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Many people know what April showers bring, but what about May flowers? What do they bring? One word: bugs. Warm weather invites many out of hibernation, and that includes insects. June's pleasant temperatures have bees buzzing, butterflies fluttering, ants picnicking, and termites getting ready to feast. Most can appreciate the need for bees pollinating, enjoy a butterfly's beauty, and love to hate ants, but termites illicit a very different reaction. These pests have the potential to inflict serious damage to your home, and are the bane of homeowners.
One of the major things termites need to thrive is warm climates. As the temperature rises, so too does the potential for termite infestations. With spring turning into summer, it's important to be able to recognize the conditions conducive to termite infestations and learn how to protect your home from these unwanted inhabitants.
Subterranean termites typically cause the most structural damage and are most prevalent in the southern coastal areas, the dry climate of the Okanagan areas of British Columbia, southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and the Maritime provinces. Though each species of termite thrives in different climates and eats different types of food, all termites require four things to survive:
1. Food2. Moisture3. Shelter4. Optimal temperatures
These conditions can be found in all buildings, regardless of their construction type. However, older homes typically face increased termite threats as wood rot is more common in them.
As with the normal approach taken when dealing with other pests, the best way to prevent a termite infestation is to reduce access to food and water sources. For termites, this means eliminating moisture and removing wood sources, including wood piles and mulch close to the home. Rotted wood is by far the most common way for termites to gain entry into the home. The soft, pulpy material gives termites easy access to both food and moisture. If you have concerns about a termite infestation in your home, consider:
Unlike other pests, termites are typically very hard to detect. With the exception of annual swarms, when reproductive termites move to start new colonies, termites live primarily out of sight. So how can you tell if something you can't see is occupying your home? There are a few termite signs that can indicate an infestation. Watch out for:
If you have termites in your home, it's essential to reach out to a professional pest control company to help you address the issue - quickly. Termites can cause the most structural damage of any insect and, based on the extent of the damage, remediation expenses can run well into the thousands of dollars. Treatment methods vary based on the species of termite, size of infestation, and other factors. The required chemicals for termite treatment are not for sale to the public, and must be used in strictly controlled conditions. Your licensed pest management professional can set up the best corrective steps if you have a termite infestation.
Orkin Canada, a leading name in pest control in Canada and our Specialty Services partner, can assist Carson Dunlop clients and real estate partners with termite-related inquiries, including termite inspections and treatment plans. To learn more please call 800-268-7070.
In an effort to help better inform first-time home buyers, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has developed an initiative on Twitter to provide users with easy access to real estate experts and resources. RBC runs #RBCFirstHome Twitter chats frequently, and they've graciously asked us to contribute to the last few sessions. These chats aim to assist with the home buying process by allowing home buyers to communicate with professionals who specialize in various areas related to real estate (REALTORS®, mortgage specialists, home stagers, real estate lawyers, and Home Inspectors). Participants can tweet with the #RBCFirstHome hashtag and ask experts questions related to buying a house and the housing market.
We've learned a lot during these sessions, and not just about technology (Twitter is fun, but it sure isn't intuitive #whatisahastag). Connecting with first time buyers reminded us that home buying is a complicated process that many people have questions about.
To help eliminate some of this knowledge gap, we combed through the questions asked throughout the chats we've participated in, and compiled a list of the inquiries and comments we feel will help home buyers most. If you're in the process of buying your first home, or if you just want to refresh your knowledge, consider the information below – you might have some similar questions.
A professional Home Inspection is a visual assessment of a property. Inspectors will investigate the interior and exterior of the home, evaluating its major components – for example, the roof, the structure, the electrical and plumbing, the heating and cooling system, and the insulation. Their task is to determine how the systems in the home are operating and whether there are any large expenses the buyer will be facing should they move forward with the purchase. The focus is on functionality, lifespan, and safety. Your Home Inspector's goal is to give you a concrete understanding of the home so you can make an informed decision on the purchase.
This is more situational. When a major expense is discovered it is up to the potential buyer to determine what their recourse will be, if any. Some buyers use the discovery to negotiate the price, or have the seller repair or replace the item. In other cases the buyer decides to walk away from the deal. Every case is different and it's best to get the information you need from the inspector and then work with your real estate agent to figure out what your next step will be.
This depends on the home and your concerns. Over the last couple of years we have seen an increasing number of clients opt to make a more informed decision by using specialists to look at specific items or specific areas of the home. These services are usually provided by specialists in their field to examine areas that fall outside of the scope of a normal Home Inspection. Some examples of these specialty services are environmental testing like mold, asbestos and indoor air quality, pool, pest, chimney and sewer camera inspections and many more. If you are buying a rural property you may also want or need to have a well and septic inspection. As well, Thermal Imaging Inspections, where an inspector uses an infrared camera to test for moisture issues in the home, have become very popular in the last few years. It really comes down to what makes you the most comfortable as a buyer.
Your real estate agent will usually provide a list of three companies that they recommend, but will leave the final decision up to you. You do not have to choose an inspector from that list, but it does give you a good place to start. In terms of evaluating an inspector to see if they are right for you and your home there are many qualities to consider. We recommend that you focus on experience and education, and ensure that the report includes the information that you require in an easy to understand format. Many people tend to focus on the cost of the inspection, and while we understand that it's important to stay within your budget, going with the least expensive option can sometimes cost you in the long run. Buying a home is arguably the biggest investment you will ever make in your life, so spending the money on a qualified professional to educate you on the home you're buying is an essential part of the buying process. If you aren't sure what to consider, check out our guide on how to choose a Home Inspector.
We hope this information has helped to shed some light on questions you were afraid to ask, or didn't know you had. If you want some more expert advice as you prepare to buy your first home make sure to join us (@carsondunlop) for the next #RBCFirstHome Twitter chat on June 17th at 9:00pm ET. Twitter not your thing, or need some more immediate answers? Call our office at 800-268-7070 or send us an email, our customer service representatives are always available to help.
It's mid-June, and you know what that means: Dad's big day is just around the corner. That's right; Father's Day is this Sunday. Are you ready to celebrate? Or are you having difficulty buying for the man that apparently, especially when you ask him, wants for nothing? Instead of opting for the traditional tie and coffee mug, this year, try doing something for Dad.
Sure, a new tie can really bring a look together and a mug letting everyone know you're the World's Greatest Dad can definitely boost the ego, but helping with the chores that Dad is usually responsible for can be a thoughtful gift too. This weekend use the tips below so you can take care of the yard work and grilling, and give Dad a relaxing Father's Day.
Yard Work
When it comes to maintaining your yard, one of the most time-consuming tasks is mowing the lawn. This is a fairly straightforward, albeit annoying, chore. Make sure you clean away sticks and other items that may interfere with the mower before you begin. You don't need to give your lawn a buzz cut. Try to keep the grass at least 6-8cm long so that the roots are shaded and able to hold water well. As with other outdoor activities in the summer, it's important to be weather-prepared. Wear a hat, put on sunscreen and bug spray, and stay hydrated.
You may not have to help with this, as healthy lawns usually only require about 2.5cm of water on a weekly basis to thrive. Check to see when the last time your lawn was watered before taking any action. If it has been more than a week since your lawn was watered grab the hose or sprinkler. Water slowly to both make sure that the ground actually absorbs the water, and to limit the amount of run-off that occurs. It's also important to water thoroughly – a shallow sprinkling doesn't do as much good as soaking down into the roots.
Like the individuals who create and take care of them, every yard or garden is different. Some are a testament to organization; others cultivate a more natural aesthetic. Depending on the way your garden is laid out you may have to do some minor trimming. If you have any shrubs, hedges, or trees near the foundation of your home, it's a good idea to pull branches and trim excess leaves away from the home. This will help to let sunlight into the home, curb the bugs that wish to access the home, and assist with water management.
While you're by your foundation, take a look at your downspouts. How far do they extend? They should reach approximately 6 feet away from your home. If they fall short of this you may see wet or eroded patches where rainwater has been pooling. When not properly directed away from your home via a downspout, water remains on the ground by your foundation, slowly seeping into it. A minor repair to your downspouts can save you major expenses in the future.
Grilling Safety & Maintenance
Make sure your barbeque is clean before firing it up. Dirt, debris, bugs, and cobwebs can get lodged inside the grill – especially if you don't use it frequently. This is not the sort of seasoning you want on your burgers, so always check to see how clean your grill is before putting food on it.
Take a look at your propane tank. Of course, it's important that there's enough fuel to cook your food, but it's also important to assess the condition of the tank. Is your tank damaged or rusty? If so, it might be time for a replacement. You should be replacing your tanks approximately every decade.
If you use charcoal as fuel, it's important to make sure your barbeque is vented properly. Carbon monoxide is released when this fuel source is lit, and poses a threat when inhaled. Keep the barbeque at least 3 metres away from windows and doors.
When you're done grilling, do not dispose of the used charcoal unless you are confident that the coals are fully extinguished. Hot coals can easily start a fire and are very dangerous.
Do not leave your barbeque unsupervised, especially if you are grilling with your children and pets nearby.
Keep the barbeque out of range of combustible items like wooden fences and trees and shrubs.
Do not get too close to the grill and make sure to wear appropriate clothing like a thick apron and short sleeved shirt to help minimize the potential for having your clothing catch fire. As well, use long tongs and brushes to protect you from the open heat source.
Whatever you end up doing with Dad, we hope you have a safe and fun Father's Day. Looking for more summer tips? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
There's no denying it, spring has sprung. The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and the birds have returned to nest. Though we now appreciate this perfectly-temperate weather, ideal for picnics and baseball, experience tells us it will not last long. The extreme heat of summer is coming - you know, the record highs you swore you wouldn't complain about when you were knee-deep in snow, shoveling your driveway through gritted teeth. Although most of us are thrilled to be free of winter's ice and snow, heat waves and severe humidity are not the most comfortable weather systems either, and soon the complaints will start to flow.
While our aim is not to appear pessimistic in the face of this pleasant spring season, we do encourage homeowners to be aware of, and plan for, the realities of the coming weather cycles. We aren't exactly calling for the hatches to be battened down, but just as you performed furnace maintenance to prepare it for the winter, it's important to consider the effects the summer heat will have on your cooling system. Like the majority of your home's systems, proper maintenance can help to increase your air conditioner's lifespan and ensure that it works properly. Check out our guide to cooling systems below to learn more.
Air Conditioner 101
There are many types of air conditioning systems; however they all work on the same principle: moving heat from a relatively cool space to a relatively warm space. In the summer, air conditioners take heat from the house air and transfer it to the exterior. This heat may be transferred to the outside air, a body of water, or into the ground.
Air-Cooled Air Conditioning Systems
Air-cooled air conditioning systems are the most common. They have two main components:
1. The evaporator - which may be in the ductwork immediately above the furnace or in a fan coil in the attic.
2. The condenser - which is outdoors.
When most people picture an air conditioner they envision a large metal box that sits just outside of the home. It's an item you have to carefully rake around in the fall and clear snow off of in the winter - sometimes it even comes with its own special plastic cover. This box is the condenser unit.
The evaporator is inside the home. It is used to turn the refrigerant, the medium which carries the heat, from a liquid into a gaseous state.
Inside the condenser is the compressor: a pump that moves the refrigerant through the system and compresses the refrigerant, raising its temperature significantly. The compressor is the heart of the system.
Severe damage can occur to air conditioning compressors if they are turned on when the outside temperature is below 65º F (16º C). The life expectancy of a compressor is typically 10 to 15 years in moderate climates and as little as 8 to 10 years in hot climates. Depending on the age of the unit, replacement of a failed compressor may not be cost-effective. The unit may be so old that replacement parts are not readily available or the system might use an older refrigerant. In these cases, it may be better to replace the entire condenser unit, rather than just the compressor.
It's important to make sure the condenser is on level ground (within roughly 10 degrees). The compressor or the refrigerant lines may be damaged if the unit is not level. So if your unit is on ground that is sloping towards or away from your home, this should be addressed.
You should also check to make sure that the condenser is positioned a safe distance away from exhaust discharge vents. Hot air discharging from a water heater exhaust vent or a dryer vent can affect the operation of air conditioning systems. These should be kept several feet from the condenser.
If your condenser is running loudly, the best course of action you can take is to contact a service specialist to diagnose and correct the issue. There are several causes of noisy condensers; a technician will be able to assess the problem and offer remediation advice. In fact, due to the complexity of air-cooling systems, if you suspect there is any kind of problem with your unit (noise-related or otherwise) engaging a service specialist is usually a good idea. Many of the complications you can encounter with your air-cooling system will be hard for the majority of homeowners to identify; working with a reputable technician can be very valuable. We recommend having a service person check your system annually to help ensure that everything is functioning normally.
There are also some air conditioner maintenance tasks homeowners can assume themselves. These include:
Helpful tip: write down the size of your filter before going to buy a new one.
At Carson Dunlop, we are committed to our clients for the long-run. The Carson Dunlop Homeowners Association helps reduce costs on everyday home expenses, like air conditioner maintenance. Our association member, AtlasCare, offers Carson Dunlop clients and real estate partners preferred pricing and exclusive deals on heating and cooling system work.
Many homeowners will have taken this past long weekend as an opportunity to get some much needed spring cleaning done. The beginning of warmer weather brings with it many chores – some cosmetic (like cutting the grass and pulling weeds), and some more practical (like cleaning the gutters and changing the screens on your windows). When it comes to spring cleaning, we encourage homeowners to focus on function over fashion, and ensure that their home systems are working well and ready for the change in season, before tending to their gardens.
Spring is usually a rainy season, and this one is shaping up to be on par with typical precipitation trends. As such, most of the practical spring chores we advise homeowners to undertake relate to water management and keeping your home dry. As the skies start to darken and the air becomes more humid, consider the following items and make sure they're checked off your spring cleaning checklist before it pours:
We know we preach the importance of maintaining your water management systems regularly, but in our 36 years leading the Home Inspection industry we've come to understand that water is the number one enemy of homes. These systems should receive your attention at every season change, especially during the spring as it is typically a very rainy time. For more spring advice connect with us on Twitter and Facebook.
Spring has arrived and although it's not as warm as some of us would like, we are still counting our blessings that it's rain and not snow falling from the sky – sorry Eastern Canada, we know it will stop snowing over there soon, probably. As the increase in temperatures has you setting aside your winter wear for more seasonally-appropriate garb, it's equally important to make sure your home is ready for the change in weather.
Consider the following ways to maintain your home for spring. Some of these items will fall under some simple spring cleaning, and some are more safety-oriented. We'd encourage homeowners to approach each task with the same enthusiasm, as we often see safety items overlooked for other chores, and then ultimately forgotten.
Check your Gutters & Downspouts
As you perform maintenance around your home this weekend, take some time for gutter cleaning to ensure your gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves, twigs, or excess snow, so water can effectively drain through them. The extreme snow, wind, and ice storms we experienced this winter may have rendered your gutters and downspouts ineffective – either breaking or moving them, or filling them with debris. While checking your gutters, look at your downspouts to see if they've suffered any damage. They should extend at least six feet from your home, so that they can effectively direct water away from your foundation.
Keep your Window Wells Free of Debris
Water and debris can get trapped in your window wells, allowing moisture to intrude into your basement. Clear out any debris, and to avoid this in the future, a clear plastic dome can be installed over the window well to keep water and debris out.
Assess your Roof
Roofs take the brunt of winter weather abuse. Now that your roof is free of ice and snow, it's a great opportunity to see what condition it is in.
Roofing can be damaged by hail, raccoons, or other animals, and should be regularly inspected by a professional. Localized repairs are often an option, but as a general rule, when more than 10% to 15% of the roof requires repairs, it is best to replace the roof covering.
It's important to know that roofs do not last forever. As roof materials grow old, they lose their ability to keep water out of the house. Asphalt and wood roofing can crack, curl, and shrink. Wood roofing rots, or burns through from the sun. Shingles, or tiles may fall off as the materials or fasteners deteriorate. By knowing the signs of potential problems, you can have a professional complete necessary roof repair or replacements without the major costs associated with water damage.
Ensure your Home has Proper Lot Grading
