Local Business Spotlight: XO Ice Cream & Waffles

It’s no longer necessary to head downtown for sensational, handcrafted ice cream: the bustling suburbs of Calgary’s S.E. are getting sweet love from XO Ice Cream & Waffles. Owners Darren and Melanie, who live in the S.E. with their two children, were longing for quality ice cream close by. Darren decided to leverage his background in restaurant management to make this dream come true.

"We were looking for a community outside of the core that was missing a niche place like this," Darren says. "Our goal is to help make the S.E. suburbs the best place to live in Calgary and to be truly part of a community.”

Located in Auburn Station, XO is a modern-day interpretation of the mom-and-pop shop – a place where families come after school, meet…

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Beyond Boxes: Packing Materials You May Need for your Move

Beyond Boxes: Packing Materials You May Need for your Move

As you can probably guess, when you're preparing to move, you'll need boxes and tape — and, perhaps some bubble-wrap or old newspapers to use as protective wrapping for delicate items.

But that may not be all you need. Take a look at this list and see if you'll want any of these on hand while you’re packing or on moving day.

• Colour markers for labelling boxes. (Tip: Colour coding boxes by room will make unpacking much easier.)
• Stretch wrap to protect larger items that can't fit into a box.
• Small plastic bags to store dis-assembled parts, such as sofa legs, cabinet hardware, etc. (You don't want to lose them!)
• Moving blankets to protect floors.
• A dolly or hand truck…

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Why Use a REALTOR®?

Industry know-how

To be honest, you won't see as many transactions as a REALTOR® does. An average family buys/sells Real Estate every 5 to 10 years. This is because when you buy a house, you're looking to create a home. You want your family to grow in it and you're only going to look to move from it if your family has outgrown it due to a baby on the way or kids growing up (upsizing) or the house has become too big due to the kids leaving for university or buying their own property (downsizing). This means that you probably don’t have a lot of experience with the ins and outs of real estate.  On the flip side of things, REALTORS® have the experience and education to get things done within the industry. They handle contracts and the real estate…

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6 Affordable Ways to Boost your Home's Curb Appeal

When buyers come to see your home, the first thing they notice is how your property looks from the curb. That first impression is powerful and lingering. If buyers don't like what they see, it can influence how they judge the rest of your property, regardless of how great it looks on the inside.

You definitely want to do whatever you can to boost curb appeal. Here are six affordable ideas to consider: 

1. Driveway sealing. This makes the pavement look darker and less faded. It also helps cover up some of the cracks. Sealing won't give you the "brand new" look of repaving, but it's close — and significantly less expensive.
2. Exterior window washing. Washing the front windows makes them look clean and bright. In fact, the effect can be stunning.…

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Radon Asbestos DNA

Radon Asbestos & DNA

Home owners are availing themselves of lab science due to factors such as increased awareness of Radon, the leading cause of lung Cancer in non-smoking Canadians, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. As well asbestos encountered during renovations from Drywall, Drywall mud, textured ceilings, heat duct tape, ceiling tiles and older square stick on floor tiles to name a few have home owners looking for cost effective solutions to avoid exposure. Add to that increased advances in DNA research which can be used to determine areas where a person may be predisposed to certain health conditions and through supervised protocols improve health, it is not a stretch to assume an increase in demand for these tests.

…

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Values are key when looking for a REALTOR®

Looking for a REALTOR® can be a difficult process. Sometimes it seems like every family and friend recommends someone, so where how do you narrow it down? I always recommend starting with core values. When you're looking for your next home, you want to work with someone who understands and aligns with your values. My core values are health, honesty, wisdom and courage. Staying true to those values, I love helping people to live fuller, happier and stronger lives. I love helping people live better! I believe that living in a home that works for you and your lifestyle is a key cog in living better. 

After values, you want a REALTOR® with knowledge and local experience. I have been helping families in the Edmonton area find their perfect…

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Home Electrical Safety

Most electrical repairs should be made by a professional. But for all you "do-it-yourselfers" out there, here are tips on how to stay safe when dealing with your home electrical systems.

The Electrical Panel
Every time you use an electrical device in your home, power runs through the electrical panel, causing it to heat up and cool down constantly. These temperature fluctuations cause your home’s electrical panel to fail over time—the lifespan of a typical modern electrical panel is around 15 to 20 years. If you have a fuse box or another older-style electrical panel (you’ll usually see these in homes wired prior to the 1960s), it’s recommended to replace it with a modern circuit breaker-style electrical panel as soon as possible. You should also…

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Why Live In Westmere? | 188 Aspenmere Circle, Chestermere

With 188 Aspenmere Circle, Chestermere hitting the Real Estate Market yesterday, it is time to answer the age old question: Why Live In Westmere, Chestermere?

Chestermere

Chestermere, originally named Chestermere Lake, is a city within Rocky View County, Alberta Canada.  By 1992, the population of Chestermere had increased to 1,043 permanent residents. On March 1, 1993, The Village of Chestermere Lake officially changed its status and name to the Town of Chestermere. The town continued developing amenities and services for its residents and its population grew to 17,203 residents in 2014. In late 2014, town council voted in favour of pursuing city status, which became effective January 1, 2015. As of 2017, the population for the City of Chestermere…

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Why Live In Glenbrook, Calgary? | 2843 42nd Street SW

With 2843 42nd Street hitting the Real Estate Market last week, it is time to answer the age old question: Why Live Here - Glenbrook?

GLENBROOK

Glenbrook is a residential neighbourhood in the southwest quadrant of Calgary, Alberta. It is located approximately 8 kilometres Southwest of Downtown. The community was annexed to the City of Calgary in two time periods, 1954, and 1956. It is bounded in the north by the community of Glendale and Optimist Park, which provides various recreational facilities for the whole district. There are views of the gentle sloping Strathcona Heights and the Rockies in the west from a number of points in Glenbrook, and especially from the knoll just north of the Co-op Shopping Centre.

Glenbrook is located a…

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Energy Saving Tips for Homeowners

Energy 101

Energy usage is an unavoidable part of everyday life. But the choices we make when it comes to our energy habits can make all the difference for our environment and our daily lives.

What is Energy?
Simply put, energy is the ability to do work. There are two types of energy: stored, or potential energy, and working, or kinetic energy. Energy comes in many different forms, such as thermal, radiant and kinetic, electrical and chemical.

The Difference between Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation
Energy efficiency and energy conservation are two different concepts that go hand in hand when it comes to using energy wisely.

Energy efficiency: Energy efficiency involves using less energy to perform daily functions. For…

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