Calgary Food Bank Just a Bit Short

Published September 22, 2014

The Calgary Food Bank was looking to take back its place in the Guinness Book of World Records Saturday September 20, 2014, with a goal of 560,000 lbs of food collected in a single day, but fell just a wee bit short.

That said, thanks to the huge efforts of 7,000+ volunteers, the food bank’s shelves are stocked with 489,570 lbs more non-perishable items to help out Calgarians in need. While it would have been amazing to have reached world record status again this year, we did our best, and almost half a million lbs of food is an effort to be proud of. Fantastic Calgary!

The City-Wide Food Drive is the biggest the food bank puts on every year. Guinness Book of World Records status was achieved in 2008 when the drive brought in a haul of 511,102 lbs. One of the critical ingredients in a successful food drive is the volunteers. Without them drives like this one would not be possible so a big shout-out to ALL the volunteers who contributed their time, effort and energy…way to go, good on ya…much appreciated!

Who knows, maybe next year the city and all the wonderful volunteers will be up for the challenge again, after they’ve had some time to recover, that is!

In the meantime, it’s never too late to make a donation. The Calgary Food Bank accepts donations all year long and there’s more than one way to donate. Learn more at www.calgaryfoodbank.com.

City-Wide Food Drive September 20, 2014

Published September 15, 2014

Largest Single-Day Food Drive in Calgary

On September 20, 2014, the Calgary Food Bank is going to make an attempt to reclaim their 2006 Guinness World Record for most food collected in a 24-hour period.

The City-Wide Food Drive is the largest single-day food drive in Calgary and more than 7,000 family volunteers participate and help collect food throughout the morning and night. This drive is really important for the city as September and fall heads into a high-demand period due to back-to-school expenses.

Let’s come together again Calgary and pitch in to help reach this year’s goal of 560,000 pounds of food!

If you see the City-Wide Food Drive bag at your door, please fill it with NON-perishable food items and leave it on the doorstep for an 8am pick-up! Make sure your bag is visible to the volunteers as the Calgary Food Bank doesn’t door knock or solicit!

There is currently a very high need for the following items:

Pop-top soup cans
Non-condensed soup (no extra water needed)
Canned meats and fish
Small peanut butter packs
Peanut butter-based foods
Rice packets (Uncle Ben’s Bistro Express, etc.)
Ichiban or noodle packs (Just-add-hot water types)
Fruit cups or canned fruit

For more information on the City-Wide Food Drive, contact Keoma Duce at kduce@calgaryfoodbank.com or visit www.calgaryfoodbank.com.

Fall Household Tip

Published September 9, 2014

Keep Your House Comfortable

Oh my gosh, it’s only September. Can you believe this snow?! The leaves on the trees are still green and vibrant – something’s just not right!

The abrupt weather conditions and subsequent temperature changes have likely caused many of us to not only turn up the thermostat over the past 24 hours, but to consider the comfort levels in our homes going into the fall and winter seasons.

The heating and cooling systems in your house play vital roles when it comes to keeping your home comfortable. It’s important, to ensure that the equipment that keeps the temperature just right is maintained properly. Proper maintenance of your furnace can save you money by making sure that it’s operating at peak efficiency and can also translate into extended life for this major appliance.

Seasonal check-ups will help to maintain the ideal home temperature all year long and this little premature taste of winter is the perfect time to have your seasonal check-up done!

Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area. If you’re thinking of buying or selling, call 403-253-5678.

Calgary Real Estate Stats – August 2014

Published September 2, 2014

Condominium sales set a new record for August activity

Sales activity improves for condominium product, while declining in the single-family sector

If you like to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Calgary real estate market, click here for an excellent overview:

http://www.creb.com/public/documents/statistics/2014/package/res-stats-2014_August.pdf

For more information or details about the Calgary Real Estate Monthly Statistics, get in touch with Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Natural Do-it-Yourself Cleaning Solutions

Published August 18, 2014

Summer cleaning can be easy and economical! Natural do-it-yourself cleaning solutions are more environmentally friendly than commercial alternatives. Make simple, gentle eco-friendly recipes using everyday household products.

All-Purpose Cleaner
Dissolve 4 tablespoons of baking soda in a quart of water. Mix well. Use in a spray bottle or with a sponge on kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Rinse with clear water for a clear finish.