No foundation wall system is completely waterproof. Water accumulating in the soil outside your home will leak through eventually. To combat this, it is essential to keep the soil outside your home dry. Achieving dry soil can be done by ensuring the ground around your home slopes away from your home, rather than towards it. The ground around the home should slope down six inches for the first ten feet away from the home; this can often be achieved by adding topsoil. The theory is simple – if there's no water in the soil on the outside of the foundation wall, no water will get into the interior.
Test your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
We recommend testing your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on a monthly basis, and changing these devices' batteries twice a year. You should have at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, although having more is encouraged. When testing to make sure your smoke detector is working, check the expiry date printed on the smoke detector. If the unit is past this date, or if it is more than ten years old, it should be replaced. If there is no expiry date, it's probably more than ten years old.
Not every home comes equipped with a carbon monoxide detector, which means you might not have one. If you don't have one, it's not only a good idea to get one, the Ontario government passed a law a few months ago making these devices mandatory in every home. Carbon monoxide detectors help to protect homeowners from the dangers related to carbon monoxide poisoning. If your detector finds there is an unsafe level of carbon monoxide in your home it will notify you in a manner similar to a smoke detector: loud beeping. And like a smoke alarm, it requires the same degree of regular maintenance, so check your carbon monoxide detector on a monthly basis, change its batteries twice a year, and check the expiry date. Carbon monoxide detectors often have only a seven-year life span.
Check your Furnace & Air Conditioner Filters
Do you know how often to change a furnace filter? Your furnace and air conditioner filters should be checked monthly to determine if they need cleaning or changing. Typically located in the air return duct adjacent to the furnace, making sure your furnace filter is in good condition can help improve both comfort and heating costs. You will need to see if you should purchase a cleanable or disposable furnace filter – most homeowners choose to have a disposable filter, for convenience, but both are good choices. Furnace filters generally range from $5 to $30 depending on the type of filter you select.
Helpful tip: Note the size of your filter before heading out to buy a new one.
Good luck to all the homeowners starting their spring cleaning projects! We know that for many it can be a dreaded chore, but it means we're that much closer to summertime lounging.
Looking for more home maintenance tips in 140 characters or less? Connect with us on Twitter.
Spring is known as one of the busiest seasons for real estate and this one is no exception. Fresh sunshine and warm temperatures are bringing home buyers out of hibernation in droves. In a recent News Release, Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) President, Dianne Usher said, "the spring market started off on a strong note in the Greater Toronto Area [GTA], with a 10.8 per cent year-over-year sales increase reported by Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® during the first two weeks of April."* Although many predicted that this year's spring market would be slower than normal due to the consistently fewer number of homes for sale, record sales numbers challenge this assumption. Usher explains, "While the persistent listings shortage in the GTA, coupled with strong demand, has led to a brisk pace of price growth, very low advertised mortgage rates have gone a long way to mitigating the effect of upward trending home prices."*
The fast pace of this busy market, combined with the fierce competition for homes, means most individuals who are buying a house have to move very quickly to get the property they want. Some believe that "moving quickly" translates to waiving conditions – a decision we strongly advise against; especially skipping the Home Inspection. A Home Inspection is a very important part of the real estate process, as these professional consultations provide buyers with a comprehensive evaluation of the home from the roof to the basement to give them a better understanding of the home they are buying. To move quickly without compromising on quality or information we encourage home buyers to make strategic preparations when they first enter the real estate market.
Just as you choose your real estate agent before you start looking for a new home, why not do the same with your Home Inspector? Choosing your Home Inspector early in the game can put you at a considerable advantage. Instead of making multiple phone calls to determine which inspection company you would like to work with and then figuring out everyone's availability (yours, your agent's, the seller's, their agent's, and the inspector's) all while you're trying to secure the home (talking to your bank, confirming your mortgage, and remaining competitive compared to other interested buyers), selecting your inspector early on can save you some stress and make the buying process more efficient.
How to Choose a Home Inspector
When looking for a Home Inspector, many buyers focus on the three Es: education, experience, and expense. While we do agree that it's important to ensure that the inspector you're working with is well-trained and very familiar with the industry, we believe that when it comes to one of the biggest investments you will ever make, the cost of the inspection should not be your primary concern. The emphasis should instead be on the quality of service you receive. In addition to the training and knowledge of your inspector, here are a few other items to consider:
Most Home Inspectors will have a sample of their inspection report available for prospective clients, either online or by request – make sure to review this as it will be the roadmap to your new home. Can you read it? How detailed is it? Are there pictures? And, most importantly, how soon after your inspection will you receive it? If the report falls short in any of these areas you should reconsider working with this company. An inspector may be great on site, but if they don't provide you with a valuable report, it might be time to find someone else.
Reputable Home Inspection Companies will adhere to a Standard of Practice (if they don't that is a bad sign) – familiarize yourself with this document. It will outline the way the inspector will inspect, and what is and is not covered in their inspection. Reading this will help you to understand what your inspector will be assessing in the home and what to expect from the inspection.
When vetting your Home Inspector it's important to make sure that they're available when you need them – before and after the inspection. You should know how much notice you have to give the company to get an inspection when you need it; do they need more than 24 hours? It's also good practice to discuss their post-inspection policy. Can you contact them if you have questions about the report? What about if you run into an issue after you close, or if you want to do a renovation a few years into homeownership? Beyond these factors, it's very important to consider how accessible they are. Is it hard to get in touch with them? How quickly do they or their company get back to you? These questions point to the relationship you'll have with your inspector after they've done their job, and it's valuable to be aware of their commitment to their clients.
Selecting your Home Inspector before you've found your home means that when you do find your dream home you'll have one less thing to worry about. At Carson Dunlop, our Customer Service Team is available to answer questions about our Home Inspection services and more seven days a week. Contact us via email or call 800-268-7070 to see how we can help you. We'd love to help welcome you to your new home.
Spring has sprung, and with it comes more than just the pitter patter of raindrops on your roof. As we begin to see the temperature consistently above zero, and climbing, many homeowners will dive into their next home improvement project
If you're one of the many homeowners undertaking a spring project, consider the following: renovations can be a disruptive activity and it's important to be aware of what it is you're disrupting. Some projects create a mess of dirt and debris, and some create, or rather expose, more dangerous substances.
In last month's March Poll we asked you to look at a picture and tell us what was or wasn't wrong with it. Although everyone polled did agree that the photo showed a problem, only 30% identified the possible presence of asbestos in the tiles. In light of the limited knowledge homeowners have with respect to asbestos and mould, and the start of renovation season, we thought it was a great time to discuss the more hazardous materials home construction can unearth.
Prior to the mid-1980s, asbestos was commonly used in many household items, like flooring, insulation, and around pipes. Asbestos minerals tend to separate into microscopic particles that become airborne and are easily inhaled. As long as it is undisturbed, neither the asbestos fibers nor the dust will be released into the air. However, when it is disturbed, it becomes dangerous. Exposure to asbestos can cause individuals to develop several types of life-threatening diseases, including lung cancer. Like any hazards, length and intensity of exposure are major factors in the risk of asbestos-related respiratory illness.
If the renovations that you're doing involve areas or items that may contain asbestos, it's important to have an asbestos inspection performed. An asbestos inspection includes:
If there are asbestos containing materials that are going to be damaged, disturbed or removed by the renovation, the safe approach is to have the materials removed by a qualified contractor.
Think this is a DIY project? Think again! Disposable respirators or dust masks are not appropriate for asbestos - always hire a professional. Never do this work on your own. Carson Dunlop can help by providing a qualified inspection partner to test areas of your home that may be of a concern for you. Call 800-268-7070 to learn more.
If you're performing renovations in your basement, bathroom, or any area of your home that sees a lot of moisture, you may encounter mould. Mould can easily hide behind tiles and drywall, and can be found anywhere in the home.
You can't rely on the naked eye, or on mould colour, to identify moulds and their threat to your health and the health of your family. Home test kits can be unreliable too. Not only are you not an expert but the tools can often be faulty if not used correctly.
Since it's normal for mould to be present in the air and in buildings, its mere existence is not necessarily a cause for alarm. But if mould is present in indoor air at levels higher than would be found in outdoor air, or if a significant mould colony is growing on building surfaces, it could be cause for concern. For this reason, we advise homeowners to have a mould inspection performed if there is any indication that a substantial amount of mould is present in the home. A mould inspection includes:
An environmental specialist will help to identify the type of mould in your home, its concentration, and advise you on remediation costs and approaches. Call 800-268-7070 to book a mould inspection.
The scope of a Home Inspection, as defined by both the Ontario Association of Home Inspectors and the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors, does not include environmental testing. This means that items like asbestos and mould are not covered in a Home Inspection as these materials require sampling and testing that Home Inspectors are not equipped to perform. In addition, they are usually hidden behind walls or under carpet, completely out of sight, so a non-invasive inspection would not encounter them.
We recognize that even though they aren't included in a Home Inspection, mould and asbestos can be a major concern for homeowners. We offer environmental testing through our partners that can be scheduled at any time through our service centre. We have even redesigned our Home Buyer's Inspections to include the option to have clients get their new home tested for hazardous materials at the same time as we do a regular Home Inspection.
Hazardous materials can be encountered during any stage of homeownership, and we're committed to our clients for as long as they own their homes. An environmental assessment can be performed prior to the Home Inspection, during the inspection, or several years after the inspection has taken place. If you are planning on undertaking a renovation this season and haven't had your property assessed for hazardous materials, we'd encourage you to do so.
Interested in more home renovation advice? Check out our useful resource on Home Improvement Costs. Have a more detailed question on Spring renovations? Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook and we'll do our best to help out.
The spring real estate market has begun, and as it heats up many home buyers are preparing to go to war. Bidding wars are not a new phenomenon – especially in Toronto - however the public's willingness to participate in these wars is starting to shift. The Globe and Mail recently reported on a survey conducted by Pollara for BMO, which showed that "34 per cent of Canadians surveyed are willing to enter a bidding war when it's time to buy a home, an increase of six points, or 21 per cent, from a year ago."* These figures are even higher when you look exclusively at Toronto, where "the appetite for competitive bids among major cities is the highest in Toronto, at 44 per cent."*
A bidding war is when more than one prospective home buyer puts in an offer on a property. Each buyer does not know what the others are presenting, and makes their offer based on a combination of what they believe the house is worth and what the other buyers may offer. You don't want to bid too high and overpay, but you don't want to bid too low and not get the house. In most instances, bidding wars drive the price of the home up, with many properties in the Greater Toronto Area closing for several thousand dollars more than the original asking price.
The Globe and Mail described the recent sale of a home in The Beaches neighbourhood which sparked a 12-way bidding war, causing the home to sell for $58,000 over the listing price - despite the fact that the property required several major upgrades.** Due to current market conditions, this is not an uncommon occurrence, and buyers should be prepared to encounter this type of situation. As Mark Weisleder explains, "Real estate markets in Toronto and Vancouver are still red hot with bidding wars driving up prices…One reason is that listings are in short supply."*** It is easy for buyers to put themselves and their investment at risk by doing whatever they can to stay competitive in bidding wars. Consider the information below if you find yourself engaging in a bidding war.
When buying a home in a multiple-offer situation, many buyers feel that opting out of their Home Inspection will help them to gain the upper hand in negotiations, and that this decision could save on some of the many expenses they will encounter during the real estate transaction. However, this is not the case; not having a Home Inspection isn't advantageous, nor is it financially responsible. In addressing bidding wars and the ways in which buyers can protect themselves, Weisleder urges, "don't bid without an inspection".*** He describes the climate in Toronto, saying "buyers are paying tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars over the asking price. What's worse, many buyers are still putting in offers without any conditions, hoping this will help them clinch the deal."***
Bidding wars can be both discouraging and expensive. Weisleder advises buyers that, "in an environment of bidding wars, odds are that you will lose up to five times before you get the house you want."*** While it can be devastating to fall in love with a house, only to have another individual purchase it, and then have that happen over and over again, you shouldn't start waiving your conditions – especially your Home Inspection. "You may pay up to $2,500 in inspection fees before you get an accepted offer. In my opinion, when buying a million dollar property, this is a worthwhile investment. I have heard too many stories of people who bought without an inspection, only to discover major problems after."***
A Carson Dunlop Home Inspection and inspection report help to provide homeowners with the critical information they need. Check out a sample of our report to see how we can help you. The report includes:
We recognize that house hunting in a competitive market can be hectic and stressful. As such, we try and make it as easy as possible to get the information you need to make an informed decision about your home. Not only do we offer sameday and weekend inspections, we also have discounts available to Carson Dunlop clients who have had to do several inspections due to unsuccessful bids.
Our inspection report is delivered to you via email the same day your inspection is completed. Our inspectors are available multiple times a day, seven days a week. You can schedule your inspection online or over the phone at 800-268-7070.
Feel free to call or email us anytime with questions or concerns. We look forward to welcoming you to your new home!
The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) has released its resale market figures for the month of March, reporting that "the average selling price for March 2014 sales was $557,684 – an increase of almost eight per cent compared to the average report for March 2013. The average price for the first quarter of 2014 was up by 8.5 per cent year-over-year."* For the most part, home prices across Canada are on the rise, as demonstrated by the hot markets in major cities such as Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto.
These high prices are especially prevalent in the Greater Toronto Area where the demand for houses is much greater than the supply. TREB President, Dianne Usher, explains the effects this equation has had on the real estate market: "Sales activity in the GTA accelerated last month. Compared to last year, a greater number of buyers found affordable home ownership options, as evidenced by sales growth for all major home types. Against this backdrop, however, overall inventory at the end of March remained lower than last year. This means competition between buyers increased, which is why the average selling price continued to climb."*
With only a small number of new listings available, especially in spring, which is the busiest season for real estate, buyers are entering a frenzied market. The Toronto Star is reporting that, in an effort to combat the extreme measures home buyers feel they must go to, "the Real Estate Council of Ontario [RECO] has launched a public education campaign to warn buyers about the dangers of letting emotion get out of hand."** Unfortunately, this trend of high prices as a response to limited listings isn't expected to shift anytime soon. TREB's Senior Manager of Market Analysis, Jason Mercer, says, "With borrowing costs remaining low, and in fact declining, strong home ownership demand will continue to butt up against a constrained supply of listings. Strong price growth will be the result for the remainder of 2014."* So what does this mean for home buyers? How can they protect themselves?
We recognize that having to pay more for a home means having a greatly reduced budget for repairs – especially unexpected ones. And just as RECO's attempt to quell the frustration brought on by current market conditions focuses on education and encourages home buyers to be home smart, we have redesigned our Home Buyer's Inspections to further inform and protect our clients. We now offer multi-tiered inspections to address whatever concerns that buyers may have, and at cost-effective prices. Our clients now have a choice of three Home Buyer's Inspection packages: Basic, Essential, and Enhanced.
A summary page with key findings.
Improvement recommendations for conditions, with time frames and ball park costs.
Photos and colour illustrations for clarity.
A free Home Reference Book, to help you understand how your home works. ($59 value)
A check for manufacturer recalls on appliances through RecallChek. See a sample report.
Free enrollment in the Carson Dunlop Homeowners Association.
The same components as the Basic Package.
A HomeVerified Home History Report which will provide information on: grow op and meth lab records for the area, local school rankings, neighbourhood amenities, and political representation.
A Thermal Imaging Inspection with an infrared camera to help to identify hidden water problems within the home.
Free technical support for as long as you own your home.
The same components as the Essential Package.
An environmental assessment, which covers mould, air quality, and asbestos.
A specialist will test:
Three materials for asbestos
Two indoor air samples
One outdoor reference sample
One surface sample for mould
Our Home Inspectors are available to perform these inspections seven days a week. You can schedule your inspection over the phone at 800-268-7070 or online. All of our packages start with a great one-on-one inspection experience and a clear inspection report to guide you, then increase in scope and depth. Buyers select the package that best fits their needs.
If you have any questions about Home Inspections or our new packages, give us a call or reach out to us via email. You can also connect with us on Twitter or Facebook – we're always here to help.


