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        <atom:link href="https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/2016-06/rss/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
        <title>Real Estate Blog</title>
        <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/2016-06/</link>
        <description></description>
<item>
    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/everyone-deserves-a-place-to-live.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/everyone-deserves-a-place-to-live.html</link>
        <title>Everyone deserves a place to live</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
The story of how a group of caring residents in Cochrane came together to ensure everyone has a decent place to live is a heartwarming one.


The HomeStead, the town’s first affordable housing development, recently celebrated its first decade of making a difference in the lives of people going through difficult times in their lives.


It all started in 1999


Three Cochrane women, Joann Churchill, Maureen Wills and Susan Flowers, recognized the fact that in this year the rental market in Cochrane was tight. The vacancy rate was close to zero and even Cochrane businesses were finding it next to impossible to bring employees to town because they couldn’t afford to live here.  The women approached Cochrane Town Council and approached the mayor, asking for a needs assessment to be conducted to see just how great the problem was.


In a recent interview with The Cochrane Times, Joann Churchill recalls people, whether they had low paying jobs or whether they lost a good paying job, having to leave town because of lack of affordable housing.


Town council agreed to the assessment and in the three year following, the Cochrane Society for Housing Options (CSHO) was established with the whole mission to seek out and provide affordable housing options.  Joann Churchill was the board Chair of the CSHO until 2007.


She noted that the Society could not have happened without the efforts of contributors from the community, local businesses and the partnerships between municipal and provincial government agencies.  The CSHO was able to obtain land which was formerly occupied by a community hall, which was underutilized.  It was the perfect spot for housing as the location is in walkable distance to shopping, pharmacies and work.  The CSHO was able to provide funding to construct The HomeStead, a 38-unit complex.  The ground floor is for administrative use and the rest is residential.


The HomeStead reached capacity as soon as it opened and a healthy waiting list soon developed.


Responding to Negative Feedback


During the process the CSHO found some resistance from members of the community that expressed concern that the project would be akin to a homeless shelter and that some societal issues would arise such as crime.  The vision for The HomeStead was to provide affordable options for folks who had indeed lost their homes but simply needed shelter while getting back on their feet.  It was more about people and families that had established a good life in Cochrane and needed a temporary home so that they could stay in town and minimize disruption to their lives.


Joann Churchill emphasized that residents of The HomeStead aren’t supposed to live there permanently.  Staff are assigned to work with residents to help control finances, keep their jobs or perhaps re-enter the workplace and return to living in their own ‘forever’ home.


The HomeStead 10 Years Later


There is still a long waiting list with as many as 50 inquiries every month.  The good news is that more affordable housing in Cochrane has come online like the Trading Post in the community of Sunset with 12 units.   One of the barometers to the need for more affordable housing in the future is the use of the Food Bank in Cochrane.  When the number of clients accessing the Food Bank increases it’s a sure sign that a wave of requests for affordable housing in Cochrane is the next step.


The CSHO continues to seek funding and is grateful for the donations it receives from Home Reno Heaven, a charitable retail outlet in Cochrane that sells appliances and fixtures and turns over proceeds to CSHO.  Home Reno Heaven is located on River Ave in Cochrane.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 29 Jun 2016 08:24:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/how-to-live-harmoniously-with-grizzly-bears-in-cochrane.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/how-to-live-harmoniously-with-grizzly-bears-in-cochrane.html</link>
        <title>How to live harmoniously with grizzly bears in Cochrane</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
Recently a couple of big bears found their way to Cochrane via the Bow River Valley throwing residents into a grizzly tizzy.


One bear spent three hours tearing up a chicken coop, devouring a couple of its inhabitants.  It appeared in a neighbour’s yard the next day and chased a couple of German Shepherds up onto the deck of the home. Fortunately, the homeowner was able to get the dogs inside.  The bear spent some time wandering around in a garage.


Cochrane wildlife officers were able to trap the bear’s companion but weren’t able to find the chicken coop marauder but have set up traps and posted warning signs in the neighbourhood of Fireside in Cochrane.


Apart from the unfortunate demise of the chickens their habitat, no other major damage was done, although neighbourhood residents said that in the past compost bins and hot tubs have been damaged by bears.


Bears in Cochrane?


Although bears in Cochrane are unusual, they are known to follow the Bow River and appear on the valley floor.  This is bear habitat and unfortunately grizzly bears in particular throughout Western Canada are put down annually because they become a danger to people and property.  Bears have lived in river valleys for thousands of years and that’s not going to change, but we can change how we live and respond to them.


Why Do Bears Come Close to Us?




