the Calgary Wedding Fair where you can compare, taste, touch and see what top wedding specialists in the Calgary area have to offer, all in one place!  Sunday, January 22 in the BMO Centre.  Tickets available at the door and online.

Did you know that 2012 is the Calgary Stampede’s centennial?  There will be festivities and other celebrations happening all over the place throughout the year to help celebrate 100 years of the Calgary Stampede and show why We’re Greatest Together, so make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Most of my memories of motorcycles revolve around my Dad’s 1980 Honda Goldwing. When I was really little, I got to sit on the bike in anticipation of being old enough to go on a road trip – just my Dad and me on the open road! When the time came I got all the gear on, my bags packed into the tiny compartments and we headed off. My Dad driving and me sleeping, yes sleeping on the back of the motorcycle. Guess the bike was a little too comfortable for me!

This weekend I headed down to the Calgary Motorcycle Show at the BMO Centre on the Stampede grounds to check out all the new “toys” (I was sure they had changed drastically since 1980). Drifting from one shiny bike to another and then through the historical parade – one thing caught my eye….Evolution of Extreme Show. I figured this ought to be entertaining!

I was fully expecting the Freestyle Motocross – but did not expect to a Quad doing Freestyle nor did I expect Sled Freestyle (Is it just me or don’t those things typically need snow to operate?). These boys truly put on an amazing show – flying through the air pulling tricks like the Superman, Side Winder and one handed back-flips. This show definitely added a side to riding that I hadn’t experienced before. Although I do have to ask – how many times does one fall learning how to pull stunts like that?

I’m excited for the show next year– Think they’d let me take one for a test ride….

Freestyle Through the Air!

Stunt Riders

Teaching Kids to Ride....Wonder if they would let me try?

Now that we have officially entered Into the year 2012, the Centennial year of the Calgary Stampede, I wanted to write about some of my favorite memories from our time as Royalty in 2011.

From the very beginning, Candice, Dani, Amelia and I have been having so much fun representing the Stampede as a unit. From searching for ghosts at the Banff Springs Hotel during the travel Alberta conference, to watching an outrageous fashion show in Edmonton during the C.F.R. to practically blowing the speakers out of our minivan in Vancouver during the Grey Cup, we haven’t stopped laughing! Even riding in the pouring rain in Vancouver during the Grey Cup Parade was a fantastic experience!

Many of the events that we have done closer to home have been amazing as well. I especially loved our day of volunteering with Operation Christmas Child, helping to pack shoeboxes to be sent to less fortunate children around the world. We also helped to pack hampers of groceries for less fortunate families right here in Calgary at St. Michael’s Church. It is so amazing to be able to use the position we have been given to help give back to those who need it most.

We were also fortunate enough to be invited to the George Canyon Country Christmas concert where he and his very talented band collaborated with the amazing Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. The music and entertainment were amazing and the perfect way to kick off the Centennial Celebrations for the Calgary Stampede.

One of the most interesting events we have done was to attend a Queen’s Alumni meeting and meet all of the past Stampede Royalty, including the very first Stampede Queen, Patsy Rodgers, who was Queen in 1946! Hearing about the history of the past royalty from the ladies themselves and about how things have changed was fascinating.

We are so fortunate to have had the opportunities to participate in these, and many, many more incredible and entertaining events. I’m sure I have left out many of my favorite memories in this blog, we have been very busy since the very beginning of our reign in October, and I know that this year is just getting started! So Happy New Year to all of our blog readers, I’m looking forward to all that is yet to come during this incredible journey as Calgary Stampede Royalty!

This week sees the 40th annual Calgary HOMEXPO return to the BMO Centre, plus it also features Calgary Flames’ Western Night on Saturday, January 14 as the Flames take on the LA Kings.

