Greg Williams - Motor Writer

This post has nothing to do with home inspections. It has every thing to do with Calgary. My favorite Canadian motorcycle journalist is Calgary's own, Greg Williams. His writes for the Calgary Herald, Inside Motorcycles, American Iron Magazine, Antique Motorcycle and at his blog Greg Williams Motor Writer.

Below is a photo taken by Amee Reehal for the July/August 2009 Issue of Inside Motorcycles. Greg writes about a very cool 1954 BMW R25/3 and it's Calgary owner.

Good on you Calgary

I salute Calgary's municipal government.

If you live within the city limits, the government will sell you this 80 gallon composter for 24 dollars.

That's about 80% off the price offered by the big box DIY shops.

They will make home deliveries for 12 dollars.

For more details, City of Calgary Online Store

Thanks for the heads up Lori.

Go Team Canada

The 40th World Skills Competition in Calgary, Alberta, showcases the best young talent from around the world in the trades, technologies and service industries.


From September 1 to 7, 2009, 900 participants representing more than 50 countries/regions will compete in 45 skilled trades and technology categories ranging from welding to cooking, auto body repair to landscape gardening, and plumbing to Web design.

Team Canada's 38 members will be competing in 35 contest areas.

And, from Mike Holmes,

I'm proud of these young people, and their passion and commitment to 'make it right.' I look forward to seeing how well they all do in the World Skills Competition this year."

I'm proud of Calgary for hosting this event. I also think our Government is doing the right thing by giving a $,2,000 grant to students who successfully complete their apprenticeship training and become certified journey persons in a designated Red Seal trade.

I wonder if Home and Property Inspection will ever be a Red Seal trade? Should it be?

Help a Charity

I just donated 20 dollars to Make a Wish charity by simply mentioning Hotels Combined on my little blog. What a great idea. Thanks for the email Chloe.

"Mention Hotels Combined and our spread the word for charity program on your website and we will send $20 to a supported charity of your choice!

Calgary bloggers, Home Inspection bloggers...all bloggers. Take a moment and help a charity. Contact Hotels Combined

Sustainable Housing - Extention Courses

Certain Teed is a building material manufacturer that has been around for over 100 years. As a community initiative they offer "Building Solutions" continued education courses. They are free and I know what you are thinking -sales promotion. Surprisingly, they never push their products.


Many courses are approved for credit by; AIA (American Institute of Architects), USGBC (USGBC-US Green Building Council), ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors), NAHI (National Association of Home Inspectors), and InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors)


If you are a home owner and interested in educating yourself about your investment, some of these courses will be of great value.


Certain Teed Building Solutions Continued Education

Street Names & History

I was in the James Joyce Bar on 4th, having a beer and talking with a woman from Toronto. She mentioned she found the street numbering system in Calgary to be "bland" and "soulless". I could see her point.

I was curious if she knew the history of Yonge Street in Toronto. She did not. I told her correctly, it was built to help the British defend against a suspected attack from the Americans. And, I suspected it was named after some famous British Person.

Many want to keep the past yet they are disconnected. If they have no interest in learning the history of the name, why do they cling to it. That confuses me. It seems, well, "soulless".

Aladdin Company Mail Order Homes

Ever since my friend ordered a Cedar Cabin on the Internet I have been fascinated with mail order homes.

I've written about Timothy Eaton Mail Order Homes before. Recently I read about the Aladdin Company that started in 1906. History at Wikipedia.

While researching the company I came across the most impressive virtual book. You can read the old catalogue by turning the pages just like some young husband and wife did 80 years ago.

You have to check it out. Aladdin Homes Sovereign Systems. Trust me it is cool. Try it. Just give the pages a few seconds to load.

I have to do more research though. Wikipedia makes it sound like the Aladdin was an American company. However, the book reads like it was a Canadian company. I will definitely do more research.

T. Eaton Mail Order Homes

I love these old T. Eaton Homes. I think it is pretty cool that people could simply order a home. Pick it up at the train station. Bring it to your piece of land. Build the thing and have a big party.

