Trivia of the Day! Curling Origins
February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Thought I would look this up due to the Scotties starting up again, kind of a neat read of curling is your thing.
Curling is thought to have been invented in medieval Scotland, with the first written reference to a contest using stones on ice coming from the records of Paisley Abbey, Renfrewshire, in February 1541. Two paintings (both dated 1565) by Pieter Bruegel the Elder depict Dutch peasants curling—Scotland and the Low Countries had strong trading and cultural links during this period, which is also evident in the history of golf.
Evidence that curling existed in Scotland in the early 16th century includes a curling stone inscribed with the date 1511 (uncovered along with another bearing the date 1551) when an old pond was drained at Dunblane, Scotland.[4] Kilsyth Curling Club claims to be the first club in the world, having been formally constituted in 1716; it is still in existence today.[5] Kilsyth also claims the oldest purpose-built curling pond in the world at Colzium, in the form of a low dam creating a shallow pool some 100 × 250 metres in size, though this is now very seldom in condition for curling because of warmer winters.[citation needed]
The word curling first appears in print in 1620 in Perth, in the preface and the verses of a poem by Henry Adamson. The game was (and still is, in Scotland and Scottish-settled regions like southern New Zealand) also known as “the roaring game” because of the sound the stones make while traveling over the pebble (droplets of water applied to the playing surface). The verbal noun curling is formed from the Scots (and English) verb curl,[6]which describes the motion of the stone.
In the early history of curling, the playing stones (or rocks) were simply flat-bottomed river stones that were sometimes notched or shaped; the thrower, unlike those of today, had little control over the stone, and relied more on luck than on skill and strategy.
It is recorded that in Darvel, East Ayrshire, the weavers relaxed by playing curling matches. The stones they used were the heavy stone weights from the weavers’ “warp beams,” fitted with a detachable handle for the purpose. Many a wife would keep her husband’s brass curling stone handle on the mantelpiece, brightly polished until the next time it was needed.[7]
Outdoor curling was very popular in Scotland between the 16th and 19th centuries, as the climates provided good ice conditions every winter. Scotland is home to the international governing body for curling, the World Curling Federation, Perth, which originated as a committee of the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the mother club of curling.
Group of people curling on a lake in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada, ca. 1897
Men curling in Ontario, Canada in 1909
Today, the game is most firmly established in Canada, having been taken there by Scottish emigrants. The Royal Montreal Curling Club, the oldest established sports club still active in North America,[8] was established in 1807. The first curling club in the United States began in 1830, and the game was introduced to Switzerland and Sweden before the end of the 19th century, also by Scots. Today, curling is played all over Europe and has spread to Japan, Australia, New Zealand,China, and Korea.[9]
The first world curling championship in the sport was limited to men and was known as the “Scotch Cup“, held in Falkirk and Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1959. The first world title was won by the Canadian team from Regina, Saskatchewan, skipped by Ernie Richardson. (The skip is the team member who calls the shots; see below.)
The first curling club in the United States was organized in 1830 only 30 miles from Detroit, atOrchard Lake, Michigan. Called the Orchard Lake Curling Club, the club used hickory block “stones”. The Detroit Curling Club was started in 1840 when Michigan only had a population of 212,000 and had only been in the Union for three years. About this time, an organization called the “Thistle Club” was founded and, curling being a winter sport, was played when the ice was suitable on the Detroit River at the foot of Joseph Campau; on the bay; and at the old Recreation Park. These clubs became the Granite Club, and in 1885, the present Detroit Curling Club was organized.
Read the entire article, Curling – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Trivia of the day! Fax Machine Origin
February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The first fax machine was called a pantelegraph, and transmitted signals over a telegraph line, it was patented in 1843, over 30 years before Alexander Graham Bell patented the telephone. The idea was conceived by Alexander Bain, a Scottish clockmaker, but he unfortunately never succeeded in perfecting the receiving end. In 1864 a catholic priest named Giovanni Caselli finally accomplished this end of Bain’s invention. This invention could send written paper messages and could send many at the same time through a single telegraph wire.
In the next 40-50 years scientists worked at trying to not only send written messages, but photos as well. In 1902 a German physicist named Arthur Korn managed to transmit quality copies using special wires. In 1913 Edouard Belin invented what he named a “Belinograph”, a small portable machine that could send pictures over phone lines.
In 1977 the more modern fax machines cost about $20,000 a piece, and they only sent one fuzzy page every 6 minutes. Japanese businessmen spent millions on research in order to make fax machines more affordable and reliable, finally by 1988 they manufactured a fax machine that cost less than $1000, making them more affordable for small businesses.
