7 SPOTLIGHT
FIRESIDE PROPERTY GROUP LTD. – Castleview Park:
Located in a quiet north-east residential area, close to schools, the McKnight LRT station, grocery stores, drugstore, doctors’ offices, restaurants and banks.
ACCOUNT MANAGER
Carolyn Porteous carolyn@mediaclassified.ca
780.984.4902
GROUP SALES MANAGER
Randi Segal randi.segal@mediaclassified.ca
MANAGER CUSTOMER SALES & SERVICE
Marilyn Watling marilyn@mediaclassified.ca
PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER
Leo Racioppo leo@mediaclassified.ca
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
John Racioppo john@mediaclassified.ca
ACCOUNTING INQUIRIES accountingteam@mediaclassified.ca
CIRCULATION INQUIRIES distributionteam@mediaclassified.ca
DIRECTOR OF PRINT MEDIA
Lauren Reid-Sachs
GRAPHIC DESIGNER & ASSISTANT MANAGER
Alicesa Pullan
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Johannah Lorenzo
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2014 CRRA Media Excellence Award Winner
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Fireside Property Group
If you are looking for an experienced property management company that exceeds your expectations in Calgary, Alberta –look no further than Fireside Property Group. With a focus on providing superior, client-focused management services and a commitment to foster win/ win relationships between property owners and their residents, Fireside Property Group embraces and deploys the best practices and highest business standards in the property management industry.
Fireside Property Group has rentals available that offer the perfect combination of accessibility and convenience, in conjunction with local amenities and services that you depend on. As a leader in the property management industry in Calgary, they create an unparalleled renting experience that places a focus on the needs of their tenants and creates a community that provides an excellent experience. Although headquartered in Calgary, Alberta – Fireside Property Group also has available rentals in Edmonton and Sudbury, Ontario.
The properties available to rent under their management team offer nothing but quality residential accommodations and a rental price point you will love. Well maintained and regularly updated, residents can be confident that will they will be renting with a company that knows and understands what they want and need most out of a rental property.
As a licensed Real Estate Broker, a former president of the Calgary Residential Rental Association, and with over 20 years of experience, Fireside Property Group is lead by the president, Keith McMullen, BA. President McMullen has created a company that identifies the needs of renters
and provides an exception high-quality rental experience.
President McMullen was formerly responsible for managing Prestigious Properties growing portfolio of multifamily assets in Western Canada. Before working at Prestigious Properties, Mr McMullen worked and managed for Gateway Property Management, Canada’s largest property management firm. As well as TransGlobe, Canada’s 3rd largest apartment building owner, and Realstar Management Limited, President McMullen carries an impressive level of understanding and knowledge surrounding the property management industry.
Renting an apartment is not just about a place to live – it is about your lifestyle. When you rent from Fireside Property Group in Calgary, you can feel confident that you have picked a company that keeps your needs in mind. With a focus on responsibility and reliability, their business is not just about providing apartments for rent – it is about the people who live in them and providing them with a premium rental experience unlike any other.
Are you on the hunt for your next perfect rental apartment? Choose a property management company that has built their business with you in mind – pick Fireside Property Group. ■
From juggling work agendas to getting the kids ready, it can be tempting to skip breakfast on hectic mornings. But think twice before ditching this important meal — breakfast gives our bodies and minds energy to start the day. By skipping breakfast, we risk losing out on important nutritional benefits.
breakfast inspiration
for busy mornings
Fortunately, even if you’re dashing out the door there are some simple ways to create better breakfasts that work with the time you have on hand. The better food experts at Sobeys have you covered with some breakfast tips and inspiration.
a balancing act
There’s no “right” breakfast plan, but following Canada’s Food Guide can help you create a wholesome breakfast. A balanced breakfast consists of foods from at least three food groups. This will provide you with a good distribution of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.
Try sandwiching an egg in an English muffin and pair it with half a cup of orange juice or a piece of fruit, or mix three quarters of a cup of yogourt with half a cup of sliced fruit and a quarter cup of bran cereal.
