Below are a few winter blogs to start your year off right. Just a few reminders to keep you, your family and your home winter prepared. Take advantage of the Calgary winter wonderland.

Regardless of which side of the recently resolved NHL lockout you come down on – those being "Yay, hockey's back" or "Boo, I'm never watching again" – there's really no better way to show your excitement or disdain than by building your very own backyard rink. For those excited about the season, the rink will allow them to live out their own NHL fantasies, and for those less enthusiastic folks,

Every year Christmas morning comes, and after all the presents have been torn open, there is nothing but wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes piled high. Then there is the Christmas tree; by recycling the trees, about 40,000 trees stay out of the landfill, and help garbage collection crews stay on schedule. All this brings up the question of what does the City of Calgary offer for Christmas recycling programs. How much do you know?