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It’s easy to find someone to do that renovation work you want done around your house. Just call the number on one of those hand-drawn ads posted on utility poles in your neighbourhood. Or you could do some legwork and try to find a reputable contractor. You’ll be happier with a job done well.

Word of mouth is often the best way to find the right person for your job. If you know someone who’s had work done in their home and they are pleased with the results, ask for a name and number. Local and national home building associations also recommend contractors who meet insurance and licensing standards. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association refers contractors, renovators, land developers and other specialists who are members. The CHBA accepts inquiries, and their website has a searchable database for members across Canada.

Get two or three quotes for the work you want done. The quotes should be written and spell out exactly the work you want done and how long it should take. The lowest quote may not necessarily be the best.

“If the bid is much lower than others, find out why,” home renovating expert Mike Holmes told CBC News Marketplace. “It may be because of corner cutting. Trust your instincts.  If the red flags start to wave so much in front of your face, ask the contractor to leave your home.

“Don’t let a contractor pressure you into making a quick decision to either hire him/her or hand over money. Commit only when you are ready.

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Thanks to CBC.ca for this!

Chestermere Lake Revnovations

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What to do for a few hours in Calgary

Looking for a quick activity to burn away the summer time blues? Visit one of the following places to perk up a drooping day. 

1. Rothney Astrophysical Observatory – Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, U of C
One of Canada’s largest telescopes and the only telescope in Canada patrolling for killer asteroids. Open house evenings held once a month ism.ucalgary.ca/ top/rao

2. Spruce Meadows - World-famous show jumping facility. sprucemeadows.com

3. Canada Olympic Park - Try the mountain bike park, with 25 km of open and single-track cross-country trails, including a beginner area, a stunt park, a free-ride stunts area and a dirt jumping area. canadaolympicpark.ca

4. Calgary’s Wading Pools - Riley Park Wading Pool – 800 12 St. NW; Prairie Winds Wading Pool – 223 Castleridge Blvd. NE; Barclay Mall Wading Pool – 1 Ave. & 3rd St. SW; Canmore Park Wading Pool – 19 St. & Chicoutimi Dr. NW; Rotary Park Wading Pool – 617 1 St. NE; Olympic Plaza Reflecting Pool – 228 8 Ave. SE Variety Park Spray Deck – 90 Ave. & 24 St. SW

5. Calgary’s Outdoor Pools - Bowview Outdoor Pool – 1910 6 Ave. NW; Highwood Outdoor Pool – 25 Holmwood Ave. NW; Mount Pleasant Outdoor Pool – 2310 6 St. NW; Silver Springs Outdoor Pool – Silverridge Cl. & Silverridge Dr. NW; South Calgary Outdoor Pool – 3130 16 St. SW; Stanley Park Outdoor Pool – 4011 1A St. SW; Forest Lawn Outdoor Pool – 1706 39 St. SE; Millican-Ogden Outdoor Pool – 69 Ave. & 20A St. SE

6. Shaw Millenium Skate Park - Visit the world’s largest skateboard park. Boarders, bikers and bladers can climb, slide, twist, roll and flip through the park’s 63,000 square feet of concrete terrain that features rails, bowls, pipes and ledges.

7. Fish Creek Park - Only a hop, skip and a jump from Calgary’s southern suburbs, Canada’s largest urban park covers more than ten kms of protected river valley.

8. Nose Hill Park - A unique natural environment park located in Northwest Calgary just 15 minutes from downtown is 1127 hectares in size, making it the largest municipal park in Canada.

9. Reader Rock Garden - After 18 months of construction to rejuvenate this 70 year-old garden, the three acre site has trails waiting to be explored.

10. Sikome Lake - Life’s a beach at Calgary’s famous swimming hole. Enjoy cooling down on a hot day at this well knows South Calgary treasure. (Closed for renovations in 2007)

11. Elbow Valley Wetland - An incredible variety of sights and sounds greet you at this constructed wetland in the Calgary area. Location: Highway 8 (Glenmore Trail SW), just 800 metres west of Sarcee Trail.

