When I first learned about the Canadian Birkenbiner nearly 20 years ago … I have always wanted to do it. Last weekend my friend Greg and I did the 55 km cross country ski marathon on the 25th Anniversary of the event. I made a fun little video of the day. Temperatures were just around zero degrees … and waxing was epic difficult. I broke both my poles during the race! (I like to think it was my POWER … but it is definately bad technique!)
The Birkie is a family-oriented, friendly cross-country ski loppet (recreational event) honouring the spirit of the Norwegian Birkebeiner legend. Reliving an 800-year-old historic legend of the original Birkebeiners who saved the heir to the Norwegian throne in a 55km epic journey. It takes place the second Saturday in February every winter near Edmonton.
It’s a premier “loppet” — a recreational fun citizen race, geared to mass participation, fun and bragging rights for the fastest. Some of Bryon’s buddies with Team Mito http://www.mitocanada.org/team/team/nord-skiing/ were the Fastest of the day … including Jeff Krar who who his age group.
Canada’s largest classical-format cross country ski festival.
Stunning one bedroom condo in the appropriately named building, Dream. This complex offers a beautifully designed courtyard, heated underground parking including visitors’ parking and separate storage. #203 is bright and open with 9′ ceilings. The well designed and functional kitchen includes lots of cupboards, black appliances and a breakfast bar. A spacious dining area provides plenty of space for a table and chairs. The gas fireplace adds a great deal of warmth in the living room. The balcony is a good size and great for entertaining. The extra large master bedroom offers a large closet area and cheater door to the 4-piece bath and insuite laundry. The den makes a perfect computer room. If you desire a great place to live in the best location in Calgary – this is it! In the heart of Marda Loop – Shopping, transportation, restaurants, entertainment & Parks are within walking distance. Close proximity to Westhills, downtown and the road to the Mountains.
Recently a friend (who also loves ‘the deal’) told me about Right In Hair Styling, on Edmonton Trail and 6th Ave in Bridgeland, Calgary, Alberta. Yesterday I was in the area and met Patrick who has owned the building and has been cutting hair on Edmonton Trail and 6th Ave in Bridgeland, NE Calgary for 22 years.
My friend who got a cut at Right In Hair Styling last week learned he was born in The Year of The Ox. Did you know that it not only matters what your birth year symbol is … but weather you were born in the spring, summer, fall or winter? Also … the time of day?
Owner Patrick and I also had a fun conversation … mostly focused around real estate.
He translated my name to Chinese … and was rewarded with a $3 tip.
A hair cut, a great conversation … and my name translated in Chinese … all for $15. I love a deal.
“You’ve got to get out and walk.”
- Jane Jacobs, writer & urban visionary
Spring is here … and I’m organizing a Jane’s walk near my home in Altadore on Sunday, May 2 at 2pm.
We’ll depart from Kiwani’s Park on the corner of 16 ST SW and 38 Ave SW. (Close to “The Moon” convenience store.) We’ll walk for about 1.5 hours. Learn more about this walk and many others in Calgary at www.thecalgaryfoundation.org. There is also one departing from Calhoun Library.
Who’s Jane Jacobs … and Why Walk?
Jane Jacobs (1916-2006) was an urbanist and activist whose writings championed a fresh, community-based approach to city building. She had no formal training as a planner, and yet her 1961 treatise, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, introduced ground-breaking ideas about how cities function, evolve and fail that now seem like common sense to generations of architects, planners, politicians and activists.
I’m leading this walk in hopes of getting to know my neighbours, share my love on our community, and learn more stories from anyone I can recruit on this walk!
Hope to see you on my walk on May 2 at 2pm!
For a Youtube video invitation of my walk … visit http://tinyurl.com/ykt7bfo
As of February 23 there are less than 150 Half Marathon spots remaining for 2010.
30th Annual Calgary Police Half Marathon 8 A.M.
5th Annual Calgary Police 5km Run & Walk 8:30 A.M
Sunday, April 25, 2010,
Mount Royal University, 4825 Mount Royal Gate SWDear participant,
I enjoy racing … and I enjoy giving back to the community.
Recently I contacted my friend Tony Smith of Smith Events. Tony runs University of Calgary Triathlon Club, Canmore Try-A-Triathlon, XTERRA Alberta Off-road Triathlon & Duathlon Festival, Golden Triangle – 3 Day Triathles Tour and 1 Day Epic, and a bunch more endurance events.
I’m going to be sponsoring Tony’s events … whereby each person who signs up for an event will get a water bottle.
In exchange, Tony will give me a link on his website … and place a finishing banner at his events.
My business manager, Sue Styles, helped me create the below copy for Tony’s website.
The principles I have been using successfullyin my racing have also become part of my listing and sale approach in real estate.
In training for triathlons or competitions I have a system I follow which includes daily exercise, pushing my limits to become the best, researching other competitors and finally running the race!It takes many hours of preparation before I launch into a race and just as I understand the key components to running a good race I also take great care in researching the best price and the best strategy in marketing your home.
We follow a 18 point Pro-active approach to Listing and selling your home. We competently follow proven systems and marketing.We are convinced that after benefitting from our expertise and care you will confidently recommend us to your friends and family when they have real estate needs– and that is our greatest compliment.
I am available for all your real estate needs anytime, feel free to call or email for any advice or answers to current market value.
Recently … I’ve been considering the spelling of my name. Way to many people think my name is pronounced Byron … but it is pronounced Brian. It’s really screwed up … because it’s spelled Bryon.
I’m not sure why my parents did this to me. I still love ‘em … even though since grade 1 … on the 1st day of school the teacher called me Byron … and all the kids laughed … and called me this until about November. This happens less frequently since high school … but still happens at least every three or four years. (I’m really glad I’m not still in school. That sucked.)
I like my last name … and will work on branding it. Howard is cool. Bryon is alright. I hate Byron. I’m not fancy about Brian.
I love selling Calgary real estate … and want it to be easy for people to recognize me … and find me. I work with ReMax … which is a powerful brand and has 37% of the market share in Calgary. I’m want my personal brand to match ReMax … and will ALWAYS use the ReMax logo along with this brand concept.
Below are some concepts that my good friend Greg Kolodziejzyk came up with.
I told Greg that I wanted to copy Greg Hamre’s logo. (See below the header from The Hamre Team’s website.) I met Greg Hamre and his bro at a ReMax conference in Banff in November. He’s a super cool guy. He and his family sell Real Estate in Ottawa. http://www.weknowottawa.com (I hope he doesn’t mind. I’ll have to remember to ask him.)
I’m leaning towards the logo on the top right corner. If you have any thoughts on this … you could post below – or send me an email.
Branding Bryon Howard - Calgary, Alberta ReMax Realtor
