I first saw this about 10 years ago. Interesting.
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Christmas Montreal 1957-
1957 would be our second Christmas in Montreal after our move from Ottawa. I think the Santa scenes were in Eaton's later to become Eaton before disappearing.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Housing styles and types, explained
The President's Pen column was prepared by the Ottawa Real Estate Board and first appeared in the 2010-11-18 issue of the EMC community newspapers.
When you’re working with a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) to purchase a home, he or she will create an automated search of properties available for sale to find homes that meet your criteria, such as price, location and number of bedrooms. But there are other search criteria that help your real estate professional narrow down the type of home you are hoping to buy. Some of those terms are common sense while others may be less easy to figure out. Here is a glossary of the terms used for housing styles and types by OREB:
Residential - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds freehold title to a dwelling unit and block of land; often referred to as freehold.
Condominium - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds title to an individual dwelling unit, an undivided interest in common areas of a multi-unit project, and sometimes the exclusive use of certain limited common areas.
Detached: A single dwelling unit standing alone, separately titled.
Row Unit: One dwelling unit of a group of three or more attached, self-contained dwelling units of similar design and size, each unit separately titled. These are often referred to as townhomes.
Semi-Detached: One of a pair of self-contained dwelling units, attached by a common wall but detached from other buildings; separately titled.
Apartment: One unit of a complex of self-contained units lying within a low, mid or high rise building, offering common areas such as hallways, parking lots, stairwells, etc.
Stacked: One unit in a complex containing individual residences stacked on top of each other like apartments (often multi-level), contained in a single structure resembling traditional row houses. Each unit has a separate entrance and is separately titled.
One Level: An apartment with all of its rooms on one level.
1 ½ Storey: a single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade. The upper level is full height at the centre peak but dramatically slopes to shorter height along the outer walls.
2 Storey: A single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade.
3 Storey: A single family dwelling with 3 levels above grade.
Bungalow: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade.
Double Side by Side: A building which consists of two dwelling units beside one another; under single ownership (one legal description); looks like a semi-detached.
Duplex-Up/Down: A building which consists of two dwelling units, one above the other; under single ownership.
Hi-Ranch: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade and the basement level elevated partially above grade. Entry is located halfway between basement level and main level.
Split Level: A single family dwelling with multiple levels above grade, separated by small flights of stairs.
Obviously, some homes are more easily categorized than others; members of OREB try very hard to classify a home correctly when listing it on the MLS® System. Your real estate professional can help you determine which type and style of home might best suit your family’s needs. Who knows - you might find yourself looking at a style of home you’d never considered before!
When you’re working with a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board (OREB) to purchase a home, he or she will create an automated search of properties available for sale to find homes that meet your criteria, such as price, location and number of bedrooms. But there are other search criteria that help your real estate professional narrow down the type of home you are hoping to buy. Some of those terms are common sense while others may be less easy to figure out. Here is a glossary of the terms used for housing styles and types by OREB:
Residential - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds freehold title to a dwelling unit and block of land; often referred to as freehold.
Condominium - a form of property ownership in which the homeowner holds title to an individual dwelling unit, an undivided interest in common areas of a multi-unit project, and sometimes the exclusive use of certain limited common areas.
Detached: A single dwelling unit standing alone, separately titled.
Row Unit: One dwelling unit of a group of three or more attached, self-contained dwelling units of similar design and size, each unit separately titled. These are often referred to as townhomes.
Semi-Detached: One of a pair of self-contained dwelling units, attached by a common wall but detached from other buildings; separately titled.
Apartment: One unit of a complex of self-contained units lying within a low, mid or high rise building, offering common areas such as hallways, parking lots, stairwells, etc.
Stacked: One unit in a complex containing individual residences stacked on top of each other like apartments (often multi-level), contained in a single structure resembling traditional row houses. Each unit has a separate entrance and is separately titled.
One Level: An apartment with all of its rooms on one level.
1 ½ Storey: a single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade. The upper level is full height at the centre peak but dramatically slopes to shorter height along the outer walls.
2 Storey: A single family dwelling with 2 levels above grade.
3 Storey: A single family dwelling with 3 levels above grade.
Bungalow: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade.
Double Side by Side: A building which consists of two dwelling units beside one another; under single ownership (one legal description); looks like a semi-detached.
Duplex-Up/Down: A building which consists of two dwelling units, one above the other; under single ownership.
Hi-Ranch: A single family dwelling with 1 level above grade and the basement level elevated partially above grade. Entry is located halfway between basement level and main level.
Split Level: A single family dwelling with multiple levels above grade, separated by small flights of stairs.