12. Beaver Dam Flats - Beaver Dam Flats borders the Bow River and is surrounded by various natural habitats that attract beavers, which build dams in the area, hence the park name

Festivals

Calgary and even Edmonton have some truly unique events during the summer. Expand your horizons by sharing in some of these cultural events.

13. Calgary Dragon Boat Race & Cultural Festival at Glenmore Reservoir calgarydragonboat.com

14. Calgary International Reggae Festival 2007 calgaryreggaefestival.com

15. GlobalFest globalfest.ca

16. AFRIKADEY! African Festival afrikadey.com

17. Canmore Folk Music Festival canmoremusicfestival.com
18 Expo Latino hispanicarts.com

19. Shakespeare in the Park mtroyal.ca/sitp

20. Calgary Folk Music Festival calgaryfolkfest.com

21. Harry Potter Midnight Family Festival For more information, please contact 538-1794 22. Marda Gras Street Festival August 12 mardaloopbrz.ca 23. Edmonton Folk Music Festival edmontonfolkfest.org

24. River City Shakespeare Festival (Edmonton) rivercityshakespeare.com

25. Blueberry Bluegrass & Country Music Festival (Stony Plain)  blueberrybluegrass.com

26. Edmonton’s Capital EX (Formerly Klondike Days)  capitalex.ca

Day Trips

Need to get out of town for a few hours or a day? Try one of the following day trips that will educate, entertain or both.

Educational

28. Bar U Ranch National Historic Site – The Bar U Ranch paints a colorful picture of ranching history, with the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. Location: 15 km (9 miles) south of Longview

29. Brooks Aqueduc - This three km long, centipede-like structure was a vital link in an extensive irrigation network that provided water critical to the dry lands of southern Alberta. Location: 8 km southwest of Brooks, off Trans-Canada Highway 1

30. Frank Slide Interpretive Centre - On April 29, in 1903, 82 million tonnes of rock fell from Turtle Mountain and buried part of the coal mining town of Frank – 70 people died. Find out the story behing the Frank Slide. Location: Hwy 3, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

31. Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump -  Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, Head-Smashed-In It is one of the world’s oldest, largest and best preserved buffalo jump’s known to exist and has been used continuously by aboriginal peoples of the plains for more than 5,500 years. Location: 18 km north & west of Fort Macleod.

32. Leitch Collieries -  While visiting Frank Slide take the time to stop at one of the largest and most ambitious coal mines in the Crowsnest Pass. Walk among the ruins of the powerhouse, mine manager’s house and coke ovens. Location: Hwy 3, Municipality of Crowsnest Pass

33. Remington Carriage Museum - Experience authentic 19th and early 20th century horse-drawn transportation. The Museum’s interactive galleries tell numerous stories of turn-of-the-century society and the carriage industry. Location: Cardston.

34. Rutherford House – Check out how the other half lived in the early 1900′s. The gentility of the pre-First World War era is yours to experience at Alexander Rutherford, Alberta’s first premier’s home. Location: 11153 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton

35. Stephansson House – Check out how Icelander, Stephan G. Stephansson, considered one of the greatest poets in the western world, managed to tend this homestead by day and write his famous and respected poetry by night. Location: 30 minutes southwest of Red Deer, off Hwy 592 & 781

36. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village – Share in the compelling stories of the triumphs and hardships of Ukrainian immigrants who came to the Bloc Settlement in east central Alberta from 1892 to 1930. Location: 25 minutes east of Edmonton on Hwy 16

37. Victoria Settlement – In 1862, Reverend George McDougall founded a Methodist mission to the Cree and later the Hudson’s Bay Company later established Fort Victoria to trade with the natives. Learn about the growth and decline of this once-bustling community Location: off Hwy 855, near Smoky Lake

Family Fun

38. Sylvan Lake – Famous for its spectacular natural lake setting, Sylvan Lake has the second largest marina in the province, with one of the cleanest lakes in Canada. For more information on activities visit town.sylvan-lake.ab.ca

39. Banff National Park - Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world’s premier destination spots. For a list of activities visit pc.gc.ca/banff

40. Banff Hoodoos – These spires carved by the forces of wind and water, stand like lonely sentinels overlooking the Bow River. Location: 4 km from Banff on Tunnel Mountain Road.

