FACILITYCalgary is a compilation of news items & commentary of interest to people who have a real estate, infrastructure, construction, oil & gas or general interest in Calgary published weekly by MaxComm Communications.
FRESH TODAY - Monday, May 5, 2008
+ Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "5th of May") is primarily a regional and not an obligatory federal holiday in Mexico.[ The holiday commemorates an initial victory of Mexican forces led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín over French forces in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The date is observed in the United States & other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage & pride
+ crude oil prices @ 6:40AM, MDT as quoted by Bloomberg.com ; Nymex Crude Future US$116.92/barrel, Dated Brent Spot US$114.32/barel, WTI Cushing Spot US$116.32(Friday close)/barrel; prices fells last week, largely due to a stronger U.S. dollar, but concerns about Nigerian supply & tensions over Iran's Nuclear program have put renewed upward pressure on oil prices as Iran's actions holding large volumes of oil on tankers sitting idle has created a tight supply of available tankers . . stay tuned
+ Microsoft's bid for Yahoo! withdrawn; Yahoo! stock slumps in Europe amid questions of what each company will do ... stay tuned
+ Myanmar (Burma) cyclone reported to have killed more than 4,000; fresh water supplies unsafe, power outages . . stay tuned
+ Peak Energy Services Trust closed disposition of its cased hole wireline division to Canadian Sub-Surface Energy Services Corp for $6.5 million
+ the 37th annual running of the BMO Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon featured 12,815 runners (my daughter Carla among them), walkers & wheelchair participants; Thomas Omwenga, originally from Kenya, who trains in Florida, won the full marathon (2:15:59) for men for the 2nd year in a row, beating his 2007 time by 9:64. The 2008 female marathon winner, Mary Akor, from California won with a time of 2:37.54. Last year's female full marathon winner, Claudia Camargo of Connecticut, came in 2nd this year; 3rd was 3rd Kari Elliott of Calgary at 3:05:15
+ Whiting Petroleum Corporation agreed to acquire the Flat Rock Natural Gas Field & gathering facilities in Utah; US$365 million
+ Wachovia Championship title went to Anthony Kim (22)at Quail Hollow CC · Charlotte, NC; he won US$1,152,000;
+ ALTUS Group Income Fund agreed to acquired Integra Realty Resources
+ BG Group PLC made US$12-billion offer to acquire Origin Energy Ltd.
+ Bois d'Arc Energy Inc. agreed to be acquired by Stone Energy Corporation, US$1.8 billion
+ Canaccord Capital Inc. closed $60,013,750 equity financing
+ Celtic Exploration Ltd. closed $45.2 million natural gas assets acquisition
+ Crew Energy Inc. closed $66.8 million equity financing
+ EPCOR Utilities Inc. closed C$25 million equity financing
+ Fairborne Energy Ltd. agreed to acquire Grand Banks Energy Corporation; $112 million
+ Questerre Energy Corporation closed its acquisition of Terrenex Ltd.
+ SaveOnEnergy.com closed US$2.4 million equity financing
+ SONIC Technology Solutions Inc. agreed to acquire Northern Oil Research Technologies Inc.
+ The Mullen Group Income Fund closed its acquisition of R.E. Line Trucking (Coleville) Ltd. & David Tuffs Holdings Ltd.
+ Total E & P Canada is buying Synenco Energy Inc, $478 million
+ TransGlobe Energy Corporation closed the sale of its Canadian oil & gas assets to Direct Energy Marketing Limited
+ U.S. & European recession watch: U.S. Federal Reserve under growing pressure to backstop struggling investment banks; UBS AG to cut 8,000 jobs as credit writedowns result in US$11.4 billion 1st qtr. loss; former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan said U.S. slipped into ``awfully pale recession'' , will continue to languish rest of the year
+ Whiting Petroleum Corporation closed US$215.4 million equity financing
SHAKERS + Movers on the Move
+ Bruce Sukaly to Managing Director, Asset Management @ Fortis Energy Marketing and Trading
+ Chuck LaCouture to VP Marketing, Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation @ Whiting Petroleum Corporation
+ David Middleton to CFO @ KingSett Capital Inc.