Window Cleaner
Shake together 1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe for a streak-free finish!

Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl followed by a generous portion of vinegar. Scour with a toilet brush and flush.

Drain Cleaner
First try using a plunger on clogged drains. Using a plumber’s snake may help as well. Slow drains can be improved by pouring one cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a cup of vinegar. Cover, if you can, and let stand for five minutes to let this mixture foam up. Then rinse with lots of very hot water.

Mineral and Lime Remover
Applying vinegar and letting it soak for about an hour can remove that buildup that gets deposited around faucets. The easiest way to do this is to soak a cleaning cloth in the vinegar and wrap it around the faucet.

Your house doesn’t have to smell of chemicals to be clean! Make it sparkle in minutes using simple all-natural products.

Real Estate Tip

Published August 12, 2014

Price your home right from the start for a timely sale.

As we all know, the real estate market changes every day and the location of your home always affects its value. Comparing recent home sales in your neighborhood and in the surrounding areas can help you determine the value of your home.

Contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area, at 403-253-5678 for information to help you maximize your sale price and minimize the time it takes to sell your house.

Calgary Real Estate Stats – July 2014

Published August 4, 2014

Market moves toward balanced conditions

Growth in new listings outpace sales growth in July, supporting double – digit inventory gains

If you like to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Calgary real estate market, click here for an excellent overview:

http://www.creb.com/public/documents/statistics/2014/package/res-stats-2014_July.pdf

For more information or details about the Calgary Real Estate Monthly Statistics, get in touch with Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Calgary International Blues Festival

Published July 29, 2014

July 28 to August 3, 2014 Calgary Bluesfest celebrates their 9th Annual Anniversary.

This outdoor festival takes place at Shaw Millennium Park and is filled with great entertainment. Non-stop mainstage performances, a beer tent and nightly dance parties that run late into the night.

Starring performers include Award-winning blues master Joe Louis Walker, guitar goddess Ana Popovic; the brilliant Mannish Boys Revue with special guests ‘Monster’ Mike Welch and Sugar Ray Norcia; the legendary Billy Branch and the Sons of Blues; guitar giant and author, record label owner and producer, Bob Margolin, Boogie piano master Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne; Portland’s swamp groove masters Too Slim and the Taildraggers; International Blues Challenge winner in TWO categories, our very own Tim Williams and a host of other blues greats!

This is a family friendly event. Come on out and join us for the time of your life this August long weekend!

For information about Festival Passes visit http://www.calgarybluesfest.com.

Do I Really Need a Realtor?

Published July 23, 2014

The bottom line is…a Real Estate Professional provides an invaluable service.

Buying and selling a home is a complex process requiring real estate expertise to ensure the transaction is completed competently and professionally.

Realtors have access to pertinent information such as current market conditions, comparable prices and neighbourhood trends, to name a few.

Realtors will assist you in your home search, help you determine your buying power and understand your financing options, help you negotiate and guide you through the closing process and much, much more.

In fact, Realtors will manage all the details of your real estate transaction providing you with priceless advice to save you money, and ultimately…peace of mind.

If you’re thinking of buying or selling, or are ready now and looking for a Realtor with experience, Bill Brandsma can help! Call 403-253-5678. You will get unmatched commitment and turn your dreams into reality.

Bill Brandsma Real Estate – Serving Calgary & the Surrounding Area.

Buying a House – Needs vs Wants

Published July 14, 2014

When considering buying a new home it’s a good idea to make a list of your needs versus your wants. The features that best suit your family’s wants, needs and budget are important, as the type of home you choose to buy will depend on your resources.

Put things your new home must have at the top of your list, and put wants (things you’d like to have but don’t need) towards the bottom. Size, style and price all come into play, so share your list with your real estate agent to help them find listings in your price range that meet as many of your needs as possible.

Bill Brandsma will provide all the essential real estate advice you need. Read through Bill’s Home Buying Step-by-Step section of the site for some very helpful information.

Buying a home can be a challenging process. If you feel a little overwhelmed about how to go about prioritizing your needs vs. your wants list and would like some assistance, contact Bill Brandsma Real Estate at 403-253-5678, specializing in Calgary and the surrounding area. He’d be delighted to be of service!