41. Bow Valley Parkway – This scenic alternative to the Trans Canada Highway 1 provides an opportunity to view the landscape at a more leisurely pace. Explore the history of the Bow River Valley through interpretive signs located at various points along the highway.

42. Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks – The emerald green lake is set before Mount Temple, the highest mountain in the Bow Range and third highest in Banff National Park. Location: 12 km east of Lake Louise.

43. Jasper National Park – The largest and most northerly Canadian rocky mountain national park, part of a spectacular World Heritage Site. For a list of activities visit pc.gc.ca/jasper

44. Columbia Icefield Glacier – From Highway 93 one can see the Athabasca, Stutfield, and Dome glaciers. Ice Explorer and professionally guided hiking tours are available on the Athabasca glacier.

45. Maligne Canyon – One of the most spectacular gorges to be found in the Canadian Rockies. Self-guided trails and footbridges provide spectacular views of the canyon. Location: 11 km east of the Jasper Townsite along Highway 16.

46. Kananaskis Country – Located 90 km southwest of Calgary the spectacular mountain and foothills landscapes make a perfect back-drop for a multitude of year-round recreational opportunities. For more ideas visit cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/ featured/kananaskis/flashindex.asp

47. Waterton Lakes National Park – In Southwestern Alberta, some of the most ancient and colorful mountains in the Rockies abruptly meet the rolling prairie. It is a dynamic landscape shaped by wind, fire, flooding, and abundant plants and wildlife. For more information visit parkscanada.pc.gc.ca/waterton

48. Lacombe Corn Maze – Come challenge your wits at the 15-acre maze, made up of nine foot high corn stalks and filled with trivia questions to make your search through the maze more challenging. Location: off Hwy 12 4.8 km west of Lacombe

49. The Vulcan Tourism & Trek Station – The Station is truly out of this world. Crew members will be on hand to answer any questions about the Station as well as the town of Vulcan and Vulcan County. Location: One hour southeast of Calgary

50. Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum – The Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is an interactive, hands-on celebration of Alberta’s Sporting history. Location: on the west edge of Red Deer.

51. R.C.M.P. Dog Training Centre – This centre is the only RCMP dog training facility in Canada. On Wednesdays they have demonstrations of Obedience, agility and criminal apprehension. Location: Innisfail

52. EM-TE Town – A privately built ghost town that features the Hogs Breath Saloon, jail house, harness shop, log buildings, livery stable, bank, church, emporium, and restaurant. Location: 10 km west off Highway 22 between Drayton Valley

53. Writing on Stone Provincial Park – See native carvings (petroglyphs) and paintings, which cover sheer sandstone cliffs. The park also protects native prairie grasslands, the meandering Milk River, hoodoos, and unique wildlife. Location: 32 km east and 10 km south of Milk River on Secondary Highway 501

Road Trips

Never hear “are we their yet?” again when you choose one of the following road trips. Go on one the planned itineraries, or combine them with local events and festivals to make your next vacation a family adventure. (Find more information on road trips at travelalberta.com/content/travellingto/tripstotake.cfm)

54. Trail of the Buffalo – Track the path of the historic bison/buffalo throughout east central Alberta. Length: three to six days; Total Distance: 907 km/563 mi

55. The Cowboy Trail – Discover how the Old West lives on in its art, history, food, hospitality and culture. Length: four to five days; Total Distance: 694 km/434 mi

56. The Boomtown Trail – An alternate route between Calgary and Edmonton is the Boomtown Trail – studded with “boomtown” architecture. Length two days; Total Distance: 332km/227 mi

57. The David Thompson Explorer’s Trail – Step back in time and retrace the enormous tracks left by David Thompson, one of Canada’s greatest explorers. Length: one to three days; Total Distance: 349 km/218 mi

58. The Canadian Badlands Trail – Discover two-billion-year-old rocks plus the largest collection of dinosaur skeletons in the world. Length: four to five days; Total Distance: 771 km/480 mi

59. The Icefields Parkway – Dramatic mountain vistas, huge walls of ice, beautiful lakes, and spectacular waterfalls make this one of the world’s classic mountain drives. Length: three days; Total Distance: 237 km/148 mi

Museums

Who says museums are boring? The following places have history and hands on activities that are a sneaky way of learning something new on a hot summer day.

