Zagreb is known as a summer gateway to the Adriatic coast and home to one of Europe’s most popular Christmas markets. But in recent years, the Croatian capital has added a flurry of new events to its calendar with the aim of becoming a vibrant destination year-round. We take a look, season by season, at some of the ones worth making a note of.
Spring: heading outdoors
In late March, as the clocks move forward and parks are abloom with daffodils, outdoor life in the Croatian capital reawakens. Fittingly, the Festival of Lightstakes place right around this time: a celebration of colour and radiance, this evening event illuminates the city’s facades, streets and landmarks in myriad hues. Raising the country’s sporting profile is the FIA World Rally Championship, which takes place over four days in April. It sees motor racing drivers negotiate narrow, twisty roads in the undulating surrounding the capital, through rural villages, woodland, vineyards and meadows. Early June, meanwhile, heralds the six-day AnimaFest Zagreb, the second-oldest in the world — a favourite among cartoon buffs since 1972. Watch animated movies at the Tuškanac Summer Stage, an open-air cinema in a glade surrounded by towering oak trees, or take part in exhibitions, competitions, workshops and lectures.
This weekend is chock-a-block with exciting events in Chilliwack and the City of Chilliwack has authorized a series of road closures so everyone can plan their routes accordingly.
The Chilliwack Mural Festival runs Saturday, Aug. 20 with road closures from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Victoria Street from College Street to Young Road, Mill Street from Victoria Avenue to Wellington Avenue, and Kipp Avenue from Main Street to Yale Road closed for mural festival. (See map above)
Flight Fest runs Sunday, Aug. 21, Road closures 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. will close the westbound Airport Road and southbound portion of Broadway between Cessna Drive and Brooks Avenue to accommodate event parking. Detour available via Brooks Avenue and Young Road. B.C. Chilliwack Alliance Church will see event parking with a shuttle bus starting at noon. The #57 bus will be rerouted throughout the day along the detour route, southwest bound direction only.
Flight Fest on Sunday, Aug. 21 will see road closures on the westbound part of Airport Road, and southbound Broadway. (City of Chilliwack)
Also on Sunday is Chilliwack Pride with road closures from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wellington Avenue from Main Street to Five Corners, Mill Street from Victoria Avenue to Wellington Avenue, and Victoria Avenue from College Street to Young Road closed.
Road closures on Sunday, Aug. 21 for Chilliwack Pride on Wellington, Mill and Victoria. (City of Chilliwack)
It’s been quite an exhilarating summer thus far, and the cosmos are just getting started. This is especially true when considering your August 2022 horoscope, not to mention the energy that’s been building since mid- to late July. Can you feel tensions rising? If not, I expect you will very soon.
Let’s start with a look back at the sparkling conjunction that occurred between Uranus and the North Node in Taurus on July 31. Uranus (aka the Great Awakener) is notorious for its disruptive, rebellious, and shocking moves. Wherever Uranus is located on your birth chart can help you determine the areas of life where you’re prone to erraticism, innovation, and unconventionality. Uranus has been in Taurus since 2018, and though there are a series of significant transits happening in August, when you combine slow-and-steady Taurus with Uranus’ breakthroughs and eureka moments, the cataclysmic events that are taking place — both collectively and in our personal lives — are equally persistent as they are prolonging.
Taurus is not only symbolic of our planet and our relationship with Mother Earth, but also our value systems, physical bodies, and that which makes us feel secure. It’s no wonder we’ve been feeling the energy build-up since Uranus began approaching the nodes of destiny, specifically the North Node, which is a representation of where we’re consciously and unconsciously headed. Everything we’ve been experiencing within and around us will continue to amplify in August, as we are on the precipice of shifting into a brand-new world. What you considered secure and stable once upon a time is about to change.
The saga continues in August, as the month will kick off with go-getter Mars joining forces with Uranus on Aug. 1 and 2. This means that the planet of passion and aggression will crash the party, and sit in between the Great Awakener and the North Node in Taurus. To say that this energy is next-level would be an understatement. Granted, the way this comes to life is subjective, but look at it this way: Mars is carnal, impulsive, and action-oriented. The same way it can inspire us to be assertive leaders, it can also be the impulse that triggers us to act recklessly. There is progression and growth either way, so be sure to keep an open mind and follow your higher mind.