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The Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival is the premier epicurean destination event in the Pacific. Set in the lush island paradise of O'ahu, the four-day Festival features a roster of over 50 internationally-renowned master chefs, culinary personalities, and wine and spirit producers. This event is scheduled from September 1st to the 9th, 2013. Co-founded by two of Hawai'i's own James Beard Award-winning chefs, Roy Yamaguchi and Alan Wong, the Festival in Honolulu and Ko Olina Resort will showcase wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, one-of-a-kind excursions, and exclusive dining opportunities with dishes highlighting the state's bounty of local produce, seafood, beef and poultry. A special event on Maui is also scheduled with six chefs including Iron Chef Hiroyuki Sakai and Maui's Bev Gannon. A listing of all the master chefs is HERE.
The festival's finale will be held on the beach, in the sand as the sun sets along O'ahu's western shore and is hosted by Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa. Themed "Savory Ever After," 14 celebrity chefs will tempt you with a culinary tour of ethnic foods from across the globe. Enjoy a night under the stars at the picturesque lagoon fronting.
Featured chefs for the festival's finale include:
- Kevin Chong, 'AMA'AMA – Ko Olina, O'ahu
- Josiah Citrin, Mélisse – Santa Monica, Calif.
- Celestino Drago, Drago Restaurant Group – Los Angeles
- Dean Fearing, Fearing's – Dallas
- Michael Ginor, Hudson Valley Foie Gras – New York
- Scott Higa, JW Marriott Ihilani – Ko Olina, O'ahu
- Michelle Karr-Ueoka, Alan Wong's – Honolulu, O'ahu
- Raphael Lunetta, JiRaffe – Santa Monica, Calif.
- Elizabeth McDonald, Honu Seafood & Pizza – Lahaina, Maui
- Richard Rosendale, The Greenbrier Resort – White Sulphur Springs, West Va.
- Nancy Silverton, Mozza – Los Angeles
- Andrew Sutton, Napa Rose – Anaheim, Calif.
- Ming Tsai, Blue Ginger – Wellesley, Mass.
- Ricardo Zarate, Mo-Chica – Los Angeles
For more information and to purchase ticket visit: The Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival website. you can also read about DbM's coverage of last years event HERE.
photos: Ed Morita/Hawaii Agricultural Foundation