60. Aero Space Museum – The museum has one of Canada’s most extensive collections of aircraft, helicopters and aero engines. Along with the Avro Lancaster Mark X, one of the last of some 7,400 built, there are over 25 other airframes. Location: SE corner of the International Airport, Calgary.

61. Calgary Chinese Cultural Centre Museum – The only museum in Canada devoted exclusively to Chinese culture; see life-sized clay warriors who once guarded the tomb of Qin Shihuang, China’s first emperor, as well as ceramics, bronzes and paintings. Location: downtown Calgary

62. Calgary Police Service Interpretive Centre – Learn about the role of police in society and the consequences of crime for young people. Find out about forensic science and how police officers conduct investigations, with true-to-life Calgary cases as examples. Location: downtown Calgary

63. Firefighters Museum – Check out how they fought fires in the 1890′s. See fire apparatus from 1890s to 1973. Photographs of Calgary’s growth and fires. Firefighting equipment/memorabilia displays. Location: 4124 – 11 Street SE

64. Fort Calgary – Join the ranks of the RCMP when you visit the Fort built in 1875. Also on site are the Barracks, Deane House Historic Site/Restaurant and Riverside Park. Location: 750 – 9th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta

65. Glenbow Museum - Glenbow Museum is ‘Where the World Meets the West’ – where intriguing stories from Western Canada connect with extraordinary art and artifacts from around the world. It combines a museum, art gallery, library and archives all under one roof. Location: 130 – 9 Avenue SE

66. Heritage Park Historical Village – Travel back in time to Canada’s largest living historical village. Whether you take a train ride around the park or get on the S.S. Moyie, there are over 150 exhibits are ready for you to explore. Location: 1900 Heritage Drive SW

67. Grain Academy/Museum – Find out where bread comes from. Grain industry education and interpretive centre with model train and elevator displays. Location: Second level, Roundup Centre, Stampede Park.

68. Museum of the Regiments - At one of North America’s largest military museums you can follow Alberta’s military heritage from 1885 during the NW Rebellion to present-day peacekeeping missions. Location: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW

69. Naval Museum – Over 1,000 km from salt water, Canada’s largest naval museum portrays the history of the Royal Canadian Navy and its men and women who have served during peace and war. Location: 1820 – 24 Street SW

70. Royal Alberta Museum - Check out the Wild Alberta gallery takes visitors across, over and under Alberta’s diverse landscapes and is like no other museum experience in Canada. With new touring exhibitions featured each year, there’s something new to discover with each visit. Location: 12845 102 Avenue, Edmonton

71. Royal Tyrrell Museum – Head for Drumheller’s badlands and discover this world-renowned museum. See more than 35 skeletons of dinosaurs like Albertosaurus, T. Rex and Triceratops. Journey through time, as different life forms emerge, evolve and in some cases, face extinction. Location: six km northwest of Drumheller

72. Sundre Pioneer Village Museum - Four acres comprising of Blacksmith shop, school, cabin, ranger station, reception centre with 5,600 sq. foot display area. Location: Sundre Alberta

73. The Alberta Railway Museum – Take a train ride back in time to the Alberta Railway museum. See their extensive collection of railway or tour the railway buildings around the grounds. Location: northeast end of Edmonton.

Wildlife

Is the only wildlife you see your kid hanging from the rafters? Show them how animals truly go ape at one of the following:

74. Bow Habitat Station at Sam Livingston Fish Hatchery. –  Get up close and personal with millions of trout, or test the water to understand why wetlands are called “nature’s kidneys”. Location: on the bank of the Bow River in the heart of Calgary

75. Butterfield Acres Children’s Farm - Listen to the sheep munching on their hay, or wiggle your fingers into the curly wool of a newborn lamb, or inspect the hair in a calf’s ear. Find out what makes a real farm tick. Location: 254077 Rocky Ridge Road

76. Calgary Zoo, Botanical Garden & Prehistoric Park – Travel the world without ever leaving the city. Go on Safari, visit Australia or check out the creatures of the night. calgaryzoo.com

77. Discovery Wildlife Park – Get your picture taken with a celebrity – Kodiak the bear – and get an up close look at some of nature’s most amazing and endangered animals. Location: Innisfail, Alberta

78. Medicine River Wildlife Centre – The Centre provides care for injured or orphaned wildlife with the aim of returning them to the wild. Location: 4 km (2.4 mi.) south and 1.5 km (0.9 mi) east of Raven.