Mercury the messenger returns to its sign of rulership, Virgo, on Aug. 4, shifting our mental focus to analysis, practicality, and strategy, which is always beneficial given its exaltation. After its flamboyant journey through Leo, it doesn’t hurt to get grounded. Venus will make her dazzling debut in Leo on Aug. 11, followed by the full moon in Aquarius later that evening. Since this also happens to be Uranus’ sign of rulership, it’s safe to say that the energy of this lunation will be more potent than usual, given all of the Uranian energy we’ve been experiencing as of late.
As if this weren’t already enough change, the full moon will lead a T-Square with Uranus and the Nodes of Fate. Then Mars will enter Gemini on Aug. 20, where it will eventually station retrograde in October — but that’s a story for another day.
Without further ado, here’s what August has in store for you, according to your zodiac sign:
Nikola Stojadinovic/E+/Getty Images
Aries July 2022 Horoscope
Celebrate your personal, professional and spiritual wins, Aries. In addition to the Nodes of Destiny activating your second house of value systems and eighth house of intimate unions, the sun will be energizing and revitalizing everything from your creative passions to your colorful authenticity this month. Cancer season was about coming home to yourself, and now you’re ready to put yourself back out there. More importantly, with so much traction — namely Uranus and the North Node — happening in your stability-seeking second house, you’re reevaluating and revolutionizing the relationship you have with your physical surroundings, as well as your definition of security. A lot is changing, and that’s OK. No one’s meant to stay the same.
Taurus July 2022 Horoscope
On top of being August’s main character, you are both the antagonist and protagonist, Taurus. It’s all subjective, but very complex nonetheless. And the truth is, there’s no other way to describe the intensity and momentum of the month ahead. First and foremost, it’s not every day that the North Node (a symbol of our conscious and unconscious drive forward) occupies your sign, (let alone) while alongside revolutionary Uranus. Similar to the energy of a life-altering eclipse, Uranus’ close proximity to the North Node is not only triggering destined events, but also bringing unexpected developments in the process. Whether it be your personal aesthetic or the way you portray yourself to the rest of the world, many of you are finally ready to set yourselves free. It’s time to be your most authentic self, without fear or hesitation.
Gemini July 2022 Horoscope
You typically thrive in the month of August, Gemini. It doesn’t hurt to consider your rising sign, but in addition to the sun transiting through a festive fire sign — which is complementary to your element air — it also energizes your chatty third house of rulership, highlighting everything from your communication style to your immediate surroundings. In simpler terms, you’re comfortable and confident, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. You have change-maker Uranus and the North Node revolutionizing your 12th house of closure, secrets and unconscious patterns. Despite how subliminal this astrological house may seem, it doesn’t make it any less potent or influential. You’re in the midst of a mystical resurgence, and you’re processing the divine tools that come may along with it. How will you cultivate your magic for the greater good?
Cancer July 2022 Horoscope
You’ve evolved in profound ways these couple of years, Cancer. Cataclysmic Pluto sitting directly across from you will do it, but now that the sun is journeying through your second house of self-esteem, finances, and value systems, you’re taking a closer look at what truly matters and is of value to your time. Rebellious Uranus is also sitting alongside the North Node via your 11th house of associations, community, and individual freedom, revolutionizing everything from your future visions to your sense of belonging in the world. The new person you’ve become may or may not be aligned with the foundation of your priority networks. This, too, is a sign of progress and growth. You are peeling back the layers of your new reality in August, and the Aquarius full moon brings closure and clarity to the foundation of your community.
Leo July 2022 Horoscope
It’s your solar season, which means you’re celebrating another year around the sun! Then again, who are we kidding? You *are* the sun. Energizing and revitalizing, this celestial season is bringing a whole lot more than a festive birthday celebration alongside your favorites. In fact, with freedom-loving Uranus and the North Node sitting in close proximity to each other — via your career-driven 10th house of legacy, notoriety, and reputation in the world — you’re not only breaking free from outdated traditions and ideals, but also revolutionizing your sense of authority. Something about your public persona is shifting and progressing, and that’s a magnificent thing. On another note, with a full moon in visionary Aquarius shaking up your seventh house of contractual agreements and significant others this month, many of you could experience completion and fruition with regards to a prominent partnership.