That all for today, thanks everyone for tuning in!
Oilpatch fuels Calgary job growth | Calgary Herald
February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Check out the entire article here:
http://blogs.calgaryherald.com/2012/02/14/oilpatch-fuels-calgary-job-growth/
In Calgary, and Alberta, as the oilpatch goes so goes our economy.
And judging by the most recent labour numbers, there’s no doubt the province’s energy sector is doing quite well.
In the Calgary census metropolitan area, the unemployment rate in January was 5.0 per cent, down from 5.9 per cent in January 2011. Also, the region recorded 4.9 per cent employment growth over the past year with the creation of 34,400 jobs.
While the employment picture is rosy in Calgary, already organizations like the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business and Calgary Economic Development are raising concerns that Calgary is on the verge of another labour shortage across many sectors.
Now, Calgary Economic Development is inviting employers to a special presentation next week that will look at some of the occupations that are forecasted to suffer critical skills shortages in Calgary and show where employers can go to attract and recruit skilled workers.
In partnership with Alberta Human Services, and through the work of research firm RDA Global, Calgary Economic Development has developed a detailed analysis of key markets in which talent surpluses exist in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Ireland. This analysis looks at 25 in-demand occupations, and reveals some new markets that employers can use to further international recruiting efforts.
Chris Seals, economist from RDA Global, will present the results of this study, and the top-recommended cities for Calgary employers to recruit workers from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The event takes place next Tuesday during lunch at the downtown Global Business Centre. Tickets and info about the event can be seen here http://cedlaboursupplystudy.eventbrite.com/?ebtv=CAlberta Children’s Hospital Foundation: Radiothon!
February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Tune in to Country 105 and Q107 February 8, 9 & 10 to hear how
YOUR support of the Alberta Children’s Hospital is helping over 80,000 kids who rely on our hospital each year!
via Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation:.
CREB Real Estate News January 27th – February 2nd, 2012
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Check out the latest Calgary real estate info here: CREB Real Estate News.
The City of Calgary: Assessment Search
February 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Calgary Information Guide
January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment
This buyers guide is intended to help you become well informed about the buying process in Calgary. Even as a seasoned buyer, there are numerous aspects of the buying process that may vary from city to city or country to country, and I hope that I will be able to explain these differences to you.
Online Shopping Safety
March 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Before giving any personal or financial information online, look at the address line to make sure that the “http” has changed to “https” or shttp” at the page where you are asked to type in your payment information. Check to see if there is a tiny locked padlock at the bottom right of the screen.
Be wary if asked for your Social Insurance Number, bank account numbers or your mother’s maiden name. Some reputable companies may ask for your interest by having you check certain boxes, however this information should not be required in order to complete a transaction.
Choose your password carefully. Do not use your login password when making purchases, and never give out your passwords.
Paying by credit card is the safest and quickest way to shop online.
Print a copy of your order confirmation in case you have any problems with your purchase. Also check for a customer service phone number in the event that problems arise.
Identity Theft – Protect Yourself
March 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Identity theft is a crime in which someone steals your personal information and uses it to commit fraud. They could make purchases with your money, for example, or use your identity to apply for more credit or even travel. This is one of the fastest growing crimes in Canada, and it can seriously affect your finances, your credit rating and even your ability to travel internationally.
It is very important to protect information such as your birth date, mother’s maiden name, credit card numbers, social insurance number and your PIN (Personal Identification Number). Theft of your personal information can happen very easily, and in ways you may not suspect – a thief could steal your mail, be the host of an unsecured website or even be a guest in your home.
Protecting yourself from identity theft is a simple matter of being cautious with your personal information and disposing of confidential documents properly. The Calgary Police Service suggests taking the following steps;
- Be careful when giving out personal information; at the door, on the phone, on the Internet or by mail. Make sure that you know who you are dealing with and how your information will be used.
- Be suspicious of telephone/online surveys that request personal info.
- Watch your mail – remove mail from your mailbox immediately. Contact Canada Post if mail has not arrived for an unusual amount of time. File change of address notices to with Canada Post before you move.
- Review your credit card and bank transactions, either online or through mailed statements.
- Use a cross-cut shredder to shred all documents and mail such as credit card applications and bank statements.
- Report lost or stolen identification and credit or debit cards immediately
- Slim down your wallet – memorize your social insurance number, carry one low-limit credit card and store you birth certificate and passport in a safe place.
- Be selective with your email address. Reduce the amount of information you give out about yourself online.
- When disposing of old computers, cellular phones and PDAs, remove the hard drive or professionally wipe it clean.