79. Cochrane Ecological Institute and Cochrane Wildlife Reserve – This reserve has the only breeding colony of the Swift Fox (endangered in Canada) The reserve also provides care and rehabilitates injured wildlife. Location: Cochrane

80. Inglewood Bird Sanctuary – Over 250 bird species and a variety of mammals call these 32 hectares of natural area home. See what birds you can identify during your visit. Location: on the Bow River at 2425 9 Ave. SE

Amusement Parks

81. Calaway Park – Western Canada’s largest outdoor family amusement park features 30 rides, 24 games, 25 food locations, live stage entertainment, and shopping calawaypark.com

82. Wild Rapids Water Slide – The ultimate water slide experience. Wild Rapids is the first inner tube water slide. Hold on tight, things will get slippery!!! Location: Sylvan Lake

Farmer’s Markets

Make fresh food fun and entertaining at one of the following farmers markets. There is always something new to try when you visit.

83. Bearspaw Lion’s Farmer’s Market - Located on Highway 1A, one km west of the city limits is the Bearspaw Lion’s Farmer’s Market. Here you will find over 50 vendors featuring locally produced vegetables, fruit, home baking, and poultry. Visit Sundays, from June to October. Open 11am – 3pm.

84. Blackfoot Market – Located at 5600, 11 Street SE, the Blackfoot Farmers Market features over 100 venders, including organic farmers. Don’t miss the craft village and new garden centre featuring bedding plants, perennials, and trees. Visit 8am to 5pm Fridays and Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

85. Crossroads Market – Located on Highway 1 and Barlow Trail, the Crossroads Market has 60 vendors featuring fruits and vegetables, smoked meats and sausages, poultry plus much more. Don’t miss the indoor year-round flea market. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; 8am to 6pm

86. Calgary Grassroots Northland Market - Located east of Eaton’s at the Northland Village Shoppes parking lot, this market features 40 venders that bring to you a variety of fruit, veggies, flowers, crafts, bakers and more. Tuesdays beginning June 8 from 4 to 8pm.

87. Calgary Hillhurst Sunnyside Market – Located at 1320 5 Ave NW, the Hillhurst Sunnyside Market features 35 local vendors offering bakers, crafts, fruit and veggies. Wednesdays beginning June 9, 3:30 to 8 pm until Labour Day; then 3:30 to 7pm until early October.

88. Millarville Farmers Market - Located at the Millarville Racetrack (30 minutes southwest of the city), the Millarville Farmers Market features everything from fruits, veggies, crafts, plants and much more. Saturday mornings beginning June 12, 8:30am to noon.

Rainy Day Fun

Summer can’t always be sunny. When the sun takes a breather – or even if it is just too hot out – take time out to visit one of the following:

89. Devonian Gardens – Did you know the Devonian Gardens pools and falls are alive with over 200 Koi and Rainbow Trout and 45 Red Ear Turtles? Explore for yourself the flora and fauna available at Calgary’s own Emerald City. calgary.ca/parks

90. TELUS World of Science Calgary – Family attraction. Educational audio visuals. Hands-on exhibits. Demonstrations. Live science theatre. Multi-media productions. Giant screen films. calgaryscience.ca

91. Cantos Music Foundation - Collection of over four-hundred keyboard and related electronic instruments, Cantos Music Foundation is committed to presenting relevant educational music programs to Calgarians.

92. Calgary Tower – Come and see if you can spot your house from the top of Calgary’s most famous and identifiable landmark. Get a bird’s eye view of the river, the mountains, down town and beyond.

