Courtesy of Ryan Torris

HOME YOUR Your Good Neighbour. Your Real Estate Concierge. R yan T orris REALTOR ® - TOP PRODUCER - OWNER Real Estate Agent, 1forAll Charity Contributor

403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

THE TERRACOTTA TREND

2026 | ISSUE 6

Terracotta has grown in popularity and use for decoration. Celebrated for its sun-baked warmth, rich texture and incredible versatility, this clay-based ceramic is the perfect way to infuse your home with vibrant, high-energy colour that bridges the gap between indoor comfort and outdoor living. While classic terracotta is famous for its earthy orange-red hues, today’s trend embraces a much bolder spectrum, from fiery sun-drenched shades to saturated pinks and deep rustic reds, with these eye-catching colours breathing new life into contemporary design. Ready to embrace this vibrant trend? You can incorporate bold terracotta into your space by selecting shades that harmonize with your existing colour scheme, incorporating terracotta details such as decorations, art, linens and curiosities to carry the colour throughout the room, and combining terracotta with natural materials like wood for a softer appeal. You can also use terracotta plant pots instead of plastic ones for better drainage, coordinate outdoor planters with warm-toned flowers like Mountain Agoseris, Butterflyweed, Scarlet Painted Cup and Red-eyed Susan. Install a terracotta backsplash for authentic traditional charm, construct rustic garden paths, fences and dividers using terracotta bricks, and apply terracotta-coloured wall paint and accents to add warmth and depth. Did you know the word comes directly from the Italian terra cotta? It literally translates to “baked earth” or “cooked earth.”

Soy-Ginger Glaze GRILLED VEGGIE KEBABS WITH

INGREDIENTS:

Glaze: • ¼ cup soy sauce • 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup • 1 tbsp sesame oil • 1 tbsp grated ginger

Veggies*: • 1 red onion • 2 bell peppers • 2 zucchinis • 1 cup cherry tomatoes

• 4 minced garlic cloves • ½ tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. Chop up the vegetables into 1” chunks. 2. Whisk all glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. 3. Thread the vegetables onto skewers. 4. Brush skewers generously with glaze. Save a small amount for basting later. 5. Preheat the grill to medium (180°C). 6. Grill for 8–10 minutes, turning and basting occasionally until the vegetables are tender and slightly charred. *Make it yours: swap in mushrooms, pineapple chunks, eggplant or corn on the cob!

REJUVENATING SOCIETY AND GIVING US HOPE FOR THE FUTURE ARE BEST NURTURED BY THE GOOD DEEDS THAT WE DO FOR OTHERS.”

DR. ROBERTA BONDAR

The rise of porch pirates, individuals who illicitly seize delivered packages from residential doorsteps, has become a significant concern for modern homeowners. This crime of opportunity is often underreported, yet thieves’ tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Porch Pirate Prevention: • Secure deliveries by installing heavy-duty, bolted-down lockboxes. • Deter thieves using motion-activated LED lighting and visible security signs. • Use strategic landscaping (like planters or shrubs) to hide packages from the street. • Redirect packages to secure third-party pickup locations (lockers, retail points) or your workplace. • Require a signature upon delivery for high-value items. • Use carrier apps to reroute packages mid-transit if plans change. • Coordinate with neighbours to accept packages on your behalf. • Position security cameras to cover street-level approach paths, rather than just the porch itself. If theft occurs, documentation is essential for reimbursement. Keep all digital invoices, tracking histories, delivery confirmation photos and product serial numbers. Immediately file reports with the retailer, the carrier and your financial institution.

PARCEL SECURITY

RESILIENT PLANTS

Gardening across Canada can be a real challenge. High wind speeds, fluctuating temperatures, short summers and surprise frosts can kill plants overnight. That’s why leaning on Canadian native plants is such a gamechanger. These plants have spent thousands of years adapting to our local weather, so they don’t just survive — they thrive where other plants struggle, turning your yard into a hotspot for local birds and pollinators by providing the exact food and shelter they need. By choosing local plants, you’re choosing a beautiful, low-maintenance garden that’s already built to handle the Canadian outdoors. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) is a prairie native that is built for extremes. Beyond its toughness, it provides a stunning visual payoff, turning a deep reddish bronze in the autumn and providing seeds for wintering birds. Canada Columbine and Lanceleaf Coreopsis are known for their resilience, with smaller leaves that help reduce wind resistance. Silverweed (Argentina anserina) and New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus) are dense, low-growing shrubs. Virgin’s Bower, also known as Clematis virginiana, is perfect for vertical interest. This plant’s vines are flexible enough to sway rather than snap.

