If it’s September then, unfortunately, summer is pretty much over in Calgary. Oh sure, we’ll have a few more nice days, but the leaves will soon be turning colour and we’ll be waking up to frost-covered lawns and sub-zero temperatures.

Such is the price we pay for living in the shadow of the Rockies.

On the positive side, the changing of seasons brings with it a kind of sense of renewal. Holiday’s are over, everyone’s back to work and school, and it’s time to start all those home renovation projects that you kept putting off over the summer. And what better way to get geared up than with a visit to the annual Calgary Home + Interior Design Show? We’ve got it covered on page 18 of this magazine — plus we’re sponsoring a special ‘staycation’ display at the show. Make sure to drop by and check it out.

Another thing homeowners like to do in the fall is make sure their home is ready for winter. One way you can do this is by making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible. From building green, to using Energy Star approved appliances, to doing your fall cleaning with environmentally friendly products — we’ve got information and expert advice to help you on your way. And, what you can’t find on the pages of this magazine you’re sure to find at Calgary’s EcoLiving Fair.

Our new condo coverage spans the city this month, with visits to three very different projects. Starting in the deep south, we tour the Highbury in Shawnee Slopes, a three-building high-rise development that also includes a selection of street-level townhomes. In the northwest, we turn our attention to Havenworth. What’s neat about this project is there’s no show suite here yet, and no pre-sales as such, because the developer believes buyers have a right to view the finished project before making a purchase decision.

Finally, for our cover feature, we turn the spotlight on CopperWood by Sandlewood Developments, a 13-building condo community perched on the bluff in Spruce Cliff. Not only does the final phase, the nine-storey CopperCrown, offer fantastic views of downtown, the Bow River valley and the mountains, but it’s walking distance to Shaganappi golf course, Westbrook Mall and, of course, the soon-to-be-built west leg of the LRT.

If you’re looking for a new condo, or just trying to ‘green up’ the one you’re in now, you’ll find what you’re looking for here in Condo Living magazine.