93. The Calgary Public Libraries - Tired of hearing “I’m bored” when it rains? Get out of the rain and into your brain with CPL free children and teen programs available on an ongoing basis. Visit: calgarypubliclibrary.com

94. Jump ‘N’ Java – ‘Come for the coffee, stay for the fun’. Kids six and under can explore in the 1,500 square foot playroom while Mom enjoys her latte nearby. 3519 18 St. SW

95. Coffee n’ Scream – Climb and slide, explore the ‘safe-space’ mats, or ride a car around our 100-foot track. The 2,000-square foot indoor play space let’s kids be adventurous even when it is wet outside. 555 Northmount Dr. NW

96. Let’s Play - Calgary’s greatest indoor playground! We offer fun for the whole family in this four-level playground structure with games room, party rooms, toddler area, snack bar and more. 146 13226 Macleod Trail SE

97. Laser Quest – An interactive, multi-level, intense fun for ages seven to 77, Laser quest combines tag and hide and seek with a high-tech twist – Lasers! 9827 Horton Road SW

98. Southland Leisure Centre - Southland Leisure Centre offers a wide variety of programs for all ages including swim lessons, skating & recreational hockey, dance & gymnastics, fitness & wellness, martial arts, sports & leagues, first aid and rock climbing.

99. Village Square Leisure Centre – Offering a wide variety of city operated programs including swim lessons, sports, pre-school education, youth programs, dance, fitness, family programming, skating and more.

100. Downtown’s +15 system - Did you know it was the world’s largest with 57 bridges, linking over 100 buildings along 16 km of pathways? Check out the double-decker bridge between Bankers Hall and TD Square for a great view up and down Stephen Avenue.

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CALGARY – Calgary’s housing market continued its summer slowdown in July, although prices appear stable, new figures show.

The Calgary Real Estate Board said Tuesday single family home sales were down 42 per cent from the same period a year ago. Condominium sales were down 44 per cent in the same period.

In July, there were 915 single family home sales, compared to 1,061 in June. The number of condo sales fell 11 per cent to 396 from the previous month.

The average price of a single family home was $464,655, down four per cent from the previous month, but six per cent higher than in July 2009.

The average condo price was $291,168, level with June, but a two per cent increase from a year ago.

“Calgary’s housing market is cooling off after its record-setting pace in the post-recession period,” said Sano Stante, president-elect of the board, in a statement.

“Rising mortgage rates and increased inventories will be the primary head-wind facing Calgary’s housing market, but improving job prospects will offer some tailwinds in the latter half of 2010 and into 2011.”

What does this mean for you? Call me directly 403.921.SOLD

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CALGARY – New investment in Alberta housing construction ballooned in April compared with a year ago.

According to Statistics Canada data, investment totalled $698.9 million in the province during that month, up significantly from $431.8 million in April 2009.

In the single home sector, investment jumped from $304.7 million a year ago to $588.8 million this year.

According to Statistics Canada, total investment in housing construction across the country was almost $3.3 billion in April which was up from $2.7 billion a year ago.

In the single home category, total investment on a year-over-year basis increased from $1.4 billion to $2.2 billion in April.

Recently, housing experts said the pace of residential construction in the Calgary region would start to slow down in the second half of this year with higher mortgage rates, tighter lending rules and more resale homes on the market putting a damper on housing starts.

That trend was evident in May as housing starts dropped from April but were still up from year-ago levels.

Total housing starts reached 862 units in May, up 79.6 per cent from 480 units in the previous year. However, there were 909 housing starts in April.

Enjoy!

- Corinne Waston, Chestermere Lake Realtor

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The final school bell of the year has rung and our neighborhoods and living rooms are once again filled with children. If left entirely to their own devices, many children would simply spend their time this summer watching daytime TV or movies or playing video games. What can we as dads do this summer to make our children’s summer vacation a more productive and positive experience?

Keep Reading Alive. Child educators know how hard it can be to start school again in the fall when children have just vegetated all summer. By taking a positive approach to a summer reading program, you can help their minds stay active all summer. In our family, we have a tradition of giving our children a book to read on the last day of school. This year, we have purchased a few classics like Twelfth Night and Moby Dick, but all book genres are welcome. Most public libraries offer a summer reading program where kids can check out books, read them and qualify for some rewards during the summer. Find your local library and make a call or visit the library’s website for more summer reading program information.

