Lindi Ortega (March 16)

Canadian Country Music Award winner, she has worked with musicians like K.D. Lang and Carrie Underwood before. Her raw vocal power and roots rhythm is not to miss.

Northern Lights Folk Club (March 24)

Featuring singer, songwriter and guitarist Roy Forbes.

Anneke’s Antique Sale (March 30 – 31)

More than 130 collections of antiques and old glories from vintage jewellery to furniture are for sale.

Adding an eye catching and stunning rug in your living room can automatically elevate your home. Check out some of the design trends for floor rugs this year.

Homeowners in Edmonton began receiving their 2018 property assessment notices in the mail at the beginning of the year.

By now, everyone should have received one and have a clear idea of the assessed value of their property. This is important because this value determines the property taxes that must be paid.

Property assessments in Edmonton were fairly stable this year, with an average increase of less than one per cent compared to last year.

The one exception was single-family detached homes in neighbourhoods along the river valley like Windsor Park, Quesnell Heights, Glenora and Oliver.

You can look up different property assessments on the City of Edmonton’s website to compare different 2018 property assessments.

In order to assess the value of the property, a number of key factors such as location, size, land surface, age and condition of the building are taken into consideration.

A large increase in property assessments does not always translate into a corresponding increase in property taxes, however. It also takes into account changes relative to your community. 

Property taxes in Edmonton make up about half of all revenue that the City receives. It helps fund essential services like police, fire fighting and emergency rescue. They also support community programs, recreation centres, public libraries, parks and much more.

Property taxes bills arrive in May and must be paid by June 30.

They can be paid in multiple ways; in person, online banking, credit card or cheque. You can set up a Property Tax Monthly Payment Plan to avoid paying them all at once.

Assessments can be appealed up through a customer review period until March 12, 2018. A complaint can be made online or in person about property assessment, but you cannot appeal your property tax bill.

From smart watches to smart kettles, technology is entering homes at the speed of light.

One of the biggest home technology trends for 2018 is that devices now provide many uses — just one function won’t cut it anymore.

A new voice activated mirror recently came out that changes the lighting, tells you the weather and plays music as you get ready. There’s a door alert system that not only provides lighting but also extends the home’s wifi.

Part of it is an issue of space and availability of outlets — why buy an item that only does one thing when the same sized device does many functions?

Home security is a key example of how technology in the home is taking off.

Many of the security systems on offer are fully integrated and often include functions that are not typically associated with home safety like lighting and doorbell ring tones.

Almost all the systems now include an option to lock and unlock doors and keep an eye on the situation remotely via wifi.

Technology is not always cheap but when used right can help you save money in the long run.

For example, monitoring devices can help curb energy use because it gives you real-time data. Smart thermostats and lighting systems, which are programmable, can also help save money by only using energy when you need it.

Simple safety improvements like smart thermostats, smart fire detectors and smart carbon monoxide detectors are a bonus when selling a home too.

A survey by Smart Home Marketplace recently found that 70 per cent of homebuyers want these kinds of features in a home and so a few inexpensive touches can really make it stand out to buyers.

Silver Skate Festival (Feb. 9 – 19)

Nearly three decades of sports celebrations, this festival is rooted in Dutch tradition and love of winter.

Proteus Saxophone Quarter (Feb. 17)

Redefining the tradition of saxophone in this vibrant and vivacious concert.

Indian-inspired meals (Feb. 22)

Who needs to order in when you can learn to make your own delicious meals.

Intersect (Feb. 23 – 24)

Dynamic ballet performance, bringing together two very different pieces.

Swing n’ skate (until Feb. 25)

Local bands bring the swinging, the swaying and the jazz to this free event every Sunday.

The holidays may be over but stock your bar with these chic and beautifully designed champagne glasses you can bring out to celebrate those memorable moments with loved ones. 

After a busy month of holiday planning and party-going, what better way to bring in the New Year that to relax with a spa treatment. No need to look far, everything you need for top notch pampering is right at home.

With just a few steps, you’ll have real relaxation at your fingertips with a home-based spa:

1. Creating an atmosphere
Part of the luxurious vibe of a spa is how it engages all five of your senses. Dim the lights (avoid harsh fluorescent lights) and light some scented candles. Play some low, soothing music without lyrics. Pour yourself a drink – wine, water with fresh cucumber or tea are all good choices.

2. Towels
Having the right towel – fluffy, soft and big – makes all the difference (and you can reuse it or keep it as a guest towel set!). If you are going to splurge, this is the item you should focus on. Choose a high grams-per-square metre count for a luxurious feel and always tumble dry to keep the softness.

3. Home-based products
Many of the hair treatments, facial masks and moisturizers can be made from all natural ingredients that you already have in your kitchen, such as:
• Olive oil and brown sugar face scrub
• Lime mint foot soak
• Oatmeal, cinnamon and rosemary face mask
• Coconut oil and avocado hair conditional
• Cool camomile teabags for eye mask

4. Spa-like shower
Use a high pressure shower hose setting to exfoliate your back. Alternate between warm, cool, cold, warm temperature in that order to get the blood flowing and improve circulation.

5. Renovations
If you make a habit of at-home spas, consider making some renovations to your bathroom – like a bigger bathtub, heated towel rack or different lighting – to improve the experience even more.

Swing n’ Skate (Jan. 7 – Feb. 25)
Skate around to the sounds of jazz and swing music. Skates are free on a first come, first served basis.

Calvin Vollrath (Jan. 11)

Music performance from the renowned fiddler. 

Motorcycle show (Jan. 12-14)
Bikes, stunts and ladies’ night – what’s not to like?

Onegin (Jan. 17 – 28)
Indie rock band musical, new to Edmonton’s stages. 

Ice on Whyte (Jan. 25 – Feb. 4)
Annual festival on the boardwalk, packed with the best outdoor winter activities like ice carving.

With vacation days, visiting family and countless engagements with friends over this month, don’t let the pressure ruin the fun.

Communication

Be very clear on when guests are leaving and arriving. If they are taking a flight, how will the airport run be coordinated? If it’s a dinner party, are children invited? Communication can go a long way to solving issues before they arrive. If in doubt, call to check-in.

Food

Do not be shy about asking guests to contribute to the menu. Christmas dinner can easily be made into a potluck and ask closer friends to bring sides, desserts or drinks. Don’t forget to check about any allergies or dietary restrictions before meal planning.

Children

If you are having several guests with children over, consider hiring a babysitter for the evening to keep the children entertained. The children will enjoy the evening more and parents will appreciate the break!

Arrivals

If your guests are arriving by car, make sure there is enough parking space. If necessary, move your car down the road so they can have easier access.  Have a place to drop shoes and jackets near the entrance so there is no scramble at the doorstep. If it’s chilly out, a freshly made pot of tea or eggnog will be welcomed.

Overnight guests

Think about the things you need when you stay at a hotel and use that as guidelines for preparing the room for your guest – put out clean towels, a water bottle and make sure the room is not cluttered. And it’s always a good idea to have a spare toothbrush lying around, just in case someone forgets one.

Asking for help

Most guests are eager to help wherever they can but don’t know what to do. Let them help you. Guide them towards what they can do to give a hand – can they dry dishes or lay the table? Including guests in the preparation can often make everyone feel more at ease.

Relax

At the end of the day, don’t lose sight of what is important – enjoying the time with your guests. The house doesn’t have to spotless, the meal doesn’t have to be perfect and the activities don’t have to be seamless. Do the best you can and then sit back, relax and enjoy.