+ Gerry Hipple, CEO @ @ Galvanic Applied Sciences Inc., stepped down
+ Grant Reeves to Interim CEO @ Galvanic Applied Sciences Inc.
+ Ian White to Pres. & CEO @ The Canadian Wheat Board
+ Jean-Charles Bourassa to VP Mining @ New Millennium Capital Corp.
+ Ken Douglas to Sr. Mgr. @ Grant Thornton
+ Ken Moore to VP Onshore Land @ Mariner Energy Inc.
+ Keith Doss to CFO @ Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp.
+ Leo de Bever to CEO @ Alberta Investment Management Corp. (AIMCo)
+ Lloyd Jackson to Managing Director, Power Trading @ Fortis Energy Marketing and Trading
+ Lyle Kanee to Vice-Chair @ Alberta Labour Relations Board
+ Michael Lucki to Head, Global Infrastructure Services @ Ernst & Young
+ Mike McCullough to VP Acquisitions & Divestitures @ Mariner Energy Inc.
+ Stephen Haynes to VP, CFO & Treasurer @ Harvest Natural Resources Inc.
SAVE THE DATE:
Business Events, Functions etc.
May 8; Turning Points Non-Gala Dinner, The Westin, Calgary, in aid of the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter; info/tickets: http://www.calgarywomensshelter.com
May 15; NAIOP Calgary, May breakfast - "Commercial Leasing Essentials - LEED, Go Green and Green Leases"; Devonian Room, Calgary Petroleum Club, info/register: http://www.naiopcalgary.com/events/
May 27; The Land & Development Conference, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, South Bldg, Toronto'; info/registration: http://www.realestateforums.com/LandConference/ind ex.html
June 10 - 12; Global Petroleum Show, Stampede Park, Calgary, info/register: http://www.petroleumshow.com/globalpetroleum/page. cfm/Link=12/t=m/goSection=8
July 7-9 ; 34th G8 Summit, Tokyo, Japan
SAVE THE DATE:
Annual & Special Meetings
May 5
Akita Drilling Ltd., , Annual Meeting, Calgary
Enbridge Income Fund, Annual Meeting of Unitholders, Calgary
Mullen Group Income Fund, Annual Meeting, Calgary
W&T Offshore, Inc. , Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Houston
May 6;
Geocan Energy Inc., Annual Meeting, Calgary
Superior Plus Income Fund, Annual General Meeting, Calgary
Enerplus Resources Fund, Annual & Special Meeting of Unitholders
Paramount Energy Trust, Annual Meeting, Calgary
Saxon Energy Services Inc., Annual Meeting, Calgary
Storm Exploration Inc., Annual Meeting, Calgary
May 10; Enbridge Inc.Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, Calgary
May 14;
Cominar Real Estate Investment Trust, Annual Meeting of Unitholders, Quebec City
Petrobank Energy and Resources Ltd. Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders, Calgary
TerraVest Income Fund, Annual General Meeting of Shareholders, Toronto
May 22; First Capital Realty Inc., Annual General Meeting, Toronto
May 27; Quest Capital Corp., Annual & Special General Meeting, Toronto
May 30; Patch International Inc., Special Meeting of Stockholders, Calgary
June 26; CanArgo Energy Corporation, Annual Meeting of Stockholders, New York
SAVE THE DATE:
2008 Charity & Industry Golf Tournaments
May 29, The 15th Annual "IFMA OPEN" , IFMA Calgary Chapter , Calgary Elks Lodge & Golf Club, info/register: info@ifmacalgary.org
May 29-30, 9th Annual AMBA/MLAA Spring Golf Classic, Mortgage Loans Association of Alberta (Edmonton Chapter) & the Alberta Mortgage Brokers' Assn., Industry Night and Golf Tournament; proceeds to Habitat for Humanity, The Links, Spruce Grove; info/registration: james.robertson@firstnational.ca
June 9; Global Petroleum Show Charity Golf Tournament in support of the Werklund Foundation; Valley Ridge Golf Course, Calgary; info/register: http://www.petroleumshow.com/globalpetroleum/page. cfm/Link=39/t=m/goSection=22
June 12; 6th Annual Coast Hotels & Resorts Golf Classic , Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, Coquitlam, BC; in support of Coast Athletic Assistance Program; info/register: m.hope@coasthotels.com
July 2; 6th Annual Calgary Chamber of Commerce/TELUS Play with the Presidents Golf Classic, Heritage Pointe Golf Club, DeWinton; sponsorships still available. Contact Ron Peters at 750-0400 or rpeters@calgarychamber.com
