Real Talk!

Earthquakes and Other Things

Earthquakes Canada reports a 5.2 magnitude earthquake hit near Shawville, Quebec – about an hour‘s drive from Ottawa – shortly after 9:45 a.m, yesterdary morning. I found an interesting site online: http://www.earthquakescanada.nrcan.gc.ca/dyfi-lavr/index-eng.php

I felt the quake... it sure made my puppy sit up and take notice. Still, it wasn't as strong as the one I felt about three July's ago... during that one, I watched the ground undulate... I was sitting in exactly the same place... funny that. I knew immediately what was happening... it sounded at first like thunder, then I thought it was a big truck doing too fast... but those thoughts past very quickly and I thought "earthquake" and looked out the window to see if the ground might open up.

And I went to facebook to type in the word "earthquake" and saw a posting about some guys having a cellphone video that appears to show Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack cocaine.

I don't know what to say.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Kevin O' Leary on Cottages

Check this out:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows/Lang+%26+O%27Leary+Exchange/ID/2385681869/

@ about 12:47 (time into the program) Kevin O’Leary on the March 16, 2013 Lang & O’Leary Exchange: says cottages are a bad investment & that cottages prices are NOT rising. He advocates renting.

Yet, a September 2010 National Post article quotes O’Leary, “Lakefront’s very hard to buy now. And so when I think about it in terms of asset appreciation in our own portfolio of things, this is probably one of the best performing we have. Not the cottage- the land.”

O’Leary purchased the land on Lake Joseph in 1994. The property boasts 1,100 feet of waterfront in a quiet cove that is protected by a neighbouring island. He subsequently engaged Architect David Gillett to design a 9,000 square-foot Muskokan style cottage with cedar shingles and had it built into the rocky hillside around 2003. In the same article, O’Leary jokes that, “I’m sure we went 2,000% over budget.”

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/TV+Shows/Lang+%26+O%27Leary+Exchange/ID/2385681869/

Another online article: http://calebchris.webs.com/extras.htm

talks about how Kevin has a rather sophisticated guitar collection and still loves to play. Fans know that that O’Leary is a talented blues musician. In fact, sometimes he likes to take his amp down to boathouse dock and serenade the lake.

There are tons of articles online that describe the O’Learys love of their Muskoka digs. Some describe a life of deck parties, deliveries of newspaper & wine via boat and early morning coffee enjoying lake views on the sunrise side of the dock. Apparently the family spend a great deal of time at the boathouse, while the dining room sports a 13 foot table, perfect for entertaining.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

It's May- isn't it?

Well... May 2013 started out rather strangely. One day we woke up and it was 29 degrees celcius which really melted those huge snow banks that had accumulated over the winter! & most of us were afraid to complain because the winter had seemed so long.

We broke out the summer clothes, wore sandals and soaked up the sun...

for several days.

But it was a trick. A cruel hoax. I suddenly, we were thrust into zero degree temperatures again. It played havoc on my daffodils.

& Mother's day was the most curious mix of wind, sun, hail, snow and c-c-c-cold.

We're back to our winter jackets and wondering about all of this weird weather.

It's gotta get warm again, soon.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Finding Employment in Small Rural Communities

This is a copy of a letter to the Editor that was published in the Bancroft This Week newspaper. I couldn't say it any better.

To the Editor,

In response to the lady new to our area, who wrote in a few weeks ago, dismayed at not finding work, you are not alone! Many newcomers have faced bankruptcy by staying in rural Ontario.
Our local unemployment rate is twice the provincial average (par with Newfoundland) and wages are only 52 per cent of provincial average. But we don’t find that out by looking at Stats Canada figures which for us, are lumped in with Belleville, where the job situation is much different.
Bancroft is a small retirement community with a short tourist season. Most jobs here are part-time, minimum wage and seasonal. Many locals never work long enough to even qualify for Employment Insurance! Most jobs go to friends and family, since they are so scarce. Also, youth unemployment everywhere (not just in rural Ontario) is twice the adult average and up five per cent in recent years.
Recently CBC radio reported that half the jobs in Ontario are “precarious” (short-term or contracts that do not lead to another contract, nevermind a full time job). Meaning, there is “Mcwork” but few full-time, permanent, secure “jobs.” Once the economic driver of Canada, Ontario’s employment situation is now like rural Canada’s, little job security or benefits. The work situation is rapidly deteriorating as jobs are outsourced to other countries.
What to do? String several part-time jobs together if you can find them. Or start your own small business, but know that 80 per cent of small businesses fail in the first three years, especially in seasonal regions. Try downsizing and living more simply?
Where is the hope? 60 per cent of all new jobs in the next decade will be in the trades.
The government is offering many perks to encourage people to go into apprenticeships due a shortage of skilled labour and those jobs pay very well.
Many women’s jobs are now apprenticeable too. Or go west to the Prairies where the economic boom is on and big companies can’t find enough workers!
Anything else?
Take some certificate courses resume builders at Loyalist College to impress employers. Volunteer to get more work references and find out where the jobs are – 90 per cent of jobs are never advertised. Instead of applying for jobs, even city folk now volunteer for several months hoping to land a job that way.
It’s tough out there.
Good luck!

K. Richardson
Bancroft

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Attention Home Sellers

Today, over 90% of home buyers start their search for their dream home online. The MLS (c) website www.realtor.ca is the #1 place to have your property seen!

Newspaper listings and advertisements, albeit still numerous, are considered outdated. The internet is now the way to go when selling or buying a home.