subset: commoncrawl


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Self-Serve Sidebar Advertising on CRESCENDOh Questions? Contact firstname.lastname@example.com
Learn more CRESCENDOh's advertising program here. Looking for a unique advertising opportunity? Discover our Create & Share program here. Ready to advertise? You can make it happen through this easy self-serve process in two. simple. steps. Promote your business by selecting an ad to appear in one of the following spaces:
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Price :: 45/week
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Note: For multi-week campaigns, click the "Add to Cart" button and adjust the quantity accordingly.
EDITOR'S LETTER e-NEWSLETTER
(We are 3000+ subscribers strong, and growing. See archives of our monthly e-Newsletters here.)
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There are still very affordable ways to have a cool old car and while this 1972 Dodge Dart Demon isn't a show piece it... More
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Shipping (Armed Guards)
Oral Answers to Questions — Transport
10:35 am
Graeme Morrice (Livingston, Labour)
Whether she plans to consult on draft legislative proposals on use and regulation of armed guards on ships.
Michael Penning (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; Hemel Hempstead, Conservative)
The Government are not currently putting forward any legislative proposals for the use and regulation of armed guards. The possession of firearms is already regulated by the Home Office under the Firearms Act 1968. We have issued UK-flagged shipping guidance, and we intend to bring forward further work in the near future.
Graeme Morrice (Livingston, Labour)
I thank the Minister for his answer and welcome the announcement that armed guards can now be used in the protection of UK ships in areas affected by piracy. He will be aware, however, that the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee has described the Government's interim guidance as "thin on detail", while ship owners have called for regulation to clarify the use of armed guards. When do the Government intend to bring forward clearer guidance or regulation on this issue?
Michael Penning (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; Hemel Hempstead, Conservative)
The protection of the UK fishing fleet is a very important issue, especially given the piracy situation off Somalia. This is not a new development; armed guards were on British flagged ships long before we came into power. The issue was ignored, wrongly, by the previous Administration. We therefore made a conscious decision on whether we ignored it, wrongly, under UK law, or did something about it. Guidance was introduced, although I agree with the Select Committee that it needs to be firmed up. At the moment, we do not need legislation, but if we do, we will bring it forward.
Caroline Dinenage (Gosport, Conservative)
What assessment has the Minister made of the economic impact of piracy in the Gulf of Aden?
Michael Penning (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport; Hemel Hempstead, Conservative)
That is very difficult to do because no British-flagged ship under armed guard has been taken by pirates; they have attempted to do so but have not succeeded. That is an indication of why it was right and proper for us to move forward on this. There has recently been a decline in attacks. That is partly to do with the excellent work that NATO and our European colleagues are doing with the Royal Navy, partly to do with armed guards, and partly to do with best practice; a lot of it is to do with the weather, as well. We keep a very close eye on this, because it has a significant effect on our shipping as well as on the shipping of other European Union member states.