Obviously, some homes are more easily categorized than others; members of OREB try very hard to classify a home correctly when listing it on the MLS® System. Your real estate professional can help you determine which type and style of home might best suit your family’s needs. Who knows - you might find yourself looking at a style of home you’d never considered before!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
How to make a festive Christmas wreath
1) Gather evergreen pieces about 40 cm long. (Be sure to ask permission from landowner first.) 2) Use wire cutters to cut pieces into hand-size lengths.
3) Pile three or four pieces together to be wired to the wreath form.
4) Attach one end of your floral wire to the wreath frame and holding a length of greenery on the front of the frame, wind the floral wire around the end of the boughs and the frame.
5) Don't cut the floral wire. The idea is to use a continuous length of wire to secure the lengths of evergreen to the form.
6) Next, secure a second length of evergreen on the back of the frame, several centimetres further along the wreath form. Tie it in place with the floral wire.
7) Secure a third bunch of greenery on the front, overlapping the first, the fourth on the back, overlapping the second. Continue in this manner until the wreath is complete.
8) Secure the final length of evergreen with an extra twist, and cut floral wire.
9) Trim uneven pieces with wire cutters.
10)Decorate with ribbons, cones, or other items
3) Pile three or four pieces together to be wired to the wreath form.
4) Attach one end of your floral wire to the wreath frame and holding a length of greenery on the front of the frame, wind the floral wire around the end of the boughs and the frame.
5) Don't cut the floral wire. The idea is to use a continuous length of wire to secure the lengths of evergreen to the form.
6) Next, secure a second length of evergreen on the back of the frame, several centimetres further along the wreath form. Tie it in place with the floral wire.
7) Secure a third bunch of greenery on the front, overlapping the first, the fourth on the back, overlapping the second. Continue in this manner until the wreath is complete.
8) Secure the final length of evergreen with an extra twist, and cut floral wire.
9) Trim uneven pieces with wire cutters.
10)Decorate with ribbons, cones, or other items
Resale Market Becomes More Balanced
Courtesy of the Ottawa Real Estate Board-released November 2, 2010
Ottawa, November 2,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,042 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,197 in October 2009, a decrease of 12.9 per cent. Year to date, the number of properties sold has declined 2% compared to the same period last year, a record setting year.Of those sales, 221 were in the condominium property class, while 821 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Six months ago we were in a strong seller’s market, now we have moved into a more balanced market position,” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “Some properties are still receiving multiple offers but this is happening much less often than was the case in the spring.”
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $340,719, an increase of 6.8 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $263,292, an increase of 13.4 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,560, an increase of 5 per cent over October 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
Ottawa, November 2,2010 :Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,042 residential properties in October through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® system compared with 1,197 in October 2009, a decrease of 12.9 per cent. Year to date, the number of properties sold has declined 2% compared to the same period last year, a record setting year.Of those sales, 221 were in the condominium property class, while 821 were in the residential property class. The condominium property class includes any property, regardless of style (i.e. detached, semi-detached, apartment, stacked etc.) which is registered as a condominium, as well as properties which are co-operatives, life leases and timeshares. The residential property class includes all other residential properties.
“Six months ago we were in a strong seller’s market, now we have moved into a more balanced market position,” said Immediate Past President Rick Snell. “Some properties are still receiving multiple offers but this is happening much less often than was the case in the spring.”
The average sale price of residential properties, including condominiums, sold in October in the Ottawa area was $340,719, an increase of 6.8 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price for a condominium-class property was $263,292, an increase of 13.4 per cent over October 2009. The average sale price of a residential-class property was $361,560, an increase of 5 per cent over October 2009. The Board cautions that average sale price information can be useful in establishing trends over time but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value. The average sale price is calculated based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold.
The Ottawa Real Estate Board is an industry association of 2,600 sales representatives and brokers in the Ottawa area. Members of the Board are also members of the Canadian Real Estate Association.
Trademarks are owned or controlled by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify real estate professionals who are members of CREA (REALTOR®) and/or the quality of services they provide (MLS®).
View Full Report
Friday, October 15, 2010
Winter Tires-
Why switch to winter tires when the average temperature drops below 6ºC?
By Brad Sherwin
In the closing days of 2007, the Province of Quebec passed a new road safety act that included a number of initiatives designed to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on the province's highways. One aspect of the new legislation that has generated significant comment is the requirement that beginning in 2008 vehicles have a full set of winter tires when driven between November 15 and April 15.
The importance of winter tires in driver safety and security is well known by those of us in the auto industry. Indeed, there is a wide consensus among safety experts, police, car manufacturers and knowledgeable observers that the addition of four winter tires makes a real and measurable difference in handling, braking, directional stability and starting traction. Countless demonstrations have made believers out of anyone who witnessed a comparison, in winter conditions, between summer tires and winter tires, or even between all-season tires and winter tires.
Indeed, the rapid advance of new technologies recently introduced in winter tires has made that performance difference even greater. The science of tread design has certainly made a contribution, but it is the development of highly specialized compounds for winter tires that has made the most profound difference in performance.