Virgo July 2022 Horoscope
You’re embarking on a brand-new journey of self-discovery, and you have some soul searching to do in the meantime, Virgo. This is especially true, given that you’re just a season away from celebrating another trip around the sun. For now, however, the sun’s journey through Leo — via your 12th house of closure, forgiveness, release, surrender, and unconscious patterns — is bringing light to the back of your mind, as well as the places where your inner child continuously hides. It’s time to come out and play, so don’t hesitate to reflect on what that means to you. Moreover, with Uranus sitting alongside the North Node in Taurus, and your ninth house of expansion, travel and unknown territory, there’s a whole word being birthed before your eyes. Surreal yet familiar, there’s something you’ve been manifesting behind the scenes, and it’s about to surround you unexpectedly.
Libra July 2022 Horoscope
You’re the zodiac’s snazzy socialite, and this sparkling energy is most prominent during Leo season, Libra. The sun is, after all, glimmering through your socially conscious 11th house of associations, community affairs and sense of belonging in the world. If you’re inspired to host a summer soiree surrounded by friends, or simply looking for an excuse to showoff your favorite party dress, now would be the time to do so. More importantly, with Uranus sitting alongside the North Node — via your intimate eighth house of mergers and joint collaborations — there is an opportunity to break free from entanglements and residual energies that have been stifling your authenticity. Having said that, this month’s full moon in Aquarius will shake up your fifth house of creativity, children, passion projects and self-expression, bringing a full-circle moment in the process.
Scorpio July 2022 Horoscope
Don’t dim yourself down to make the people around you more comfortable, Scorpio. The sun rules your public 10th house of reputation, career matters and legacy in the world, and Leo season will more than likely be season to remember. After all, with Uranus sitting alongside the North Node in Taurus — via your seventh house of compromise, contractual agreements and significant others — many of you could embark on a new journey in your current relationship, if not break free from a professional tie all together. Something about your personal and professional reality is being revolutionized, and it’s been brewing for quite some time. Maybe it’s a facade you hold onto for the sake of your social life or a stubborn parental figure. This month’s full moon in Aquarius is asking you to go within, and bask in your spiritual revival.
Sagittarius July 2022 Horoscope
Reaching for the stars never felt so good, Sagittarius. With the sun glimmering through Leo, and your expansive ninth house of adventure, higher learning and spiritual pursuits, you’re not only as passionate as ever to succeed, but also finding the courage within to take a much-needed leap of faith. To top it off, freedom-loving Uranus is traveling close to the North Node in Taurus, via your sixth house of health, practicality, day-to-day routines and acts of service. In other words, how you go about your daily rituals, work experience and exercising mindfulness is shifting for the better, despite whether it catches you and the people around you off guard. For instance, August’s full moon in Aquarius will touch down on your intellectual third house of perception and immediate surroundings. Your open mind will come in handy in more ways than you know this month.
Capricorn July 2022 Horoscope
You’re cleansing and clearing this month, Capricorn. This, however, doesn’t mean you should be fearful when it comes to opening your heart chakra, especially now with Uranus and the North Node traveling alongside one another in Taurus, (let alone) via your fifth house of love, passion projects, creative musings and self-expression. Your inner child is speaking to you louder each day, and it’s all thanks to Leo season. Igniting your karmic eighth house of intimate unions, residual energies, joint ventures and powerful rebirths, who you choose to share your heart and love with is being brought to your attention this month, and those longing for more of your love included. August’s full moon will bring closure and clarity to emotional themes surrounding your comfort, investments and value systems.
Aquarius July 2022 Horoscope
The sun loves to journey through Leo, but given that this celestial season also happens to be your polarity, you may not necessarily be comfortable with the energies, Aquarius. By no means is this a reason to apply more pressure to your situation. On the contrary, if this is a triggering season for you, take it as a challenge for your personal growth. This is especially true when considering your contractual agreements and significant partners, so take a deep breath and keep pushing through. Your modern ruler (Uranus) is also sitting close to the North Node in Taurus, via your personal fourth house of home, family and innermost feelings, which means your emotional foundation and overall dynamic with relatives is also changing profoundly. Find peace and stillness within yourself before you commit to anyone else.
Pisces July 2022 Horoscope
August is all about getting down to business, Pisces. For instance, this is especially true when considering the sun’s journey through its sign of rulership, Leo, and your responsible sixth house of daily rituals, due diligence and acts of service. Maybe it’s something as simple as having the courage to take the lead in your day-to-day life, and perhaps integrate more of what brings you genuine fulfillment. Meanwhile, with freedom-loving Uranus sitting alongside the North Node in Taurus — via your 11th house of associations, community affairs, future visions and individual freedom — something about your aspirations, goals and social networks could be in the midst of a colorful flux. What’s changed about your ideals and social life? Are you ready to bring this new version of you along for the ride?