July 14; 8th Annual Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta Charity Golf Classic, Silvertip Resort, Canmore; Lawson Projects is the Presenting Sponsor; info/registration: lorne@lawsonprojects.com or colleen@rmhsouthernalberta.org
August 15; University of Lethbridge Alumni Association - Calgary Chapter 7th Annual Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament, Shaw-nee Slopes, Calgary; info/registration: kfilbert@shaw.ca
note: if you are sponsoring / supporting a charity tournament in the Calgary area in 2008 we are happy to list them early here; just send your tournament data and contact information to: research@maxcomm.ca
INFRASTRUCTURE News / P3 / Go Green
+ PLANDFLEX CORPORATION will develop and or acquire commercial and institutional properties: Public Private Partnerships (P3), development for governments, NGOs, school boards, hospital boards, municipalities etc., build-to-suit developments for strong credit tenants location focus is smaller & major communities in Western Canada. Inquiries and/or property offerings to:
PLANDFLEX CORPORATION
Attn: Mark Kolke, President
Suite 1000, 888 - 3rd Street SW
Calgary, AB T2P 5C5
Phone: 403-444-6939
e-mail: mark.kolke@maxcomm.ca
+ Prime Minister Stephen Harper cut the ribbon on the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute's grand opening in Edmonton; namesake Don Mazankowski was there too - big party, big ticket, big deal, really big deal - named for Maz who has had so much influence on the tuning of health care in Canada & Alberta
Calgary Office Space For Lease
office leasing services
for leasing/purchasing assistance, contact: Mark Kolke
email: mark.kolke@office-space- calgary.com
http://office-space-calgary.com
NEW DOWNTOWN COER OPPORTUNITY:
Office Suite, 30th Floor Petro-Canada West Tower
1,400 sq. ft. o space, fully contained & furnished suite within a business centre
3 window offices & 2 open-plan areas
available June 1
e-mail for further details: mark.kolke@office-space- calgary.com
NEW BELTLINE OPPORTUNITY: SORRY THIS ONE IS LEASED NOW
sublease space in the Beltline, 340-12 Avenue SW
1662 sq. ft., 4 Private offices, board room; great suite
available May 1
sublease term to August 30, 2011
'market sublease rate'
e-mail for further details: mark.kolke@office-space- calgary.com
Mark Kolke lists properties For Judicial Sale on behalf of lenders engaged in foreclosure actions to realize on security for recovery of defaulted mortgage loans. He operates this website to aid in the marketing of these properties and to host the listings of other agents marketing properties offered by way of Judicial Sale
"The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had." - unknown
"Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day." - Dalai Lama
"The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch swing with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had." - Steven Wright
"Coincidence is the word we use when we can't see the levers and pulleys." - Emma Bull
"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out." - Walter Winchell
"There we were, two guys at a stair landing, catching up but both marveling at how that coincidence unfolded on a day two people were running late, where it appears a series of unconnected (or were they?) events brought our paths to a crossroads in the innocuous of places - hmmmm?" - Mark Kolke
Arnold Palmer was playing in a big tournament and comes to a 235 yard par-3. After some deliberation, he takes out his 3 iron and sailed the ball 20 feet over the pin and backs it up to within 3 feet of the pin. A fan in the crowd said "Mr. Palmer, how do you make a 3 iron back up like that?" Mr. Palmer replied, "Do you own a 3 iron?" The fan said, "Yes, sir I do." "How far do you hit it?" said Palmer. About 160 yards was his reply. Palmer calmly said, "What do you want it to back up for?"
