

What's new with Excel.
- Get to know us
- Home & Family
- Home Tips & Tricks
- "How-To" Series
- Lifestyle & Design
- Real Estate 101
- Sustainability & Wellness
Events Around Calgary: July 2015
First Flip Pancake Breakfast 215
The very first pancake breakfast of Stampede is on Thursday, July 2nd from 7:3am to 1:3am. Get your cowboy and cowgirl gear on, and head down into the Stephen Avenue action.Breakfast will be served right outside of the Telus Convention Centre and it is complimentary. Let’s not waste any time getting into the Stampede Spirit! Yee-Haw! http://www.calgarydowntown.com/things/entertainment/event-details/93223-first-flip-pancake-breakfast-215
Source: Calgary YYC on Pinterest
Make Your Home Summer Ready
Calgary’s infamous June showers are almost over and – from what we hear – it will be a long hot summer. So while you’re stuck inside, avoiding the rainy weather, why not spend a little time prepping your home for indoor-outdoor living. Here are a few tips and décor ideas to get you started:
Summer Fun at Mahogany Lake
With warmer weather well on its way, it’s time to start planning those weekend getaways. Trips to the lake, barbeques on the beach, freshwater fishing and exploring the great outdoors are hallmarks of summer in Alberta. Now imagine a whole season of fun in the sun without having to pack up the car and fight weekend traffic out of the city. This blissful fantasy is actually reality for homeowners at Calgary’s Community Of The Year (212, 213 & 214!)
Excel’s First Time Homebuyer Resource Guide
A new home is the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. Whether you’re buying your first home ever – or your first home in greater Calgary – we have a suite of handy resources and tools to help you through the home buying process. You’ll find Excel’s Guide For First Time Homebuyers, mortgage calculator and answers to a host of frequently asked questions.
By taking away some of the unknown and arming you with a toolkit of practical resources, we can help make your biggest purchase worry-free – leaving you to focus on all the excitement that comes with owning a new home!
Gardening Tips for Your New Home
With the overnight frost almost at bay, the outdoor gardens centres are buzzing. Hanging baskets, veggie gardens, patio planters and bedding plants are ready for your attention. But Calgary’s quirky climate can cause even the greenest of thumbs some grief. Don’t worry though; we have some helpful tips to keep your garden in bloom throughout the summer.
Events Around Calgary: May 2015
215 Calgary International Beer Festival
Beerfest is rated as one of the top 2 beer festivals in the world, and it is returning to Stampede Park on May 1st and 2nd. Increase your beer knowledge in search for a new favourite by sampling more than 5 types of beer! There’s also food from over 4 of Calgary’s best pubs and restaurants. For all the event details, and to purchase tickets, check out: http://www.albertabeerfestivals.com/.
Source: Beerfest
Spring Cleaning Tips For Your New Home
Spring has sprung! Sure, we’re waiting on leaves and vibrant green grass. And, yes, there’s probably at least one more dusting of snow before the winter tires come off. But heck, why not get in to the spirit of things and prepare for sunshine, warmth and everybody’s favourite – patio season!
Grab your dusters, Swiffer’s and power washers – it time to start spring-cleaning!
Community Feature: HillCrest, Airdrie
We love being a part of this family focused community that’s set on a picturesque southern hillside in Airdrie. HillCrest is close to excellent schools, shopping and amenities, and offers easy highway access for trips to the city, airport and Cross Iron Mills mall. You’re also spoiled for choice when it comes to recreational pursuits. There’s a host of parks and pathways to explore, as well as the Woodside Golf Club and expansive Genesis Place recreation centre with pools, fitness centre and outdoor track.
Events Around Calgary: April 2015
Spring Sparktacular | Telus Spark
Hop on down to the Spring Sparktacular event at TELUS Spark on April third and fourth! Enjoy spring themed activities with the whole family, including Bunnybotville, dinosaur eggs from the Royal Tyrrell Museum, atrium actives and more. Plus, the Cococo Chocolatiers Easter bunny will be stopping by with some delicious treats! For all the details, visit: http://www.sparkscience.ca/events/special-events-2/spring-sparktacular/.
Source: Telus Spark
Welcome Spring Décor Into Your Home
Rather than waiting patiently for spring’s first blooms, or lets be honest winter’s last snowfall, we propose welcoming the warmer season into your home immediately. You never know, a little interior design inspiration may be all the motivation that Mother Nature needs. We’re big proponents of making simple, inexpensive décor changes. You’ll get a lot of bang for your buck this way.
Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane Extreme Kitchen Makeover
Giving back to the communities we build in is extremely important at Excel. Our most recent project was building the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane & Area (BGCCA) a brand new kitchen and bathroom. It took five days, 1 volunteers and over 2, hours of labour. The result? Some of the brightest and most appreciative smiles we’ve ever seen.