Details on that and more here:

• Calgary HOMEXPO:  Calgary’s home, renovation and decor show, the 40th annual Homexpo is the largest of its kind in Western Canada.  The first home show of the season, it’s the perfect show to take in if you’re thinking about starting new renovation and other home projects this year.  Special guests this year include Sarah Richardson from HGTV’s Sarah’s House, John Sillaots from HGTV’s In the Workshop, and Andrew Downward from HGTV’s Divine Design.  It all takes place January 13-15 in the BMO Centre.  Tickets available at the door.
• NHL Hockey:  The Calgary Flames play thrice this week at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  First, they take on the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, January 10 at 7:30 p.m. followed by the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m.  On Saturday, January 14 at 8 p.m. the Flames take on the Los Angeles Kings, and it’s also Western Night at the Saddledome!  Calgary Stampede mascot Harry the Horse will be making appearances all night, prizes will be given away, and Stampede volunteers will be on hand to greet people at the gate so make sure you show up wearing your western duds! Who knows, you might just win a prize.  Tickets for all three games are available through Ticketmaster.
• WHL Hockey:  Meanwhile, the Calgary Hitmen play twice this week at the Saddledome.  They take on the Moose Jaw Warriors on Friday, January 13 at 7 p.m. followed by the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday, January 15 at 2 p.m.  Tickets for both games are available through Ticketmaster.

Did you know that 2012 is the Calgary Stampede’s centennial?  There will be festivities and other celebrations happening all over the place throughout the year to help celebrate 100 years of the Calgary Stampede, so make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Amelia had the opportunity to write a guest article for the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund. We wanted to share her inspirational words with you all!

*******************************************

Growing up within the Piikani-Blackfoot culture I was taught that its values originated within a spirit of love and compassion for your family and community, and for humanity in general. In my cultural education, I was taught that we should have compassion for our neighbour and to recognize that we are all only human beings in need of consideration and support; even more so when we stumble and cannot meet our basic needs or help those we care for.

Traditionally First Nations communities measured their success as a society not only through the accomplishments of its individuals but through the health of their communities as a whole. If a fellow member of your tribe was suffering and in need, you were too: your merit was reflected in your ability to help those around you. Chiefs and community leaders often gave away food and goods so that the community could benefit from their individual success; it was viewed not only as a responsibility but as an opportunity to celebrate through the spirit of giving. The spirit of charity and compassion are values that remain strong within my heritage.

Because of these traditional values I believe that we all are better served when we are a strong and healthy community; when we are a society that expresses itself through acts of compassion, charity, and by the giving of our time and efforts to those around us in need. In a city as thriving as Calgary we can invest not only to eradicate poverty, hunger, homelessness and despair, but to contribute to a much happier, healthier city for all individuals and families. At one time or another I am sure that we have all wondered how anyone should go without when there are so many people in this wonderful city of ours able to give.

In giving we provide those in need with respite from suffering; it is a gift that is priceless to those who receive it. A donation to the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund is an opportunity for us to provide hope and positive change to those who need it most. The Calgary Herald Christmas Fund empowers its recipient charities to continue to provide support and compassion to Calgarians in need.

People in need often times do not make the decision to be in their predicaments and are sometimes helpless to overcome the obstacles they are faced with. We can make the decision to help them find the resources and strength of spirit to succeed. The Christmas Fund provides the means for us to make an impact and affect change in our society – to make us all successful as a city and a community.

In my own First Nations community there are many people who struggle with crisis issues such as homelessness, hunger, addictions, abuse and poverty. I have personally seen the shadows these plagues may cast. As a result of charitable giving and volunteerism, I have been fortunate enough to witness the power of transformation that these pursuits may invoke. These acts truly affect the lives of those in need. In investing your time to a support program or making charitable donations to an organization that services those struggling with critical needs you give something that cannot be measured, you give hope to all of us that this world can be better.

Remember, your candle loses nothing when it lights another…be generous today.

