Calgary at a Crossroads: The economy's tanked, now what?

Yep, we're in a downturnand, sure, we've had them beforebut this time seems, well, different.

Problem is, no one seems to knowhowit's different. Butthere's something in the air, akind of "nervous" that's new.

• Calgary at a Crossroads: Are you a Calgarian or do you just live here?
• Calgary at a Crossroads: A look at your 'A-ha' moments
• Read Calgary at a Crossroads stories

People are facing the chop at work. Bank accounts are draining. "Uncertainty"is the watchword in the towers downtownand at home, late at night, when you're hiding under a blanket trying to puzzle out your future.

Our city is having a bit of an identity crisis.If we're not Canada's brazen economic powerhouse, then who are we?

The fact that times are toughmakes it a good time to figure out the true culture and character of the city. Who are we and who do we want to be?

A look at the city's character

All of us here at CBC Calgarylive and work in the city, so we thought:Let's take a look at what's different this time around, and how is it affecting the character of the city.

We're calling it Calgary at aCrossroads, acontinuing special look at all things Calgarythat will run over the next five months or so.

We're going to bring you the stories of our city that focus on our personal relationships with this place we all call home:

• How we're coping with the downturn, and how we're not.
• How Calgary can be an amazing place to live,and a city thatoccasionallytempts a resident tobuy a plane ticket to "Get-Me-The-Hell-Out-Of-Here."

Calgary at aCrossroads will live online, on our radio programsand as video stories and it all starts today.