#Calgary home staging

[emmabakersblog]

Rose and Fern Home Staging in Calgary

When it comes to selling a property, first impressions matter. Potential buyers often make up their minds about a home within minutes of walking through the door. That’s why home staging has become a crucial strategy in the real estate market. In Calgary’s competitive housing market, home staging services can mean the difference between a property that lingers and one that sells quickly and at a premium price. Whether you’re preparing your house for sale or simply want to refresh your living space, partnering with professional staging companies can transform your home’s appeal, making it more attractive to buyers.

What is Home Staging?

Home staging is the process of preparing a property for sale by enhancing its aesthetics and functionality. This is done by rearranging furniture, decluttering, adding decorative elements, and sometimes even making minor repairs or renovations. The goal is to make the home as appealing as possible to the largest pool of potential buyers, helping them envision themselves living in the space.

In Calgary, home staging services go beyond just making a home look nice. They create an emotional connection between the buyer and the home by presenting it in its best possible light. From reimagining living spaces to creating a cohesive design theme, professional stagers know how to highlight a home's strengths and downplay any shortcomings.

The Benefits of Home Staging in Calgary

1. Faster Sales

One of the most significant advantages of home staging is that staged homes typically sell faster than non-staged ones. When a home is visually appealing and looks well-maintained, buyers are more likely to make an offer quickly. In Calgary, where the real estate market can fluctuate, a staged home can give sellers a competitive edge, reducing the amount of time their property is on the market.

2. Higher Sale Prices

Professionally staged homes tend to sell for more than homes that are not staged. By showcasing a home’s best features and creating an inviting atmosphere, staging companies help buyers see the value in the property. For homeowners in Calgary, investing in home staging services can lead to a higher return on investment by attracting more offers and possibly sparking bidding wars.

3. Helping Buyers Visualize

When potential buyers tour a home, they want to imagine themselves living there. An empty or cluttered home makes it harder for them to visualize how the space can work for their needs. Interior design and staging help to create an inviting and functional layout that appeals to a wide audience. Whether it’s arranging furniture in a way that optimizes space or adding décor that reflects current trends, staging helps buyers connect emotionally with the home.

4. Highlighting the Home’s Best Features

Every home has unique features, but not all of them are immediately obvious to potential buyers. Staging professionals know how to highlight these strengths—whether it's a spacious living room, a cozy fireplace, or a stunning view of the Calgary skyline. By drawing attention to these elements, interior designers can help elevate a property’s perceived value.

5. Neutralizing the Space

Personal décor can be a distraction to potential buyers. Family photos, bold paint colors, and unique furniture may not appeal to everyone. Calgary home staging experts often recommend neutralizing the space by removing overly personal items and replacing them with décor that appeals to a broader audience. This allows potential buyers to focus on the home itself rather than the homeowner's personal style.

What to Expect from Home Staging Services

Professional home staging companies offer a variety of services tailored to the needs of the homeowner. Here’s what you can expect when you work with a home stager in Calgary:

1. Consultation

The process typically begins with a consultation, where the staging company will assess the property and make recommendations. They will evaluate each room, the overall flow of the home, and its curb appeal. During this phase, they may suggest minor repairs, decluttering, or furniture rearrangement to make the home more appealing.

2. Staging Plan

Once the consultation is complete, the stager will develop a custom plan to showcase the home’s strengths. This may include renting furniture, updating lighting, adding artwork, and arranging furniture in a way that maximizes space and functionality. Some interior design Calgary experts also offer full-service staging, which includes sourcing décor items and managing installation.

3. Execution

Once the staging plan is approved, the staging company will begin transforming the home. This could involve everything from rearranging existing furniture to bringing in new pieces and accessories. Professional stagers also focus on creating cohesive design themes that are appealing to a broad range of potential buyers.

4. Photography-Ready Setup

After the home has been staged, it’s ready for professional real estate photography. Since most buyers start their home search online, high-quality photos are essential. A staged home is more likely to stand out in listings and attract more prospective buyers for viewings.

Home Staging vs. Interior Design: What’s the Difference?

While both home staging and interior design focus on enhancing a space's aesthetics, their purposes differ significantly.

Home staging is designed to appeal to potential buyers by depersonalizing a home and making it universally appealing. It focuses on creating a space that will sell quickly and for the highest price possible.

Interior design, on the other hand, is about personalizing a space to fit the homeowner’s tastes and needs. The goal is to create a home environment that reflects the personality and lifestyle of the people living there.

In Calgary, interior design services often work in tandem with home staging, as interior designers can bring valuable insights into making a home functional and beautiful, whether it’s for living or selling.

Why Hire a Professional Staging Company in Calgary?

There are many reasons why hiring a professional home staging company in Calgary is worth the investment:

Expertise: Staging professionals have the experience and knowledge to create designs that appeal to buyers. They understand how to make the most of every space, no matter its size or condition.

Objective Perspective: It can be hard for homeowners to be objective about their own property. Stagers offer an unbiased view, helping to identify areas that need improvement.

Access to Resources: Professional stagers often have access to high-quality furniture and décor items that can be rented for the duration of the sale. This can make a big difference in transforming a space.

Saves Time: Preparing a home for sale can be time-consuming. Hiring a staging company allows homeowners to focus on other aspects of the sale while professionals handle the design and setup.

Final Thoughts

In Calgary’s competitive real estate market, home staging is a proven strategy to help homeowners sell their properties faster and for a better price. By investing in home staging services, you can showcase your home’s best features, create an inviting atmosphere, and appeal to a broad range of potential buyers. Whether you’re looking for a full-service staging or just need advice on how to declutter and rearrange your space, professional staging companies in Calgary offer the expertise and resources to make your home stand out in the market.

For sellers in Calgary, partnering with a home staging company is more than just an investment in design; it’s an investment in a quicker, more profitable sale.

[huggybearhughes43]

Country singer reader that’s Canada’s sweetheart reconnecting with her childhood best friend Ethan Edwards after her performance at the Calgary Stampede (since he was there tonight) leading to fluff and smut please

Worth the wait

Ethan Edwards x Fem! Reader

Warnings- smut, raw dawgin, oral (fem receiving), semi public, creampie

Summary- in the ask

Word count- 2.2k

My jaw was slacked as I stared at the phone in my hand, looking at Ethan Edwards instagram story. Ethan was in the crowd that I was to preform to in less than half an hour. The fame was random, I had posted a song that I had written years and years ago on TikTok and it blew up. My heart ached remembering the song, it was one I wrote about Ethan, my little self was head over heels for him. We never had an argument or disagreement that was the end of the friendship. Really, it was him going off to college that ended it. I couldn’t be mad at him, never. Because he was following his dreams of making it big in hockey and who was I to be selfish and stop him? Ethan and I met when we were eight, I was the new kid to school and as Ethan is, he was the first to greet me. We were inseparable ever since, his family like mine and mine like his. Well until he got into college that is. We kept in contact for months until one message a day turned to none. I couldn’t be mad because I never built up the courage to text him either, I guess we both had the same idea.

My heart almost jumped out of my chest when I heard my name announced. I put my phone down and make my way to the stage, trying my ever most best to shut out the nerves. I waved at the crowd as they cheered, smiling as I walk up to the microphone. My breath was shaky and my eyes scanned over the part of the crowd where I knew Ethan was. I cleared my throat and began my introduction. “How are we doing tonight, Alberta?” The crowd cheers and I smile. I sigh into the microphone which is followed by a laugh. “Being on tour… it’s so great to be back in my home town.” I grab the microphone of the stand and hold it to myself, “let’s make this concert one to remember, hm?” The crowd cheers again and the lights dim as my band starts their instruments.

The concert was amazing to say the least. My eyes couldn’t break contact with the area he posted the photo from. My eyes scanned along the group, wanting so bad to find the face I missed the most. My singing came to a close and the crowd cheered. My breath was shaky knowing exactly what song was next. It was my last song of the night, the one that made me famous… the one I wrote about Ethan. I contemplated admitting the truth on who the songs about. I take a deep breath and make my decision. I step back and ask my band to play the rhythm of the song slowly as I spoke and they agreed. The crowd cheered at the realization of the song and I began to confess.

