City Council started talking budget today, starting with a presentation on Calgary’s Action Plan for 2015-18 by Chief Financial Officer Eric Sawyer.
The Action Plan, released Nov. 4, shows the City has a budget of roughly $22 billion for the next four years.
“Over 50 per cent of the capital program you’re seeing here is going towards growth and new development,” said Sawyer.… Read More
Action Plan: City council budget talks begin is a post from: CREBNow
Looking to Calgary’s future growth, the City’s Main Streets initiative will both engage citizens and utilize economic research.
At present, the initiative is gathering local perspectives about main streets issues through a number or workshops throughout the city. There are 24 main streets currently in Calgary, according to the Municipal Development Plan, many of which were formed along historic streetcar lines.… Read More
A look at Calgary’s Main Streets initiative is a post from: CREBNow
Part three of a three-part series looking at the sinister and spooky side of Calgary’s haunted housing history.
Serving as a place of work for more than 140,000 Calgarians, it may go unnoticed that the majority of this city’s historic buildings also reside downtown.
Lurking among the plethora of glass-and-steel towers representing the core’s newer additions are buildings that have managed to withstand the test of time.… Read More
Supernatural city is a post from: CREBNow
Do you believe in ghosts? If you’re a non-believer, Calgary Ghost Tours just might change your mind.
Around for eight years, the company started organizing tours around the historic communities of Inglewood and Kensington – as well as downtown and even Banff – in the search for signs of the dearly departed.… Read More
Pop the Question: Johanna Lane is a post from: CREBNow
Family transforms its home for scares and charity
Not satisfied with simply adorning their lawn with a few pumpkins, one Calgary family continues to take its Halloween decorating to the next level.
For the past 27 years, the Campbell family has annually transformed its otherwise-unassuming Rocky Ridge home into a haven for all things horrifying.… Read More
Their very own scream home is a post from: CREBNow
Once destined for freeway construction, historical community now a local jewel
* Old neighbourhoods, new Calgary: A look at some of Calgary’s earliest communities and how they’re evolving with the times
Few neighbourhoods in Calgary can match Inglewood’s storied history. From its beginnings in 1875 as the city’s first main street to its more recent resurgence as a hot spot for boutique shopping, fine dining and live music, the inner-city community has reimagined itself to keep pace with an evolving landscape.… Read More
Making holiday wreaths from nature’s bounty
* photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Wreaths
It’s that time of year, when the days grow short, your windows need scraping and your plastic sparkly wreath comes out from storage for its repeat seasonal appearance.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.You could start cutting greens in your own landscape and bring the rich evergreen smells of the season into your home.… Read More
‘Tis the season is a post from: CREBNow
Motion to provide 18-month window under review
Calgary homeowners with existing illegal secondary suites could have an 18-month window to get city approval if a current motion by council is approved.
On Monday, Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot suggested establishing a year-and-a-half “relaxation” for homeowners with current suites to meet with city officials and determine if their suites are legal or apply to make them so.… Read More
Council undecided on relaxation of suites is a post from: CREBNow
How the future of oil and gas in Alberta will affect Calgary’s housing market
The plummeting price of oil is unlikely to affect Calgary’s housing market in the immediate future, but a prolonged slump could eventually leave its mark on the local landscape, say Canadian economists.
“If the recent slide in oil prices turns down the migration taps, construction activity could begin to soften again in Calgary,” said BMO senior economist Robert Kavcic, noting that, in the interim, Calgary’s housing market remains red hot.… Read More
Power of the pump is a post from: CREBNow
Shopping communities within communities popping up all over Calgary
All over Calgary, a trend has begun.
Communities that once would’ve used a simple strip mall to provide residents with amenities are increasingly turning retail offerings into miniature town centres, plazas and High Streets, creating communities within communities.
Brookfield Residential recently announced its southeast community of Seton would be throwing their hat in the power strip pile, with plans for more than 800,000 square feet of retail space.… Read More
Retail emerging is a post from: CREBNow
WATCH ABOVE: As Carolyn Kury de Castillo reports, website surveillance is one of the areas that is being looked and MP Jason Kenney is pushing for legal changes that would grant more powers to preventative detention.
