Welcome to my blog!  I include information about our local area, useful tips, and news reports taken from current articles.  I hope you enjoy what you see here!

                                               

Monday, January 30th, 2011 - Becoming Real Estate Agent is Leap of Faith

It takes a certain personality and a flair for communication to make a great real estate agent. You must like, no love, people and have a nearly uninhibited gift of gab. Patience is another key word. Answering the same question multiple times, overcoming objections, reasonable or otherwise are all part of the process.

The book learning is the easy part, sort of. Show up with a college degree or pass the entrance literacy and math tests and then you’re set to begin training for your real estate license, now offered in a classroom setting or online. Go through the lessons, pass each test, the final and then, theoretically, you have the license.

Those who have gone through the process note that the courses are heavy on math, which considering you have to figure out interest percentages, payments and commissions, among other things is not surprising. In Ontario the course is in three sections. Most people find the first section the easiest to complete at home.

The second part is more difficult, where you must master the terminology of the profession and the third is more reading and absorption. Some people find taking the second and third parts easier in a classroom setting. Still, the hardest part about becoming a real estate agent is making the decision to take that leap of faith, in yourself.

Monday, January 23rd, 2011 - Edmonton Leads Canada in Retail Store Space Construction

Retailers are flocking to Edmonton, eager to open new stores and take advantage of the city’s blossoming economy. CBRE, a commercial real estate outlet, noted that more retail space is being built in Edmonton than anywhere else in Canada. The energy industry is booming and these retailers know a good thing when they see it.

People are flocking into a city that is rich with jobs and with a reasonably priced housing market. All of those people have money to spend, so it is a fertile field for retailers. Dave Young, CBRE’s managing director and senior vice-president for Edmonton, expects this strong trend to continue at least through 2012.

Currently Edmonton has 2.8 million square feet of space under construction that is intended for the retail real estate market. Almost two thirds of that is expected to be completed by the last half of 2012. Currently the retail vacancy rate in Edmonton is 3.1 percent, and that is scattered throughout the Greater Edmonton Area.

Edmonton is proving to be the exception in Canada, which nationally has seen a slight decline in beefing up retail space. Perhaps Edmonton’s success stems from the million-plus population and the diversity of those that are immigrating into the area. The area is also proving a draw for overseas businesses wanting to open branches within Canada.

Saturday, December 17th, 2011 - Water’s Edge Condos in Construction Dispute

The Water’s Edge condo in Edmonton was undergoing renovations. But the company doing those renovations, Konstruktor Corporation, stopped working, citing that the condo board stopped paying bills. The board, on the other hand, insists the bills were paid.

Now, the property has liens against it, and because of a contract signed with Konstruktor, they cannot pay for any more work until the liens are paid.

Caught in that vicious circle are the homeowners, who are living in a high-rise, encased in scaffolding. Konstruktor left the property without pulling their equipment. They also left the property covered in tarps and did not install balcony rails or siding, both of which can be dangerous.

After hiring a lawyer, residents of the Saskatchewan Drive property have obtained permission to do some clean up on the site. They will be allowed to take the plastic from windows, block off some of the rail-less balconies and clean up tools left behind.

Next door neighbours are happy with the clean up efforts, though understanding of the resident’s predicament. They note that they are seeing at least a garbage bag a week being toted away. Some neighbours are still finding construction debris in their yards, and the unsightly mess of tarps and scaffolding is truly an eyesore.

Monday, December 12th, 2011 - Keystone Pipeline Project on Hold For Now

President Barak Obama is sticking to his decision to delay approval of the Keystone Pipeline until 2013. Prime Minister Stephen Harper tried his best to change the man’s mind, but it was an uphill battle from the start. President Obama wants to make sure the $7 billion pipeline that is intended to run between Alberta and Texas will have no environmental impact on the United States.

Cue the Republican chorus, accusing that the delay is merely a political decision. That indeed may be part of it, but there are those who live in the oil line’s pathway that are concerned about ground water contamination and spills. The line does pass through prime farmland in the heartland of the United States.

When pressed, Harper would not comment on the political situation in the United States. But he did note that Obama was open minded about the proposal, just wanted more study to see how it would affect the American people. No mention was made of the protests against the pipeline on the Canadian side of the border.

Republicans, in true form, are trying to coerce passage of the Keystone pipeline with the agreement to approve a payroll tax cut extension. Right now they are refusing to pass the legislation that would help the county’s middle class. Time will tell where the next chapter in this one-way soap opera will take us. Meanwhile, Keystone will be in limbo for a while.

Monday, December 5th, 2011 - Changing Your Retirement Goals and Mind Set

When you think about retirement, what is it you see yourself doing? Are you the type that wants to retire rich, wanting to see the world and not having to lift a finger if you don’t feel like it? Or do you want a quieter, more easy-going lifestyle. While it is always best to plan your retirement as early as possible, no matter how old you are, it is never too late to change your mind, and your goals.