“Have any of you had a person in your childhood that no matter how hard you tried you can’t forget about?” I smile and shake my head, “being back in my hometown… made me want to share this story with you all. The story behind this very song. As you’ve all probably guessed, the songs about a boy I was in love with.” I tap my foot rhythmically to the beat of the song in the background. “This wasn’t a random boy, he was my best friend for ten years. Some of you may know him, kind of a town legend for making it big on hockey.” I smile, eyes still scanning the crowd. Until my eyes met with his. I took a deep breath, he was smiling the same smile I remembered from my childhood. “So you, my hometown, heard it here first. This song is about Ethan Edwards.” The sight of his huge smile and his friends drunkenly cheering him on next to him was a sight I never wanted to forget. I forced my eyes to recognize the rest of the crowd as I began the song.

The song was slow and emotion baring. The crowd sung along, staring a theme of putting their flashlights in the air, waving the phones to the song. This was a common thing for fans to do during this song but knowing that the very reason it existed was in the crowd as well, made my eyes swell with tears. My voice grew shaky and I take myself away from the mic to compose myself, the crowd continuing the song without me. My heart swelled harshly when my eyes were brought back to where Ethan was standing. His arms were crossed with a drink in his hand. He smiled hard, like it was the only expression he knew to make. I took a deep breath and sung the song to a closing. The crowd cheered louder than I’d heard before, the bright lights turning back on the help the crowd to leave.

I thanked everyone and made my way off stage. My band cheered me on and patted my back as they walked past me. I grabbed my phone and stared at it, my thumb hovering over it as I contemplated texting Ethan. I sighed and decided against it, placing the phone in my back pocket before making my way to the dressing room where my bag was. I walked in, closing the door behind me. I stared at myself in the mirror, contemplating my decisions. My thoughts are startled by a knock at the door, my bones practically jumping out of my skin at how hard I jumped. I shake my head and open the door, my eyes going wide and my mouth drying as I stare up at the tall man. I felt like I was going to faint.

“Ethan?!” I grasp at my heart. It was a habit I’d done since I was younger. “In the flesh.” He smiles and pulls me into a tight hug. So tight that in any other circumstances I’d be fighting my way out of his grasp. But instead I hug him back, nestling my head into his shoulder. I gain my composure and pull away with a huge smile on my face. “How’d you manage to get back here?” He laughs and rubs his jaw that I noticed he was growing stubble on. “Was trying to convince a security guy to let me in but he wouldn’t budge. I guess one of your band mates heard me say my name and he asked the guy to let me through.” He paused for a moment, “is the song really about me?” My face goes pale and I sigh with a nod, “yeah.” “I thought it was about Zach” he shoves his hands in his pockets at the mention of my ex.

I smile at his bleak words but follow with a shake of my head. “I made it in the treehouse.” I take a deep breath, remembering the designated hang out spot of ours. Everyday after school we’d go to that treehouse. One day his mom wanted him home before he met me there. Waiting, I wrote the famous song. That’s exactly what I told him as well. When I rushed to close that notebook as he climbed into the treehouse, he assumed I was just writing in a diary. In a way I was, but when I told him I didn’t want to talk about it he didn’t peep another word. It was a quality of his that I was very fond of.

He stepped into the room and closed the door before slumping on the couch on the back wall of the room. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He looks up with a defeated expression. I tilt my head and sit next to him. “Scared of rejection I guess.” He cracked I smile. “Y/n, I’ve been in love with you since our first conversation. My friends forced me to come today because I wouldn’t shut up about how my childhood best friend is famous now.” He pauses, “congratulations by the way.” I rub my neck and laugh, “congratulations for making it national.” We sit in silence for a moment. “Was the confession too late?” I manage to squeak out.

He stares at me silently before cupping my face. My heart was beating so fast I was scared it would pop out of my chest and land right on his lap. When he saw no sign of protest he leaned in and connected our lips. It was soft, too soft. He pulls away to say something but I pull him back in before he has a chance. The smirk I felt against my lips urged me to deepen the kiss. The wait of near fifteen years poured itself into the harsh kiss. What was a soft kiss was now sloppy and heated, hands wondering all over each other. His hands land on my waist, pulling me straight on top of his lap. I pull away to catch my breath and his lips find their way to my jaw and soon my neck.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do this.” He mumbles against my throat. “Ethan, the door doesn’t lock…” I warned him through breathy moans. He looks at the door, his lips still attached to my neck. His hands wandered under my denim skirt, his thumb brushing against my core which elicits a moan from my lips. “I’ll make sure if anyone walks in they won’t be able to see you.” He looks up at me for consent to continue. I think for a second then nod eagerly. He smiles then presses his lips to back to mine. His fingers pull my panties to the side, following up with running through my slit. I breathe out harshly against his lips, fueling his ego.

He moves to lay me down on the couch, crawling on top of me. He smiles down at me before pressing a soft kiss to my lips and moving himself at the end of the couch. He leans down to put a kiss on each of my thighs before bunching up the skirt at my waist. He pauses for a moment to look up at me, waiting for any protest. When he doesn’t hear one he loops his fingers in my panties and pulls them down my legs. I stare down at him with my mouth agape, one of my hands finding home in his soft hair. He kisses up my thighs softly before getting to my dripping core. His eyes don’t leave mine as he licks a stripe from my hole to my clit. I gnaw at my bottom lip in attempt to stay quiet.

He pulls away unexpectedly which forces a deep whine from my throat. “Don’t hide your noises from me. I’ve waited too long for this for you to hold back.” Before I can respond his mouth is back on my core. I throw my head back, moaning out his name repeatedly. His tongue plunges deep into my core before moving to tug my clit with his teeth. His tongue laps sloppily, savoring the taste of my cunt. Another whine falls from my lips when he pulls away. “Do you wanna have me in you?�� He asks softly as he crawls back up to hover over me once again.

“Yes please” I cry out, my hands moving to his back. Ethan smiles down at me, reconnecting our lips as he unbuttons his pants. He lines himself up with my core, pushing in slowly. He doesn’t want to risk any chance of hurting me. He swallows down my moans with his kiss. He sits still for a moment to let me get used to his size. I pull away for a moment to ask him to move and he doesn’t hesitate. He pulls away almost fully before pushing back into me. My head is thrown back the second he finds a rhythm moving in and out of me. I was sure there would be crescent shapes in his back due to my nails puncturing.

He sits up without a fault in his paste. His rough hands moving my legs to rest on his shoulders. His abuse on my cunt doesn’t stop as he presses soft kisses on my ankles. My hands anchor themselves onto the couch as I arch my back in pleasure. His thumb moves to rub circles on my clit, throwing me over the edge in pleasure. My orgasm ripples through me as I moan out loudly, not caring to keep quiet through my euphoria. The clenching of my cunt pushes him over the edge as well. “Where do you want it.” “In me” I whine, “please, I’m on the pill-“ the second I say the last word he spills his warm ropes deep into me. He snaps his hips into me a few more times before collapsing on top of me.

I laugh and wrap my arms around him. “The wait-“ I laugh “was worth it.” Ethan laughs and nods, “more than worth it.” He presses another kiss onto my lips before smiling at me. “Can’t believe it’s taken me this long to ask but… well, will you be my girlfriend?” I bite my lip and nod. “Yeah, I will.”

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Precaratize bosses

I'm touring my new, nationally bestselling novel The Bezzle! Catch me SUNDAY (Apr 21) in TORINO, then Marin County (Apr 27), Winnipeg (May 2), Calgary (May 3), Vancouver (May 4), and beyond!

Combine Angelou's "When someone shows you who they are, believe them" with the truism that in politics, "every accusation is a confession" and you get: "Every time someone accuses you of a vice, they're showing you who they are and you should believe them."

Let's talk about some of those accusations. Remember the moral panic over the CARES Act covid stimulus checks? Hyperventilating mouthpieces for the ruling class were on every cable network, complaining that "no one wants to work anymore." The barely-submerged subtext was their belief that the only reason people show up for work is that they're afraid of losing everything – their homes, their kids, the groceries in their fridge.

