Calgarians are invited to learn about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies of all kinds at the fifth annual Disaster Alley May 4.

Hosted by the Calgary Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), Disaster Alley gives Calgarians the opportunity to learn disaster preparation as well as what takes place when first responders prepare for emergencies and disasters such as floods, tornadoes, train derailments and more.

CREB's first female board director discusses her life and her craft

Grace Turley was never one for barriers.

As a small child she would escape her family yard in order to explore the surrounding town of Ochre River, Manitoba. That sense of curiosity would lead her to the world of real estate years later when she settled with a family of her own in Calgary.

Upon seeing an ad seeking an "experienced real estate man", Turley applied anyways — and got the job.

Calgary builders team up to bring assisted-living facility to Beltline

Calgarians lacking a proper place to call home are set to be given a helping hand thanks to a collaborative effort from 12 Calgary-area builders.

Stepping Stone Manor, which will be the first of eight apartment buildings to be constructed in the next four years, will be a 30-unit facility in the Beltline community.

Take a walk this weekend and learn a little, or a lot, about the city of Calgary.

The Calgary Foundation is hosting the seventh annual Jane's Walk May 2-4.

Jane's Walk is a global movement of free, locally led walking tours inspired by Jane Jacobs. Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urban writer and activist behind community-based approaches to planning.

The Alberta Government is moving forward with preliminary design, environmental review and community consultation on water diversion and other projects along the Elbow and Highwood Rivers.

"Our government is committed to ensuring Albertans are protected as much as possible from future flood events while at the same time respecting taxpayers dollars," said Robin Campbell, minister of Environment and Sustainable Resource Development.

Through collaboration with Calgarians, the City has decided on eight sites to construct new skateparks as part of the Skateboard Amenities Strategy.

Chinook Park Kelvin Grove/Eagle Ridge, Huntington Hills and Southwood will see a skatepark built within a year.

"We have been working closely with the Calgary Association of Skateboard Enthusiasts, or CASE, for many years developing the Skateboard Amenities Strategy and earlier this year we held open houses to gather feedback from skateboard enthusiasts and the general public," said Greg Steinraths, manager of Sport and Partnership Development, Recreation.

Office vacancy in Calgary's downtown is up compared to last year.

A report from Colliers said vacancy in the downtown was at 8.13 per cent in the first quarter of this year, an increase over the 4.35 per cent recorded in the first quarter of last year.