Opinion

The greatest outdoor show on earth is once again upon us at the 2014 Calgary Stampede. While for some it’s about throwing on a cowboy hat and enjoying a few (too many) frosty beverages, for others it’s a chance to reconnect with our western roots.

Such a lovely Canada Day. I took in the festivities in Black Diamond and there was a good crowd to enjoy the music and, of course, the native dancers. Our activities have come to a near screeching halt for the summer.

It’s hard to believe, but the Calgary Stampede is well past the halfway mark. So far it has run like a clock. Many of our local cowboys are doing well and Jason Glass is right up there in the Rangeland Derby.

Watch for some interesting phenomena in the heavens on the evening of July 5. The waxing moon will appear to wedge itself between the blue/white star (SPICA) and Mars low in the southwest sunset sky. If we have a clear sky, it should be interesting.

Well, this week we say goodbye to a friend and longtime editor at the Wheel. John has been a rock over the past 15 plus years at the Wheel and his columns have been enjoyed by thousands on a weekly basis.

It’s back to work on Wednesday after a day off for Canada Day. It wasn’t a full day off here at the Wheel.

The Longview library is gearing up for some exciting summer programs. For the young people, there will be some fun workshops called Hanging Out At The Library.

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Tourists poured through Okotoks 100 years ago on the way to see the Dingman Discovery Well near Black Diamond. The discovery of oil along Sheep Creek on May 14, 2014 changed Alberta forever. Okotoks and Black Diamond, too.

There is an opportunity to find out some of the best spots in Okotoks thanks to the 2014 Best of the Foothills Readers’ Survey in this week’s edition of the Western Wheel. However, the Wheel forgot some key categories.