Whenever possible, incorporate protein into your meal because it helps curb hunger. Good sources include eggs, nut butters, Greek yogourt, cottage cheese, and lean meats such as ham or back bacon.
grab and go
Need an energy blast? Try a fruit-packed smoothie, which makes a great morning pre-workout snack as it provides carbohydrates for energy. Have it with one or two slices of toast and two tablespoons of peanut butter for a balanced meal. For something different, take five minutes to prep creamy chia pudding the night before. In a portable mason jar, combine two tablespoons of chia seeds with one cup of milk (nut, soy, rice, and dairy varieties all work) and sweetener to taste. Refrigerate overnight, then top with your choice of half a cup of fresh (or a quarter cup of dried) fruit and two tablespoons of nuts. If you’re eating away from home, pack the toppings separately and then combine once ready.
dine and dash
Got 15 minutes? Skip the drive-thru and make a breakfast sandwich stacked with ham, tomatoes, cheese, and a fried egg on a toasted English muffin. For an easy sandwich, layer whole grain bread with pear, cucumber, and fennel slices, then top with Havarti. ■ — News Canada
kid-friendly
Maintaining a home that is welcoming and kidfriendly can be challenging. Kids are full of energy and oftentimes put fun ahead of tidiness. But no matter how energetic their youngsters are, parents can still employ several strategies to ensure their homes are both sophisticated and child-friendly.
consider an open floor plan
Rooms that flow into one another make it easier to keep tabs on children. Such rooms also allow residents and guests to mingle in separate rooms but not be too far away from one another.
choose washable fabrics
Upholstery will need to stand up to the abuse kids can dish out. Sofas and chairs with slipcovers can be advantageous because many slipcovers can be easily removed and
how to create these spaces at home
laundered. Patterned fabrics will hide some stains; while treated fabrics may resist liquid spills for easier clean up.
create a catchall spot
Special bins or other organizational tools in the entryway can help to cull clutter when children come in the house from school or play. Be sure the keep cubbies, containers and coat hooks at a child-friendly height.
look for high-traffic rugs
Rugs designed for high-traffic areas will be more forgiving when children march across them several times per day. There are no rules that say you can’t bring an outdoor rug inside, and these rugs tend to be easier to clean.
ensure there is plenty of seating
Sectionals give children ample room to spread out. And ample seating ensures there is enough room for
kids to invite their friends over to hang out.
think outside pink and blue
For children’s rooms, make sure they’re colourful, but consider other hues to give the rooms some personality. Focus on a hobby or activity and borrow the color scheme from the accessories used for decorating.
hang whimsical artwork
Employ framing and lighting to make kids’ artwork look like professional pieces. Routinely change the pictures when a new look is desired.
designate a place for play
Devote an entire room or a nook in a house for imaginative play. Store toys here so these items will not create clutter in individual bedrooms.
Creating child-friendly spaces while ensuring a home maintains a sophisticated feel is easier than parents might think. ■
— Metro Creativespring cleaning can alleviate allergies
Allergies affect people of all ages. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that allergic rhinitis affects between 10 and 30 percent of the world’s population. In addition, the prevalence of allergic diseases has risen in industrialized nations for more than 50 years.
Seasonal allergies tend to be the strongest in spring and autumn. Allergies can be exacerbated by many factors, including in homes and apartments where improvements are being made. Regular housecleaning can remove many common allergy triggers and help alleviate symptoms.
suit up
Before any cleaning begins, allergy sufferers should don face masks and rubber gloves to prevent themselves from breathing in allergens or having them touch their hands, where they can be transferred to the face or elsewhere. Those cleaning should also wear clothes that can be easily removed and laundered after a day’s work.
clean windows singularly
Prolonged exposure to outdoor allergens, such as pollen, mould or ragweed, can aggravate allergies. There-
fore, if windows are being cleaned, do one at a time and then promptly close the window. Having the air conditioning running can help filter the air as well.