This isn't a new development. Back when Clinton destroyed welfare, his justification was that "handouts" make workers lazy. The way to goad workers off their sofas (and the welfare rolls) and into jobs was to instill fear in them:

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/03/welfare-childhood/555119/

This is also the firm belief of tech bosses: for them, mass tech layoffs are great news, because they terrorize the workers you don't fire, so that they'll be "extremely hardcore" and put in as many extra hours as the company demands, without even requiring any extra pay in return:

https://fortune.com/2022/10/06/elon-musk-jason-calacanis-return-to-office-gentlemens-layoffs-twitter/

Now, there's an obvious answer to the problem of no one taking a job at the wage being offered: just increase the offer. Capitalists claim to understand this. Uber will tell you that surge pricing "incentivizes drivers" to take to the streets by offering them more money to drive during busy times:

https://www.uber.com/blog/austin/providing-rides-when-they-are-most-needed/

(Note that while Uber once handed the lion's share of surge price premiums to drivers, these days, Uber just keeps the money, because they've entered the enshittification stage where drivers are so scared of being blacklisted that Uber can push them around instead of dangling carrots.)

(Also note that this logic completely fails when it comes to other businesses, like Wendy's, who briefly promised surge-priced hamburgers during busy times, but without even the pretense that the surge premium would be used to pay additional workers to rush to the restaurant and increase the capacity:)

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/feb/27/wendys-dynamic-surge-pricing

So bosses knew how to address their worker shortage: higher wages. You know: supply and demand. For bosses, the issue wasn't supply, it was price. A worker who earns $10/hour but makes the company $20 profit every hour is splitting the surplus 50:50 with their employer. The employer has overheads (rent on the shop, inventory, advertising and administration) that they have to pay out of their end of that surplus. But workers also have overheads: commuting costs, child-care, a professional wardrobe, and other expenses the worker incurs just so they can make money for their boss.

There's no iron law of economics that says the worker/boss split should be 50/50. Depending on the bargaining power of workers and their bosses, that split can move around a lot. Think of McDonald's and Walmart workers who work for wildly profitable corporate empires, but are so badly paid that they have to rely on food stamps. The split there is more like 10/90, in the boss's favor.

The pandemic changed the bargaining power. Sure, workers got a small cushion from stimulus checks, but they also benefited from changes in the fundamentals of the labor market. For example, millions of boomers just noped out of their jobs, forever, unwilling to risk catching a fatal illness and furious to realize that their bosses viewed that as an acceptable risk.

Bosses' willingness to risk their workers' lives backfired in another way: killing hundreds of thousands of workers and permanently disabling millions more. Combine the boomer exodus with the workers who sickened or died, and there's just fewer workers to go around, and so now those workers enjoy more bargaining power. They can demand a better split: say, 75/25, in their favor.

Remember the 2015 American Airlines strike, where pilots and flight attendants got a raise? The eminently guillotineable Citibank analyst Kevin Crissey declared: "This is frustrating. Labor is being paid first again. Shareholders get leftovers":

https://www.thestreet.com/investing/american-airlines-flight-attendants-bash-citi-analyst-who-put-shareholders-before-workers-14134309

Now, obviously, the corporation doesn't want to offer a greater share of its surplus to its workforce, but it certainly can do so. The more it pays its workers, the less profitable it will be, but that's capitalism, right? Corporations try to become as profitable as they can be, but they can't just decree that their workers must work for whatever pay they want to offer (that's serfdom).

Companies also don't get to dictate that we must buy their goods at whatever price they set (the would be a planned economy, not a market economy). There's no law that says that when the cost of making something goes up, its price should go up, too. A business that spends $10 to make a widget you pay $15 for has a $5 margin to play with. If the business's costs go up to $11, they can still charge $15 and take $1 less in profits. Or they can raise the price to $15.50 and split the difference.

But when businesses don't face competition, they can make you eat their increased costs. Take Verizon. They made $79b in profit last year, and also just imposed a $4/month service charge on their mobile customers due to "rising operational costs":

https://www.reddit.com/r/LateStageCapitalism/comments/1c53c4p/79bn_in_profits_last_year_but_you_need_an_extra/

Now, Verizon is very possibly lying about these rising costs. Excuseflation is rampant and rising, as one CEO told his investors, when the news is full of inflation-talk, "it’s an opportunity to increase the prices without getting a whole bunch of complaining from the customers":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/11/price-over-volume/#pepsi-pricing-power

But even stipulating that Verizon is telling the truth about these "rising costs," why should we eat those costs? There's $79b worth of surplus between Verizon's operating costs and its gross revenue. Why not take it out of Verizon's bottom line?

For 40 years, neoliberal economists have emphasized our role as "consumers" (as though consumers weren't also workers!). This let them play us off against one-another: "Sure, you don't want the person who rings up your groceries to get evicted because they can't pay their rent, but do you care about it enough to pay an extra nickel for these eggs?"

But again, there's no obvious reason why you should pay that extra nickel. If you have the buying power to hold prices down, and workers have the labor power to keep wages up, then the business has to absorb that nickel. We can have a world where workers can pay their rent and you can afford your groceries.

So how do we get bosses to agree to take less so we can have more? They've told us how: for bosses, the thing that motivates workers to show up for shitty jobs is fear – fear of losing their homes, fear of going hungry.

When your boss says, "If you don't want to do this job for minimum wage, there's someone else who will," they're telling you that the way to get a raise out of them is to engineer things so that you can say, "If you don't want to pay me a living wage for this job, there's someone else who will."

Their accusation – that you only give someone else a fair shake when you're afraid of losing out – is a confession: to get them to give you a fair shake, we have to make them afraid. They're showing us who they are, and we should believe them.

In her Daily Show appearance, FTC chair Lina Khan quipped that monopolies are too big to care:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDTiWaYfcM

Philosophers of capitalism are forever praising its ability to transform greed into public benefit. As Adam Smith put it, "It is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker, that we expect our dinner, but from their regard to their own interest." The desire to make as much money as possible, on its own, doesn't produce our dinner, but when the butcher, the brewer and the baker are afraid that you will take your labor or your wallet elsewhere, they pay more and charge less.

Capitalists don't want market economies, where they have to compete with one another, eroding their margins and profits – they want a planned economy, like Amazon, where Party Secretary Bezos and his commissars tell merchants what they can sell and tell us what we must pay:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/03/01/managerial-discretion/#junk-fees

Capitalists don't want free labor, where they have to compete with rival capitalists to bid on their workers' labor – they want noncompetes, bondage fees, and "training repayment agreement provisions" (TRAPs) that force their workers to stay in dead-end jobs rather than shopping for a better wage:

\https://pluralistic.net/2022/08/04/its-a-trap/#a-little-on-the-nose

Capitalists hate capitalism, because capitalism only works if the capitalists are in a constant state of terror inspired by the knowledge that tomorrow, someone smarter could come along and open a better business, poaching their customers and workers, and putting the capitalist on the breadline.

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/18/in-extremis-veritas/#the-winnah

Being in a constant precarious state makes people lose their minds, and capitalists know it. That's why they work so hard to precaratize the rest of us, saddling us with health debt, education debt, housing debt, stagnating wages and rising prices. It's not just because that makes them more money in the short term from our interest payments and penalties. It's because it de-risks their lives: monopolies and cartels can pass on any extra costs to consumers, who'll eat shit and take it:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/02/its-the-economy-stupid/#overinflated

A workforce that goes to bed every night worrying about making the rent is a workforce that put in unpaid overtime and thank you for it.

Capitalists hate capitalism. You know who didn't hate capitalism? Karl Marx and Freidrich Engels. The first chapter of The Communist Manifesto is just these two guys totally geeking out about how much cool stuff we get when capitalists are afraid and therefore productive:

https://pluralistic.net/SpectreHaunting

But when capitalists escape their fears, the alchemical reaction that converts greed to prosperity fizzles, leaving nothing behind but greed and its handmaiden, enshittification. Google search is in the toilet, getting worse every year, but rather than taking reduced margins and spending more fighting spam, the company did a $80b stock-buyback and fired 12,000 skilled technologists, rather than using that 80 bil to pay their wages for the next twenty-seven years:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#not-up-to-the-task

Monopoly apologists like to argue that monopolists can rake in the giant profits necessary to fund big, ambitious projects the produce better products at lower prices and make us all better off. But even if monopolists can spend their monopoly windfalls on big, ambitious projects, they don't. Why would they?