- Protect your PIN (Personal Identification Number) when entering it into a bank machine or at a store cash register. Do not write it down. Do not give it to anybody. Make sure that your PIN is one that cannot be easily guessed.
- Review your credit bureau at least annually to ensure that all credit information is correct and up to date.
Tips for First Time Home Buyers
March 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
With interest rates touching historical lows and more attractive house prices, Calgary seems to have a great market on affordability for first time home buyers. The federal government’s recent budget has added more reasons for Canadians who aren’t home owners to consider entering the real estate market this year.
Under the new federal budget, first time home buyers can qualify for $750.00 tax credit, to help with closing costs, such as legal fees or appraisals. Also, homebuyers can now withdraw up to $25,000 from their RRSP under the Home Buyers Plan for a down payment – up from the previous limited amount of $20,000. Couples can access an extra $10,000 from their RRSPs under the new plan.
Here are some tips to help first time home buyers:
Start the process early.
A mortgage consultant can help you with getting the right documentation in place, such as proof of income and down payment. A consultant will also check your credit history to avoid any unpleasant surprises and ensure that you can meet the lenders requirements.
Know your price range:
If you want to buy a home within the next few months, getting a mortgage pre-approval will help you determine the right price range of homes to shop for, it may also help you to avoid disappointment if looking at homes above your range. Many lending institutions will also guarantee a rate for up to 120 days when pre-approving potential borrowers for a mortgage.
Don’t rush your decision:
A buyers market means that you now may have the leeway to negotiate more with sellers on the price as well as other terms of the transaction such as the possession date and other extras to be included in the purchase.
Accelerate your payments – early and often:
A mortgage is often the largest debt a consumer will ever take on, and paying it down faster can mean large savings on interest costs over the long term. Get in the habit of making lump sum payments whenever possible, and consider making bi-weekly payments as a way to decrease the life of the loan.
Know your goals:
Choose a mortgage that accommodates your present state of finances, but also fits your long-term goals. Don’t just buy a home because it’s a buyers market, choose a home that fits your lifestyle as well as your family’s needs in the years ahead.
Bridlewood Property
February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment
| MLS #: C3361882 | Area Desc: Calgary | |
| List Price: 454,900 | ||
| Community Desc: BRIDLEWOOD | ||
| Total Bdrms: 4 | ||
| Total Baths: 2.1 | ||
| Status: A | ||
| Property Class: SF | ||
| Public Remarks: Stunning former NuVista showhome located in a quiet neighborhood across from a park.Main floor houses a great room concept w/large kitchen & tons of both counter & storage space.Living room features a beautiful oak & tile surround gas fireplace plus a custom built wall unit.Upstairs is home to three good sized bedrooms,incl. a large master w/walk in closet and a big 4 piece ensuite w/separate shower & a built-in sit down vanity counter.Bonus room features 9 foot ceilings.Basement is almost fully completed w/a big family room,the fourth bedroom & a roughed-in bath.Entire home finished in tasteful warm,neutral shades.Yard is fully fenced & landscaped & features a gorgeous covered deck off the back of the home. | ||
Functional lighting: Designing your lighting with purpose
January 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Lighting a room properly is not as easy as selecting a fixture. There are a few questions that need to be answered in order to create the perfectly lit room.
For instance, what is the function of the room? How much of the room should be lit?
Do you want to create a certain ambiance?
Reading and Studying Areas
Study and reading areas should be moderately bright.
Task lighting, such as a 100-watt desk lamp, will shine directly on the subject, while track lighting will help create a study zone.
Direct light from a recessed fixture will reduce glare and increase brightness, but Home Depot designer Michelle Flores says light coming from several balanced sources is best for reading because it reduces shadows and minimizes eyestrain.
Living Areas and Kitchens
Table and floor lamps provide enough general lighting for most living rooms. Fixtures with 3-way bulbs grant added flexibility while lights directed up help brighten and enlarge the room.
“A lamp directed at the ceiling will provide a softer, more evenly distributed light and give the room a warm, inviting atmosphere, while lighting a single wall with a pair of lamps can create an entirely different look,” Flores says.
The kitchen should be one of the brightest areas in the entire house. For lighting fixtures located directly over cooking areas, Flores recommends using removable clear lenses that can be taken off and cleaned regularly.
Try under-cabinet fluorescent lights to create bright work areas for the countertops or incandescent task lights to illuminate a range top or cutting board area.
It’s also a good idea to use fixtures with sealed lenses to prevent moisture from penetrating the inside of the fixture, helping to prolong the life of the fixture.
