Most homes are not designed to accommodate the needs of someone who uses a wheelchair. This creates challenges when it comes to entering, turning and even using the features within a room.

However, there are several additions or renovations that can reduce or eliminate the barriers people who use a wheelchair face within the home.

Justin Becker - REALTOR^®, founder and team leader with YYC Realty

Top attraction

"My favourite attraction in Calgary is Stephen Avenue. I love all the amazing eateries, shopping, bars, pubs and lounges in such a beautiful setting. Our downtown is gorgeous, with its stunning architecture balanced with lots of green space and the river running through."

After the first sunny day in March, most gardeners begin to think about starting seeds. This includes gardeners in all types of dwellings – from highrise condos to townhomes to bungalows. It makes no difference where you live.

I have grow lights in my kitchen and a greenhouse outside, so I have a place to start seeds indoors and a place to move them when they get growing. But what about everyone else, including renters? Are they starting seeds this spring?

Don't be surprised if you notice more action down on Stephen Avenue in the months to come. It's all part of the City of Calgary's innovative plans to reimagine and energize the area.

Much more than a facelift, the revitalization takes a three-pronged approach. Co-spearheaded by the Downtown Calgary Association, each phase will prepare the popular thoroughfare for the future of downtown, encouraging more people to visit, stay longer and increase business.

After the dreary days of winter, the arrival of spring feels like a breath of fresh air, as snow melts and beautiful greenery takes its place. A change of scenery inside your home can be just as uplifting.

"Spring is a great time to think about changing up your space," said Alykhan Velji, principal and senior designer for Alykhan Velji Designs. "Out with the drab and dated and in with the new and fresh."

Here are five of Velji's top design trends for spring (all photos courtesy of Joel Klassen [klassenphotos.com]):

If you feel that stairs are overrated and basements are underused, a bungalow might be your ideal home style. Apart from the added convenience single-level living provides for those with mobility issues, bungalows offer flexible living arrangements and definite "aging in place" potential.

Calgarians are seeing the value of universally designed spaces and inclusive communities. In fact, those close to the issue say that is the key – recognizing that intentional accessibility built in at the initial design phase is the most economical, adaptable and seamlessly integrated approach, rather than including it as an afterthought.

As spring approaches, thoughts turn to mucking about in the soil – preparing a garden that could eventually provide colourful blooms and delicious produce to perk up our winter-wearied spirits.

However, getting there isn't always as easy as one, two, three.

Ivanie Blondin moved to Calgary from Ottawa in 2010 to switch from short-track to long-track speed skating. It turned out to be a smart move, both for her career and for her lifestyle.

Over the course of his time in the NHL, Jamie Macoun embodied all the intangibles hockey folks prize so highly: dependability, competitiveness and an innate will to excel.

These days, two decades on from his playing career, he brings those same attributes to his work as the driving force behind Macoun Real Estate in Calgary.