Innovative strategies, inspiring work plans and cutting- edge initiatives; we are writers, editors and business communicators who help you frame your message right the first time, on time.
www.frameyourmessage.com is our website - featuring information on services, writer credentials - writing, speaking, coaching -
We have established a presence in Houston, Los Angeles and Maui - staffing up in each market with well credentialed writers in those markets with subject area expertise and availability. Our work is 99% English content for audiences in Canada, US, UK, Australia:
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environment
education
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Mark Kolke writes a daily column (posted at http://markmusing.com ) Musings, after his morning walk. To subscribe (free) to receive his daily musings, write to mark@markmusing.com
+ our objective is to feature information and links to articles which provide insights, ideas and services to help our readers access useful resources to help employees at all levels build on their skills.
+ the Toastmasters program offers an opportunity to improve professional skills; public speaking, leadership training, confidence building - a great way to give your career a boost as you climb the ladder. Toastmasters International - 210,000 members in 90 countries; 65 Toastmasters clubs in Calgary. Toastmasters offer a supportive environment, networking opportunities & a proven program to help people overcome their worst fear - public speaking.
+ Singles and Friends Toastmasters, offers a 'singles only' format - opportunity for socializing & speaking; meets every Wed. @ 7 PM. Info: http://singlesnfriends.freetoasthost.info next meeting May 7
+ MVP Advanced Toastmasters Club, meets @ 7 PM, 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month @ Fluor facility in south Calgary; a club for experienced Toastmasters wishing to hone their skills in a place where the bar is set high; contact club President for further info: Mark.Kolke@frameyourmessage.com or Gerda.Timm@Fluor.com .. next meeting May 8, 7PM http://mvpadvanced.freetoasthost.net
FACILITYCalgary, a MaxComm Communications publication, e-published every Monday. Subscription is free. To subscribe, write to: facilitycalgary@maxcomm.ca
+ kudos to Agrium Inc.'s Sr. VP Finance & CFO Bruce Waterman, named Canada's CFO of the year for 2008
+ thanks to the eagle-eyes last week who pointed out a significant typo in this section; I was writing about Jeff Rubin's prediction of US$225/barrel oil but I inadvertently left out a 2, indicating $25/barrel price; apologies to Jeff & those who went out to buy or sell on that rumour
+ water, water, everywhere - New Brunswick is underwater, Myanmar is under water, the Ontario economy is underwater (and, if so, is the Canadian economy headed for recession like our American cousins?), the Stelmach government is underwater because some ducks landed on the wrong water . .
+ it's always the little things that get the biggest headlines; in over 30 yrs. Syncrude & others have mined Alberta's oilsands without anything coming close to this past week's negative headlines; aside from the math on how many millions of ducks migrate each year, attention has been focused on 500 ducks who were not warned off as they should have been; this has cast unwanted light on an unwanted PR problem while diverting attention from the real issue, which is the balance of competing issues - we all want cheap gas at the pump and clean air to breathe; we all want pristine wilderness and a robust economy; we all want low taxes and superb health care; we all want world class eduction and we want teachers unions to sit down & shut up; the balance we seek is not one of fair (what is that really?) press coverage of issues or an official opposition capable of finding a real issue with both hands; we citizens who buy newspapers find it easy to point blaming fingers at 500 errant ducks or a premier or a corporate CEO without realizing we should be pointing fingers at all of them while standing in front of a mirror; the price we pay for the life we lead in this prosperous land is not one of losing a few ducks or a few bucks but of losing perspective - we live here (the planet), no one else is responsible for cleaning up the mess we make, no one else pays the price of what we want, no one else makes choices for us; Canadians (Americans too) have decided we find the risk of a few ducks landing on toxic crap is OK, the level of conservation we practice is OK, the size of our carbon footprint is OK, the pace at which our governments are turning the ships of state and the state of the economy in a 'sounds a bit like Kyoto Protocol direction' is OK - so, on balance, it seems things are OK; if we collectively decide it is not OK any longer, we need to look in that mirror a while to decide what we are prepared to change for it to be OK, OK?
+ is there a bubble in Alberta real estate prices, is there someone out there with a big pin?
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