Cold, bright Tuesday — keep an eye on the foothills roads

Morning, Calgary. It's 1°C out there with partly cloudy skies, so you'll want the warm layer by the door on your way out. The UV is barely there at 1.0, which means sunglasses are more about the glare off the snow than the sun itself. Daylight is short today, with sunset at 6:07 PM, so if you're planning anything after work, count on it being dark for the drive home.

If you're heading west or out toward the foothills, check the road conditions and cameras before you go. The highways out that way are where the weather tends to catch people off guard, so give yourself a little extra time and leave the following distance wide.

The Flames pulled out a 2-1 win over the Sharks in San Jose, and it was the young fourth line that carried the night, which is the kind of story that makes a Tuesday feel a little better. Over at Cavalry FC, the Supra took the first leg of the CPL semifinal, so the second leg is the one to circle now. Off the sports pages and onto the rest of the news: a two-year-old boy was struck and killed by a taxi in a northeast Calgary parking lot, a tragedy that has the whole neighbourhood thinking about how careful we all need to be in those lots. Former junior hockey exec Tyler King has been charged with child sex offences involving three players. And a new city poll has Mayor Farkas at 74% approval, though 56% of respondents say city hall is out of touch, so there's a lot of mixed feeling going around about the people running things.

For lunch or dinner, Rain Dog Bar in Inglewood is worth the trip, with rotating menus and one of the best craft beer lists in town. If you're craving noodles, there are six Calgary ramen spots worth a detour this fall, and it's a good time of year for a bowl of something hot. Krispy Kreme's Hot Light is back at the Calgary Theatre Factory location if you want a sweet treat on the way.

Tonight the big draw is The Smashing Pumpkins at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with the Rats In A Cage Tour kicking off at 8:00 PM and the main set at 9:00 PM. If you'd rather keep it more intimate, Mountain Laurel is at Modern Love at 8:00 PM, with True Mountain Laurel and special guests following at 9:00 PM. Both are indoor, so the cold won't matter once you're inside. Whichever you pick, dress for the walk from the parking lot.

That's the day, Calgary. Stay warm out there, drive like the roads are a little more honest than they look, and I'll see you tomorrow.