April29_2008

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Up at 5AM to grab last moment things, check camera equipment, then grab a taxi to Vancouver International Airport to hop aboard the 6:30 Flight to Calgary Alberta. I wish I could say that I could show you some of the people I met at the Junos during the three day stay, but I cannot as I am under contract for UPI. I did however, manage to squeeze off a few frames of sights in Calgary... mainly from the 15th floor of the Bow Valley Delta Hotel where I stayed.

We landed at Calgary 9:17 AM their time. Immediately upon arrival we checked into the Bow Valley Delta to get our luggage stashed, then down and out into the streets to find the Media Accreditation in the Calgary Telus Convention Center, 120 9th avenue SE. While we search for the Convention Center, I make a few photos of some interesting buildings in downtown Calgary along the way.

Photos - L-R - Aboard West Jet flight 798 which is one of the Boeing 737 model 700s, for a preflight check by the stewardess then lock down the baggage compartments and head out in the early morning light.

Domestic departure gates inside Vancouver International Airport at about 5:45 AM - looking rather deserted. Crossing through the security area at Vancouver International Airport can be a nightmare for some people. The attendants are pushy, herding us through the assembly line of plastic trays designed for the X-ray machines, laptops opened and camera bags opened so they could rummage through looking for the flavor of the day. One attendant was in such a hurry after all of the wand waving and x-ray soaking, that I picked up my camera bag without closing the lid - my camera with a 400mm lens fell out onto the floor. Luckily it was carpeted. Luckily there was no damage to the camera or lens.

Looking south along Centre street toward the magnificent Calgary Tower.

In 1990, as the president of the Calgary Watch and Clock Club, Doug was approached by PFC to help find a clock for James Short Park. The park already had a cupola, but needed a clock.

Through diligent efforts, Doug and fellow members of the club were able to locate an old Howard round-top clock. Further investigation revealed the clock was brought to Calgary in 1904 and placed on top of Burns Block. The Burns Block was within walking distance of Central School, which opened in 1905 as the first high school in Calgary. Made of sandstone, the school had an elaborate cupola but no clock. In 1938, the school was renamed James Short School in honor of its first principal.

The school and the Burns Block were torn down in 1969. The cupola and the clock however, were salvaged and placed in storage. Through the efforts of PFC and concerned citizens, 2.4 million dollars were raised for the construction of James Short Park. The cupola was refurbished and installed at the old school grounds on Centre Street SW between 4th and 5th Avenues.

Photos - This Cupola looks a little strange here, but it is a remnant of Central School. The clock and 1905 cupola from the old Central School sits on the southeast corner of the James Short Parkade, just north of the Petro Canada Centre in downtown Calgary.
The Calgary Watch and Clock Collector's Association has restored and installed a 1904 Howard Tower Clock in the cupola.

Photos - Frames left and center: Continuing south along Centre Street we bump into the Gallery Art Central which has a colorful mural painted upon the northern side. Art Central is located at the corner of 7th Ave SW and Centre Street (kitty corner from the Hyatt) 100 – 7th Ave SW in downtown Calgary.

Frame right: another look at the Calgary Tower from 8th avenue and Centre street. Officially opened June 30th 1968, the 'Tower' has become the City of Calgary's most famous and identifiable physical landmark. One of the first Towers of its kind, the Calgary Tower offers the best view in Calgary and is a must-see on any tourist's itinerary.

Click here for more photos of Down Town Calgary for this day.