If you're Google, you can either spend tens of billions on R&D to keep up with spam and SEO scumbags, or you can spend less money buying the default search spot on every platform, so no one ever tries another search engine and switches:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/04/teach-me-how-to-shruggie/#kagi

Compared to its monopoly earnings, the tech sector's R&D spending is infinitesimal:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/08/11/nor-glom-of-nit/#capitalists-hate-competition

How do we get capitalists to work harder to make their workers and customers better off? Capitalists tell us how, every day. We need to make them afraid.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/04/19/make-them-afraid/#fear-is-their-mind-killer

Image: Vlad Lazarenko (modified) https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wall_Street_Sign_%281-9%29.jpg CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

[youcouldmakealife]

KS Fill: Bryce/Jared; quick learner

For the prompt: I would really like to see someone (coach or media) realize Bryce is not actually an idiot (at least about hockey)

SO: How is it, having Bryce Marcus back in the roster for this final run before the playoffs? Is it a relief to have him back? BF: We have faith in all our guys, but I mean, of course we’re glad to have Bryce back. LR: I wouldn’t use the word relief, though. That’s not the feeling I get. It’s a treat to have him back with us. BF: Yes. LR: And I don’t just mean on the ice. The guy’s a sponge, truly. Everything I teach him, he either picks it right up, or he knows it already. I’ve coached some of the best players in the world, here and internationally, and I’d like to think I’m pretty accustomed to bright hockey minds. But it’s a treat. It’s a treat. SO: High praise. LR: My guys know — I never give a compliment unless I mean it. BF: Is that why you never give me compliments? (Laughter) LR: The only thing I don’t like about that guy is that I won’t get to coach him in the Olympics. SO: You don’t see a defection to Team USA in his future? LR: Nah, pretty sure the guy’s heart is right here in Vancouver. BF: If there’s a place for a heart to be… LR: It’s a pretty good one. BF: Great one.

-After Hours, feat. Vancouver Canucks Coach Landon Rutger and General Manager Brian Foster

*

Jared’s honestly a little surprised it takes as long as it does for the coaching staff to realise just how bright Bryce is. Or more, to pick up on just how broad that intelligence is, because it doesn’t take long for them to figure out how quickly Bryce picks up strategy, almost no time at all before he’s quarterbacking the power play, stage-directing before face offs. But Jared doesn’t know if it’s Bryce’s reputation preceding him or what, but the way they seriously pay attention to what Stevie has to say, to Gabe, Bryce doesn’t get that.

Thankfully that doesn’t extend to the team: they start listening to Bryce almost straight away, on the ice and off it. Jared thinks Gabe had something to do with that, letting everyone know Bullet has a good eye, that he’s worth listening to, but it probably would have happened even if Gabe hadn’t said a thing. This isn’t Calgary, nobody’s tuning him out, assuming the only things he knows about are scoring goals, picking up women, and taking bad penalties.

Bryce’s linemates are the first ones to notice, unsurprisingly. Usually where the first line goes, so too goes the team, and the Canucks are no exception. It’s only a handful of practices before Bryce is sticking around after the coaches leave, staying on the ice to give dudes pointers, give them a little extra practice on the things they need to work on.

It means Jared has to stick around a little longer, and Gabe too, if they’re carpooling, but Gabe claims not to mind, and whenever Jared gets impatient, he just has to think about how Bryce ran him through almost every single exercise before the combine, rented private ice time when Jared was getting too into his own head.

It’d be selfish, not wanting his teammates to get that too. And, far more importantly, it'd be completely counterproductive. It makes Bryce happy too, and Jared’s always going to be a sucker for that, though, thankfully, Bryce never seems to realise quite how big a sucker he is.

But in the final regular season stretch, Jared swears he can see it click, all at once, and suddenly Bryce is getting pulled aside by Coach, waved over to serious conversations with the team vets, Rutger leaning down to intently listen whenever Bryce turns to tell him something mid-game.

“Coach told me I should consider a career behind the bench after I retire,” Bryce says when they get home after one particularly long post-practice conversation.

He sounds a little stunned, like it’s something he never considered before, which is kind of funny, considering he was technically supposed to be one when he met Jared.

Jared would have laughed his ass off at the idea of Bryce coaching back then — and he did — but now?

Well, maybe he wouldn't be the best head coach, because Jared can see Bryce getting his ass thrown out of the game after losing it on the refs — he’s almost done it a few times as a player. He can see him being loved by his players, the kind of coach they’d run through walls for, but he can’t so much see him handling the disciplinary side of things, or delivering the bad news of roster re-assignments, scratches, which goalie’s in, which is out.

Not that he couldn't do it — Jared’s sure he could — but he’s equally sure that shit would stick with him at the end of the night, get in his head, follow him home. He’s too nice to be a head coach.

Jared’s not saying head coaches have to be assholes, except — maybe he is, a little. All of Jared’s best coaches were dudes he’d never be friends with, and that’s probably part of it. Better to be feared than loved, right? That’s Machiavelli, Jared thinks. Dude had some solid points, reputation aside.

But assistant coach, well — Jared can see that. Bryce running the power play, maybe, or special teams in general — he may not play on the PK, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t run a good kill. Or maybe be the coach that takes the lead on player development, the friendly one checking in how the rookies are doing and if anyone’s dealing with shit off the ice, helping them grow as players.

“Huh,” Jared says.

Bryce gives him a curious look.

“You would, you know,” Jared says.

“You think so?” Bryce says.

“I really do,” Jared says. He doesn’t know why Bryce lights up at that, when he’s just been told the same thing by someone who knows a hell of a lot more than Jared does, but he accepts the grateful kiss that comes his way. He hasn’t earned it or anything, but he’ll take it anyway. He always will.

*

SO: So I think it’s safe to say you’re both big fans of Bryce Marcus. BF: I know we’ve spent most of this interview singing his praises, but he deserves it. We’re lucky to have him. Delighted to have him back. LR: I think most people respect his hands, and his shot, but I don’t think very many people have realised what a keen mind for strategy he has. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t realise until he was playing for me. BF: In hindsight, it might have been a better idea to let them stay in the dark on that one. (Laughter) LR: Maybe. But I think anyone paying enough attention will figure it out sooner rather than later. I think he’s going to make a lot of people eat their words. BF: I'm looking forward to that moment. LR: Me too. -After Hours, feat. Vancouver Canucks Coach Landon Rutger and General Manager Brian Foster

[shadowland]

Big, Big Love: k.d. lang on Stage Studio Bell, The National Music Centre, 2017 photographed by Jamila Kanaji

But, interestingly, most of the artifacts on display from that period are not musical but items of clothing that lang wore. There’s the red and gold brocade jacket she wore on the Ingenue tour; the yellow ball gown that was featured in the video for Miss Chatelaine; a striped shirt seen in the video for Constant Craving; a red, white and black striped jacket she wore at the Junos that year; and the black jacket she wore at the Grammy Awards.

The exhibit also features artifacts like the handmade diorama that was used to create the cover art for the 1987 album Angel with a Lariat and a few of lang’s musical instruments. But Big, Big Love is dominated by clothing, everything from her cowpunk stage outfit from 1985, which featured a fringed-satin shirt and floral skirt, to the bedazzled blue nudie suit she wore in 1990. It’s a reminder that, no matter how impressive lang’s singing voice and talent for genre-hopping may be, she was also an artist who was conscious and in control of her image, allowing her to play with ideas of gender and androgyny and to simply “have a lot of fun with clothes.”

“It was inseparable from the music, it was a whole piece,” lang says. “I came from a performance-art background, so it was definitely as much of the concept as the music. It was to present it as I did with music, which was a hybrid between classic sounds or classic instrumentation but mixed with an alternative mindset. So you’d have a classic country shirt but you’d have sawed-off men’s cowboy boots and a skirt.”

