A recent survey for the Town of Cochrane, conducted by Ipsos, found quality of life for the more than 17,500 residents is high.

The survey found:

• 99 per cent of residents said overall quality of life is good or very good


• 72 per cent said they good good value for their municipal tax dollars


• 93 per cent said they are satisfied with the overall level and quality of Town services

Making great compost this winter

My husband is a new-age composter.

By that, I mean composting is a new thing for him – something he hasn't historically been involved with.

And if there is one thing my engineer husband likes it's a task with logical and direct instructions. He doesn't want to guess what I need for my birthday, so he isn't going to guess what pile the potato peels he's holding should be dumped into.

New film centre coming to southeast Calgary

After much delay, Calgary's burgeoning film industry is about to get a major boost.

Approved earlier this year but with roots dating back to 2009, the city's first major film studio broke ground late last week in a high-profile ceremony ironically set within an unassuming industrial suburb at 5750 76th Ave. S.E.

Spread out over more than three hectares of land, the $23-million facility will include 50,000 square feet of purpose-built sound stages, 20,000 square feet or warehouse space and 15,000 square feet of space for office and storage.

Low rates and product features

For decades, the process of selecting a mortgage has been the same: go to the bank, choose  between a fixed or variable and don't ask any other questions.

Oh how things have changed. A mortgage is no longer just a mortgage.

There are many things to consider when it comes to finding financing. The first and foremost is whether the bank you love for your everyday needs is the one that is right for your mortgage needs. Ask what rates your bank will offer you without any haggling. You may find they're not as attractive as elsewhere.

Cedarglen Homes purchases Harvest Hills Golf Course

Despite being purchased by Calgary developer Cedarglen Homes, there are no immediate plans to develop Harvest Hills Golf Course in the city's northeast, officials said.

"Cedarglen purposely didn't draw a plan in advance," said Chris Ollenberger, managing principal for QuantamPlace Developments Ltd., hired by Cedarglen to act as development manager on the project.

"They went with a blank sheet of paper. They knew it would have some questions from the neighbours in the very least, so they wanted to involve them from the start, which I think was the right thing to do."

City approves building permits for six-storey wood frame homes

The City of Calgary has announced it will be accepting building permit applications for six-storey wood-frame buildings for already approved land use zones.

"We are looking at innovative ways to make housing more affordable for Calgarians," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Six storey wood buildings are easier and cheaper to build than using other materials, which makes for more affordable homes."