Invite FRED into your home. FRED is a reading program-Fathers Reading Every Day. It encourages dads to read for 15 minutes each day to their children. Find a fun and entertaining book that is appropriate to your children’s ages and go for it. For suggested age-appropriate books, check out the Children’s Literature Web Guide.

Consider Day Camps. During the summer, there are lots of organizations that offer summer day camps. These may be one day, or every day for a week or two, or a few days during the summer. SummerDayCamps.com offers a free listing of day camps in your area.

Summer is Recreation Time. Your local community probably offers inexpensive summer recreation programs. You might consider swimming lessons or a sport with which your child is not yet familiar. Tennis, racquetball, lacrosse and other sports are often on the menu. Some youth centers will offer guitar lessons, softball and baseball leagues and more. You can find a link to your local government’s website and learn more.

Consider daylong field trips. Some of our most memorable experiences as a family have been when we have taken field trips to museums, historical sites, aquariums and the like. We have learned a lot in visiting a local planetarium, children’s museum, zoo or other resource. It can be great fun and a great learning experience at the same time.

How about giving back? Many families find that volunteering is a great summer activity. You may be surprised to know that there are many opportunities for adults and children to volunteer together in your own community. Volunteer Match is a great website that lists community volunteering opportunities in your community; you can search by zip code and interest to find things you can do to give of yourselves this summer.

Take an Education Vacation. While it is fun to camp and fish, or to head to a famous amusement park, another fun alternative is to take a trip that involves learning. For example, a number of years ago our family took a vacation from our home in the Intermountain West to the Mississippi River area and then followed the Mormon Trail back home. We visited Hannibal, Missouri and had the Mark Twain experience and visited historical sites all along the Mormon Trail. We still have great memories from that experience. If you are visiting a city this summer, check out the local museums and other sites of interest. You may be surprised at finding out the depth and breadth of the community you are visiting.

Summer vacation is an opportunity for a break from the regimented world of the school year. But it doesn’t have to be a time for just relaxing. By balancing the need for a little down time with a focus on a productive summer, families can make the most of this great time of year.

About.com

Its a time to enjoy the feeling of the lake and cast some cheer onto our water. All are welcome and encouraged to enter their boats (and various other water craft) in this unique community celebration and let your personalities shine through with combinations of decorations, costumes, and music.  This is an exciting event for all ages and a great chance to meet new people, including neighbors and friends.  The parade of well decorated boats is dear to the hearts of many Chestermere residents, and viewed by lots of visitors at Anniversary Park

By registering your boat, you will be automatically entered into a draw for a wonderful Island Hop Water Tube courtesy of Tru North.  Prizes are also awarded for the best decorated boats. The three boats with the most votes from our on-shore judges will receive one of three trophies and a gift from Hyperactive Watersports. Winners will be presented awards at John Peake Park following the parade.

There is no entrance fee for participating in this event. If you wish to join in, please register on-line. By doing so, you will instantly win a free gift bag, loaded with cool stuff from some of our local sponsors. For more information and registration please visit our boat parade registration page.

Below is the summer line up.

Summer 2010

Camp Chestermere is now accepting registrations for over night & day camp summer programs.  You are welcome to register online, print off a form and fax, email, or mail the form to the camp office.

Below are listed the available spaces for each week;

Overnight

Day Camp

Registration

http://www.campchestermere.com/images/stories/2009_camper_registration_forms.pdf

• Summer Over Night
• Summer Day Camp
• CLTD Program
• Online Registration

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CHESTERMERE – Two long-time Chestermere High School figures will be the guests of honour at a May 29 fundraiser.

Although, in this case, the term “honour” may be used loosely.

Brian Utley and Rob Wilson have agreed to be roasted during a banquet that aims to put together funds for the CHS athletics and fine arts departments. And those doing the roasting ought to be very familiar with the duo, both of whom have been integral parts of the school for years.