Dimmers
There’s more to lighting control options than just switching a fixture on and off.
Dimmer controls are perfect for adjusting the intensity of light in a room. This flexibility allows you to alter the brightness of a room to suit different activities.
There are three basic kinds of dimmers: dial, sliding-lever and push-button controls. Because each of these performs the same function, pick the one you like the best.
Some dimmers can also be operated with a remote control like the one you use for your television.
In most cases any standard single-pole switch can be replaced with a dimmer control.
When thinking of changing the lighting in your home, remember there are plenty of options for you to choose from that don’t require a lot of work.
Ask your local home improvement expert for planning tips or product recommendations that will make your room functional and attractive.
News Canada
Lowering Home Prices Key to Making the Deal Come Together
January 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment
MLS Sales in Calgary for both condos and single family homes plunged in October compared to a year ago – a trend that has continued through to this year. Statistics released Monday by the Calgary Real Estate Board show condo sales were down 20.4% to 399 from October 2007, with 501 sales, while single family homes sales dropped by 26.3% to 820 from last year’s 1,113.
The single family home market, the average sale price dropped by 0.7% to $449,100 and the median sale price dropped by 5.5% to $390,000. Average days active on the market rose by 20% to 48 days in October from 40 days in October 2007.
As for the condominium market, the average sale price lessened by 12.8% to $289,148 while the median price fell by 7.3% to $268,000. Average days on the market increased by 25% to 50 days, up from an average of 40 days in October 2007.
FIVE Great New Year’s Resolutions
January 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
1. SPEND MORE TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Home is where the heart is. Good family and friends are so important, show them you care by inviting them over more often!
2. GET FITNESS IN FITNESS
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy, happy and makes you look and feel better.
3. LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language or just how to fix your computer on your own? Whether you take a course or read a book, you will find education to be one of the easiest most motivating New Year’s Resolutions to keep.
4. GET OUT OF DEBT
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Calgarians who have resolved to spend this year getting a hold of their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the years ahead.
5. ENJOY LIFE MORE
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It is an important step to a healthier and happier you.
Edmonton Real Estate Update – September 2008
January 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
August residential sales up 18.6% over last year
In August homebuyers are distracted by warm weather, vacations and
back-to-school preparations. Never-the-less the REALTORS(r) Association of
Edmonton reports that residential sales were up 18.6% in August as compared
to August 2007. New listings were down for the month compared to last year
resulting in a net drop of 889 properties available on the Multiple Listing
Service(r) (MLS(r)) dropping below the 10,000 mark for the first time since
March. There were just 9,612 residential properties in the inventory on
August 31 as compared to 10,501 at the beginning of the month.
Sales, compared month to month, were stronger than last year for the second
consecutive month. New home sales are down dramatically partially because of
the wide selection of homes available through the MLS(r) but buyers are
demonstrating their confidence in this market and are not afraid to
purchase.
Average prices for all types of homes were down slightly from the previous
month. Single family detached homes were off 2.65% to $369,190; the lowest
price in 18 months. Condominium prices were down just 1.1% to $251,048 in
August after a 3.25% slide in July. Duplex and rowhouse prices were down
less than half a percent. Overall, the average residential price (which
includes all types of residential property) was $329,207 (off 1.8%: the same
as the month previous).
Days-on-market rose from 55 to 63 days. The sales-to-listing ratio was 51%
in August. Total MLS(r) sales for the month were up as a result of the
increased sales volume to $574 million with total sales for the year
reaching just under $5 billion.
Housing prices typically rise slightly through the fall. We expect that the
strong sales this quarter will support rising prices as we approach
year-end.
Source: Barry Burden @ Remax River City
Calgary Real Estate – Mission
January 7, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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Calgary Real Estate – Make the Perfect First Impression!
August 26, 2008 By Leave a Comment
There is a famous saying: ‘You never get a 2nd chance to make a good 1st impression.’ This report holds true when showing your home to potential buyers. The 1st few seconds after the prospective buyers open the front door are essential. As they walk in, slip off their shoes and take that first look around, their judgements are quickly formed. This is why it is vital to make sure your home looks great from the vantage point of the front door.
A Few Tips:- Make sure your foyer is well lit
- Eliminate anything that may clutter the space, such as coat racks and benches
- Place shoes piled by the door in a more discreet site
- Situate a small table with fresh flowers by the doorway. Flowers provide a friendly and inviting atmosphere, exactly want to want the prospective buyers to feel
- Purchase a new front door mat and use it only for showings
- Make sure that any stairs that are visible from the front entryway are freshly vacuumed
