Despite mounting evidence to suggest a slowing market, vacancy in Calgary's downtown office sector continues to fall. Marking the eleventh consecutive quarter of positive absorption and overall decreases in vacancy rates, a new report from Collier's International shows that nearly 260,000 sq. ft. of office space was leased in second quarter of 2012.

Founded in 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada provides a home-like atmosphere for parents and children who travel long distances to seek medical treatment for three decades now. Located across from the Alberta Children's Hospital, the new 23-bedroom Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta (RMHSA) was constructed in 2007, adding to RMHSA's 12 other houses across Canada. CREB® caught up with RMHSA's executive director Larry Mathieson to talk a little bit about the charity and the city he calls home.

Depending on your style, Calgary's backyards can vary from a simplistic square of lawn to a green thumb's paradise of terraces, stones, ponds and lush beds of flowers and shrubs. Further adding character to your yard — as well as attracting the singsong crowd of Calgary's many feathered friends including House Sparrows, Black-Capped Chickadees, Red- Breasted Nuthatch and Robins — a birdhouse is a fairly quick and inexpensive do-it-yourself project.