Summer is such a great time in the South Okanagan – the weather is fabulous and there’s TONS to do! Whether you’re into soaking up the heat at the beach, enjoying a leisurely lunch on a patio with friends, or checking out all the amazing wineries, this is just a great place to be. And if you’re looking for more, check out these coming events:
July 30-31: Tinhorn Creek presents The Shakespeare Company in: Love’s Labour’s Lost
And don’t forget, every Saturday until October from 8:30am-12:30pm, at the North End of the Lion’s Park on Hwy 97, you’ll find Oliver’s Country Market A-Fair for all your local baking, arts & crafts, and fruits & veggies!
PLUS Thursday nights at 6:30 meet up at the Lion’s Park for Music in the Park, presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council:
August 5: Singer/Songwriter Deborah Lee with Guitarist Glen Koide, accompanied by guests Ken Hayes and Kenn Dramon ~ popular and original songs
August 12: Chenoa MacKenzie ~ classical to contemporary music
August 19: Ingrid Schellenberg ~ celtic, classical and popular harp music
August 26: Jazz Out West with Jim Wyse, Iris and Bob Larratt, and Bob Park ~ light jazz and old standards
Personally, I’m looking forward to the August 5th performance for Music in the Park – I love to go listen to my dad play!! Anything that interests you?
Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company with its own charity
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation has raised more than $10 million to support women and children living in shelters across Canada. Through agent commission contributions and the fundraising activities of the Royal LePage network, we are helping to provide a safe haven and new beginnings to more than 30,000 women and children each year. To break the cycle of violence, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation also supports long-term violence prevention and education programs. All funds raised by Royal LePage offices remain in their local community and because Royal LePage pays the costs of administration, 100% of all money and effort goes toward this important cause.
Heads up, folks! Canada Post is increasing the cost of postage, again. The new rates will take effect as of Monday, January 11.
The proposed new rates, according to CIBC Mellon, are:
Domestic Lettermail (up to 30 grams) : $0.57 (up from $0.54) U.S. Lettermail (up to 30 grams) : $1.00 (up from $0.98) International Lettermail (up to 30 grams): $1.70 (up from $1.65)
Thinking of buying? Take a look at this…Royal LePage explains how your REALTOR® can help you assess your needs and wants so you can purchase the right home at the right price.
To sum it all up…
Key points to assess what’s right for you:
Make a list of features you want
Separate the list into ‘must have’ and ‘would like to have’
Ask your Royal LePage agent to use these criteria to search for properties suited to you
Don’t “fall” into the season without preparing your home for the cooler weather.
Proper maintenance of your home and garden will help preserve your investment. And best of all, keeping your house in tip-top shape this fall will prevent any unnecessary chores in the spring.
Outdoor Projects
- Complete exterior painting before cooler weather arrives
- Check and repair exterior lighting before daylight fades
- Store lawn ornaments and patio furniture in a shed or basement. If space is limited, weather-resistant covers can protect outdoor furnishings
- Cover air conditioner and barbecue to prevent winter damage
- Close your pool before leaves start to fall, and nighttime temperatures begin to drop. Sooner than that and you risk an algae bloom
- Store kids toys indoors or in an outdoor shed to prevent rusting and fading
Lawn & Garden
- Till and prepare planting beds when the soil is relatively dry. By adding soil and mulch to your beds, you’ll be a step ahead for spring planting
- Plant spring blooming bulbs and perennials
- Protect roses, saplings and small trees by sheltering them with a burlap screen
- Pull weeds to reduce the number of seedlings next spring
- Mow grass short for the final cut of the year by reducing the cutting height gradually to 3.5 cm (from 7.4 cm) until the grass stops growing
Indoor Preparation
- Bring container plants indoors, making sure they are free of pests. Doing so may enable plants to survive the season and bloom again in spring
- Check and clean your humidifier. Empty the tank, dry the inside surfaces and refill with clean water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Tons of updates have been done for you in this end-unit townhouse in Park Lane Villa. Centrally located near parks, hospital and main street shopping, this 2 bedroom, 2 bath home also has an office/den, and a private concrete patio. Updates include new flooring, light fixtures, windows, sinks and toilets, interior doors, and a fresh coat of paint. Outside, you’ll find a storage shed in the back, and motion sensitive lights for both entrances. 4 Appliances are included, plus a wall-unit air-conditioner found in the master bedroom.
Ok, I’ve never done the Grouse Grind. I didn’t even know about it until fairly recently, when I first heard that Sebastian Albrecht, a Royal Lepage REALTOR® from Vancouver, decided to try to break the record for most climbs in one day. His reason? To raise money for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, a charity which protects women and children from domestic abuse.
What is the Grouse Grind? It’s a 2.9 Kilometer hike up Grouse Mountain, with an elevation gain of over 850 metres and a total of 2830 stairs. Sebastian plans to complete the Grind a total of 13 times in one day, beating the previous record (shared by Sebastian and another guy) of 12 times. WOW!!
If Sebastian’s efforts inspire you, click here to donate, and help him reach his goal.
Sebastian will be attempting his record this Monday, June 22nd, 2009…but donations are open until July 31st!!!
Eco-smart gardening makes a lot of sense. It can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote environmental sustainability, and even save you a little money. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
De-fuel. According to Statistics Canada, using a standard gas mower for one hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 550 kms. For a greener alternative, try using push reel or electric mowers and cordless trimmers. These non-gasoline powered solutions help eliminate harmful emissions, are quieter, and can save you anywhere between $55-550 in annual fuel costs.*
Cut high. Set your lawn mower so it cuts high (approximately 7-8 cm from the ground) to encourage the growth of deep roots. Taller blades and deeper roots make grass more naturally resistant to insects, help control crabgrass, and conserve moisture better by shading the soil.
Grow up, not out. For condo dwellers and those who lack landscape space, growing vertical plants or herbs on the side of your building is a great alternative to a traditional garden. Vertical plants require minimal care, help cut down on noise, and will improve air quality around your living space.
Waste not, want not. 50 per cent of water used for gardening in Canada is wasted as a result of overwatering.** To prevent water waste, use the soaker instead of the mist setting on your hose. This delivers water directly to the base of the plant and reduces water loss due to evaporation. If using a sprinkler, keep the water low to the grass and make sure it doesn’t fall on nearby sidewalks or driveways.
Let it rain. Rainwater, not chemically-treated tap water, is the best source of nutrients for growing your plants and collecting it is always a good idea. Creating your own rainwater collection system can be as easy as setting up jars, bowls, or barrels to collect and store water for drier periods. You can also take advantage of rainwater by positioning downspouts so that water flows directly onto planted beds, lawn areas, or directly into your rainwater collection system. Either way, you can watch your plants grow up, and your water and utility bills go down.
* Analysis based on data from Environment Canada.
** Natural Resources Canada.