In the case of the Yokohama Rubber Co., the introduction of new technologies has been driven by research that helped identify the danger zone when temperatures are between minus 6 degrees C and 0 degrees C - the temperature when a thin film of water forms between the tire and ice, and creates some of the most difficult driving conditions. That, in turn, prompted the development of features for dealing with that water like the shelled micro-bubbles and absorptive carbon flakes used in the compound of the new Yokohama Ice Guard IG 20 automobile winter tires, and the Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072 winter tires for light trucks and SUVs. Our competitors likely won't be too far behind with their own new features.
It is also increasingly well known that the purchase of winter tires does not represent a substantial increase in the cost of vehicle operation when measured over the total period of ownership. By switching to winter tires, owners are effectively extending the life of their summer or all-season tires; for every month the winter tire is in use, the tire it replaces is not suffering wear. If most owners keep their vehicles between 48 and 60 months, many would normally have to replace tires once during that period. A set of winter tires and a set of summer or all-season tires would be the equivalent of two sets of summer tires with the benefit of added safety and security.
That said, many Canadians have found that all-season tires suit their needs. Those who live in areas with moderate winters or who do limited winter driving have told us that all-season tires perform well in those conditions. While we still recommend winter tires for winter conditions, we certainly respect their choice.
Quebec is not the first jurisdiction to mandate winter tire use, of course. A number of countries in Europe like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Latvia already require the seasonal use of winter tires, while winter tires are mandatory on certain designated roads in countries like France, Austria and Italy. But it may surprise you to know that we do not expect a substantial increase in business as a result of Quebec's new law. It is important to point out that Quebec already has Canada's highest adoption rate for winter tires. Some estimates suggest 80% to 90% of Quebec drivers already employ winter tires, so the actual increase will be incremental to the industry's volumes. Still, we applaud any initiative to enhance road safety and know the improvement in overall safety will be welcome.
Finally, there is a new and growing factor in the discussion of the role of winter tires that we need to acknowledge: the environment.
It is an accepted fact that the salt used on roads in the winter has a serious - and cumulative - negative impact on our water supply. Thousands of tons of salt are used every year across the country to treat roads, and that salt eventually finds its way into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. The impact is very profound, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas where dissolved salts can harm fragile eco-systems.
Provinces and municipalities are struggling to address this issue. Part of the solution may lie in winter tires. Drivers who don't use winter tires rely on the provinces and municipalities to clear roads to bare condition so they can drive. In turn, provinces and municipalities have relied on salt to help create a road surface where drivers without winter tires have some minimal mobility.
If all drivers took the initiative to adopt winter tires, we could drastically reduce the use of salt on roads, and with it the damage salt does to the environment (not to mention roads, bridges and automobiles). Roads would still need to be plowed and sanded, but it would be a win-win situation: Improved safety for road users and reduced damage to the environment from excessive salting.
Much will be said and written in coming months about the new Quebec law. I hope our perspective helps illuminate the discussion. If you have any questions about this or any other tire issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Brad Sherwin is the marketing communications manager for Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. He can be reached at 604-464-6700 x1119. © CarTest.ca.
Editor's note: Winter-rated tires can be identified by a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
By Brad Sherwin
In the closing days of 2007, the Province of Quebec passed a new road safety act that included a number of initiatives designed to reduce deaths, injuries and property damage on the province's highways. One aspect of the new legislation that has generated significant comment is the requirement that beginning in 2008 vehicles have a full set of winter tires when driven between November 15 and April 15.
The importance of winter tires in driver safety and security is well known by those of us in the auto industry. Indeed, there is a wide consensus among safety experts, police, car manufacturers and knowledgeable observers that the addition of four winter tires makes a real and measurable difference in handling, braking, directional stability and starting traction. Countless demonstrations have made believers out of anyone who witnessed a comparison, in winter conditions, between summer tires and winter tires, or even between all-season tires and winter tires.
Indeed, the rapid advance of new technologies recently introduced in winter tires has made that performance difference even greater. The science of tread design has certainly made a contribution, but it is the development of highly specialized compounds for winter tires that has made the most profound difference in performance.
In the case of the Yokohama Rubber Co., the introduction of new technologies has been driven by research that helped identify the danger zone when temperatures are between minus 6 degrees C and 0 degrees C - the temperature when a thin film of water forms between the tire and ice, and creates some of the most difficult driving conditions. That, in turn, prompted the development of features for dealing with that water like the shelled micro-bubbles and absorptive carbon flakes used in the compound of the new Yokohama Ice Guard IG 20 automobile winter tires, and the Yokohama Geolandar I/T G072 winter tires for light trucks and SUVs. Our competitors likely won't be too far behind with their own new features.