On behalf of the five tribes of Treaty 7, Indian Village and the Calgary Stampede, we ask the Creator to bless each of you and fill your heart with the warmth and joy of the holiday season. May you always have the Spirit of the season which is Peace, the Gladness of the season which is Hope, the Heart of the season which is Love.

Amelia Crowshoe is the 2012 Calgary Stampede Centennial Indian Princess. A graduate from the University of Calgary, Amelia has ambitions to become a lawyer specializing in the needs of the First Nations community in the realm of business and corporate law. Follow Amelia on facebook at “Calgary Stampede Indian Princess” or at indianvillage.ca

Happy New Year everyone!  The first week of 2012 brings the finals of the World Juniors, as well as the return of NHL and WHL hockey with the Flames and the Hitmen back at the Saddledome after extended road trips.  Also, the Calgary Motorcycle Show makes its return to the BMO Centre as well.

Details on that and more here:

• IIHF WJHC Hockey:  The final week of the 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are at hand, with all remaining games taking place here in Calgary at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

  Here’s the rest of the tournament schedule for this week:

  • Monday, January 2:
    • Relegation:  Switzerland vs Denmark at 11 a.m.
    • Quarter-final:  Finland vs Slovakia at 3 p.m.
    • Quarter-final:  Russia vs. Czech Republic at 7 p.m.
  • Tuesday, January 3:
    • Relegation:  USA vs Latvia at 11 a.m.
    • Semifinal:  Sweden vs Finland or Slovakia at 3 p.m.
    • Semifinal:  Canada vs Russia or Czech Republic at 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, January 4:
    • Relegation:  Latvia vs Denmark at 11 a.m.
    • Relegation:  Switzerland vs USA at 3 p.m.
    • Fifth Place:  Finland or Slovakia vs Russia or Czech Republic at 7 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 5:
    • Bronze Medal Game at 1:30 p.m.
    • Gold Medal Game at 6 p.m.

  Limited tickets for the WJHC’s may still be available through Hockey Canada or Ticketmaster.

• Calgary Motorcycle Show:  The Calgary Motorcycle Show is Calgary’s premiere motorcycle show and is the Canadian Motorcycle and ATV industries’ official event for the launch of new 2012 models.  Featuring the latest products, services, accessories and new models direct from the manufacturers, highlights this year include the Yamaha Riding Academy for kids 6-12, an extreme MX Freestyle show, celebrity racers, a vintage motorcycles display, and more.  January 6-8 in the BMO Centre.  Tickets available at the door or through participating Motorcycle Dealerships.
• NHL Hockey:  The Calgary Flames take on the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, January 7 at 8 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Tickets for this game are available through Ticketmaster.
• WHL Hockey:  Meanwhile, the Calgary Hitmen take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes on Sunday, January 8 at 2 p.m. at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Tickets for this game are available through Ticketmaster.

Did you know that 2012 is the Calgary Stampede’s centennial?  There will be festivities and other celebrations happening all over the place throughout the year to help celebrate 100 years of the Calgary Stampede, so make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Well fellow readers, I hope you had an amazing holiday!

Over the past few weeks, we have only had a few events, but one in specific was very moving for all of us. On December 19th, we spent the day at St. Michaels Catholic Community Church filling food hampers for different families across Calgary. It was so fun to meet all the different volunteers that day, have the opportunity to put together the grocery lists, and give families one less thing to worry about at Christmas.
Along with the food hampers, Christmas gifts were given to all the families. I am an avid winter sport fan, and have always had the opportunity to ski and snowboard and think nothing else of it. The volunteers were able to get one younger boy a snowboard and boots for a Christmas gift. The fact that this boy is going to be able to enjoy snowboarding and the thrilling feeling of shredding down that hill or mountain as much as I do brought me to tears. I am so excited that I was able to be part of this event and help over 100 families in Calgary have an amazing Christmas.

