#InsideCalgary What's happening Dec. 2019

Zoolights year's eve

For families, one of the most popular New Year's events is the annual party at Calgary Zoo, where the fabulously titled Zoo Years Eve includes Zoolights light shows, fire pits and live entertainment throughout the evening. The event goes from 6-9 p.m., with a fireworks display at 8 p.m. calgaryzoo.com

Buying a show home

Builders often get questioned whether buying a new show home is a good deal or not – the answer is, if the location and floorplan meets your family needs, than yes. Buying a show home model is almost always a great deal because show homes include upgraded features that the builder wants to present to customers, but may be discounted in the end because a show home is outstanding inventory that a builder is quite motivated to sell.

Last minute gifts for homeowners

Clean House

Give the gift of time in the form of house cleaning services. Companies like NoSpot Cleaning provide a variety of services specifically for homeowners, including one-time cleanings and move-out services. Starting as low as $135.

Music maker

Get jamming with the Get Together Mini Bluetooth speaker, made from bamboo and other recycled and mindfully sourced materials, from House of Marley. Through donations to One Tree Planted, House of Marley has helped plant 149,000 trees. Available at Best Buy for $123.98

Sharing is caring

It’s true that it’s better to give rather than to receive, so why not help make a less fortunate family’s holiday a little bit better by donating to your local food bank? Volunteer at a homeless shelter or seniors’ home, go caroling, or just package up some gently used winter boots and coats to give to the needy.

Bonsai

For the plant lover on your list, how about a bonsai starter kit from the Bonsai Tool & Supply Company of Canada? A deluxe starter kit is just $44.99 and provides hours of peaceful relaxation. Order online at bonsaisupply.ca

Loving Livingston Cornerstone

Homes by Avi recently launched its new rear attached homes in Livingston. “They’re just like our semi-detached homes,” says marketing and communications specialist Kim Trim, “but the garage is located at the back. And, better yet, it’s attached to the home. Who doesn’t want to stay inside during the winter?”

This new product offers three home models – the Aberdeen, Newcastle, and Glasgow – all with over 2,023 sq.-ft. of living space, with prices starting in the high $490,000s. Some of the features included are:

• Main floor powder room
• Optional side entry and legal basement suite
• Rear deck and courtyard
• Optional main floor flex rooms
• Optional main floor bedroom with ensuite
• Walk-through pantry from garage
• Open floorplan throughout living space
• Spacious upper laundry room
• Large upper bonus room

Hospital home lottery

The grand prize winner of the Calgary Health Trust 2019 Hospital Home Lottery Home was announced Nov. 28.

The $2.6 million estate home from Calbridge Homes backs on the Bow River in Cranston’s Riverstone and measures in at a robust 4,300-plus sq.-ft. of beautifully crafted living space on the upper levels, and another 1,500 sq.-ft. on a developed lower level. The four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home is highlighted by the vaulted ceiling and south river-facing floor-to-ceiling windows in the great room, plus an amazing outdoor living space. The wow factor continues throughout the home, with quartz countertops in the kitchen, upstairs wet bar and bathrooms, walnut wood accent on the fireplace and a spa-like master suite with breathtaking views. The lower level features a guest room, large media area, gym and dog wash. The home comes fully furnished, professionally decorated and landscaped.

Calgary Health Trust is working with partners across the community to explore new ways of thinking about mental health care, aiming to create customized services, spaces and support that will meet each person’s unique needs with the right care at the right time. Through the Hospital Home Lottery, the Calgary Health Trust is investing in new critical and therapeutic care at Peter Lougheed Centre and Rockyview General Hospital, designed specifically for mental health response.