Carpet or Hardwood in Your New Place?

If you've been searching around for a new Calgary property you have probably run accross some great properties with either carpeting, hardwood floors or both. There are pros and cons to both types of flooring but the ultimate decision will really come down to your own personal preference.

Hardwood flooring can add a look of elegance and distinction to any home. As long as it is maintained it can keep it's brilliance and shine forever. Since the floor will be coated with a stain and/or varathane for protection, the money that is put into hard wood flooring can be a lifetime investment.

This does not hold true for carpeting, however. The carpet that you get will have to survive the wear and tear on it. Most carpets nowadays come with scotch guarding, which…

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Where do Shoppers Flock in Calgary?

Calgary offers many opportunities for shopping throughout the city. If you've just arrived in the city or you plan to relocate soon, finding the best districts for shopping, malls and stores is important. Here are some of the top places to find the best stores, restaurants and entertainment.

Top Shopping Districts

Marda Loop is one of the best places to shop with over 140 different businesses throughout. It's set up much like a village and provides a great place for shoppers to find what their looking for.

Another great district in Calgary is Kensington. This area provides all kinds of stores, restaurants and places for shoppers to enjoy.

Mount Royal Village and 17th Avenue provide trendy stores with plenty of great fashion boutiques, jewelry…

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Home Inspections Are Important for Resale Homes As Well As for Recent Calgary Home Purchases

Home inspections aren't only useful for purchasers of resale homes in Calgary. They can be invaluable once you have lived in your home for a certain amount of time and can help you protect your investment.

If your home has suffered any type of flood damage at all, a good home inspection now would make a lot of sense. You'll be advised about any long-term damage that may not be obvious and this can end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Even if you only had a small amount of water entering your home during the flood, a home inspection is recommended. Small amounts of moisture that are visible to the naked eye following a flood can indicate larger amounts that have pooled and remain hidden underneath the flooring and behind the walls. If this is the…

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A Golfer's Haven Close to Downtown Calgary

Moving to downtown Calgary provides many benefits and if you love golf, you don't have to worry about the long drive to some of the courses. Shaganappi Point Golf Course is close to downtown. This course provides 27 holes and a large driving range perfect for golfers to work on their game and enjoy a round of golf any day of the week.

With a full 18-hole course and a 9-hole course, you can enjoy a complete round or sneak in nine holes after work. Golfers can enjoy the many benefits of playing this course close to the downtown area. Whether you own your own clubs or need to rent a set, you can escape the busy city lifestyle for a peaceful round throughout the summer.

Late Day 9's

A great late day program provided at Shaganappi Point Golf Course…

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Take in a Top Free Event in Calgary

Many free events happen throughout the year in Calgary for adults, kids and the entire family. Some of these events are more popular than others. If you're moving to the area and looking for a great free event to help you become a part of your new community, the top three choices are:

Lilac Festival

Every year when spring rolls around, the Lilac Festival is held on 4th street. This is a free event perfect for moving from the winter months to the warmer spring and summer months. Full of fun, entertainment, vendors, food and more, the entire family can enjoy this festival every spring.

Sun and Salsa Festival

Coming in just a few days, the Sun and Salsa Festival is another great free event for everybody to enjoy. This festival features over 500…

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The Main Attraction of Calgary

Calgary has many great attractions and a number of good reasons bring new families to the area every year. The main attraction or at least the place with the main attractions throughout the year is the The Scotiabank Saddledome. This large venue is home to the Calgary Flames, an NHL team and two other hockey teams (Calgary Hitmen and Calgary Roughnecks) and provides a place for top concerts and other events.

The venue can be set up in a number of different ways to accommodate hockey, concerts and many other types of events. Within the building, many restaurants and concession stands are found including:

• The Avison Young Club - Seating up to 300 people, this is a club level buffet restaurant for club ticket holders only.
• Dutton's Lounge - A sports…

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Is It Safer to Invest Your Money or to Pay off Your Mortgage First?

This is a loaded question that has quite a few different answers, depending on which professional you are talking to at the time. If you're talking to a professional investor, for example, from your local bank, he would probably recommend that you put your money into safe mutual funds that would pay 5% to 6% in compounded interest during the next five years.

This does make a lot of sense when you do the number crunching right now. Mortgage rates are currently sitting at 2.5% up to 3%, so any higher returns with an investment would translate into more money in the end.

When you're looking at the safety factor, however, you won't use today's numbers to look at future investments. The return that you can get today on the safer investment options in…

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Concerts in Calgary

Calgary has many concert venues perfect for enjoying a show. Whether you're looking for a great national act or you prefer a local show, there's plenty to choose from in Calgary. Here's a list of the top concert venues in the city.

Best Venues for Under 500 Guests

The Commonwealth Bar & Stage is one of the best choices for a smaller show. This is an old warehouse, which has been converted into one of the best destinations in Calgary for small concerts. This two-floor nightclub provides plenty of fun for everybody and attracts acclaimed acts regularly.

The Republik is another great venue found in the city. Many local and national acts make their way to the stage every week. Upcoming shows include acts, such as:

• Candeloa & Jenny W/ Guests
• The…

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Today's the Big Opening of the Stampede

The Calgary Stampede officially starts today and, just in time, the state of emergency was lifted here in Calgary yesterday. The order was lifted officially just a day before the opening of the Stampede. This marked the 13th day of a state of emergency, which was something that no Calgarian could have foreseen just a couple of short weeks ago.

A transition is happening from emergency disaster citywide response to local relief and recovery efforts. The attention has turned to handling specific buildings in the flood damaged areas and people that are having to deal with the impact of the disaster.

The Saddledome suffered severe damage during the flooding and unfortunately won't be reopened for the opening ceremonies. As a result, some of the major concerts…

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Canada Day Celebrations throughout the City

Today is a good day to put the flooding behind us and celebrate the fact that we live in Canada. There are activities and events planned throughout the city that you won't want to miss. Here are some of the highlights:

Calgary

Celebrations in the city have been moved from Prince’s Island Park where it is usually held over to  Shaw Millennium Park,Stephen Avenue Walk and Olympic Plaza  due to dangerous conditions on the Bow River.

Come out to Heritage Park for old-fashioned fun that includes races with chuckwagons, family games and a musical ride. At 9 a.m. you can visit Fort Calgary to enjoy a special Canada Day pancake breakfast.

Fireworks will take place at approximately 10:45 p.m. They will be set off from the Center Street Bridge and there are a few parks…

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