CALGARY- Prominent Calgary MP Jason Kenney says there are lessons to be learned from the attack on Parliament Hill.
Kenney said in order to combat terrorism in Canada, police need more powers. So he is pushing for legal changes that would grant more powers to preventative detention.
The Calgary MP pointed to the man who killed Patrice Vincent, who was under RCMP surveillance, but could not be detained.
“We are consulting with police and intelligence agencies to see where there are gaps and we will respond accordingly. The most important responsibility of government is to keep Canadians safe and we know that there are terrorists in our country who are under surveillance and if they need to be detained because they are likely to commit an act of violence, then we need appropriate powers to do so.”
Kenney paid tribute to the two soldiers killed last month on Canadian soil.
At Saturday’s poppy parade at Chinook Centre, veterans, cadets, and reservists marched past stores and shoppers, all reminders of those who defend our country.
But this year, many of those watching the poppy parade are even more thankful of men and women in uniform. Joey Bleviss from Calgary’s Poppy Fund said the citizens of Canada have now come to recognize that it can happen on our own soil.
“That was just devastating. It just doesn’t happen overseas. I think that has brought awareness to the citizens that there is a need for protecting and for valuing our men and women who go to war for us.”
“These men were targeted and killed by a terrorist because they were Canada’s uniform,” Kenney said.
“I think it’s a pointed reminder that every person who serves in Canada’s uniform is putting their lives on the line. To the defense of all of us. It’s also a reminder that there are people around the world who would do us harm and that we can never take our national security for granted,” Kenney said.
Kenney also says that Canada may need to look at getting tougher on websites that are recruiting possible terrorists and that website surveillance is one of the areas that is being looked at.
“There are no legal powers to do so. So we are looking at what powers we may need to prevent online radicalization of individuals,” Kenney said.
Jonathan Denis, Alberta’s justice minister says more police powers are on the table, but he also wants to work with the Muslim community to prevent recruitment.
“I hate to make a knee jerk reaction. I think we need to look at the broader perspective, look at the reports and see what can be done to prevent this in the future,” Denis said.
But civil rights groups caution, the calls for new police powers may be an overreaction.
A joint statement this week from 15 privacy and information commissioners raised concerns that proposed measures could infringe on civil liberties and privacy rights.
On Monday, Canada’s public safety minister tabled a bill that would expand the powers of CSIS to monitor and track suspected terrorists and provide increased protection for confidential sources.
“We are consulting with the appropriate authorities and we will be responding accordingly. We have a bill in Parliament right now to add additional powers for CSIS our intelligence agency, to be able to monitor Canadian terrorists abroad but there are clearly some more things we need to do here domestically learning from the two recent terrorist incidents in Canada.”
CALGARY- Some animals at the Calgary Zoo were treated to pumpkins, yams and gourds over the Halloween weekend.
The Amur tigers and otters enjoyed snacking on the orange treats Saturday.
Two species each day received special enrichment items.
On Halloween, Friday October 31st, it was also Lobi the hippo’s 8th birthday.
WATCH ABOVE: Snow blankets the city of Calgary Saturday evening.
CALGARY- Use precaution driving, Environment Canada predicts there will be 10 to 25 centimetres of snowfall across southern Alberta Saturday.
Snowfall warnings are in place for the following areas:
Okotoks-High River-Claresholm Lethbridge-Taber – Milk River
Kananaskis-Canmore
Crowsnest Pass-Pincher Creek-Waterton Lakes National Park Cardston-Fort Macleod-Magrath Brooks-Strathmore-Vulcan
Calgary is under the warning, but won’t see 20 cm, likely closer to 10cm or less.
Snow will continue overnight in Calgary, tapering off by mid day and then the sun will come out.
Bragg Creek has seen 5 cm accumulate so far.
Drivers are encouraged to adjust their driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.
Just before 8 p.m. Saturday night, RCMP Cochrane closed Highway 22 1 KM North of Highway 1. Drivers were told to seek an alternate route due to MVC & Weather conditions.