No permits. No deadly property tax. No Home Inspector...ugg.

This is truly a unique piece of Canadian History. This Home is an original turn of the Century 1908 T Eaton Mail order House...Alberta Farm and Ranch.

Home by Mail Order

This ad came from the 1913 edition of the Eatons Catalogue. I'm sure I've seen design 61 before somewhere around the Stampede grounds. Of course it is gone now.

My friend bought a cedar cabin kit off the Internet a few years ago. What has really changed? I'm sure she was just as excited as the person who bought one of these homes from a catalogue 100 years ago. Technology has changed the medium of advertisement but the human side of the equation has not. I'm glad.




Via: thiswaswinnipeg.blogspot.com

Nose Hill Park Rocks

I love Nose Hill Park. It is one of the largest municipal parks in North America. When I was in University I was broke every spring and would use it as a "date" spot.

The park is about 12 square km. If you are new to Calgary and are looking for an inexpensive and healthy way to spend an afternoon - go for a walk. Try and pick a clear day and you will get a great view of the Rocky Mountains and downtown.

Researching building history in Calgary

If you are researching the history of a building in Calgary a good place to start is the pamphlet "A Guide to Researching Building History" put out by the City of Calgary. You can read a scanned copy here.


A.E. Cross House, Early 1900 & 2006

US & Calgary pop culture connection

Bill Cowsill of band the Cowsills , passed away in his rented Calgary flat in 2006. His flat was in the same house pictured below.

The Cowsills were famous for being the inspiration behind the show the Partridge Family. However in the Calgary music scene, Bill was best known as the lead singer of the band, The Co-Dependents.

Read more about Bill at wikipedia.

Guess who lived in this Calgary house?

I will give you a hint. It is the same guy who designed our Canadian Flag.

This house, at 1111 7th St. S.W. in Connaught, most recently the Da Michelangelo Restaurant, is the former home of Dr. George F.G. Stanley, an esteemed historian, educator and public figure best remembered across Canada as the designer of the Canadian Flag.

Go Calgary!

Read more here, at the Calgary Heritage Initiative forums.

The Hart House

Maybe you are not a fan of wrestling but it is hard not to love Stu Hart and his family. They have done a lot of great things for our community. I suspect their old home is one of the most famous in Calgary. Read more about the Hart home at wikipedia.

photo via: Flicker

Calgary Pathways

Moving to Calgary? If you are looking for a location to live and don't like driving, it is a good idea to think about the Calgary pedestrian and bike paths. I cut and paste this from wikipedia.

The City of Calgary also maintains a network of paved multi-use pathways. The dedicated pathway network in Calgary is among the most expansive in North America and spans 635 km.

There are also about 290 km of signed on-street bicycle routes. The pathways connect many of the city's parks, river valley, residential neighbourhoods, and downtown. Even the airport is on the pathway network. Calgarians make year-round use of these paths for walking, running, and cycling to various destinations.

Support your local recycler

A painting contractor told me she drops off unused paint at a Recycle Paint Company here in Calgary. She also tries to uses their finished product when she can. I have never heard of the company before but what a great practical business. You can check out recyclepaint.com here.

1955 Calgary Map

Here is another map I found at geocities. 1955 was not that long ago. Check out the town of Bowness. It looks like Beddington and Forest Lawn were mere hamlets 50 years ago. I don't recognize the name Turner but Barlow, Ogden and Shepard are all familiar names.

Only 50 years ago!

1926 Calgary Street Map

I found a real cool site at a Geocities site with some old Calgary Maps. Check it out here.

I walk by older people in the Mission area, who were born before this map was even made. It is amazing how much has changed.

A Good Cause

I am not involved with Habitat for Humanity but I do support them by donating materials to their renovation store. I like collecting old hardware and sometimes find some pretty cool stuff.

It is all for a good cause.

A link to their Calgary Website is here.

Great Shakes

Just stumbled across Peters' Drive-In website. If you are new to Calgary check it out. Sincerely, great burgers and deadly shakes. The website is here.