Lang, who spends most of her time in Calgary these days, was aware and had been impressed with the work being done at Studio Bell, which is home to the National Music Centre. She offered to donate or loan some of her belongings to the centre.

“I definitely have a fondness and enjoy looking at those things,” lang says. “But I feel, in some ways, owning that stuff and having to carry it around with me in a way weighs me down, both physically and spiritually. I really feel like I want to share it but not own it.” {x}

photographed by © Hayley Robb

The yellow tulle ball gown from lang's Miss Chatelaine music video.

lang's outfit from the 1988 Calgary Olympics.

lang's Manuel Cuevas suit. In addition to wearing it to the 1990 Grammy Awards, k.d. lang also performed her song “Big Boned Gal” in this suit on UK’s Channel 4 – paying tribute to her home in southern Alberta.

Sources: YouTube and Gobal News

[doomedandstoned]

The Electric Highway Festival 2025 Returns to Calgary

Doomed & Stoned is proud to rally for the upcoming spring festival in Calgary, Canada: The Electric Highway 2025. The line-up for this April 4/5 event is nothing short of exhilarating.

Kicking things off with the grim rhythmic doom metal band CASTLE on Friday night, who are on the tail end of the Evil Remains Tour, which has taken them to Europe, Canada, and the US.

Robust Canadian sludge attack BISON, long a staple of the scene -- with albums stretching back to 2008 -- headlines the whole festival on Saturday, April 5th.

They will be joined by SoCal rock 'n' roll, out of control band FEVER DOG dishing out ample feel good groove and hard jamming vibes to the stage.

A splattering of Western Canadian bands (of which there are a damn good many) join the roster including LA CHINGA, BUFFALO BUD BUSTER, THE GETMINES, 88 MILE TRIP, CHÛNK, HYDRACAT, THE ASTRAL PROPHETS, BLACKSMITH & BREWER, LOVER, BUNS, and G.E.O.F.F.

There's nothing quite like the live experience. Witnessing the magic of music brought to life on stage. Feeling the impact of that massive low end rumble. There's something visceral about the whole stoner-doom sound in a concert setting that should drive you out of the house for a good show.

The Electric Highway Festival takes place on April 4 & 5 at Dickens (1000 9 Ave SW) in Calgary, Alberta. Here's the full line-up:

Friday, April 4, 2025

Castle (San Francisco/Vancouver)

Buffalo Bud Buster (Calgary)

Blacksmith and Brewer (Vancouver)

CHÛNK (Vancouver)

Hydracat (Edmonton)

The Astral Prophets (Calgary)

BUNS (Calgary)

Doors 5pm – Show 6pm

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Bison (Vancouver)

La Chinga (Vancouver)

Fever Dog (Southern California)

The Getmines (Vancouver)

88 Mile Trip (Vancouver)

Lover (Calgary)

GEOFF (Calgary)

Doors 5pm – Show 6pm.

Advance 2-day passes are available for $75. Advance single-day tickets are $40 for Friday and $45 for Saturday.

Festival passes and single-day tickets are available at www.theelectrichighway.ca/festivalstore/.

Stay up to speed with the festival with updates right here.

SOME BUZZ

The Electric Highway Festival hosts various genres that range from Desert Rock, Stoner Metal, Doom, Sludge, Trippy Psychedelic, Surf Rock, Acid Rock, Noise Rock, Fuzz Rock, Space Rock, Blues Rock, Heavy Psych, Heavy Blues, Southern Rock, Fuzzy Punk, Sludgy Hardcore bands and variations of any of the previously mentioned styles. The festival includes a vendor area with interesting goods for attendees to take home with them.

Previous editions of the festival featured one of the event’s past favorites Californian headliners Sasquatch, Juno Award-winning Canadian band ANCIIENTS, Vancouver’s La Chinga, Space Queen, Dead Quiet, and more, Gnarwhal from Yellowknife, NWT, Calgary’s Gone Cosmic, Hombre, Flashback among many more, and a whole host of other great bands.

Follow The Electric Highway Festival: Instragram | Facebook

[declaweddisabledpurebred]

Bowie & Xander [Original Post]

Bowie: Senior (16 Years) | Spayed Female | Domestic Longhair

Xander: Senior (13 Years) | Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair

Bowie and Xander are a bonded pair and must be adopted together.

Bowie and Xander would do best in a home without small children.

Xander has a history of urinary obstruction and is on a canned food only diet.

Xander has chronic pancreatitis but no recent flare-up’s.

Bowie has an autoimmune condition called pemphigus foliaceous and is on medication daily.

Available In: Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) [ARTS Senior Animal Rescue]

Meeko & Marge [Original Post]

Meeko: Senior (15 Years) | Neutered Male | Domestic Shorthair

Marge: Senior (10 Years) | Spayed Female | Domestic Shorthair

Meeko and Marge are a bonded pair and must be adopted together.

Meeko has renal disease (stage 2).

Marge is overweight and is on a weight loss diet.

Meeko & Marge would do best in a home without dogs.

Available In: Calgary, Alberta (Canada) [ARTS Senior Animal Rescue]

Posted on March 27th 2024

[sunskate]

Mike Slipchuk interview

his worlds highlights - Deanna and Max of course. Piper and Paul, LaLa

about Deanna/Max: "we provided them with a lot of support with our sport science team and working with their people on the ground in Montreal" - Skate Canada's sport science team? is this who teams go to Calgary to see at the Olympic center to measure fitness and conditioning?

about Canadian dance - after the 3 teams who were at Worlds, he names L/LeG and Fabbri/Ayer "right behind [L/LeG]" as their clear #4 and #5. Bashynska/Beaumont are ahead of F/A in World standings but i guess aren't considered close to them. B/B made some critical mistakes at competitions this season. both they and Lily/Nathan have a chance to show up strong this upcoming season

he doesn't know if Piper and Paul have made a decision about continuing next season and that Skate Canada hasn't even met with them yet to discuss it - that they'll probably know more by early June

he was asked about the lack of international opportunities for their skaters (esp in singles), and he said:

“We definitely want to get our skaters out competing more domestically; we have a lot of events in Canada. Elvis (Stojko) and I were talking at Worlds, and he said he was always asked ‘how do you become a good competitor,’ and he said ‘by competing.’ He’s one that can say that from experience,” said Slipchuk. “We’re definitely going to work on utilizing the opportunities to compete at home, just to get that mileage and get that confidence for the athletes, so that when they get out on that bigger stage, they just feel that they can put down those programs to the level they’re capable of. It’s always learning and it’s always looking at opportunities we have at home, and we’re going to keep doing it.”

so instead of international opportunities, he's saying they'll compete more at home 👀 just say you don't have funds to send them overseas. hopefully they're trying to raise some. a lot of the dance teams below the very top ones are already doing the monthly sectionals and some of the provincial competitions. how many more could they attend?

[felassan]

Opinion piece in the Edmonton Journal: 'No advantage for Alberta's video game industry'

Excerpts:

"While it’s very exciting to see Canadian talent be awarded on gaming’s biggest stage, there is once again a major Canadian hub being excluded: Alberta." --- "Alberta is home to 12 per cent of the country’s game companies, with 45 developers primarily across Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge. The biggest name is the AAA Studio, BioWare, which was established in 1995. However, after being bought by Electronic Arts in 2009, there has been a large drop-off of the company’s success, going from 600 employees at their peak to now being around 200 after their most recent layoff cycle in August 2023." -- "Unfortunately, there is a clear reason why Alberta has been left out as a hub in Canadian game development, despite being a low-cost living area with no PST in comparison to places like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. In 2019, the Alberta government removed the Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (IDMTC) that provided companies with a tax credit for up to 25 per cent of their wages for game development, set up only two years earlier. This removal immediately stopped companies like Ubisoft from adding a studio in our province, and companies like Inflexion Games and BioWare stopped plans to expand their current operations. “Alberta does have a lot of draw to it, but financially it doesn’t make sense to relocate your company here when you could be getting a 25-per-cent tax credit elsewhere,” says Kyle Kulyk, head of Itzy Interactive, a gaming company in Edmonton." --- "In comparison, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba all offer tax credits that support between 30 and 40 per cent of labour expenses for gaming companies."

