Events happening in Edmonton in August
Festival Month !
https://exploreedmonton.com/event-calendar?page=3&nextMonth=2022-08&nextSkip=22&more=2
Heritage festival
The world's largest outdoor celebration of multiculturalism.
July 30 – August 1, 2022
Hawrelak perk – 9330 Groat Road NW, Edmonton, Alberta
Get More info here = https://www.heritagefest.ca/
Edmonton Folk Music Festival
A dizzying four days of music, great food and a stellar setting during the Edmonton Folk Music Festival have become a summer institution in the city.
August 4 – August 7, 2022
Gallagher park – 9505 96 Ave, Edmonton, Alberta
Get tickets and info here = https://edmontonfolkfest.org/
Cariwest Caribbean Arts Festival
Don't miss three party-filled days of Caribbean culture in the heart of downtown!
August 5 – August 7, 2022
Sir Winston Churchill Square, Edmonton, Alberta
Get More info here = https://www.cariwest.ca/
Edmonton Fringe Festival
Experience dynamic, innovative theatre during North America’s biggest and oldest fringe festival.
August 11- August 21, 2022
Old Strathcona and Whyte Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta
Get More info Here = https://www.fringetheatre.ca/festival/
Edmonton Blues Festival
The Edmonton Blues Festival is back and heating up this August! Many of the acts originally booked and cancelled for 2020 will be taking the stage in 2022 at the Heritage Amphitheatre (hooray!).
August 19-August 21, 2022
Heritigae Amphitheatre – Hawrelak Park, Edmonton, Alberta
Get More info here=https://www.bluesinternationalltd.com/
Events Happening in Calgary in August
https://www.visitcalgary.com/things-to-do/stories-from-calgary/august-in-calgary
Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival
The Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Festival is Calgary’s premiere water sport festival, with over 1850 competitors and 4000 spectators, displaying dragon boat racing for a family friendly event.
Where: North Glenmore Park
When: August 5-7
Get More info Here =https://calgarydragonboatsociety.com/
Carifest
Get ready for a spectacular Caribbean celebration with music, costumes, tradition, and culture, at Carifest 2022, featuring and parade and live music in Shaw Millennium Park.
Where: Shaw Millennium Park
When: August 12-13
Get More info here = https://carifestcalgary.com/
GlobalFest
Alberta’s Most Explosive Festival returns with GlobalFest at Elliston Park, displaying Calgary’s cultural diversity and artistic excellence with incredible firework displays presented by India, Austria, France, and Germany.
Where: Elliston Park
When: August 18-27
Get More info here = https://globalfest.ca/
Country Thunder
Country Thunder returns with a new venue at Fort Calgary and country music superstars Morgan Wallen, Florida Georgia Line, and Lee Brice headlining the summer music festival favourite. Country Thunder Alberta 2022 is sold out.
Where: Fort Calgary
When: August 19-21
Get More info here = https://www.countrythunder.com/ab
Calgary Pride Parade & Festival
Celebrate gender and sexual diversity with Calgary Pride with the return of in-person programming, featuring the annual festival and a variety of special events.
Where: More details to come
When: August 26 – September 5
Get More info here = https://www.calgarypride.ca/
Mojito Recipes
https://www.acouplecooks.com/classic-mojito/
Is there any cocktail more refreshing than a mojito? Of all the classic cocktails, this iconic Cuban drink is one of the greats. Here’s a mojito recipe that’s spot on perfection: not too sweet, bubbly, and minty fresh. Like the margarita, the true version has less sugar and more nuance than what it’s become in bars and pre-made mixes. It’s perfect for sipping on the patio, and just as good in the dead of winter when you’re dreaming of the beach. Here’s exactly how to make a simple mojito!
The mojito is a sour cocktail that originates from Havana, Cuba. The origins of the Mojito are cloudy: some say it was invented in the 1500s, others in the 1800’s with the birth of the Bacardi rum company. In any case, its place as an iconic Cuban cocktail was solidified by the 1930’s when Ernest Hemingway helped to popularize the drink.
It makes the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means that it has an “exact” definition, though of course it is interpreted differently by bartenders all over the world! Here’s what’s in a classic mojito recipe:
Fresh mint
Lime juice
Rum
Simple syrup
Soda water
The right way to muddle mint
Muddling is gently mashing herbs or fruits to release their juices. This technique is often used in cocktails because it helps the flavors incorporate better than if you just threw a mint sprig right into the drink. Is there a right way to muddle? In fact, there is! Here’s how to muddle mint…the right way:
Place the mint leaves in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one, you can use a large metal cup or bowl.
Using a wooden cocktail muddler or unfinished wooden spoon, gently mash the mint a few times to release the juices. Do not mash the mint with a lot of force! The key to muddling is a light touch.
Mojito recipe variations!
Here are a few cocktails that are similar to the Mojito and some fun variations! Make these Mojito recipes when you want to mix it up:
- Mojito Pitcher Make 8 servings for a crowd!
- Frozen Mojito Try it as a frozen cocktail for an icy, refreshing spin
- Virgin Mojito Try it as a non alcoholic mocktail.
- Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry or Raspberry Mojito Muddle fresh berries with the mint for a new spin.
- Peach or Watermelon Mojito These fruity spins are king in the summer.
- Pineapple, Mango, or Coconut Mojito These spins add a tropical flair.
- Vodka, Gin, or Tequila Mojito For if you run out of rum!
July 13… The reason we delayed sending this out was to see how it may have affected other economic factors after the announcement.
Great news is fixed rates have actually started to fall so that conversation about fixed vs variable remains. But alas the Government made a change that could affect you, your friends or family…
What does that mean for you?
It means that most banks prime lending rates will now be 4.70%.
Is this the end of the world? No –
Whats this going to cost you? This 1% increase will mean you have to pay an additional ~$53/$100k (I say approx. as there is rounding on the mortgage amounts) – so with our clients average $400,000 mortgage here in Alberta – that’s about a $200/month payment increase. That’s 8-10 less starbucks trips. Or 2-3 less dinners out per month. So if you have a variable mortgage you may have to budget accordingly to accommodate these changes in interest rates.
What can I do if I am planning on purchase a new home?
Take a look at your budget – what can you actually afford to pay in a month, or absorb without taking out your fun account, or savings account. Ask us about the difference and options on both variable and fixed rate mortgages. We recommended looking at your risk tolerance and your comfortability on future rate changes.
What if I have a variable rate now – what can I do to plan for future rate increases?
A few things you can do is pay your variable rate as if it’s a FIXED rate today – If you can afford the payment at 4.89%, use your prepayment privileges to increase the amount you pay. Any difference between your current rate and the payment at the higher fixed rate will go directly to lower your mortgage balance.
Additionally, we recommend paying your mortgage accelerated bi-weekly. So, 26 payments per year, and by doing so decreasing the life of your mortgage by over 2yrs. This gives us some breathing room at renewal so you may be able to adjust the mortgagelife to accommodate the increased interest rates, or interest rates at renewal.
YES – this was a mouthful and a half – and as I say a firehose to the face of information but the moral of the story is you can still buy a house, and you can still afford a property – and no the sky isn’t falling.
Have more questions myself and the team at Quickfire Mortgage Solutions have answers – reach out at anytime via Hello@QuickfireMortgage.com or 780.238.1328