People attract bears.  We create lovely smells that bring them to us, through careless garbage disposal or stored food.  They can smell stuff like this from far, far away.  Once they’ve tasted food from a human source, they remember.  Even after bears have been relocated hundreds of kilometres away, they remember when they dined and they sometimes show back up.


Sometimes they come perilously close to human settlement because of other bears.  Adult male bears aren’t tolerant of younger males or females with cubs and their prescence in the forest may push them closer to use.


Sick or older bears unable to source food may come close to populations because of easier food sources.


If a bear’s natural source of food is scarce they will come closer to us because their hunger is greater than their fear of us.




Be Bear-Wise and Bear Proof




If you are concerned about bears in Cochrane, particularly between May and October each year, there are many things you can do to make your home and your hard less attractive.


Don’t keep pet food or livestock feed outside, even in the back of a truck.


Keep your barbecue clean and don’t leave the dripping pan outside.


Keep your garbage in an airtight bin that’s animal resistant.


Be aware that your compost or bee hive and chicken coop are bear food sources and you may want to keep them behind a strong, chain-link fence.


Spread lime on your compost to deaden the smell.


If you are on a large property or acreage, thin out the brush.


Later in summer, pick fruit from trees and bushes before it falls to the ground. In fact, pick it before it ripens.


 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 21 Jun 2016 12:31:00 -0600</pubDate>
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    <guid>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/awards-honour-pillars-of-commmunity-in-cochrane.html</guid>
    <link>https://www.cochranerealestate.ca/blog/awards-honour-pillars-of-commmunity-in-cochrane.html</link>
        <title>Awards honour pillars of commmunity in Cochrane</title>
    <description> <![CDATA[ 
It takes a village to raise a town and Cochrane is no exception.


The annual Community Awards held recently was an opportunity to recognize outstanding individuals and Cochrane organizations that work diligently to ensure Cochrane maintains an excellent quality of life.  This year, there were 45 individuals and businesses nominated in 13 categories, which is 28 more people than were nominated in 2015.


The event was hosted by Stuart Bradley of Cochrane, who was surprised when he discovered that he was selected Senior of the Year.  Bradley’s volunteer activities in the town include volunteering with the Cochrane Classic Car Show, the Lindsay Kimmett Foundation, Big Hill Lodge and the Canadian Legion.


Other Major Award Winners


1. Citizen of the Year


Marni Fedeyko was selected Citizen of the Year for her work in community advocacy and volunteer leadership in Cochrane’s seasonal Light Up events.


2. Community Builder of the Year


Bill Popplewell was honoured for his insightful leadership in the Chamber of Commerce in which he has been able to energize its members, moving the organization in a positive direction to promote Cochrane business and organize a successful annual trade event.


3. Employer of the Year


For its commitment to giving Cochrane youth a shot at their first ever job and for providing a great workplace, Cochrane Movie House was named Employer of the Year.


4. Business of the Year


Guy’s Café and Bakery in Cochrane was honoured for 15 years of dedication to their customers and to supporting local fundraising activities in the town by donating baked goods. The bakery’s owner, Guy Joudrie, dedicated the award to his staff.


5. Youth of the Year


Jordan Tilma was honoured for his work with the Mayor’s Youth Council which was started in 2013. He was also an organizer for Inn from the Cold in Cochrane and volunteered in Calgary with the Drop-In Centre.


6. Ambassadors of the Year


Board members of the Bow Valley Rugby Club along with volunteers and the players themselves, from adults to youth players, were honoured for contributing to the success of this club. Teams which have traveled to tournaments and playoffs throughout Western Canada promote Cochrane where ever they go.


7. The Order of Cochrane


Mayor Ivan Brooker was on hand to bestow the highest honour of the evening to Mr. and Mrs. Ivan and Betty Goodsell who have lived in the town for the past 37 years. Betty started a service club called the Activettes among many other community initiatives and Ivan coached sports for countless years and plays Santa at many community events. 


Other highlights from the Cochrane Community Awards included recognizing Bow Valley High School for its Building Futures Program.  This initiative in partnership with local builder, Kingsmith Homes, takes education outside the classroom by providing opportunities to work with tradespeople on homes in the Willows neighbourhood. 


The Cochrane Historical and Archival Preservation Society was named as Newsmaker of the Year.  The Society ensured that the Town’s first hospital was moved to the Ranche location and was turned into a museum. 


Volunteer Group of the Year was Cochrane’s Society for Housing Options.   They were recognized because epic growth in the town has brought about housing challenges and the Society has risen to the call for safe and affordable housing so that no one in Cochrane is left behind.
 ]]> </description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2016 11:49:00 -0600</pubDate>
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