Conditions across southern Alberta are expected to improve Sunday.
For specific updates, visit Environment Canada.
Unlike previous years, trick or treaters in Calgary will not have to contend with a snow storm or bitter cold this Halloween.
“We don’t see this very often at end of October, usually we do have snow on the ground,” said Global Calgary weatherman Jordan Witzel.
“By about nine o’clock we’ll sit at nine degrees. “
Not too scary at all.
“The kids can show off their costumes instead of bulking up under winter jackets.. it’ll be great., said Miriam Joly, who’s son Theo is dressing up as a cow.
But Joly remembers other Halloweens when she went out under-dressed.
“I was probably eleven, dressed as a punk rocker.. insisting on not wearing a jacket.. and I froze,” recalled Joly.
It’s not just good news for ghosts and goblins on the trick or treat trail.
With Halloween falling on a Friday, local restaurants and bars are expecting a busy and lucrative night.
“It’s going to be great for business,” said Jon Molyneux of the National.
“I think especially because of all the foot traffic down here on 17th Avenue – a lot of our business is weather dependent – it’s going to be a great night on 17th.”
But is it perfect storm for trouble in Calgary?
“The disturbers like to get outside too,” said Cst. Jim Lebedeff of the Calgary Police Service.
With that in mind, CPS will have extra eyes and ears out on streets. And police ask people to be extra cautious this “hallows eve”.
Partner agencies will also be in residential neighborhoods, ensuring everyone can safely enjoy mother nature’s halloween treat.
Take Our Poll (function(d,c,j){if(!d.getElementById(j)){var pd=d.createElement(c),s;pd.id=j;pd.src='http://s1.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/shortcodes/js/polldaddy-shortcode.js';s=d.getElementsByTagName(c)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(pd,s);} else if(typeof jQuery !=='undefined')jQuery(d.body).trigger('pd-script-load');}(document,'script','pd-polldaddy-loader'));Watch above: A team from the University of Alberta has confirmed and named a previously unknown species of dinosaur. Tom Vernon has the story.
EDMONTON – An old dinosaur has been given a new name.
A new species of ankylosaur was discovered in the Gobi Desert in southern Mongolia in 2000 by a team led by University of Alberta researcher Philip Currie.
A zoological journal published a paper by Currie and others this week that names the creature Zaraapelta nomadis.
Zaraapelta is a combination of Mongolian and Greek works meaning “hedgehog” and “shield.” Nomadis was added to honour Nomadic Expeditions, the Mongolian company that has aided dinosaur digs in the region for almost two decades.
Like other ankylosaurs, Zaraapelta was an armoured plant-eater with a gigantic club for a tail. But it was more spectacular than most, with distinctive horns and an elaborate pattern of bumps and grooves behind its eyes.
Victoria Arbour, a University of Alberta expert in ankylosaurs who has been tracking their family tree, helped write the paper that announced Zaraapelta in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.
She said it’s believed other kinds of dinosaurs, such as crested hadrosaurs or ceratopsians with horns and frills, once used their ornaments during sexual displays.
And ankylosaurs may have too.
Arbour thinks Zaraapelta, along with a couple of other flashy ankylosaurs called Saichania and Tarchia, may have evolved with elaborate embellishments to attract their mates.
“Bone requires a lot of nutrients and metabolic energy to create, and so that investment needs to pay off in some way,” she said in a news release.
“Maybe ankylosaurs had this bumpy ornamentation for protection, but another good explanation is that the horns and bumps on their skulls showed that they were a good mate to choose, in the same way that male peacocks use their tail feathers.”
The discovered Zaraapelta skull is part of a collection at the Mongolian Paleontologist Center.
Here is your Morning News Rundown for Thursday, Oct. 30:
Steady as she goes for Canadian housing market in 2015, says CMHC – Financial Post
Condo project 2.5 metres too tall, Inglewood residents say in petition to Calgary council – Metro Calgary
Coming soon to more Calgary neighbourhoods: New unmanned bottle depots – Calgary Herald
Morning News Rundown is a post from: CREBNow… Read More
Morning News Rundown is a post from: CREBNow
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