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Welcome to our Website!
If you have any ideas for a room addition, interior remodel, kitchen or bath remodel, home repair or custom home, please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have or discuss your project in more detail.
If you have an existing set of plans for any remodel, addition or renovation, we can provide an estimate for construction. If you need a set of plans, we can provide the planning, design and permit ready finished set of plans for your project. See our Design / Build tab.
Please browse the rest of the site. There is much more information about our services and what we can do to help you right now.
ArchiDesign Construction is a design / build firm that specializes in all phases of residential construction. We offer complete project planning, project ready plan documents and complete construction services.
***FREE!*** Call now! Our initial consultation is free and includes:
*Project consultation
*Cost evaluation / analysis
*Project / site feasibility
How can we help you?
Right now, you may be looking for answers to your home improvement questions. We can help.
You can contact us anytime by using the Contact us link or you can use the Request info link to leave a written request or inquiry of any kind. We will be happy to answer any questions or discuss any projects you have in mind.
Office: 2228 Heritage Hills Dr.
Pleasant Hill, CA
Office Phone: 925-930-0732
Cell: 925-202-3520
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


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We would like to thank all of you who attended the 2014 Runft Charolais Bull Sale and the many buyers who purchased our bulls. We hope you have a good calf crop in the future. We appreciate your interest and will continue to grow bulls that can produce the type of calves you want. We appreciate your feedback anytime.
Myron's cell phone is 785-527-1269 or email us at email@example.com


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Permit search
All of our permits are open to the public. Please open the Property & Tax Data link below and follow the prompts.
Some helpful tips to find permits:
- Click on the I agree button at the bottom of screen
- Find Building Department heading which is located on the left hand sidebar of information
- Click on Building Department Search
- You can serach by address, owner or permit number.
- To search by permit number please use the following format: PBD100280 or PBD10(the last 2 digits designate the year)
- Click on the permit number you want to see.
- To see the cost of the permit, click on Fees & Payment link which is located on the left hand sidebar of information.
Direct questions to Community & Neighborhood Services at 616-355-1330 or by email to firstname.lastname@example.com


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Is youth work something you do while you figure out what you really want to do, or is it a career? Most definitions of career include three elements: a defined occupation that is taken on over time with progressive achievement.
While many other things may also make up a career, the issues of time and progress are most distinct. In other fields, there is no push to leave direct work to join administration without a path of promotion, clear expectations of and preparation for management. Further, there is credibility in remaining in your chosen position. Is youth work somehow different from other fields? If it is, why is it?
Good youth workers often become supervisors and managers without adequate preparation in leadership. Practitioners leave the field because of narrow opportunities for promotion and little expectation of improvement in pay. Funding shifts, low wages for frontline staff, and murky professional pathways impede the development of the workforce and introduce a great degree of volatility in field.
The effect is that youth work looks like many entry-level jobs:
- low skill expectations
- high turnover
- little promise of promotion
It is critical that we move youth work from its status as an entry level job to an occupation that is skill based with a clear path to advancement within direct service and from there to management. Significant progress has been made by some local organizations and state systems to ensure that professional development is included for all levels of service and that there is preparation of practitioners for management. These efforts need to be studied and expanded. Some concrete suggestions appear in "Capturing Promising Practices in Recruitment and Retention of Frontline Youth Workers" by The National Collaboration for Youth, 2006.
We must also avoid positing youth work as a preparatory step to other careers like teaching; this has been successful, but it is a brain and skill drain on the field. See: Afterschool: A Powerful Path to Teacher Recruitment and Retention, promoting afterschool programs as a pipeline for teacher recruitment.
How can we specifically reinforce the belief that it is indeed a career and not just a pipeline to other professions?


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Stunning Model / Actor Jack Guinness Photographed for 'An Irishman in Milano' Editorial
Posted On Wednesday, December 12, 2012 By Accidental Bear. Under Fashion, Queer News Tags: Jack Guinness
Model/actor Jack Guinness is photographed by Joachim Baldauf and styled by Martina Riebeck for the story 'An Irishman in Milano' for the Winter 2012 issue of Bolero Men magazine.
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Sacramento Convention Center1400 J StreetSacramento, CA 95814-2918 May 1, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
C.A.R. CEO Joel Singer will address what's next for the real estate market. Hear how timely issues such as affordability, new construction, varying consumer segments, and the role of the first-time home buyer will impact exactly how bright the industry's future really looks.
A limited number of luncheon tickets may be available for purchase by visiting the Mid-Year Luncheon ticket counter in the West Lobby Registration area of the Sacramento Convention Center. Tickets purchased on-site are $65 per ticket. Mid-Year Luncheon counter will be open during the following hours: Tuesday, April 29 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.Wednesday, April 30 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.Thursday, May 1 7:30 a.m. – 12 noonPlease visit our Mid-Year sponsors in the Registration area.
GOLD SPONSORSAmerican Home ShieldPNC Mortgage SILVER SPONSORSCalifornia Regional Multiple Listing Service, Inc. (CRMLS)CalVet Home LoansChaseFirst American Home Buyers ProtectionThe MLS™/CLAW MyNHD, Inc.Point2Woodland Hills Mortgage Also, stop by and visit the California REALTOR® EXPO, Champions of Home Awards and C.A.R. Finance Helpline. Please contact Betty Thomas at (213) 739-8236 or firstname.lastname@example.com for sponsorship opportunities. AIR TRANSPORTATIONThe major airport is the Sacramento International Airport . CONTACT USPlease call Betty Thomas at (213) 739-8236 or email firstname.lastname@example.com
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- Parks (A - Z)
- Addo Elephant National Park
- Agulhas National Park
- Augrabies Falls National Park
- Bontebok National Park
- Camdeboo National Park
- Garden Route (Tsitsikamma, Knysna, Wilderness) National Park
- Golden Gate Highlands National Park
- Karoo National Park
- Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
- Kruger National Park
- Mapungubwe National Park
- Marakele National Park
- Mokala National Park
- Mountain Zebra National Park
- Namaqua National Park
- Table Mountain National Park
- Tankwa Karoo National Park
- West Coast National Park
- |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park
- Travel
- Reservations
- Conservation
- Wild Card
- Interact
- Contact Us
Karoo National Park
Archived News
Karoo Honorary Rangers Host 2008 Birding Weekend
Date: 2008-01-25
Based on the success of their inaugral birding weekend last year, the Karoo Honorary Rangers have decided that the birding weekend will become an annual event, with the support of Karoo National Park management. They are excited to announce that their next birding weekend will take place from the 18th to the 20th April 2008.
The details of the event are as follows:
- Venue: at the Karoo National Park.
- Dates: from 18 - 20 April 2008.
- Costs: R200 p/p no accommodation; R350 p/p camping; R650 p/p in chalets (sharing) This includes registration fee and a dinner on Saturday evening.
- Guest speaker: Dr Gerhard Verdoorn.
- The idea is light-hearted competition in various categories, and having fun.
- Programme: Registration on Friday from 14h00 - 17h30; Welcoming drink, Team forming, information and regulations at 18h00; Birding starts after the evening function (according to team's choice); Saturday at whatever time each team decides. Competition lists must be handed in by 18:00 on Saturday.
- Dinner, prize giving, lucky draws on Saturday evening 19:00.
- Talk on Sunday morning.
Avaialable facilities limit the numbers of participanting birders, therefore it is essential to book early.
Book no later than 11th April 2008 with
Maria : telephone: 023 414 3615, cell: 0730 199 353
Marieta telephone: 023 415 2736, cell: 084 584 8402