This humbling experience made me appreciate my family and our cheesy christmas and holiday traditions more than ever and I am so thankful for that. This New years my goal is to pay it forward more than ever. If I can change one persons life, whether it be at work, as Calgary Stampede Queen, or just a close friend I’ll know that my goal was attained.

I hope everyone has a great New Years and please do me a favour… HAVE FUN! Let’s bring in this Centennial year with a bang!

Boxing Day this year for me was spent in a different way, but one tradition was kept; skating! The Stampede Royalty and Indian Princess were invited to be a part of the opening ceremonies at the Mac’s Midget AAA Hockey Tournament on Dec 26th. This well-known tournament has been running for 34 years now thanks to the support of people like Ron Thompson, Marketing manager of the Western Division of the Mac’s Convenience stores. Mr. Thompson has been involved with the tournament for 19 years and has been a true supporter of sport within the community. I was able to relate to the kind of passion that Mr. Thompson has for providing this opportunity for young athletes. I too as an athlete have benefited from this kind of community sport competition. I have been skating all my life and grew up playing shinny hockey with the boys and ringette with the girls. Now playing competitive university level ringette for Mount Royal, I look back and realize how thankful I am for the community support I had for the sports I love.
Every boxing day, my family and I get together to skate one the backyard pond or the rink in town and play a game of shinny. This year, I missed shinny with the family, but I was able to be a part of the Mac’s AAA tournament by getting the privilege to put my skates on and drop the puck at the opening ceremony. I was so thrilled to be a part of the ceremony, and so were my fellow royalty. The Mac’s AAA tournament also recognized that the Calgary Stampede will be celebrating its centennial year in 2012. What a great combination of Calgary community spirit. Good luck to all the teams in the tournament and thanks for inviting the Stampede to be a part of this great Calgary hockey tradition!

Hope everyone’s having a Happy Holidays so far!  Because with the festive season now upon us, it only means one thing around here:  Hockey! Between the 2012 WJHC and the Mac’s AAA Midget Hockey Tournament championships, there’s lots of hockey action to catch this week at Stampede Park.

Details on that and more here:

• IIHF WJHC Hockey:  The 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are here, and this year they’re taking place all over Alberta!  Games will be split between Edmonton and Calgary from December 26 to January 5, with the Calgary games taking place at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Preliminary games take place this week, while finals take place next week.  Here is the Saddledome schedule for this week:
  • Monday, December 26:
    • Team Sweeden vs Team Latvia at 3:30 p.m.
    • Team Russia vs Team Switzerland at 8 p.m.
  • Tuesday, December 27:
    • Team Latvia vs Team Slovakia at 8 p.m.
  • Wednesday, December 28:
    • Team Switzerland vs Team Sweden at 3:30 p.m.
    • Team Slovakia vs Team Russia at 8 p.m.
  • Thursday, December 29:
    • Team Russia vs Team Latvia at 8 p.m.
  • Friday, December 30:
    • Team Slovakia vs Team Sweden at 3:30 p.m.
    • Team Latvia vs Team Switzerland at 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, December 31:
    • Team Switzerland vs Team Slovakia at 4 p.m.
    • Team Sweden vs Team Russia at 8 p.m.

  Limited tickets for the WJHC’s may still be available through Hockey Canada.

• Mac’s AAA Midget Hockey Tournament:  For over 30 years, midget-aged hockey players from all over the world have travelled to Calgary for a chance to participate in the annual Mac’s AAA Midget Hockey Tournament.  Throughout this week, the tournament will take place in various venues around the city, ending with the championship finals on Sunday, January 1.  The Male Championship will be played at the Scotiabank Saddledome at 6 p.m. and tickets for that game are available through Ticketmaster.  Tickets for all tourney games are available at all Calgary and area Mac’s Convenience Store locations and at each of the tournament facilities during the tournament.
• Stampede Casino: Open all year-round and featuring all your favourite slots, tables, a 24 hour poker room, as well as excellent food and special events throughout the year, there’s always something going on down here so why not drop by for a visit? Here’s a taste of what’s happening this week:
  • UFC 141:  Catch UFC 141 Friday, December 30 featuring Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair “The Reem” Overeem.  Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.  Tickets available through Stampede Casino Guest Services.
  • Vintage Vegas New Year’s:  The Stampede Casino is going retro this year with our Vintage Vegas New Year’s party!  Come ring in the New Year with us as you can have a chance to win a trip for two to Las Vegas every hour on the hour from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Live DJ, no cover and complimentary champagne at midnight!