Chef Kwame Onwuachi, who “Top Chef” fans will know from his Season 13 run, will be in Houston next week to promote his first cookbook at two events.
Fresh off his appearance as a judge on the Freedmen’s Town episode of “Top Chef Houston,” Onwuachi is busy promoting his cookbook, “My America” Recipes From a Young Black Chef,” on a national tour that brings him to Houston for events on June 2 and 3.
June 2:Kindred Stories, the Third Ward bookstore specializing in the works of Black authors, and ChopnBlok, the West African restaurant at Post Market, will host Onwuachi with a “Cocktails & Convo” event at 8 p.m. on the Skylawn at Post Houston, 401 Franklin. A limited number of free tickets (registration required) are available; $35 tickets include a copy of the cookbook. Only books purchased from Kindred Stories will be eligible for the book signing. Ticket registration here.
June 3: ChopnBlok chef Ope Amosu and Onwuachi collaborate for a special dinner at Kulture, 701 Avenida de las Americas, at 7 p.m. The event, part of Kulture’s Black Chef Table series, will featured a 5-course dinner and entertainment. Tickets ($175; $225 for chef table) include a signed copy of the cookbook. Tickets here.
“My America: Recipes From a Young Black Chef” includes more than 125 recipes celebrating the food of the African diaspora. Onwuachi won the James Beard Award for Rising Star Chef of the Year in 2019. That same year Food & Wine magazine named him one of the Best New Chefs in America, and Esquire magazine named him Chef of the Year.
Greg Morago writes about food for the Houston Chronicle. Follow him on Facebook or Twitter. Send him news tips at greg.morago@chron.com. Hear him on our BBQ State of Mind podcast to learn about Houston and Texas barbecue culture.
Grad dresses and suits, at one point priced for hundreds of dollars, were up for grabs for free this weekend for those who needed them.
The Sherwood Park Elks partnered with the Castle Downs Family YMCA to host the free event on Friday and Saturday.
Lacia Iron, a Grade 12 student graduating this year, travelled from northern Saskatchewan to get a dress.
“They are really expensive,” Iron said. “You are only wearing it for an hour or a couple of hours.”
“(It’s) the first time I can feel girly,” Iron added as she laughed.
For Cardinal Collins Millwoods student Jessica, the event represented an opportunity to get a grad dress and have some fun while searching the clothing racks.
“I think this is really exciting,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to get something.”
Leonard Shain, a Sherwood Park Elks member, told CTV News Edmonton the organization started hosting the event in 2015 with 80 donated dresses.
They received more than 1,000 donations this year and expect to gift 100 suits and 200 dresses.
“We were hearing that there were some students not going to their graduation because they couldn’t afford the dress or suit, and they didn’t feel comfortable going to the event,” Shain said.
“We’ve had one student come in and said it was one less student loan she had to take by getting a dress donated to her,” he added. “It puts a smile on my face knowing that we are helping put a smile on someone else’s face.”
Karen Neff, Castle Downs Family YMCA manager, said participating in the volunteer-driven event is rewarding as it ensures the leaders of tomorrow receive a proper graduation.
“The confidence I see in some of the youth walking out of the facility with their phenomenal event attire has just been amazing,” she said.
On April 19, our Waterbury Regional Chamber will host its 132nd annual business meeting from noon-2 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. During the meeting, we will highlight our accomplishments of the past year, elect and re-elect board members, and hear from keynote speaker David Lehman, commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development and a senior economic advisor to Gov. Ned Lamont. We also will acknowledge 37 companies who are celebrating their 40th-, 30th-, 20th- or 10th-year milestone as a chamber member.
Presiding over the meeting is Mary Rosengrant-Chiappalone of Biondi & Rosengrant, the board of directors chairwoman.
“The last year proved to be one of the most unpredictable times for the chamber in its 132-year history, as our community continued to be challenged by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Rosengrant-Chiappalone said.
“Our business community, membership and chamber found bold and innovative ways to continue providing the resources, news, networking opportunities and other information that residents and businesses needed to adapt and succeed.”