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Is there no January 30th show? Or am i just totally looking in the wrong spot
Lou is working on it and I believe hopes to have it posted soon.
Thanks thought i was just going goofy and hit some wrong keys
It's up on itunes now.
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Whether you are looking for Travel Agency or Travel Agent, Hotfrog is the place to go to. Browse the businesses below in Johor Bahru, Johor or extend your search to nearby suburbs by using the left navigation menu. Hotfrog makes your search easier.
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Shoppers crowded into the Mesa Mall this Friday to catch Black Friday sales. Thousands of people stood in lines to be the first to get the limited specials. The mall opened early for the annual sale.
Many stored offered limited specials for door-busters and kept some items on sale for only a limited time. Several shoppers 11 News spoke with came from Utah for the event.
The Mesa Mall stayed open until 9 p.m.
KKCO firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKCO 11News.
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Reporting from Sharon, Conn.—
It's autumn in New EnglandThe days are getting shorter. Wood piles are stacked high. Geese are flying south, and Indian corn is hanging from the door.
Meanwhile, a lot of Yankees — even recently transplanted ones like me — watch from the porch, chuckling. It isn't just that we have guaranteed front-row seats for the growing season's glorious last hurrah. We know New England is fine anytime, as long as there's a town with a green and a steepled church.
Classic, fit-for-a-frame villages right out of Currier & Ives are as common around here as falling leaves in October. Take these three, for example:
Sharon, Conn.
I'm always tempted to pull over when I drive south to Sharon along Route 41 in Connecticut. At the top of a hill just outside town, the valley comes into view with Mudge Pond cupped in the gentle folds of the Taconic Mountains.
Maybe the founders — men named Calkin, Peck and Skinner who bought property around 1740 in what was then known as the "far northwestern highlands" — were thinking of the vista when they named the town for the Plain of Sharon in the Bible. With their deeds in their pockets, they came out from settled places on the Eastern Seaboard and planted a town with a common grazing area that became the green and a meetinghouse that served as a place of government and worship before the written doctrine of separating of church and state.
Planning your trip
Boston or New York is the usual launch point for touring New England.
From LAX to Boston, JetBlue, American, Virgin America and United offer nonstop service, Delta offers direct service (stop, no change of plane) and United, AirTran, Delta, US Airways, Continental, Southwest and American offer connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $228.
Read more >>
After the first minister, a graduate of Yale College in New Haven, was sacked for drunkenness, care of the Congregational Church was given to Cotton Mather Smith, who fulminated against King George III from the pulpit and sent many members of his flock to fight the Redcoats in Canada. When they came home, they traded flintlocks for hammers to build a New England town right out of the pattern book.
I like to take a sandwich and lunch on the common, a stately spot with a sign that says, "This green is not to be used as a playground. Per order of the Sharon Fire District."
The rectangular greensward is bordered by capacious old Colonial and Victorian homes, Hotchkiss Library, built in 1893 by Maria Bissell Hotchkiss, who also founded a private school up the road, and the 1775 Gay-Hoyt House now occupied by the Sharon Historical Society. Every New England town seems to have one. Sharon's mounts exhibitions and the Great Attic Classic, a triennial event known to antique collectors and tag sale connoisseurs far and wide (the next one is in July 2012).
There's a small shopping plaza down the hill and Paley's Farm Market just west of town, its bins loaded with apples and many-colored squash this time of year. But no chain stores or fast-food restaurants. If anything, Sharon is quieter now than it was in the 19th century, and that's the way folks like it.
Many of them are the reclusive well-to-do who started summering in Sharon around 1900, building estates with stables, tennis courts and swimming pools. Texas oil man William F. Buckley Sr. settled in a Sharon manse called Great Elm in 1925 with his wife and nine children, including William Jr., the noted conservative commentator who died in 2008. Nearby Weatherstone, a landmark Georgian mansion, beautifully renovated by New York designer Carolyne Roehm, can be glimpsed from Route 41 just beyond the Sharon Clock Tower.
The distinctive granite timepiece, built in 1885, marks the intersection of Routes 4, 343 and 41, all leading into the beautiful backcountry of Sharon Township. My favorite drive is along Calkinstown Road, which turns off Route 41 north of town winding past an old iron milling district and graceful farm houses on the flank of Sharon Mountain. In a few miles Calkinstown yields to East Cornwall Road and Miles Wildlife Sanctuary, a 1,500-acre Audubon Society wetland surrounding a pond with nesting ducks and croaking frogs.


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Welcome to bamamandopickr's Member Page
See my Clippings See my Journal See my trade list Send me an email
I live in: United States
My zone is: 7a/b AL
My favorite forum 1 is Alabama Gardening.
My favorite forum 2 is The Garden Party.
First registered on May 16, 2005 .


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Flights Saarbrücken – book online flights to Saarbrücken
airberlin has inexpensive flights to Saarbrücken, the capital of the state of Saarland on the French border. A tour through the state capital goes by the Alten Brücke (Old bridge) and the baroque St. John's Basilica. Next to the bridge is the landing place from where you can book boat rides on the Saar. If you want to shop in the university town, it's best to choose the Europa Gallery across from the main train station as a starting point. Here, the old mining headquarters and the former Saar Gallery have been converted into a new shopping centre, which houses a total of 110 shops. The gallery also has many cafés and restaurants, which invite visitors to feast after strolling down the large outdoor terrace.
Fly to Saarbrücken – enjoy the beauty of the metropolis on the Saar
The Fröschengasse offers another resting place in the middle of the city – a street primarily built in the baroque style with houses once lived in by workers and craftspeople. Here, a variety of restaurants with idyllic courtyards invite visitors to take a break from their city adventure. Once you're refreshed, you should also see the St. Johanner Market Square – the heart of the city.
Finally, a visit to the old Renaissance castle is fitting. Today it is an administrative centre and venue. Its underground complexes can also be visited - you'll find inexpensive flights to Saarbrücken with airberlin.


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PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Helen Glover, morning talk-show host on WHJJ-AM has been let go by the station following her show Tuesday. Glover said her replacement will be local talk radio veteran Ron St. Pierre, who was laid off by rival WPRO-AM in February.
WHJJ executives confirmed Glover's departure but declined to comment on St. Pierre. In a Facebook message St. Pierre declined to comment as well.
Glover, a Portsmouth resident who was a 2002 finalist on the reality show "Survivor," was approaching her eighth anniversary on the air.
"I always knew this would happen one day, I just didn't know it would be today," Glover said in a phone interview.
St. Pierre, a member of the Rhode Island Radio Hall of Fame, has worked at both WHJJ and WPRO, on the air and off. Most recently he was a co-host and executive producer of The Buddy Cianci Show on WPRO.


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Girls golf: Led by Harley Dubsky, Valpo wins first DAC meet in 7 years
By Mike Hutton email@example.com or 613-0141 August 19, 2013 9:22PM
Valparaiso's Harley Dubsky competes during a Duneland Athletic Conference meet at The Brassie Golf Club in Chesterton on Monday, August 19, 2013. | Michael Gard/For Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: September 21, 2013 6:29AM
CHESTERTON — It's been the Harley Dubsky show all season so why would the Duneland Athletic Conference Meet be any different?
The No. 1 golfer for Valparaiso has put on a clinic worthy of national attention — going under par in every single event she has played in.
On Monday, at the Brassie Golf Club, Dubsky racked up a ho-hum round of 67, which was 5-under par, and the Vikings cruised to their first DAC title in seven seasons. Valparaiso finished with 317. Crown Point was second with a 335.
Breaking the Chesterton stranglehold on the DAC title was really important for the Vikings. The Trojans, led mostly by Kelly Grassel, had won it six straight years.
"This was big for us," Valparaiso coach Bill Miller said. "Harley was phenomenal at 5-under. That just set the tone. Jen (Gough) came in with a 77. I'm happy. Our goal at beginning of the year is win the DAC Tournament."
The Vikings would still be really good without Dubsky. Consider this: If she shoots a 77 instead of 67, they still win by eight strokes.
As it is, Dubsky is able to put the team on a different level of good.
The Vikings are ranked No. 4 in the state and on Saturday, they are playing in the Hall of Fame Tournament, which has just about every quality team in the state participating in it.
The Vikings look like the kind of team, with Dubsky as the anchor and with a year's worth of experience at the state tournament, that could actually do well in state competition.
Dubsky started off the front nine in an average sort of way, making one birdie and one bogey for an even par round.
Then on No. 10, she made a nice birdie putt and on No. 11, a par 5, she put one close and made eagle.
"OK, now we can get it going," she said.
Dubsky made three more birdies and a bogey coming, rounding off her 36 with a 37.
Dubsky knew she'd be better this year after working hard on her short game at the academy she attends in the winter.
She didn't know that it would be this good.
"I didn't think I'd have this great of a start to the season, "she said. "My goal was to have an average under 72. This start was pretty crazy. I've been able to take everything I've learned over the past couple of years and put it together."
The second best score of the day came from Kiana Jongsma of Lake Central. Jongsma shot a 75 — it was her best score in tournament play.


