Tom Babin
Medium
Calgary, AB, Canada
Contact Tom
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Past articles by Tom:
Do automakers really want to help save our cities from the car?
The recent dust-up between Tesla founder Elon Musk and humans who believe that urban transit isn’t a dystopian nightmare highlighted a broader question: Do automakers really care about our cities? It… → Read More
Canmore Nordic Centre expands trails for winter fat biking
The ever-growing number of fat bikers in the Calgary area have a new option, as the province announced this week the opening up a new set of trails at the Canmore Nordic Center. → Read More
Sorry, Calgary. Adele's tour isn't coming to town
Sorry, Calgary. You won't be seeing the planet's biggest pop star any time soon. Unless you're willing to travel. Adele, the record-breaking British singer, announced dates for a world tour today, and Calgary was nowhere on the list. → Read More
Friends of cyclist killed on rural Alberta road raising money to benefit widow and young daughters
The killing of cyclist Deric Kryvenchuk on a rural road near Okotoks this summer became a rallying cry for those worried about bike safety. But for Dave Duttchen, it signalled something deeper. "He was my best friend," said Duttchen. "We were neighbours. Our families were friends. → Read More
Help us build the ultimate Calgary Christmas-lights map
Remember the days when you and your parka would cram into the back of dad's Buick Skyhawk, Kenny and Dolly's A Christmas to Remember crackling through the tape deck, an After Eight melting in your ... → Read More
Video: Why Black Friday hasn't yet eclipsed Boxing Day in Calgary
Shoppers in Calgary flocked to the malls today, but Black Friday is not quite the cultural phenomenon that it is in the U.S. → Read More
Focus on homes, rather than shelters, means happier holidays for 29 homeless families
Twenty-nine chronically homeless families in Calgary will be home for the holidays because of a new program that's switching the emphasis from accommodating homeless people in temporary shelters to placing them in permanent housing. → Read More
State funeral for Manmeet Bhullar scheduled for Sunday
A state memorial service for MLA Manmeet Bhullar, who was killed by a driver on Highway 2 earlier this week, will take place Sunday in Calgary. The funeral, which will include both a viewing and a service, will be open to the public, according to a notice from the provincial government. → Read More
Calgary ranks near bottom in car collision rates, and is getting worse, according to new study
Collisions between automobiles on Calgary roads are getting more frequent, and Calgary remains one of the worst cities in the country for car crashes, according to a new insurance company report on traffic collisions. → Read More
Canadian cities differing on their approach to cycling, finds new report
A new report shows how differently Canadian cities have accommodated cyclists over the years, and how each city is facing its own challenges in making improvements. → Read More
Laid-off Calgarians losing hope as prospects dwindle and money runs short
Catherine Appler knew something was amiss that February morning when her boss said hello. He never did that. The big oil-and-gas firm she worked for had been laying off employees and dropping contract workers as part of an industry-wide wave of job losses precipitated by the low price of oil. → Read More
What's your advice for living while unemployed in Calgary?
We were moved by the stories Herald readers shared about being laid off during the recession, and we've also found inspiration in the advice people were willing to share. We'd like to hear more of it. → Read More
The unemployed: Your stories of being laid off
Earlier this month, we asked Calgarians to share their stories of how losing their job in the economic downturn has changed their lives. We received dozens of replies. Here are some of them. → Read More
Your picks for Calgary's emojis
Earlier this week, we asked for your ideas about creating emojis specific to Calgary. The idea was to create some fun tools that would bring a little more Calgary to the world of text messaging, and perhaps give a little taste of home to Calgarians all over the world. The results are in. → Read More
Brett Wilson pledges $100,000 donation to library if city council allows Uber
Brett Wilson pledges $100,000 donation to library if city council allows Uber → Read More
The surprising history of breakfast
Breakfast as we know it today is a relatively recent innovation in human affairs. In medieval Europe (whose traditions ultimately spawned their ever-mutating Canadian counterparts), there were two meals, the major one at midday and the other in early evening. → Read More
Help us design emojis for Calgary
Earlier this week, Finland drew chuckles over the introduction of a series of tongue-in-cheek emojis specific to the country. The first series contained a headbanger, people in a sauna and a Nokia 3310. Of course. We think that is a great idea, and we're inspired to do the same. → Read More
Infographic: Results of our 2015 Halloween trick-or-treat tally
The results of our annual reader survey of trick-or-treating in Calgary → Read More
Five different ways of thinking about Halloween
We all know Halloween as the orgy of chocolate and corn syrup for kids, but there are some different ways of thinking about the celebration. Here are five. → Read More
Help us tally trick-or-treaters in your neighbourhood with our annual Halloween Kid Count
Come back on Halloween night and fill out the form. We'll declare the best Halloween 'hood in Calgary. → Read More