Make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Christmas is rapidly approaching, but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down here at Stampede Park!  We’ve got LMFAO and the Cherrytree Pop Alternative Tour rockin’ at the Stampede Corral plus more hockey than you can shake a (hockey) stick at with World Juniors and NHL action all happening on Park this week.

Details on that and more here:

• IIHF WJHC Hockey:  The 2012 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships are right around the corner, and this year they’re taking place all over Alberta!  Get ready for this prestigious tournament before it ramps up in the new year so you can say “I was there” with an exhibition game between Team Canada and Team Finland on Monday, December 19 at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. and tickets for this pre-tournament game are available through Ticketmaster.
• LMFAO:  Party rockers LMFAO return to Calgary this week with the Cherrytree Pop Alternative Tour along with special guests Far East Movement & Natalia Kills, Frankmusik, Kay, Rye Rye and Colette Carr.  It all starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20 in the Stampede Corral.  Tickets for the show are available through Ticketmaster. Update: LMFAO postpones three remaining Canadian tour dates (including Calgary) until February 2012 due to injury. Announcement here. Ticketmaster will honour all tickets on the new date once it’s confirmed.
• NHL Hockey:  The Calgary Flames play twice this week at the Scotiabank Saddledome.  First they host the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, December 20 at 7 p.m. followed by the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, December 22 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets for both games are available through Ticketmaster.

Make sure to sign up to become a Stampede Insider for first-access to exclusive news, contests and other insider information, and be sure to keep an eye on our official Twitter account at @calgarystampede and our official Facebook fan page for giveaways, special announcements, and more! Finally, make sure to visit our website and continue to tune into the official Stampede Blog to learn more about all of the things happening here on Park and beyond!

Growing up within the Piikani-Blackfoot culture I was taught that its values originated within a spirit of love and compassion for your family and community, and for humanity in general. So it was very exciting for me, Candice, Jessica and Dani to have the opportunity to give back to the community and volunteer at Operation Christmas Child on December 8th.

The moment you step in the processing centre, an absolutely spirit of giving and the holidays overwhelms you. To see so many volunteers lovingly opening each box for inspection…many wearing Santa hats, how can you not feel like you actually stepped into Santa’s workshop!

After our volunteering shift, we were given a tour of the facility where we learned that this organization also takes on emergency relief situations and projects for clean water in needing countries.

It’s not too late to spread the holiday spirit! You can pack a shoe box online at samaritanspurse.ca/shoebox.

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world. I invite you to experience a truly rewarding experience. It is a project the whole family can do together.

Our hearts were bursting with excitement and Christmas spirit as we carefully inspected and packed Christmas shoes boxes that are soon to reach deserving children around the world. The girls and I had a ton of fun helping out with the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child campaign on December 8th. It was exciting to see all the fun toys and gifts that some lucky children will get for Christmas! We were inspired and decided that we needed to go shopping and fill a shoe box of our own. It was great to work with all the other volunteers and meet some of the people that work behind the senses with Samaritan’s Purse. We learned that this organization does so much more than just fill Christmas shoe boxes. Samaritan’s Purse also takes on projects that involve community development, emergency relief and projects for clean water in needing countries. Helping out with the shoe boxes was a great way to give back to the community during the holiday season! I would recommend volunteering for Operation Christmas Child to anyone; it was so much fun, and very rewarding!