Sam Hester
@calgaryhester.bsky.social
Graphic recording, graphic medicine & comics journalism in Calgary/Moh'kinsstis, Canada. And I write a weekly newsletter full of comics from my old drawing book. Subscribe for free! samhester.substack.com
Uplifting message for transit fans AND fans of human rights. Take note, #Alberta!
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Uplifting message for transit fans AND fans of human rights. Take note, #Alberta!
Any chance you will be there this evening? Or let me know a good time to come on the weekend so I will be sure to find you there!
November 14, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Any chance you will be there this evening? Or let me know a good time to come on the weekend so I will be sure to find you there!
It was awesome! I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer. I'm going to come back & bring my kids too!
November 14, 2025 at 4:05 PM
It was awesome! I'm sorry I couldn't stay longer. I'm going to come back & bring my kids too!
So glad to be at NVRLND boutique in Ramsay to see a show featuring amazing #comics pages from the graphic novel "The Cold Fire," by one of my favourite #yyc artists @rustypincers.bsky.social. The show runs till Nov. 19. Come out & see!!!
November 14, 2025 at 3:06 AM
So glad to be at NVRLND boutique in Ramsay to see a show featuring amazing #comics pages from the graphic novel "The Cold Fire," by one of my favourite #yyc artists @rustypincers.bsky.social. The show runs till Nov. 19. Come out & see!!!
Reposted by Sam Hester
If Sarah Kendzior is indeed blocked on @bsky.app, this is a completely unjustified and highly questionable move. Sarah Kendzior is among the best voices of knowledge-based critical journalism in the US. See to it that this is corrected immediately and with an apology, @pfrazee.com!
Bluesky
Social media as it should be. Find your community among millions of users, unleash your creativity, and have some fun again.
bsky.app
November 11, 2025 at 7:16 AM
If Sarah Kendzior is indeed blocked on @bsky.app, this is a completely unjustified and highly questionable move. Sarah Kendzior is among the best voices of knowledge-based critical journalism in the US. See to it that this is corrected immediately and with an apology, @pfrazee.com!
Every year, my son builds a remote-controlled, candy-dispensing LEGO train for Hallowe'en. I wrote about it here:
samhester.substack.com/p/the-hallow...
samhester.substack.com/p/the-hallow...
The Hallowe'en Train
It's year 6 of a tradition featuring LEGO, candy & locomotives
samhester.substack.com
November 2, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Every year, my son builds a remote-controlled, candy-dispensing LEGO train for Hallowe'en. I wrote about it here:
samhester.substack.com/p/the-hallow...
samhester.substack.com/p/the-hallow...
This Sunday, Nov. 2 from 1-3 PM, let's meet up at Ramsay School! We're chalking the compound with messages of support for teachers! Everyone is welcome! #yyc
October 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
This Sunday, Nov. 2 from 1-3 PM, let's meet up at Ramsay School! We're chalking the compound with messages of support for teachers! Everyone is welcome! #yyc
The track maintenance train is doing tests for the 2025 Ramsay candy-dispensing #Hallowe'en train! Looks like the track is level. And the weather's looking warm. So far, so good! See you tomorrow night! #yyc
October 30, 2025 at 5:09 PM
The track maintenance train is doing tests for the 2025 Ramsay candy-dispensing #Hallowe'en train! Looks like the track is level. And the weather's looking warm. So far, so good! See you tomorrow night! #yyc
Hello! Here's this week's episode of The Drawing Book
(Calgary #comics from my old sketchbook)!
samhester.substack.com/p/the-drawin...
(Calgary #comics from my old sketchbook)!
samhester.substack.com/p/the-drawin...
October 26, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Hello! Here's this week's episode of The Drawing Book
(Calgary #comics from my old sketchbook)!
samhester.substack.com/p/the-drawin...
(Calgary #comics from my old sketchbook)!
samhester.substack.com/p/the-drawin...
In the meantime, this extremely handy resource is available too!! I always wish more people knew about it.
transit55.ca/calgary/
transit55.ca/calgary/
Transit55 | Real time bus tracking for Calgary
transit55.ca
October 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
In the meantime, this extremely handy resource is available too!! I always wish more people knew about it.
transit55.ca/calgary/
transit55.ca/calgary/
That's one Dylan song I have NOT yet played for my child yet because it's just so awful (the story, not the song)!
But we recently played "Two Soldiers" (so sad!!) & "Love Henry" (just yikes!) 😊
But we recently played "Two Soldiers" (so sad!!) & "Love Henry" (just yikes!) 😊
October 26, 2025 at 2:02 AM
That's one Dylan song I have NOT yet played for my child yet because it's just so awful (the story, not the song)!
But we recently played "Two Soldiers" (so sad!!) & "Love Henry" (just yikes!) 😊
But we recently played "Two Soldiers" (so sad!!) & "Love Henry" (just yikes!) 😊
Today in The Drawing Book, an old #comic about how to vote in the 2013 municipal election. Some of these things are still the same today in 2025!
samhester.substack.com/p/calgary-el...
samhester.substack.com/p/calgary-el...
