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.

As city council continues to work through day five of the budget, today brought up some questions about Calgary's Parks funding.

Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot wanted to cut one Community Services and Protective Services lifecycle program by more than $2 million, the results of which citizens would notice, said Anne Charlton, director of Parks.

Charlton said the fund is used for "hard materials", such as paving, tennis courts, a mix of 8,000 benches and picnic tables, 463 back-stops at ball diamonds and 8,000 soccer goal posts among other things.

Calgary's skyline has come a long way since first being incorporated as a town back in 1884.

We took a look through our photo archives to come up with a few of our favourites:

Community continues to hold its own 50 years after annexation

* Old neighbourhoods, new Calgary takes a look at some of Calgary's earliest communities and how they're evolving with the times

Having never lost its small town roots, the community of Bowness continues to be a destination for Calgary homeowners.

Going back in time to before the First World War, Bowness was a "suburb perfect" vision of Englishmen John Hextall. Hextall was the visionary behind Bowness Park, originally a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians, and today a mainstay for those craving nature, relaxation and activity, especially in the winter for skating on the lagoon.

Demographics helping to distinguish Calgary market as Canada's leader

Calgarians need not be defensive about their hometown's place amongst Canada's preeminent cities, at least not when it comes to the world of real estate.

Having seen a rise in sales and prices, Calgary's housing market has been experiencing the same prosperity seen in Vancouver and Toronto – a trio billed as the "hot three" in a recent report from BMO Capital Markets.

There are, however, conditions that separate our city from the housing hot spots to the east and west.

Making holiday wreaths from nature's bounty

* photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Wreaths

It's that time of year, when the days grow short, your windows need scraping and your plastic sparkly wreath comes out from storage for its repeat seasonal appearance.

But it doesn't have to be that way.You could start cutting greens in your own landscape and bring the rich evergreen smells of the season into your home.

Simply get out into the garden and cut what you need for table decorations, swags and containers (as long as the plants aren't frozen stiff). If it's pliable, it's cutable.

Motion to provide 18-month window under review

Calgary homeowners with existing illegal secondary suites could have an 18-month window to get city approval if a current motion by council is approved.

On Monday, Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot suggested establishing a year-and-a-half "relaxation" for homeowners with current suites to meet with city officials and determine if their suites are legal or apply to make them so. After the 18 months, owners would be fined for a first offence.

The motion would also enable city administration to identify legal suites on an interactive map available to the public.