[source and full article]

[thiscitylife]

Urban Renewal: How Simple Acts and Third Spaces can Reconnect Our Communities

As we navigate this post-pandemic world, I've been pondering the idea of connection, particularly in our urban spaces. It's why I launched the Urban Renewal series to focus on how we can improve social connections in our communities. For the first installment of the series, I had the pleasure of chatting with fellow Vancouverite, Peg Fong, a journalist, author, and educator who launched a podcast and book during the pandemic titled, Alone Together, exploring the topic of loneliness in cities.

In our conversation, Peg shared her insights on how we can rebuild a sense of community.

The Simple Act of Walking

During the pandemic when we were mostly confined to our homes, the ability to stroll through the neighborhood and see other people was often our main source of face-to-face interaction.

"I live in Yaletown, a very walkable area of Vancouver, which was something I took for granted," Peg shared. “But during the pandemic it became so important to have these public spaces where we could walk and see other people around, even if we couldn't be together.”

Public spaces like parks and sidewalks became lifelines for connecting with others, reminding us that we weren't truly alone. However when the pandemic was over, many people continued to stay home, preferring teleworking and shopping online to being out and about in their communities.

“I grew up in the Prairies and we always had community areas where people gathered after church or on the weekends, whether it was a local community center or hockey rink. I think we've lost some of that.”

With more people working from home and having food and goods delivered, we don’t have spontaneous interactions typically experienced when going out to the office or the store. To make up for those lost connections, walking and spending time in public spaces becomes even more important to building community.

Activating Public Spaces

But, it’s not just about having more public spaces – it's about activating them. Imagine a public square with giant chess boards, live music, or pop-up markets. These kinds of events draw people in and create opportunities for spontaneous connection that might not happen otherwise.

You can build a great public space, but if there is no programming, people won’t come. North Vancouver’s Shipyards is a world-class example of how to design and activate a public space - with a massive waterpark (which transforms into a skating rink in the winter); gorgeous waterfront views; Adirondak chairs; giant toys and games; an ice cream shop; restaurants; breweries; a stage playing live music; regularly programmed events including movies, night markets, and yoga classes; art galleries; a public market; hotels; shops; public transit; and a seawall - all within 100 metres.

In comparison, when I visited Robson Square, Vancouver’s central public space, during the pandemic there was nothing going on except one tent trying to illegally sell marijuana baked goods. You can guess where most people would rather spend their time.

Third Spaces: More Than Just Coffee Shops

While discussing the benefits of walking and enjoying public spaces, Peg and I got on the topic of "third spaces." These are places that aren't homes or workplaces, but rather community hubs where we can gather, relax, and connect with others. Think of your local coffee shop, library, or even a dog park. These spaces are essential for fostering those spontaneous interactions with our neighbours that we may have lost during the pandemic.

Urban planning best practices suggest that every home should be within a 5-10 minute walk to a park, but we don’t talk about the importance of being able to easily walk to a coffee shop or corner store.

“I grew up in an apartment above a grocery store in Calgary. We had people buying groceries there, but also sitting on the deck or stairs eating popsicles and enjoying drinks. It became a gathering spot in my neighborhood, but I never thought about how important it was to have those places until the pandemic shut so many things down.”

Many cities are recognizing how zoning bylaws limit the ability to build these third spaces in residential areas. This includes Vancouver, which has streamlined the permitting process, offering micro-business licenses and creating flexible zoning regulations to allow for more mixed-use developments that include housing and ground-level shops or cafés.

Safe Streets and Small Interventions

When people can safely use streets for active transportation like walking and biking around their neighborhood, they are more likely to get out of their homes and cars to interact with their neighbors, support local businesses, and socialize outdoors. Sometimes, the simplest interventions to make our streets safe, like crosswalks, four-way stops, bollards, and lighting, can have the biggest impact.

Peg shared a story about her relatives visiting from Bogota, Colombia, who were amazed to be able to walk safely under Vancouver’s overpasses. It's a reminder that even details like well-lit walkways and wide sidewalks give people a sense of security and encourage walking.

We also spoke about how small, low-cost interventions such as adding more benches in our public spaces can build community. “One of my favorite episodes of the Alone Together podcast was about benches. They are special because they’re not just a place to sit, they’re spots available to anyone - that availability turns benches into opportunities for connections.”

“Benches are bridges between those eager to chat, and those wanting to just listen," said Peg. "When we sit on a bench, we’re indicating we’re part of a world that maybe we feel too lonely or afraid to fully participate in. Benches give us an opportunity to be engaged in our surroundings, whether it's observing from the side or opening up a chance for conversation.”

What Can We Do?

Rebuilding our connections in a post-pandemic city doesn't have to involve a lot of effort. Here are a few ways to start:

Support local businesses: Visit that new coffee shop, browse the farmers market, or check out a local art show. These activities help keep our communities vibrant and promote spaces for us to gather.

Get involved: Go to those local events in your community, or even volunteer to help organize one. Lobby your local government for safer streets and better public spaces. You might be surprised at how quickly you can connect with others who share your interests.

Start small: Organize a neighborhood gathering, strike up a conversation with someone on the bus, or simply offer a friendly smile to a passerby. Even if that means, you know, checking in on our neighbours, asking if someone is doing ok. These small acts of kindness can go a long way in building a sense of community.

We all have a role to play in creating the kind of city we want to live in. According to Peg, "we have a responsibility to reach out to other people to make our communities a place where everyone feels connected."

[blowflyfag]

WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION MAGAZINE : OCTOBER 1997

all you need to know

TALES FROM THE TURNBUCKLE

WHAT’S NEXT… A DRAFT?

Since the “reunion” of the Hart Foundation this past April, a bitter rivalry between fans in the United States and Canada has developed as a result of the anti-American propaganda Bret and his family spout so freely. While Americans see the Foundation’s remarks as a slap in the face, the people of the Great White North have sided with their countrymen in declaring, “The U.S.A. is not O.K.”

At July’s Canadian Stampede Pay-Per-View and the subsequent RAW IS WAR, the following night, Calgary, Alberta, and Edmonton, Alberta, erupted in support of Bret, Owen Hart, the British Bulldog, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart and “Loose Cannon” Brian Pillman. Their posters and painted Maple Leaf faces told a tale of a nation that was set to declare war the moment Stone Cold Steve Austin interrupted their national anthem with a steel chair orchestra of his own.

The following week on RAW IS WAR, the fans in San Antonio, Texas, told quite a different story. From the program outset, the Saddledome erupted into a frenzy when the Lone Star native–evoking visions of General Patton while the American flag sailed proudly on the giant Titantron–stood side-by-side with Shawn Michaels, Psycho Sid, the Patriot and Ken Shamrock in defense of Old Glory. That night, patriotic support nearly blew a hole in the ceiling when Austin and partner Dude Love beat Own and Davey Boy to take home the tag team gold.

Not to be outdone by their neighboring country, Canada welcomed RAW IS WAR back with open arms one week later in Halifax, Nova Scotia. On this night, the stage was theirs to try to insult as many non-American superstars as possible. The jeering grew to a deafening pitch during an interview with Shawn Michaels and a subsequent match involving the Patriot. 

At press time, the heated “rivalry” developing between Canada and the United States is in its infancy, but one must wonder: Have Federation officials unknowingly started an all-out “war” that they might not be able to stop? The answer may lie at this year’s Survivor Series, when the entire Great White North will converge on the Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, on November 9. If this dispute is not resolved by then, World War II may pale compared to the onslaught that could occur at the pay-per-view. 

[yearlongblog]

How Lawn Care Services in Calgary Can Transform Your Outdoor Space

Maintaining a healthy and beautiful lawn in Calgary requires more than just occasional mowing. The city’s unique climate, with its cold winters and hot summers, presents specific challenges for homeowners trying to keep their grass green and thriving. Proper lawn care in Calgary goes beyond aesthetics—it supports healthy soil, promotes weed control, and prevents common lawn diseases. Consistent maintenance also improves water absorption and nutrient delivery, ensuring your lawn can withstand environmental stress and seasonal changes.