October 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Today in The Drawing Book, an old #comic about how to vote in the 2013 municipal election. Some of these things are still the same today in 2025!
samhester.substack.com/p/calgary-el...
samhester.substack.com/p/calgary-el...
You might still have time to request a ballot for pick-up! I registered my mom at electionscalgary.ca and was notified the next day that her ballot was ready for me to pick up.
October 17, 2025 at 2:03 AM
You might still have time to request a ballot for pick-up! I registered my mom at electionscalgary.ca and was notified the next day that her ballot was ready for me to pick up.
Yes, I was surprised to learn this was a thing... and even more surprised that Elections Calgary doesn't provide any info about it! Maybe they don't want too many people choosing this option? But surely the more people voting, the better!
October 15, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Yes, I was surprised to learn this was a thing... and even more surprised that Elections Calgary doesn't provide any info about it! Maybe they don't want too many people choosing this option? But surely the more people voting, the better!
One more note. To pick up a ballot, you need a signed authorization from the person you're picking up for, saying that they're letting you pick up the ballot. & when you request the ballot online, you must give their address, to confirm they're on the voter list.
Ok, end of rant, happy voting! 7/7
Ok, end of rant, happy voting! 7/7
You’d think that in an election that bodes extremely low turnout, Elections Calgary might want to... TELL PEOPLE it's possible to pick up a ballot? Anytime up until election day, at a fairly central location (1212 31 Ave NE)? Maybe folks could benefit from that info? Ok, my rant's almost done. 6/7
But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:17 AM
One more note. To pick up a ballot, you need a signed authorization from the person you're picking up for, saying that they're letting you pick up the ballot. & when you request the ballot online, you must give their address, to confirm they're on the voter list.
Ok, end of rant, happy voting! 7/7
Ok, end of rant, happy voting! 7/7
You’d think that in an election that bodes extremely low turnout, Elections Calgary might want to... TELL PEOPLE it's possible to pick up a ballot? Anytime up until election day, at a fairly central location (1212 31 Ave NE)? Maybe folks could benefit from that info? Ok, my rant's almost done. 6/7
But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:15 AM
You’d think that in an election that bodes extremely low turnout, Elections Calgary might want to... TELL PEOPLE it's possible to pick up a ballot? Anytime up until election day, at a fairly central location (1212 31 Ave NE)? Maybe folks could benefit from that info? Ok, my rant's almost done. 6/7
But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:14 AM
But here’s the weird part. On the Elections Calgary site, this helpful service is referred to as a "Mail-In Ballot," or “Special (Mail-in) Ballot package" (see my screenshots). How is anyone supposed to learn that a pick-up option is available? There's no mention of it! 5/7
If you can’t make it to the polls, you can request a mail-in ballot, which is usually sent to you by Canada Post (or by self-paid courier, if there happens to be a postal strike). However, I was surprised to learn that there’s another option. You can request a ballot, and go pick it up! 4/7
But which continuing care residences actually do get on that list? The Elections Calgary website says that, of the 150-ish residences, 58 are on the list:
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
If you can’t make it to the polls, you can request a mail-in ballot, which is usually sent to you by Canada Post (or by self-paid courier, if there happens to be a postal strike). However, I was surprised to learn that there’s another option. You can request a ballot, and go pick it up! 4/7
But which continuing care residences actually do get on that list? The Elections Calgary website says that, of the 150-ish residences, 58 are on the list:
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:07 AM
But which continuing care residences actually do get on that list? The Elections Calgary website says that, of the 150-ish residences, 58 are on the list:
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
elections-prd.calgary.ca/for-voters/a...
I'm curious about how that list is made! But, that's another story. On to special ballots! 3/7
This year, I was surprised to learn that Elections Calgary was not bringing ballots to the folks at my mom’s continuing care residence. Apparently, a request for ballots had to be issued in June (earlier than usual), so maybe they missed the date, and that’s why they aren’t on the list? 2/7
Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:06 AM
This year, I was surprised to learn that Elections Calgary was not bringing ballots to the folks at my mom’s continuing care residence. Apparently, a request for ballots had to be issued in June (earlier than usual), so maybe they missed the date, and that’s why they aren’t on the list? 2/7
Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
October 15, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Hey #yyc! If you can't get to the polls on election day, you can PICK UP a ballot from Elections Calgary anytime until Oct. 20, & bring it back. You have to request your ballot here:
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
sb.calgaryelections.ca
I wrote a comic about this for @sprawlcalgary.bsky.social. But I have some more thoughts. 1/7
Hi, Drawing Book readers! I posted some new #comics yesterday, but forgot to share the link here. Just a few more pages from my long-ago travel sketchbook.
samhester.substack.com/p/people-on-...
samhester.substack.com/p/people-on-...
People on airplanes, and people who smoke
Comics about my travel adventures long ago.
samhester.substack.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Hi, Drawing Book readers! I posted some new #comics yesterday, but forgot to share the link here. Just a few more pages from my long-ago travel sketchbook.
samhester.substack.com/p/people-on-...
samhester.substack.com/p/people-on-...