Word Scramble

What does corn say when it feels embarrassed? Aw-shucks! What’s a dancer’s

Let’s make a sizzling kabob! Unscramble the words below to reveal the ingredients.. Hint: Some of them are from the vegetable kabob recipe, but not all of them.

favourite kind of vegetable? Spin-ach!

1. DRE NOONI 2. AAOPELJN 3. LLBE RSEPEPP 4. CCIHIUZN 5. CRNOA QUASSH 6. REHCYR STAMOTEO 7. MOSRHMOUS 8. AELPEPNIP 9. GLPTGEAN 10. ENWMERLOTA 11. RNCO 12. WTEES TEAPSOOT

What is a zucchini’s favourite game? Squash! How do you fix a broken tomato? Tomato paste! Which vegetable can’t you take on a boat? Leeks! Why did everyone dance to the vegetable band? It had a good beet!

Answer Key 1. Red onion, 2. Jalapeño, 3. Bell peppers, 4. Zucchini, 5. Acorn squash, 6. Cherry tomatoes, 7. Mushrooms, 8. Pineapple, 9. Eggplant, 10. Watermelon, 11. Corn, 12. Sweet potatoes

APARTMENT PRICES EASE AS INVENTORY REMAINS ELEVATED

CALGARY

AIRDRIE

City of Calgary, June 2026 In line with seasonal trends, inventory has risen from the start of the year, reaching 6,752 units in May. At the same time, sales activity has been slowing. Calgary sales in May were 2,162 units, 16 per cent lower than last year’s levels and similar to sales reported in April. While new listings also slowed by 13 per cent compared with last year, it was not enough to offset the pullback in sales, causing the sales-to-new-listings ratio to ease to 51 per cent. “The shift in supply is being felt in the market. More supply choice in the new and rental markets has created a more competitive environment for potential buyers. At the same time, concerns over rising cost of living and slower migration are also weighing on consumers,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB ® ). “While this has caused the overall resale market to shift to a balanced state, the supply pressure is having a more prevalent impact for apartment-style units, where conditions are favouring the buyer. This is also impacting price movements, with apartment prices continuing to trend down and other property types reporting a seasonal lift over the winter months.” The unadjusted total residential benchmark price in May was $570,500, still three per cent lower than last May. Most of the unadjusted monthly gain was driven by detached homes, which rose to $747,800 in May. Apartment prices remain lower than January levels and are nine per cent lower than levels reported last May. Overall, when adjusting for seasonality, total residential prices have remained relatively stable, as detached improvements have offset pullbacks for apartment-style homes.

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $570,500 Last Year:-3.0 %

BENCHMARK PRICE Current: $515,500 Last Year: -4.9%

DAYS ON MARKET

DAYS ON MARKET

40

34

NEW LISTINGS

NEW LISTINGS

4,226

307

ACTIVE LISTINGS

ACTIVE LISTINGS

6,752

519

SOLD LISTINGS

SOLD LISTINGS

2,162

164

Stats Reflective of May 2026 Source: CREB ®

Stats Reflective of May 2026 Source: CREB ®

Market values stated are of the average of Calgary. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

Market values stated are of the average of Airdrie. Individual home market values will vary and are affected by factors such as location, size, interior and exterior condition. Please call to get an up-to-date evaluation of your home.

Source: CREB ®

Please spread the word! Have friends or family moving? Don’t hesitate to pass them my info. P.S. I always take good care of my referring clients!

R yan T orris REALTOR ® - TOP PRODUCER - OWNER Real Estate Agent, 1forAll Charity Contributor 403.710. SOLD (7653) concierge@blackrockre.ca www.blackrockre.ca @blackrockre

201, 120 2nd Ave NE Airdrie, AB T4B 2N2

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