What to Expect from Lawn Care Services in Calgary

Many homeowners turn to professional lawn care services in Calgary because these services offer far more than basic mowing. They typically include seasonal fertilization, aeration, weed control, over-seeding, and pest management. Professionals are equipped with knowledge about local grass types, soil composition, and weather patterns, allowing them to tailor their services to meet the specific needs of each property. This holistic approach ensures that your lawn remains green and healthy from spring through fall, with preventative measures in place to prepare for winter.

Weed and Pest Control in Calgary’s Lawns

Weeds and pests can quickly undermine your efforts if not addressed promptly. Dandelions, crabgrass, and clover are among the most persistent invaders in Calgary lawns, while insects like chinch bugs and grubs can damage roots and cause bare patches. Lawn care professionals use targeted treatments to eliminate these problems without harming your grass or nearby plants. This strategic approach prevents infestations from spreading, keeping your lawn looking clean and well-maintained. Consistent monitoring and treatment also reduce the risk of future outbreaks, saving you time and money in the long run.

Seasonal Challenges and Year-Round Lawn Management

Each season in Calgary brings its own set of lawn care challenges. Spring requires cleanup and revitalization, summer calls for moisture management and regular mowing, while fall is ideal for fertilization and aeration. The freeze-thaw cycle during winter can damage turf, making it crucial to prepare your lawn beforehand. Professional lawn care services in Calgary plan for these seasonal shifts, ensuring that your yard is always ready for the next stage. Their year-round maintenance schedules are designed to prevent damage before it occurs, giving homeowners peace of mind and consistently healthy grass.

The Role of Watering and Irrigation in Lawn Health

Proper watering is vital in Calgary, where fluctuating temperatures and dry conditions can quickly lead to dehydration. Many homeowners unintentionally overwater or underwater their lawns, causing stress to the grass and encouraging shallow root systems. Lawn care experts understand the correct timing and amount of water needed, often recommending efficient irrigation systems that conserve water while keeping lawns adequately hydrated. These systems can be adjusted for weather conditions and seasonal changes, providing optimal results without unnecessary waste.

Creating a Customized Lawn Care Plan

Every lawn is different, depending on its size, location, sunlight exposure, and soil condition. That’s why personalized care plans are essential for lasting results. A professional lawn care provider will assess your property and develop a tailored plan that aligns with your goals and budget. This might include weekly maintenance, seasonal treatments, or one-time services to address specific issues. Customized plans not only deliver better outcomes but also make lawn care in Calgary more manageable and cost-effective for homeowners who want long-term success.

Enhancing Property Value with Professional Lawn Care

A well-maintained lawn does more than improve your home’s appearance—it also adds to its market value. In Calgary’s competitive real estate market, curb appeal plays a significant role in attracting buyers and creating a strong first impression. Healthy grass, trimmed edges, and weed-free landscaping indicate that a property is cared for, which can translate into a higher selling price. Even if you’re not planning to sell, a beautiful lawn creates a welcoming outdoor environment for relaxing, entertaining, and spending time with family.

Finally: Investing in Lasting Lawn Health

Hiring expert lawn care services in Calgary is an investment in both the beauty and durability of your outdoor space. With the right care, your lawn becomes more than just a patch of grass—it turns into a living asset that enhances your property and your lifestyle. From regular maintenance to seasonal treatments and long-term planning, professional lawn care ensures your yard remains healthy, green, and enjoyable no matter the season. Whether you’re starting fresh or looking to improve an existing lawn, the support of knowledgeable professionals makes all the difference.

[showhomefurnitures-blog]

From Forest to Front Room: The Journey of Canadian Furniture in Calgary

In a city like Calgary—where stunning natural landscapes and contemporary living coexist—it only makes sense that furniture choices reflect that same balance. Canadian-made furniture brings beauty, durability, and sustainability right into Calgary homes. But have you ever stopped to think about where that beautiful solid wood dining table or cozy sectional came from?

This is the story of how Canadian furniture goes from the forest to your front room—and why Calgary homeowners are increasingly choosing local over imported pieces.

It All Begins in the Forest

Canada is home to some of the most responsibly managed forests in the world. British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec are major sources of high-quality hardwoods such as maple, oak, and cherry—materials known for their strength and timeless beauty.

Sustainable harvesting practices are not just buzzwords in Canadian forestry. They’re a way of life. Trees are carefully selected to minimize ecological impact, and for every tree cut, new ones are planted. This respect for the environment ensures a continuous supply of wood while preserving natural ecosystems.

For Calgary residents who appreciate environmental responsibility, this means your new furniture piece doesn’t just look good—it does good too.

The Milling and Crafting Stage

Once the timber is responsibly harvested, it’s sent to Canadian sawmills where it’s processed into usable lumber. These mills are often family-run businesses with generations of experience, ensuring every plank is treated with care.

From there, the wood goes to furniture workshops across Canada, many of which are small or mid-sized manufacturers dedicated to craftsmanship. At this stage, skilled artisans cut, carve, and assemble your future furniture with precision. Unlike mass-produced items, Canadian furniture is often handcrafted or produced in small batches, which means more attention to detail and higher quality.

If you're shopping for furniture in Calgary, stores like Showhome Furniture showcase these expertly made pieces. As a family-run business themselves, Showhome proudly supports Canadian craftsmanship in every corner of their massive 70,000 sq. ft. showroom.

Customization: Built for Your Calgary Home

One of the most appealing aspects of Canadian furniture is customization. Calgary homes range from chic downtown condos to rustic suburban dwellings and everything in between. Canadian manufacturers understand this diversity and offer custom sizing, finishes, fabrics, and wood types to match any style or space.

Want a dark walnut dining table that seats ten? Or maybe a buttery soft leather sectional with firm support and deep seats? You’re not stuck with generic choices. At Showhome Furniture, clients can sit down with in-house designers and create something that truly fits their vision—and space.

Customization ensures you’re not just buying furniture, but investing in a personalized piece of home.

Eco-Friendly Finishes and Local Materials

Once a piece is assembled, it’s finished with stains, paints, or sealants—many of which are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds), making them safer for your family and the environment. Canadian manufacturers often use water-based finishes and natural oils to protect the wood while keeping it breathable and healthy.

Fabrics and upholstery materials are also frequently sourced from within Canada or North America. Whether it’s recycled textiles, ethically-sourced leather, or high-performance performance fabrics, sustainability is always in the conversation.

Calgary homeowners looking to make responsible choices without compromising on style or comfort find Canadian-made furniture offers the perfect balance.

Transportation: Shorter Distances, Lower Footprint

Another benefit of buying Canadian furniture in Calgary is the reduced carbon footprint. Unlike imports that travel thousands of miles via ship, rail, and truck, Canadian-made pieces often move directly from the manufacturer to local retailers like Showhome Furniture.

This not only means fewer emissions but also faster delivery times. Plus, if anything needs to be fixed or adjusted, you’re dealing with a local business—not a third-party logistics chain halfway around the world.

Displayed with Pride at Showhome Furniture Calgary

The final stage of the journey lands your furniture in a beautiful showroom—specifically, Showhome Furniture at North Hill Centre. This massive space is filled with pieces that tell a story. Each Canadian-made bed frame, coffee table, or media console is a product of care, tradition, and sustainability.

Showhome doesn’t just sell furniture; they showcase it. Their free in-store design consultations help you visualize your space, combine textures, and experiment with layout—all using Canadian-made options that elevate your home while supporting the local economy.

Their VIP program adds even more value with exclusive offers, early access to new styles, and personalized service from start to finish.

Why This Journey Matters to Calgary

Choosing Canadian-made furniture isn’t just about style or convenience—it’s about investing in your community. You support jobs, ethical practices, and environmentally responsible businesses. You bring home furniture that’s made to last in every sense—physically, emotionally, and socially.

With Calgary’s housing market growing and new families setting up homes in diverse neighbourhoods from Kensington to Seton, the demand for thoughtful, long-lasting pieces is increasing. Canadian furniture delivers just that.

Final Thoughts

From the forest to your front room, the journey of Canadian furniture is a meaningful one—marked by sustainability, craftsmanship, and care. Calgary homeowners looking for modern design, eco-friendly materials, and long-lasting value need not look beyond their borders.