It is also increasingly well known that the purchase of winter tires does not represent a substantial increase in the cost of vehicle operation when measured over the total period of ownership. By switching to winter tires, owners are effectively extending the life of their summer or all-season tires; for every month the winter tire is in use, the tire it replaces is not suffering wear. If most owners keep their vehicles between 48 and 60 months, many would normally have to replace tires once during that period. A set of winter tires and a set of summer or all-season tires would be the equivalent of two sets of summer tires with the benefit of added safety and security.
That said, many Canadians have found that all-season tires suit their needs. Those who live in areas with moderate winters or who do limited winter driving have told us that all-season tires perform well in those conditions. While we still recommend winter tires for winter conditions, we certainly respect their choice.
Quebec is not the first jurisdiction to mandate winter tire use, of course. A number of countries in Europe like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Latvia already require the seasonal use of winter tires, while winter tires are mandatory on certain designated roads in countries like France, Austria and Italy. But it may surprise you to know that we do not expect a substantial increase in business as a result of Quebec's new law. It is important to point out that Quebec already has Canada's highest adoption rate for winter tires. Some estimates suggest 80% to 90% of Quebec drivers already employ winter tires, so the actual increase will be incremental to the industry's volumes. Still, we applaud any initiative to enhance road safety and know the improvement in overall safety will be welcome.
Finally, there is a new and growing factor in the discussion of the role of winter tires that we need to acknowledge: the environment.
It is an accepted fact that the salt used on roads in the winter has a serious - and cumulative - negative impact on our water supply. Thousands of tons of salt are used every year across the country to treat roads, and that salt eventually finds its way into our rivers, lakes and wetlands. The impact is very profound, particularly in environmentally sensitive areas where dissolved salts can harm fragile eco-systems.
Provinces and municipalities are struggling to address this issue. Part of the solution may lie in winter tires. Drivers who don't use winter tires rely on the provinces and municipalities to clear roads to bare condition so they can drive. In turn, provinces and municipalities have relied on salt to help create a road surface where drivers without winter tires have some minimal mobility.
If all drivers took the initiative to adopt winter tires, we could drastically reduce the use of salt on roads, and with it the damage salt does to the environment (not to mention roads, bridges and automobiles). Roads would still need to be plowed and sanded, but it would be a win-win situation: Improved safety for road users and reduced damage to the environment from excessive salting.
Much will be said and written in coming months about the new Quebec law. I hope our perspective helps illuminate the discussion. If you have any questions about this or any other tire issue, please don't hesitate to contact me.
Brad Sherwin is the marketing communications manager for Yokohama Tire (Canada) Inc. He can be reached at 604-464-6700 x1119. © CarTest.ca.
Editor's note: Winter-rated tires can be identified by a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Do's and Don'ts for Bathrooms
Here are some tips from:
Sharon Hay
Senior Feng Shui Practitioner
www.canadianfengshui.ca
- Keep the toilet lid down, when not in use
- Keep shower curtain closed
- No pictures of people you know in the bathroom (The low chi of the bathroom can affect the people in the pictures)
- No spiritual books in the bathroom (it is not recommended to mix high vibrational information with waste) People magazine is OK.
- Best if toilet is hidden from view upon entering the main door of the home (If not, place visual to distract vision away from toilet, such as a plant or small table) It could affect health or career of the occupants
- Green, brown or beige can be most helpful by reducing the overabundance of the water element
- A bed should not be on the other side of the wall of the toilet plumbing
- The worst placement in the home for a toilet is the very center of the home. Can cause imbalance in the occupant's lives.
- Dripping taps encourage you to waste money, noisy plumbing and cisterns are disturbing on a subliminal level
- Don't have an abundance of mirror and glass in the bathroom as this adds to the overabundance of the water element which drains the energy out of your home
- Real Estate Agents: make sure you put all the toilet lids down before an open-hous
Sharon Hay
Senior Feng Shui Practitioner
www.canadianfengshui.ca
- Keep the toilet lid down, when not in use
- Keep shower curtain closed
- No pictures of people you know in the bathroom (The low chi of the bathroom can affect the people in the pictures)
- No spiritual books in the bathroom (it is not recommended to mix high vibrational information with waste) People magazine is OK.
- Best if toilet is hidden from view upon entering the main door of the home (If not, place visual to distract vision away from toilet, such as a plant or small table) It could affect health or career of the occupants
- Green, brown or beige can be most helpful by reducing the overabundance of the water element
- A bed should not be on the other side of the wall of the toilet plumbing
- The worst placement in the home for a toilet is the very center of the home. Can cause imbalance in the occupant's lives.
- Dripping taps encourage you to waste money, noisy plumbing and cisterns are disturbing on a subliminal level
- Don't have an abundance of mirror and glass in the bathroom as this adds to the overabundance of the water element which drains the energy out of your home
- Real Estate Agents: make sure you put all the toilet lids down before an open-hous
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