Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi made his annual address at the Calgary Chamber's The State of Business in Calgary event today.

Here's some of what the mayor had to say:

On the drop in oil prices

"Yes, we're a little bit nervous about what's going forward, about what will happen but I'll remind all of you, we were also nervous at the end of 2008 and this city and this region, although we certainly had some pain, got through that better than just about everybody else in the world. And I think that that has a lot to do with the confidence and optimism of the people that live here."

Every holiday season, Heritage Park pulls out all the stops transporting people back in time to Christmases gone by.

The parks many heritage homes are done up in Christmas decorations of bygone eras and activities include Christmas carols, holiday musicals in the Canmore Opera House, gingerbread man decorating, holiday crafts and antique portraits.

12/15: On Dec. 15, secondary suites once again go to Calgary city council for blanket approval

$5,000: Last September, council waived the $5,000 fee normally charged for applying for a secondary suite

1.4%: Calgary's vacancy rate has been hovering around 1.4 per cent, which, along with Edmonton is the lowest in Canada

* Sandstone City: A series looking at the people, architecture and culture of Calgary's sandstone glory days

Sandstone statesman Calgary's first municipal heritage resource

Old City Hall has a new lease on life thanks to budgetary concessions that will preserve a cornerstone of Calgary's history.

During budget deliberations in late November, city council designated $35 million to a fund to restore heritage buildings such as the 103-year-old sandstone structure on the corner of First Street and Seventh Avenue S.E.

The new funding comes just months after Old City Hall made the news when pieces started falling from the exterior. The newfound funding will address the crumbling sandstone and weakening of the stone due to June 2013 flooding.

Provincial politicians submit letters of support to Calgarians for Secondary Suites

Provincial MLAs and party leaders are joining a growing throng of secondary suite supporters leading up to a crucial vote at city council Dec. 15.

"As a former small business owner, I know the importance of attracting and retaining talent to our rapidly expanding city," said Alberta Party leader Greg Clark, in a letter submitted to Calgarians for Secondary Suites, the grassroots group behind the We Support Secondary Suites campaign. "For workers to come to our city, we need safe and affordable options for them to transition."

City launches 11th annual campaign promoting snow safety and community spirit

For Calgarian Tom Daumler and his family, taking the time to shovel their neighbour's driveway after a heavy snowfall isn't a big deal.

"We have a neighbour who is older, and [we] know that they (are not) able to do it. So it just made sense for us to keep doing it," he said. "Depending on which member of our family does it — whether it's me, my wife or my kids — we all go out and make sure we shovel both sides so it helps them.

New bill could mean added security for Alberta condo buyers and owners

Alberta condo owners could soon have more protection thanks to a new bill being proposed by the province.

The bill, which includes more than 50 amendments to the decades-old Condo Act, would strengthen rules related to occupancy dates, purchase agreements, warranty information and conflict resolution.

The new rules would regulate more than 8,000 condominium corporations that exist in Alberta, and provide protection for an increasingly large portion of the province's homebuyers.

Originally a "suburb perfect" vision of Englishman John Hextall, Bowness dates back to the early 1900s.

A popular destination for Calgarians looking for a weekend getaway was Bowness Park, constructed in 1911 and still one of the most sought after parks in the city today.

Bowness was annexed by the City of Calgary in 1964 and continues to be a destination for homebuyers, recreation enthusiasts, foodies and more.

City council has approved a new four-year budget that will see property taxes in the city rise by 4.5 per cent next year, followed by three consecutive years of 4.7 per cent hikes through to 2018.

The increase means the average Calgary household will part with an extra $71.40 in property taxes
next year.

"This is a lean budget for a growing city," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Council had important debate and discussion about the issues that matter most to citizens – from enhanced snow and ice control to investments in public transit to the fees for water and recycling.

*Sandstone City: A series looking at the people, architecture and culture of Calgary's sandstone glory days

Stephen Avenue fire almost 130 years ago sparked Calgary's sandstone era

As the Calgary Stampeders celebrated their Grey Cup win Dec. 2, little did they know they were revelling on the site of a once-tragic fire.

On Nov. 7, 1886, flames ravaged downtown Calgary, destroying about 18 buildings that ranged from hotels and barns to saloons. While no one was killed, losses added up to more than $100,000 – an astronomical sum for the times.