use exhaust fans
The AAAAI recommends using an exhaust fan in the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce the levels of moisture in these rooms and filter out potential allergens and odors. Moisture can eventually lead to the growth of mould and mildew, which isn’t healthy for anyone, including allergy sufferers, to breathe in.
invest in a HEPA filter
Vacuums with HEPA filters can trap allergens that are so small that they pass through regular vacuum filters. That means instead of containing them, these small particles are only being shot back into the air where they are easily breathed in. WebMD suggests vacuuming once or twice a week to keep carpets and floors as clean as possible. Plus, don’t forget to vacuum upholstered furniture and drapes as well.
launder with hot water
When it comes time to wash linens, do so in hot water, which can kill dust mites residing in sheets and blankets.
Employ mattress covers to further protect against dust mite allergies.
shampoo smart
Shampooing a carpet may cause moisture to become trapped in the carpet fibers, leading to increased dust mites or mould growth. Spotclean stains instead. Otherwise, hire a professional cleaner who will clean and dry the carpet as quickly as possible.
damp dusting is better
When cleaning up dust or home renovation debris, use a damp cloth or a vinegar solution to wipe down surfaces. This helps trap small particles instead of sending them into the air.
treat mould issues
Mould can trigger allergic reactions, so it is best to keep it out of a home. Solutions that contain at least 10 percent bleach can be effective at killing mould, but it’s best to prevent mould from growing entirely. That means keeping tabs of any moisture issues and addressing them immediately.
Allergies can be problematic, but routine home cleaning in the right way can help alleviate symptoms. ■
— Metro CreativeAllergies can be exacerbated by many factors, including in homes and apartments where improvements are being made. Regular housecleaning can remove many common allergy triggers and help alleviate symptoms
spring cleaning sort, downsize and organize your belongings
Spring is the season of new beginnings. But it can be hard to appreciate if you’re stuck in your apartment rental trying to sift through the accumulation of winter clutter.
Fortunately there are some easy techniques to help get a jumpstart on spring cleaning. The following steps will help get your apartment rental organized and allow you to enjoy the new season, clutter-free.
We recommend the following tips to get organized this spring:
start by sorting and organizing closets
Limited closet space? Consider storing winter items in the attic, basement, storage locker or garage. Wardrobe boxes offer excellent space for hanging coats, sweaters and snow pants.
sort out items no longer used or worn
If it hasn’t been worn in more than a year, then it probably won’t be again. Set aside a couple empty boxes for donations or items to sell.
think green
Survey local recycling options to find the most convenient solution for recyclables. Organize recyclables by category: plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, cardboard, etc.
exercise care with hazardous materials
Be conscientious about the materials being disposed. Toxic items such as paint, batteries, house cleaning products, automobile oils, pesticides, and fertilizers are dan-
BY CHUCK RESNICKgerous to transport and should not be thrown away with nontoxic garbage. These items should be taken to specialized depots.
use sturdy boxes with dividers for breakables
Make sure cardboard boxes are structurally sound. Dish-pack boxes with adjustable inserts that form individual cells are a great option for fragile items.
work on other spaces
Once closets are organized, do the same in other storage areas like the attic or garage.
concentrate on disinfecting spaces
Change air filters, rotate mattresses and vacuum under furniture. ■
Chuck Resnick is vice-president, marketing and operations at Two Men and A Truck – Canada®How flexible are you about where you will live? Before you start a search, draft a list of your rental requirements.
what is included in the rent?
identifying your rental what will you be looking for in your next rental?
Aside from the basic monthly rent, there are less-visible costs that add up. Heat, electricity, water, cable television and Internet connection may not be included in the rent. Then there’s laundry, parking and transportation costs. Are there appliances? Is there rent control in place and if not, what are the landlord’s plans for rent increases?
needs
affordable or not?