Utley, of course, has been the athletic director at CHS for the last 29 years, and coached basketball for 31. His name is synonymous with the school’s athletics and rightly so. Most recently, he guided the girls’ basketball team to their first 4A provincial appearance. His teams hold claim to 12 Rocky View League Basketball titles, and five high school provincial championships.

Beyond his on-court activities, he also founded the Alberta Shooting Stars program, which had its 2010 showcase in March, and coordinated fundraising efforts for the CHS gym and football field scoreboards, the weight room, as well as numerous Laker basketball camps.

Meanwhile, Wilson has also been a part of the CHS athletic scene since 1982. Like Utley, his list of accolades is a lengthy one, and his contributions to the school immeasurable. He has coached football, basketball, and golf for the Lakers, and currently coaches the latter pair of those clubs. His hardwood teams claimed 10 divisional rings, nine zone titles, and four provincial chips.

Wilson got the ball rolling on the Chestermere Alumni basketball tournament, and continued to support students even after their graduation and helped them through the college ranks. He was also recently named the CTV Coach of the Week.

The opportunity for some light-hearted ribbing will begin at 5:30 on Saturday the 29^th, in the north gymnasium at the high school. A cash bar will be available, and all attendees must be over the age of 18 to participate. CHS’ drumline is also scheduled to perform.

Tickets are $35, and can be purchased at the school’s office. For more information, call (403) 272-8868.

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Corinne Watson.com

Blunder #1: Not planning.
Before rushing out to the garden centre, take the time to plan out your garden. This will prevent a flawed “hodgepodge” design, as well as the tendency to buy more plants than you have space for. Note: if you’re new to gardening, it’s usually better to start small.

Blunder #2: Not investing in good quality tools.
Buy the best quality tools you can afford. Cheap tools that bend or break will not only dampen your enthusiasm, but having to continually replace tools can cost you more in the long run.

Blunder #3: Overlooking poor soil conditions.
Before planting, prepare your soil. Plants generally do better in “loamy” soil that is rich in organic material and doesn’t drain too quickly. Compost enriches the soil, improves drainage and helps to fight off pests and diseases.

Other tips:

- Once you’ve planted your garden, try to avoid walking on the soil. Every step compacts the soil, making it difficult for plants to grow roots. Instead create footpaths between rows.

- Avoid working the soil when it’s wet – or you’ll end up with clumps of hard-packed soil once it dries.

- Don’t overwork the soil. The best soil isn’t fine or powdery but consists of particles of varying sizes and shapes.

Blunder #4: Planting in the wrong spot.
Take note of how much sun and shade you have in your garden at different times of the day – and be sure to buy plants that are right for those conditions.

Blunder #5: Overcrowding shrubs and trees.
Remember that new shrubs and trees are immature when you buy them. Make sure to find out how much space they need to grow healthfully.

Blunder #6: Not planting in groups.
Avoid a “spotty” garden design by arranging like plants in groups. Most experts advise planting in odd-numbered groupings of three or more for the most impact.

Blunder #7: Purchasing poor quality plants.
Because many new gardeners don’t have the experience to recognize poor quality in plants, it’s important to buy from a reputable garden centre with knowledgeable staff to help you.

Tip: Native plants tend to be easier to grow, have fewer pest and disease problems and require less watering.

Blunder #8: Planting Too Deep
The rule of thumb for container grown plants: put the plant into the soil at the level it grew in the pot.

Blunder #9: Over or under watering
The amount of water your plants needs is dependent on the weather. Experts say a weekly rainfall of about 2.5 cm (one inch) is ideal. If it is less than that, you’ll need to water. To measure rainfall, place a rain gauge in the garden. Other tips:

- Avoid frequent shallow waterings. This encourages roots to remain near the surface instead of reaching deep into the soil for moisture. Plants with deep roots can survive better in periods of drought.

- The best times to water your plants are early in the morning and early in the evening.

Blunder #10: Not keeping up with the weeding
While weeding is not the most popular of garden activities, it’s important to get rid of the weeds to keep your plants healthy. Spreading some sort of mulch, such as wood chips, will help to reduce weed growth. Mulch also helps to maintain soil moisture and stabilize soil temperature.

source: yahoo.com, youtube.com

Corinne Watson
Chestermere Lake Realtor