Despite declining oil prices, city sees record in-migration, condo sales

You could almost say 2014 was a banner year for Calgary.

Almost.

The city welcomed a record number of newcomers, with the addition of 38,508 residents elevating the total population to almost 1.2 million.

Sales activity in the condo sector came close to, and might have even broken, records.

And the long-awaited Bill 9 Condominium Act passed, providing more protection for condo owners.

"It was a good year," said Mayor Naheed Nenshi. "Now, toward the very end of the year, we're certainly starting to see some economic headwinds."

Christmas Tree Recycling Program makes for a greener holiday season

Calgary's annual Tree Recycling program sees your Christmas conifer re-purposed into mulch instead of a landfill landmark.

"Last year we kept approximately 35,000 trees out of the landfill," said Darcy Cairns, superintendent of programs for Waste and Recycling Services with the City. "It's easy to participate - we collect trees from homes and there are also eight drop off locations to bring your trees to. The great thin is that the trees are turned into mulch that residents can use for gardening and landscaping afterwards."

There are more than 750 evaluated historic resources in Calgary.

There are more than 50 buildings provincially recognized as heritage places.

Here's a few images from some of Calgary's most recognized historic buildings.

Share your favourite in the comments section below.

Winter is here.

Calgary gets an average of 129 centimetres of snow in a year. While this can be a headache for some drivers and shovellers, it's also an opportunity to head out with the family and explore the winter wonderland in both Calgary and area.

Reportedly taking its name from the distinctive (at least if you use a little imagination) nose-like hillsides that surround the area, the Nose Hill Natural Environment Park – as it's officially known – is one of the largest municipal parks in North America.

Encompassing 11 square kilometres of native grassland in Northwest Calgary, the park was created in 1980 after citizens spoke out against a plan to turn the area into a residential development.

Sandstone City: A series looking at the people, architecture and culture of Calgary's sandstone glory days

Sandstone schools thriving as educators and more in Calgary

Constructed after a fire in 1886 wiped out more than a dozen wooden buildings in downtown, today's inner-city sandstone schools stand out as daily reminders of Calgary's storied past.

According to the Chinook Country Historical Society, 19 sandstone schools were built in the city between 1894 and 1914, helping earn Calgary the moniker "Sandstone City."

Here's a breakdown of how some fit into Calgary's landscape today.

On Dec. 15, city council voted 8-7 against secondary suite reform in Calgary. Here's some of what was said throughout the debate.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi:

"How can we continue to have discretion in this debate while removing the approval of each secondary suite from council ... a lot of folks think today's vote, if it were to pass, [suites would] be legal immediately."

"If this fails today, we're done ... I'm done frankly because we have tried very hard to try different compromises."

While the recent drop in oil prices has caused speculation about implications for the housing sector, stable conditions are expected given current forecasts for employment and migration.

"While employment and migration are expected to support housing demand, estimates could change depending on the extent and duration of oil price declines," said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB®'s chief economist. "However, concerns over the potential impact will influence consumer confidence. This is expected to cause supply and demand to ease in 2015, maintaining resale market balance and keeping prices relatively stable."

Every holiday season, Heritage Park pulls out all the stops transporting people back in time to Christmases gone by.

The parks many heritage homes are done up in Christmas decorations of bygone eras and activities include Christmas carols, holiday musicals in the Canmore Opera House, gingerbread man decorating, holiday crafts and antique portraits.

Provincial politicians submit letters of support to Calgarians for Secondary Suites

Provincial MLAs and party leaders are joining a growing throng of secondary suite supporters leading up to a crucial vote at city council Dec. 15.

"As a former small business owner, I know the importance of attracting and retaining talent to our rapidly expanding city," said Alberta Party leader Greg Clark, in a letter submitted to Calgarians for Secondary Suites, the grassroots group behind the We Support Secondary Suites campaign. "For workers to come to our city, we need safe and affordable options for them to transition."