When you want to get the best price, you have got to stay in line with market conditions. There are a lot of ways to add value that you might want to consider, for instance:

Have a home inspection by a professional. Most buyers will ask to have a home inspection and sometimes deals fall apart when the inspector finds issues, even small ones. A Seller can always have an inspection and then, conduct repairs that are required... or at least, be prepared and disclose any problems.
Boost your curb appeal. Remember, you have only one opportunity to make a first impression. Make sure your home looks cared for, if not inviting. Touch up the exterior trim & doors, stain or paint the fence, trim bushes and clean up sheds and garages. Plant some colourful flowers and make sure there are no dead patches in the grass. Don’t forget to think about the lighting.
Freshen up. Don’t get into expensive renovation; simply wash walls, ceilings, mouldings and trim. If it needs a coat of paint, choose a neutral colour. Update knobs on older cupboards and closets. Invest in some contemporary light fixtures.
Check out your local “ReStore” , there are 74 outlets in Canada, operated by Habitat for Humanity. These retail stores sell new and gently used home furnishings, building supplies, windows, doors, paint, tools, hardware, lumber, fixtures, appliances and more! The profits from the ReStore are used to fund the local Habitat affiliate. Visit habitat.ca/restore to find a handy location.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Hybla

The Hamlet of "Hybla" is now considered a ghost town. The place was named after an ancient town in Sicily that was known for honey. There is still a sign marking the location.

Originally a farm settlement, the railway arrived in 1907 and soon Hybla grew to include 2 stores, boarding houses, stables, churches, a blacksmith and sawmill. These establishments all but disappeared after the mines closed and many of the buildings burned down in the 50’s. The small train station was moved to become part of the Woodcox family home.

Take Hwy. 62 north from Bancroft about 11 km to the Hybla Road (on the right). Follow the road east about 2 km and you may catch a glimpse of the Hybla Gospel Tabernacle, a small, insulbrick building almost hidden by trees and bushes, but close to the road on the north side. Continue on the Hybla Road another 3.5 km and you come to a T in the road, turn right and make a swift left- 3 km down the road, on the north side the Zion United Church stands. The church is over a century old, originally built as a Methodist church.

Part of Monteagle Township, the area was once the home of many, many mines. The following are some examples:

Cairns Mine- The deposit was worked between 1920 and 1924. 2 carloads of feldspar were taken.

Hickey Mine- Operated in 1949- the deposits include sunstone feldspar, hematite, smoky quartz, microcline, allanite, pyroxene group, mica, chlorite group

National Graphite Mine-The mine operated from 1912 to 1919. Apatite, flake graphite, phlogopite, garnet, molybdenite and fluorescents were found here.

Watson Mine-The deposit was worked between 1919 and 1926. Titanite, Jarosite, Albite, Microcline, hornblende,pyrite and amazonite have been noted.

Weston Mine- was noted for titanite, allanite, smoky quartz and milky quartz.

Woodcox Mine- includes zoned granite pegmatite and hatchettolite have been reported. Titanite, allanite, ellsworthite, moonstone and amazonite are also listed for this site.

MacDonald Mine- Known for allanite, zircons, smoky quartz, feldspar and ellsworthite.

McCormack Mine- In granite pegmatite dyke intruding amphibolite and granite gneiss, worked in 1920 and 1926.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Private Deals

from:

The Jeff Campbell Team - Century 21 - Calgary Real Estate

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The Cost of Smoking

Please note: This is not an anti-smoking rant... this is simple fact.

A recent study (conducted by Pfizer Canada between Jan.31 and Feb. 6, 2013) suggests that homeowners who smoke in their home lower the value by about 20%.

In my experience, this holds true- especially in those cases where years of smoking (and excessive frying of foods is a culprit, too) had left staining on the walls, ceilings, fixtures, flooring and curtains, furniture etc. I've seen orange goo dripping down walls and stains so severe that the entire home has a yellowy hue. It's very sad.

There are times that buyers won't even step into a smoker's home because of the smell.

I have urged smokers to clean their homes before exposing them to the market, but it often falls on deaf ears. It's quite an undertaking, but it is worth it- & air and fabric freshners do not cut it.

Here's what has to be done:

First, you need to keep your pets and children safely out of harm's way and open some windows... ventilate the area! Replace filters in the furnace and hood fans. It helps to set bowls of white vinegar in the room (some people put saucers of amonia in each room). Purchase, rent or borrow and air purifier and run it in the living room. Scrub the walls & ceilings of every room. TSP (trisodium phosphate) is a super all around cleaner but may not be permitted in your area. Amonia and glycol based products will help to neutralize the odour. Put towels around the baseboard so that you don't have water damage on them... but do make sure you wash all of the ledges, windows and trim, doors and baseboards and the quarter round, too. & don't forget chandeliers, light fixtures, light & outlet covers and fans. Rinse all of the surfaces and allow them to dry.

If you are using TSP, wear a mask and gloves.

Clean all windows and mirrors with vinegar.

At your local paint store, you will find a product called BIN or KILLZ (or ask for something similar). This is a sealer/primer that will help to keep the smoke residue from coming through new paint. Carpets will need a deep cleaning, you can try it yourself- or call a professional, but most often, the carpets need to be removed and replaced.

Launder all draperies. Put a little vinegar in the water to help neutralize odours. Clean all blinds, too. Some blinds can be soaked in the bath with hot water and vinegar. Then you can scrub them with a soft brush and rinse them, before drying. Fabric blinds will likely need to be dry cleaned or replaced. Wooden blinds need to be well-cleaned with an appropriate product.

In addtion, I've heard good stuff about this product: http://smellsbegone.com/ but I have no personal experience with it.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.