Our premier sponsor for this event is Thomaston Savings Bank; our corporate sponsor is Barker Specialty. All business leaders are welcome to attend by registering on waterburychamber.com.
FIND AN EVENT THAT FITS YOU
The Waterbury Regional Chamber and our affiliate chambers have many exciting events coming up over the next few months.
Do you know someone looking for a job? With funding from a CARES grant, the chamber has partnered with the Northwestern American Job Center to bring together more than 50 area employers for a spring job fair on April 28 from 3-6 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott Waterbury Downtown. Employers are welcome to register and job seekers are encouraged to attend.
Our next Out for Business networking event will take place on May 4 from 5-7 p.m. at The Residences at Quarry Walk in Oxford. Out for Business events give members and potential members the opportunity to visit the site of a member business, network, enjoy food and drink, socialize and have the chance to win a door prize.
On May 13, I will host our next Wake Up Your Business virtual networking event. This online opportunity, from 8-9 a.m. on Zoom, gives members and individuals interested in learning more about the the chamber the chance to make new connections, grow their business, and create more visibility. Registration is free.
Are you looking for a family-friendly event? The Naugatuck Chamber of Commerce will host the 17th Annual Duck Race and Festival on June 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Naugatuck. The day will feature live music, a petting zoo, activities and entertainment for children, food vendors, business vendors, crafters and, of course, the anticipated Duck Race, which involves thousands of rubber ducks racing down the Naugatuck river for a prize of $5,000 cash.
As part of Duck Day, you can support many area nonprofit organizations by purchasing a raffle ticket, which puts you in the running for one of 20 prizes, including $5,000 cash.
We have many other exciting opportunities in the weeks and months ahead. Be sure to follow us on social media and to check out waterburychamber.com, where you can register for any of these events. For help, reach out to the chamber at 203-757-0701.
Lynn Ward is president and CEO of the Waterbury Regional Chamber. Contact her at 203-757-0701 ext. 310 or lward@waterburychamber.com
A Sherwood Park couple welcomed their newest addition on the side of Highway 21 with the help of local paramedics.
Baby Emi was born safe and healthy in the back of a Strathcona County ambulance on March 9.
Lee Dombrosky was one of the firefighter/advance care paramedics on shift when the call came in from Emi’s mom.
“We met up with the mom on her way to the hospital and we didn’t quite make it so she delivered baby Emi while we were in the ambulance,” said Dombrosky.
A local Sherwood Park family had an exciting turn of events last week.
Pulled over on Hwy 21, our Firefighter/Paramedics arrived within minutes and baby Emi was born safe and healthy in the back of the ambulance! Congratulations!
— Strathcona Firefighter/Paramedics (@StrathconaFire) March 15, 2022
“This is the first one that’s been delivered in the ambulance so it was a pretty exciting and happy event to be a part of,” he said.
Seven crew members from the Strathcona station were on the call together, Dombrosky said it was nice for them to all be a part of it.
“And to welcome a new little one into the world was pretty special,” said Dombrosky.
On Tuesday, Emi and her parents stopped by the fire station to visit the crew on their day shift.
“Sometimes it’s more of… not good events that you’re bringing people into the hospital and once you drop them off you really don’t hear much from them after the fact, so to have the mom and dad stop by with their new baby was a really exciting part of our day.”
Dombrosky said it was one of the more positive calls the crew has done in the past few years.
“After a couple years of being in the pandemic and that sort of thing, it’s been stressful for everybody, so it was fun to be a part of that for sure.”
As part of its mission to offer in-depth, lasting engagement opportunities for students all around San Diego County, and to foster long-term relationships between visiting artists and the community, La Jolla Music Society (LJMS) offers a slate of free education and community engagement programs and events to complement its concerts in February 2022.
These events provide ways to learn about and connect with exciting young artists including award-winning pianist Conrad Tao, tap dancer and choreographer Caleb Teicher, and bassist and composer Xavier Foley, who appears as part of LJMS’ Discovery Series.
Thursday, Feb. 24, 1:15 p.m.
Performance Demonstration by Xavier Foley
Roosevelt Middle School
Free for students
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2:15 p.m.
Performance Demonstration by Xavier Foley
Oak Park Elementary School
Free for students
Thursday, Feb. 24, 4 p.m.
Little Human: “So You Want to Be a Musician” with Xavier Foley