As a general rule, your monthly shelter – including rent, electricity, heat, water, and municipal services – should be less than 30 per cent of before-tax household income. However, there will be circumstance and/ or markets where it is difficult to find a rental that accommodates this. Property insurance, parking, cable, telephone service, and Internet connection are not included in this calculation.
location
Prime locations cost more, but often offer advantages, like commuting time and expense. Proximity to work, school, public transit or other amenities helps pinpoint ideal locations, as are safety and proximity to family and friends.
Consider the following when evaluating a location:
•Crime level in the area.
•Distance to work and/or school, friends and family.
•Access to public transit and major roads.
•If you have children, are parks and play areas nearby? What about schools?
•Local amenities: entertainment, recreation facilities, shopping, library, restaurants.
•Traffic: are the roads busy? What about heavy traffic at rush hour or seasonal times?
•How are the noise levels in the area at different times of day?
housing types
Basement Apartment: A basement in a house that has been converted to an apartment may have a separate entrance, its own bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and heating system, or it may share those amenities with the rest of the home. Lowrise apartment buildings also have basement apartments.
Detached: Not attached to any other building, usually one or two storeys. Also called a single-detached or a single-family dwelling. A bungalow is a one-storey home and a ranchstyle bungalow is a large, spread-out one-storey house.
Walk-Up or Lowrise Apartment: Located in a building that does not have an elevator. Generally, monthly rent is less than monthly rent for a highrise apartment. Usually older buildings less than five storeys high
with only a few conveniences, such as laundry rooms or storage lockers.
Highrise Apartment: A building that can range from six to 30 or more stories. Has elevators and often security systems to monitor entry and exit. May have laundry, sports and recreation facilities and other amenities. Usually has efficient electrical, heating, sewage and plumbing systems.
Rooming House: Rents rooms by the week or the month. Have a refrigerator to store food. Usually, roomers share the kitchen and bathroom(s). A single person is the most likely tenant for a rooming house.
Semi-Detached or Duplex: Is attached to another, similar house. The common wall is generally thick enough to prevent sound passing between the units. Semis can be either one or two storeys.
Single-Room Occupancy (SRO): Similar to a rooming house, but with a kitchen and a bathroom in each unit.
Townhouse or Row House: Several homes with common walls between each house, usually two storeys. A stacked townhouse is one townhouse sitting on top of another. Each townhouse is two storeys. ■
— CMHC
5 tips for creating the
bedroom sanctuary of your dreams
Your bedroom is your oasis – a place to relax, recharge and retreat from the world. It’s also where you probably spend the most time between sleeping, getting dressed and lounging in bed with a great book or show.
And with the cooler months coming up, you’re bound to spend even more time inside, so create the bedroom sanctuary you’ve always wanted with these five tips.
1. Choose colour wisely. Hot pink may be your favourite colour, but do you really want it all over the walls? Colour is a powerful influencer and can really affect the mood and tone of your bedroom, so go for hues that evoke a look and feel you’ll want to experience every day. If you want something more airy and serene, opt for neutrals. If you want a brighter, bolder aesthetic, consider using that hot pink as an accent colour in a lamp shade or vase.
2. Do-it-yourself. There’s nothing like homemade personal touches to make the space feel truly your own. Pick out a fabric you love and make a beautiful case for a decorative pillow. Customize a wooden picture frame with a fun paint colour or
textured stain. Repurpose an antique family heirloom or garage sale find. Whether you’re a DIY pro or can’t sew on a button to save your life, there’s a project you can master.
3. Spotlight your passion. Animals, photography, fashion, movies – whatever you love, you’ll love your room that much more if it’s included. Incorporating a few subtle touches is the key to keeping things fresh and stylish rather than gimmicky and overbearing. Use monochromatic images or frame prints in classic colours like white or black.
4. Deck out your window. You’ve heard that a good mattress is the best investment you’ll ever make, but a quality window treatment is just as important.
5. Finish off with soothing touches. Complete your sanctuary with comforting accessories that appeal to your senses, like scented candles, cozy blankets and a plush duvet. ■
— News Canada