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Fri, Feb 10, 12 at 21:37
I decided that I will try to grow heliconia again. This is my 3rd time ordering them. I have learned alot about making soil for tropical plants from the plumeria forum. I will use this soil for my newly ordered plants. I will let you know how it turns out. Barbra |
Follow-Up Postings:
- Posted by houstonpat 9a (My Page) on Mon, Feb 13, 12 at 16:49
- Posted by honeybunny2 Z9TX (My Page) on Wed, Feb 15, 12 at 9:19
Pat those are beautiful, and yes, i did order one of those, one stricta iris, and torch ginger. Do you amend the soil in yours, if so what do you use? I was thinking of using miracle grow potting soil, and half turface. Does that sound like it would work? I will plant them next to the house in dapple sun/shade, I am driving down friday to make the soil and put in 20 gallon ceramic pots. The plants will come next week. So far we have not had any freezing weather in Rockport. I am planning on bringing out my plumeria and desert roses on March 12th( spring break), The mesquite trees are blooming, so I think it will be ok. Pat, two of the plumeria cuttings you sent me are doing great. I am going to plant them in gritty mix I made, as soon as they go outside. I hope to see little leaves this spring. I will buy cuttings in April, that is why I made the gritty mix. I lost all my cutting last year, I think I bought them too late in the season, and planted in miracle grow, I did not know about the gritty mix. Barbra |
- Posted by houstonpat 9a (My Page) on Wed, Feb 15, 12 at 14:46
A friend that gave me the starts grows her Heliconia r. in a raised bed within a sunny alcove. I understand they are a little trickier to grow in full sun/don't look as nice. But... it should make for a more stout plant. Protect from wind but provide air circulation. In my pots I put about 4 inches of fir bark the Miracle Grow potting soil and topped with a couple inches of mulch. Yeah Barbra, no freezes here, just a few frosts. Much to do in the back this spring. I removed the big Ash tree, so lots more sun. |
- Posted by honeybunny2 Z9TX (My Page) on Thu, Feb 16, 12 at 9:39
Pat, I will mix the soil, as you recommended for my new plants. I plan on planting them around March 10th. I will drive down to Rockport tomorrow, so I can make the soil. I will also need to get pots ready for my new grafted plumeria I will get from Florida Colors. I had dug up everything tropical after Thanksgiving, and put in the garage for safe keeping. I have spend a small fortune making plumeria soil this winter. The plumeria forum recommends making gritty mix, so I made it. I spoke to a couple of older men from the Corpus Christi Plumeria Society, and also Carol from Florida Colors, they all said I needed to add some great potting soil, to the mix. What do you think? They said the gritty mix is great for rooting plumeria cuttings, but the plants in Texas would need potting soil. I am so confused, I am thinking about adding miracle grow potting soil to my gritty mix, if I do what % of potting soil would you use, I already have the fine mulch added to the mix. What would you do?? I am not there to water everyday, and depend on a sprinkler system that waters every other day. My plants will be in 5 gallon buried pots, in full sun. I had to start over last year, and would hate to loose all my plumeria again. Barbra |
- Posted by houstonpat 9a (My Page) on Fri, Feb 17, 12 at 13:20
If you have sandy soil in Rockport with typical real good drainage, I would fill the pots with straight Miracle grow potting mix. As you know, in Hawaii plumeria grow close to the ocean often in nearly pure sand. My Dad grows them in pots in Phoenix and they dry out big time but live. |
- Posted by honeybunny2 Z9TX (My Page) on Sun, Feb 26, 12 at 21:40
Pat, I planted 20 gallon pots with miracle grow and turface, putting 2 inches of fine mulch on top. All I need to do is plant the plants when I get them. Boy am I ready for spring. I have placed these pots in front of the two well houses that are in the shade, protecting them from the North wind. I hope they do well. I bought those light weight pots, so I could move them inside in the winter, but after putting in the soil, I could hardly move them using a dolly. Barbra |
- Posted by houstonpat 9a (My Page) on Sat, Mar 3, 12 at 11:42
Let us know how they do Barbra. Size of pots are becoming an issue for me as I become less strong with age. I find myself using more Perlite in my mix and fewer clay pots. It's hell gettin old. :) |
- Posted by honeybunny2 Z9TX (My Page) on Sat, Mar 3, 12 at 20:40
Pat I know what your saying, next month I will turn 64. I still feel 29, but I know I cannot do as much as I use to. My best friend is a dolly, that has solid wheels, I don't know what I would do without it. Barbra |
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Vickroy: A homeless man's story
By Donna Vickroy email@example.com Twitter: @dvickroy October 23, 2013 8:58PM
The link between homelessness and mental illness
According to statistics compiled by the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, just over 40 percent of homeless people are single adults older than 21. Goldie's Place, a Chicago resource for homeless people, estimates that 22 percent of homeless adults are veterans and 22 percent are mentally ill.
Nicole Richardson, associate director of Thresholds, an organization that provides help for the mentally ill in and around Chicago, said that while it's easy for assimilated folks to simply suggest the homeless get help or get a job, it's not so easy for people who have become accustomed to living on the streets. For them, outdoor survival has become a way of life. They have learned street skills and survival tactics that would need to be unlearned before they could begin to live inside again, she said. Often, mental illness symptoms are a barrier to that process.
"Maybe they don't have the skills to work, or maybe it's not a matter of will or desire but more a matter of symptoms," she said. "Sometimes people with mental illness have cognitive issues or hear voices or have a distrust of others."
Some people prefer to live outside the rules of tenancy, she said. "It's not just a matter of finding such a person a home. You have to build trust and be a reliable presence in their life first. You have to be there during the process, which can be long."
Whether circumstances or mental illness led to a person being homeless, in almost all cases, she said, bringing a person back inside is beneficial. Thresholds, she said, can assess each individual and then link them to the services they need, whether it's training, jobs or medical care.
Marianne Bithos, president of National Alliance for Mental Illness South Suburbs of Chicago, said many people living with mental illness are very smart.
"You must remember that no one likes living with a mental illness and because of stigma many experience bad vibes from police as well as other people," she said.
Family support is imperative to getting the individual help, she said. Many homeless people qualify for services, including disability, food stamps and public aid. But they often need help getting connected with those providers.
For more information on NAMI South Suburbs, visit nami.org
For more information on Thresholds, call (773) 572-5400 or visit thresholds.org
For more information on Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, visit chicagphomeless.org
For more information on Goldie's Place, visit goldiesplace.org
Article Extras
Updated: November 25, 2013 1:11PM
Anthony Mazar was in a fix. He only had a few hours to come up with $40 or he and his girlfriend would be out on the street.
It was hardly a new challenge for the Stagg High School alum and Vietnam War-era veteran who has been begging at 143rd Street and Harlem Avenue for four years now.
Normally, he can rise to it, but on this day, and indeed increasingly, the cops had stopped to shag him off the corner he's come to claim.
"So I can talk to you for a little while, but then I have to go and find another corner," he said when I rolled down my window and handed him my card.
I'd seen him many times before, in shirt sleeves in good weather and a beaten-up parka in bad. Sometimes I handed him a buck out the window. Once I gave him half my sack lunch and a five-dollar bill. And one year, near Christmas, I gave him $10.
Each time he thanked and blessed me. Always, his reflection in the rearview mirror made me wonder — Who is this guy, what is his story and is there something else I can to do to help?
Mazar, 55, is a conundrum, the kind of person who makes you ask a lot of questions, about poverty, about society, about yourself.
And I knew that if I was curious, others must be, too. Twice in the past few months, readers had called the SouthtownStar's Speak Out line to commend the bearded man who rides his bicycle from an Alsip hotel to the Orland Park corner at least five days a week.
One anonymous caller said he helped a girl who fell while inline skating on a nearby walking trail.
"Aw, that?" Mazar said when we meet about a mile away in a forest preserve parking lot. "All I did was stay with her until help got there. Oh, and I offered her my chair."
Another time, he said, he called police from his pay-as-you-go cellphone because a car burst into flames at the intersection.
"I helped the two women out. They were OK and everything," he said.
Most recently, this item appeared on our Speak Out page: "We buried the patriarch of our family, a Purple Heart Korean War veteran on June 19. As the procession of cars made its way to the cemetery, I was so moved by the homeless man on 143rd Street and Harlem Avenue. He removed his hat, placed it over his heart and bowed his head … God bless him."
After reading the items, Karen Whitney, of Crestwood, sent me a note. "He seems like such a kind, patriotic man. Just because he's homeless doesn't mean he's not a human being."
Mazar said he grew up near 51st Street and Winchester Avenue in Chicago, then his family moved to Hickory Hills. He attended Glen Oaks Elementary School and Conrady Junior High. He left Stagg after his junior year to join the Marines.
Much of his story is sketchy, and some of it he doesn't want published. Suffice it to say he knows he has problems — "a disease of the mind," he calls one — and knows he has made mistakes.
"I've done some bad things," he said. "But that was a long time ago."
Cook County court records show that Mazar has been arrested three times in the past five years for vagrancy, traffic citations and resisting police. Those charges were dropped. But in 2000, he was found guilty of burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. That case is on appeal.
These days, he said, he knows good from bad, embraces Jesus and focuses on making ends meet so he and his lady friend can stay at the hotel.
Mazar has a PADS card, allowing admittance to a PADS shelter, "but people steal your stuff," he said. "And my girlfriend doesn't have a card. Without me, she'd have nowhere to go."
A hotel room provides privacy and a shower, he added.
Mazar said he gets $600 a month in Social Security disability pay. The hotel charges $1,180 for a month's stay. Mazar takes to the streets to make up the difference and to make enough for food and his phone.
I remarked that given how hard he works to make ends meet, why not just get a job?
"I can't," he said, naming two kinds of medication that he said prevent him from working. "I used to work as a general laborer and a truck driver, but the judge said I can't work anymore."
People, he said, are good to him at the corner. He said he's lucky to have such a corner, a place where he doesn't get robbed or mugged like he did in Chicago.
"Ninety-five to 98 percent of the people are kind," Mazar said. "Sure, every now and then someone calls me a scumbag or a piece of s---. I give them the same blessing I give those who help me. But I admit, every now and then I get mad when they call me names."
Worse, though, is when the police tell him to move. He doesn't understand why charities can collect money at intersections but poor people cannot.
"They pay $25 for a permit," Mazar said of the charities. "I'm trying to get a nonprofit tax number so I can get a permit."
I asked about family. His parents are gone, and his older sister who lives in California doesn't want anything to do with him, he said.
"If I could change my past, I would," he said. "I've made some bad choices. I've gambled. I know that's why I'm homeless. It's embarrassing and it's hard. My ankles hurt, this is hard work."
With that, Mazar reminds me that he has to be off. He will ride his bike to 111th Street and Ridgeland Avenue and try his luck there.
"Don't worry," he said to me as I climbed back into my late-model Honda. "I figured it out. I just need to make $40 every day. That's enough for the hotel and for dinner."


