Everyone starts out somewhere, and my beginnings as a humble likes-to-know-it-all wordsmith came back in 2001 at Calgary’s premier lifestyle guide, Avenue Magazine.
Back then, I was an eager byline hunter, thrilled to get my foot in the door. I was privileged enough to start off my career under the tutelage of one of the most talented editors I’ve ever had to good fortune to learn from, Charlene Rooke, and fancied the fact that I got to indulge my love for the arts on a regular basis.
I came in as an administrative assistant, left as Assistant Editor, and have been happily contributing on and off ever since.
So it was my pleasure to kick up my heels and celebrate Avenue’s 15-year milestone last week at
Art Central. (And a great excuse to wear my new peep-toe stiletto booties.)
The evening was a who’s who of the Calgary arts and business community, with several notable Calgarians (and Canadians) in our midst.
CBC News anchor, (and current Yours truly with bnetTV's fabulous
Avenue cover girl), Nirmala Naidoo Michelle Sklar
It was an exercise in networking, catching up, and celebration, with special performances by soloists from Calgary Opera to set the mood.
I would be lying if I even tried to infer that I wasn’t a repeat offender at the
Nectar Desserts table, or that I didn’t ogle the exquisitely groomed ex-Calgary Flame Theoren Fleury (and how much taller he looks on TV).
The hobnobbing continued well into the evening, the wine and chatter plentiful, as were 15 years-worth of
Avenue’s fabulous covers flashing up on a projection screen.
Congratulations Avenue.
Here’s to the next 15!