Visit Showhome Furniture in Calgary to explore a wide selection of Canadian-made pieces. Whether you’re furnishing a single room or an entire house, you’ll find high-quality options backed by expert advice, free design consultations, and a showroom that proudly celebrates the journey of Canadian furniture.

FAQs: From Forest to Front Room

1. Why should I choose Canadian-made furniture over imported options? Canadian-made furniture offers superior craftsmanship, customizable options, eco-friendly materials, and supports the local economy. It’s built to last and reduces your environmental footprint compared to imports.

2. How can I tell if furniture is made in Canada? Look for “Made in Canada” labels or ask your local furniture retailer. Reputable stores like Showhome Furniture proudly carry and promote Canadian-made brands.

3. Does Canadian furniture cost more than imported furniture? While the upfront cost may be slightly higher, the longevity and quality of Canadian-made furniture often make it a more cost-effective investment over time.

4. Can I customize Canadian-made furniture? Absolutely. Canadian manufacturers typically offer a wide range of customization options—from fabric and wood finishes to dimensions and hardware.

5. Where can I buy Canadian furniture in Calgary? Showhome Furniture is a top destination. They offer a vast selection of locally crafted pieces, free interior design consultations, and exclusive deals for VIP clients.

[zinreet]

Stand Out in Calgary: How Zinreet's Logo Design Services Transform Brands

In Calgary’s fast-paced and visually driven business world, your logo is more than just a symbol — it’s your brand’s silent ambassador. Whether you're a startup chasing visibility or an established company looking to refresh your image, the right logo can change how the world sees you. That’s where Zinreet Software Solutions steps in. With their top-tier logo design services in Calgary, they’ve mastered the art of creating visual identities that are bold, memorable, and strategically crafted to leave an impression.

Why Calgary Businesses Can't Afford to Ignore Good Design Calgary is home to a thriving mix of industries — from oil and gas to tech startups, retail, hospitality, and beyond. In such a dynamic market, consumers are bombarded with visuals every day. Your potential customer might scroll past a hundred logos before they even notice yours — so it needs to stop them in their tracks. A good logo communicates values, energy, professionalism, and trust at a single glance. For Calgary businesses, this first impression can make or break the deal.

What Makes a Logo Work? Hint: It’s Not Just Fonts and Colors Think of the most iconic logos: Apple, Nike, McDonald's. None of them became legends by accident. A successful logo blends psychology, creativity, and business insight. It’s designed to speak directly to the heart of your audience. Zinreet understands this. Their Calgary-based team dives deep into your brand’s personality, mission, and voice — then translates all that into a visual form. Whether you want bold and edgy or clean and minimalist, Zinreet’s designers know how to balance beauty with function.

Zinreet’s Signature Design Process: Collaborative and Client-Driven One thing that sets Zinreet apart is how involved clients are in the creative process. They don’t just whip up a design and hope you like it. Their team starts by asking the right questions: What does your brand stand for? Who is your ideal customer? What emotion do you want your logo to evoke? Once they understand your business on a deeper level, the creative magic begins.

First, you get several unique concept sketches. Then, through a feedback loop, you fine-tune and evolve the design together until it's exactly what your brand needs. This approach ensures that no two logos are alike — each is tailored, refined, and authentically yours.

More Than Just Design — It’s About Strategy Zinreet doesn’t stop at the visuals. Their logo design services in Calgary are backed by thoughtful brand strategy. They know that a logo must function across platforms — from websites and social media to product packaging and signage. That’s why their designs are always scalable, versatile, and responsive to different formats. Whether you're printing business cards or launching a massive billboard campaign in downtown Calgary, your logo will always look sharp and meaningful.

Local Insight, Global Aesthetic Being based in Calgary gives Zinreet a powerful advantage — they know the local market, trends, and audience preferences. But they pair that local insight with global design sensibilities. The result? Logos that speak to Calgarians while still holding their own on a world-class stage. This balance of local expertise and international polish is rare — and it’s why so many Calgary businesses trust Zinreet to shape their brand identities.

Logo Design that Grows With Your Brand Your business will evolve — and your logo should have the flexibility to grow with it. Zinreet’s designs are created with long-term vision in mind. They help you think ahead, ensuring your logo won’t feel outdated as your company expands or repositions itself. From launching a new product line to moving into international markets, your logo will continue to represent your values and ambitions with clarity and class.

Why Calgary Entrepreneurs Choose Zinreet What keeps clients coming back to Zinreet isn’t just their design skills — it’s their customer service. Calgary entrepreneurs often mention how refreshing it is to work with a team that listens, adapts, and genuinely cares about their success. Deadlines are respected, budgets are transparent, and communication is smooth from day one. This commitment to professionalism is part of why Zinreet has become a go-to logo designer in Calgary.

More Than Just Logos: A Full Branding Partner While logos are their specialty, Zinreet offers a full suite of branding services. That includes brand style guides, website design, digital marketing assets, and business collateral. This holistic approach ensures that your logo doesn’t live in isolation — it becomes the cornerstone of a broader brand experience. Whether you’re rebranding entirely or building from the ground up, Zinreet has the tools to help your vision take flight.

Start Your Brand Journey Today A forgettable logo might be holding you back—consider an upgrade. Zinreet Software Solutions makes it easy to get started with a consultation that helps define your goals, preferences, and target audience. You don’t need to speak “designer” to explain what you want — their team is skilled at translating ideas and inspiration into world-class designs. Take the first step by visiting Zinreet’s logo design page and see how they can bring your brand to life.

Final Thoughts: Your Logo is Your Legacy In Calgary’s competitive market, every detail matters — and your logo is one of the most important details of all. It appears on every email you send, every product you sell, and every piece of content you share. It’s not just an image — it’s a promise, a first impression, and sometimes even a reason customers choose you. With Zinreet Software Solutions, you're not just getting a logo — you're investing in a brand identity that tells your story with impact and integrity.

[theathe8]

Theadora the songbirds

Theadora Elise Moreau was born on February 14, 2003, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, to a family whose soul is rooted in music. Her father, Jean-Marc Moreau, is a jazz saxophonist and composer from Montréal. Her mother, Arlina Darasita, is a contemporary classical singer from Bandung, Indonesia, who has performed with various orchestras and international performing arts projects.

Music is not only the accompaniment of life for the Moreau-Darasita family, but also their first language. Since she was a baby, Thea was accustomed to falling asleep to the sound of an acoustic piano, waking up to the harmony of strings, and growing up in the midst of long discussions about the dynamics of tones, lyrics, and performances.

Thea spent her childhood between Canada and Bandung, one of which was Sundanese art, moving during school holidays or when her mother had to go home to teach at an art conservatory. Although living in Canada, the influence of Indonesian culture is very strong in her life—from food, her mother tongue which is still maintained, to traditional dance lessons which she had attended informally.

She often performed in small recitals, children's art festivals, and began writing simple songs at the age of 10.

At the age of 12, Thea created a YouTube channel called BYTHEA8. Initially, it was only to upload covers of songs by her idol musicians such as Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, and Sara Bareilles. She recorded everything from her bedroom decorated with tumblr lights and notation stickers.

The channel became her emotional escape, especially when feelings of loneliness or anxiety came.

Thea studied at Western Canada High School, Calgary—a school with a fairly prestigious music arts program. There, she was known as a talented but shy student. In silence, Thea wrote dozens of songs, participated in vocal competitions, and won first place in a provincial songwriting competition in 2020.

She graduated in 2021, and decided to continue her education at the University of Indonesia, majoring in Music Arts.

During college, the BYTHEA8 channel grew rapidly. From just covers, she began uploading original works and working on music videos with more mature visual concepts. One of them is the MV for the song "2 Hands" which features a McLaren car and a cool urban atmosphere.

Through her small label, BYTHEA8, Thea released her debut album titled Crash Bloom. This album contains personal stories, celebrated imperfections, and love that falls and blooms.

Now, Thea is not just a singer. She is a storyteller, a songwriter, and a listener who sings to heal. With artistic blood from two continents and a voice that grew from wounds and dreams, Thea stands on stage not to perform—but to remind us that we can all grow, even from the ruins.

[yyc-home-buyers]

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