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Art in the toilet
Korean artist Meekyoung Shin has made it her mission to take art out of the gallery… and into the toilet.
Shin's Toilet Project sees the artist install a series of statues in the bathrooms of 16 galleries and museums across the UK.
Shin is known for her work recreating Eastern and Western Classical statues in relief, and for the Toilet Project she has decided to use soap as her material, which is very hygienic.
And toilet-users are being encouraged to use the statues to help them wash their hands, which, over the three-month period they are being installed, will lead to a natural 'weathering' affect.
The soap statues are in place until October at galleries including Birmingham's IKON Gallery, The Scottish National Museum of Modern Art and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
The 'weathered' statues will then be brought together for the Translation Museum exhibition at the Korean Cultural Centre in London in November.
Toilet Project is at Cass Sculpture Foundation, the Centre for Contemporary Art in Glasgow, Craft Study Centre in Farnham, Edinburgh International Festival, FACT Liverpool, Grund Art Gallery, The Holbourne Museum, IKON Birmingham, the Korean Cultural Centre, Lakeside Art Centre, Leach Pottery, the National Museum for Craft and Design, Oriental Museum in Durham, Russell-Coates Art Gallery & Museum, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park until October.
Readers' comments (3)
I love this project for the number of different responses it conjures as a consequence of it's siting in the 'how am I supposed to behave' loaded environment of the museum.
Can I really touch? Will I 'catch' something? Could I perversely catch something while following good hygiene practice?
Congratulations Meekyoung Shin on a beautifully observed and realised piecePerfect example of nonsense art: Instead of figuring out a work based on what we've learned by now in public buildings, regarding how people should wash their hands (not sharing soap with thousands of strangers) this is a formalist one-trick artist who thought by doing the work in soap and placing it in a bathroom that would become "practice" related to a concept and so on. Silly. Designers shouldn't try to discuss art and probably vice-versa.
Used the head in a loo at the Lakeside Art Centre, Nottingham, today. Great fun, more novelty soap than art - the kind of thing I was given as a kid sixty-odd years ago to encourage me to wash my hands. Can I have a London RT bus next time please? Is it art? No. Is it original? No, but I liked it being there and I used it.


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Psychology Subject Guide LRC@TCC
Scope of this guide: find books, articles, and other information resources for researching topics in psychology.
Browse TCC library shelves in these areas: BF173-175 (Psychoanalysis) BF180-210 (Experimental) BF231-229 (Sensation) BF311-349 (Cognition, Perception, Intelligence) BF511-559 (Emotion) BF660-687 (Comparative) BF721-724 (Developmental) HM251-291 (Social) LB1051-1091 (Educational) RA790 (Mental Health) RC321-576 (Psychiatry and Psychopathology)
Keywords to search: mental health, psychoanalysis, cognition, perception, human behavior, emotion, intelligence, names of psychologists, names of disorders, mental illness, specialty disciplines (e.g. criminal psychology)
Psychology Databases (use MyTCC ID to login from off-campus)
Academic Search Complete is the world's most valuable and comprehensive scholarly, multi-disciplinary full-text database, with more than 5,990 full-text periodicals, including more than 5,030 peer-reviewed journals.
ERIC (or through the Department of Education)
ERIC provides ready access to education literature to support the use of educational research and information to improve practice in learning, teaching, educational decision-making, and research.
OmniFile Full Text Select from H.W. Wilson indexes, abstracts, and provides full text for over 900 periodicals. The database includes records back to 1994 for selected publications. Coverage includes art, education, and the humanities and social sciences.
PsycArticles from the American Psychological Association (APA), is a definitive source of full-text, peer-reviewed scholarly and scientific articles in psychology.
Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection search nearly 600 journals for full-text articles on emotional and behavioral characteristics, psychiatry and psychology, mental processes, anthropology, and observational and experimental methods.
PsycINFO is the American Psychological Association's renowned resource for abstracts of scholarly journal articles, book chapters, books, and dissertations, is the largest resource devoted to peer-reviewed literature in behavioral science and mental health.
For other health-related subject guides, see the Health Portal.
Selected resources from the Web: APAStyle.org The American Psychological Association has established a style that it uses in all of the books and journals that it publishes.
American Psychological Association a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With more than 150,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide and offers resources for the public including Alzheimer's, divorce, sleep, and emotional health.
Classics in the History of Psychology offers historically significant full text psychology documents and includes a recommended primary source reading list.
NIMH National Institute of Mental Health for information on mental disorders and current research.
Personality Tests & Resources from St. Mary's University.
Psych Web includes online books (The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud and The Varieties of Religious Experience by William James), career information, index to online journals, and mega lists.
Web Resources (Skidmore College) offers links for Student Advice (Writing, Grad School, Study Skills, Jobs, etc.), Ethical Issues, Organizations/Journals, General Perception Sources, Visual Perception Sources, Auditory Perception Sources, History & Systems Sources Statistics/Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Psychology/Cognitive Science, Neuropsychology/Neuroscience/Biopsychology, Applied/Human Factors Clinical Psychology and Related Information, Personality, Social Psychology and Related Areas.
Author: Brittany Horn, MLS Comments: Web Services @ TCC Last revision: January 20, 2012


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DVD review
Spy Kids 2—The Island Of Lost Dreams
The sequel to Robert Rodriguez's maniacally good Spy Kids, with budding-Bonds Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara up against a rival team of adolescent agents and the monsters of mad scientist Steve Buscemi's fantasy island. Suggesting a Ray Harryhausen movie invaded by the screwball surrealism of a Looney Tunes cartoon, it ups the first film's formula of candy-coloured cool stuff for kids and in-jokes for grown-ups. Quite fantastic.
Rating: 4 / 10
Rental dvd (buena vista home entertainment, widescreen)


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Man accused of shooting at Chicago cops held without bail
BY RUMMANA HUSSAIN Sun-Times Media October 18, 2012 5:34PM
Anthony Maltbia
Updated: November 20, 2012 11:09AM
A man from Chicago's far South Side man who authorities said shot at five police officers after carjacking an SUV full of children over the summer was ordered held without bail Thursday.
"He's a dangerous individual," Cook County Judge Adam Bourgeois Jr. said of 21-year-old Anthony Maltbia, who was arrested Tuesday despite his attempts to hide in ductwork at a home in the 9100 block of South Harvard.
None of the officers Maltbia allegedly at were injured in the June 14 incident, authorities said.
Moments before, Maltbia jumped into a woman's vehicle and ordered her at her gunpoint to drive to the 11600 block of South Princeton while her three children sat in the back, assistant state's attorney Farrah Brass said.
Maltbia got out of the car when he arrived at his desired destination and walked into an alley before the woman heard gunshots and saw Maltbia walk toward the SUV while holding a weapon in his waistband, Brass said.
Maltbia got back in the car and forced the woman to drive as police officers responding to the gunshots pursued them, authorities said.
Maltbia eventually jumped out of the moving vehicle in the 10500 block of South State and shot at the squad car with two officers inside, Brass said.
He fired again at the pair when one officer chased him and the other took cover behind a U-Haul truck, authorities said.
Maltbia ran through a vacant lot and, in the 10500 block of South Lafayette, stopped to shoot at two other officers in another squad car, Brass said.
He kept running and when a fifth officer chased him on foot, Maltbia turned around and shot toward him, Brass said.
Maltbia ran to his home in the 10500 block of South LaSalle, but police couldn't find him when they searched the residence. He was on parole and assigned to electronic monitoring at the home at the time.
Maltbia, who goes by the nickname "Tutu," was charged with five counts of attempted murder of a police officer, aggravated discharge and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
He has three prior weapons convictions, Brass said.


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Updated: December 4, 2012 6:03AM
Open house at Porter Hospital: An open house for the new Center for Cardiovascular Medicine at Porter Regional Hospital from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3, at 85 E. U.S. 6, at the west side of the hospital with a private entrance and parking. For more information, call 983-5188 or visit www.porterhealth.com.
Art exhibit: An exhibit of works by members of the Northern Indiana Pastel Society opens Saturday, Nov. 3, and runs through December at the Chesterton Art Center, 115 S. 4th St. A reception for the show is planned from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16, at the center. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. weekends. For more information, call 926-4711.
Rose Ceremony: Families are invited to join Community Healthcare System staff members and Gift of Hope representatives for the annual Rose Ceremony to honor organ and tissue donors. The event begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, at The Center for Visual and Performing Arts, 1040 Ridge Road. For more information call 852-6411 or 838-6862, or email email@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Genealogy meeting: The genealogy group meets from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Kennedy Branch of the Gary Public Library, 3953 Broadway. Call 887-8112.