For example, Murray Wood just turned 60. After looking at his retirement goals, he found that his outlook on life had changed. Having worried about the number of properties in his portfolio, Wood now found himself wanting to spend more time with family than with finances. So, he cut back on spending, semi-retired early and is enjoying living in the now, rather than saving everything for an ambiguous date in the future. The man is content.

Everyone is different. Some thrive on the complexities of building a portfolio, on the tight-rope sometimes walked to create success. Others walk that tight-rope for a while and then decide that while pursuing retirement, they are missing out on life in the now.
The mind-set of a 20 or 30 something is not the same as that of a 50 or 60 something.

As we age, we may decide that a gradual drift into retirement is a good thing, and that, as long as we have enough that we can live comfortably, chasing the dollar may not be the ultimate goal in life. Who says, besides the government, that 65 is the magic number anyway?

Monday, November 28th, 2011 - Edmonton Considers Loan, Moving Project Funding Around

Edmonton is in a financial bind, at least as far as infrastructure projects go. Friday afternoon will see a debate on a cut-down capital budget plan that puts several roadwork projects, new street lights and LRT and bus improvements being postponed until 2015, at the least.

One exception the council is looking at is the Walterdale Bridge project. Administration is suggesting that the city borrow the $132 million needed to build the bridge, rather than use cash on hand and/or provincial grants. If that is the case, then that would make funding available for the repair of roads, parks, playgrounds, buildings and transit lines. This would also require the Westwood bus garage renovations to be postponed, freeing up another needed $30 million.

This scenario would mean that work in Laurier Heights, Hazeldean, Grovenor, Terrace Heights and Dovercourt could be done this year rather than next. It would also prevent a half percent property tax increase that would be needed to get these projects taken care of on time.

But, if the loan is taken out, property taxes would have to go up by one whole percentage point to cover the interest. Council is also considering canceling plans for the Heritage Valley park and ride lot, a $7.9 million project. The intention was to use the site for shuttle busses to the LRT station at Century Park. Since there is no funding available to buy buses, that project is being reconsidered.

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011 - Holiday Spending in Alberta Expected to Increase This Year

Retailers are not overly optimistic about how much Canadians in general will be spending during their holiday shopping forays. There are a little over 70 shopping days left until the Big Day, and Colliers International has gone ahead with its early predictions. The firm notes a challenging season for most of the country.

But Alberta is expected to be one of the bright spots, bested only by Saskatchewan, anticipating a 7.6 percent increase over last year, and Prince Edward Island, expecting a 4.9 percent spending increase. Alberta is expected to have a 4.6 percent increase in spending, thanks to the solid economy brought on by the increased energy production from the oilpatch.

The general manager of Calgary’s Market Mall, Paige O’Neill is expecting both increased traffic and sales. She notes that while Albertans will not be spending frivolously, the current climate will entice them to buy needed, wanted items. At the same time, many Canadians are focusing on paying down debt, but since Alberta has an expanding job market, there is more ready cash to go around.

Colliers, who is a world wide real-estate services firm, predicts that sales in December, less auto items and gas, will hit the $32.7 billion mark. That is 3.9 percent higher than sales in December of 2010, when $31.5 billion was spent. Of that, Alberta’s share is expected to be $4.3 million.

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011 - Crate & Barrel Opens New Edmonton Store

Edmonton lovers of household gadgets rejoice, Crate & Barrel just opened a new store at Southgate Centre. Now instead of making the drive to Calgary for all those kitchen niceties, you just have to take a quick trip to the local mall. This is the retailer’s fourth store in the Canadian market, following locations in Toronto, Calgary and Mississauga, Ontario.

The Unites States company has quite the following north of the border. Calgary’s store has been open for two years and shortly after the doors opened it was apparent that this was a success in the making. Plans were immediately underway to expand further. Edmonton was a logical choice. The Southgate Mall location will offer 17,000 square feet of merchandise and will employ 60 people.

The brand’s name recognition is strong within the city. That fact is noted by Paul McElhone, who is the director of the School of Retailing at the University of Alberta. Many Edmontonians regularly make shopping forays to Crate & Barrel stores, both in Calgary and south of the border.

Crate & Barrel joins a growing list of companies from the United States that are making decisive moves into the Canadian market. Among the recent companies making that border leap are Target, Lowe’s and Victoria’s Secret.

Monday, September 19th, 2011 - Legal Bill for Edmonton Arena Preliminaries Hits $1.15 Million, And Growing

The discussion over the building of a downtown arena in Edmonton has been going on for quite a while now. Too long, in fact, long enough to build up a legal bill of $1.15 million. None of that is part of the estimated $450 million needed to actually build the arena.

But, it’s not over. The city fathers have another $290,000 budgeted for the same legal issues to be used before the end of 2011. They will also be going to council to add an additional $210,000 to the pot. That means the bill will be $1.6 million by year’s end. All so that the city can negotiate with the creator of the arena idea, Daryl Katz, who, by the way, is not paying any of these legal fees.

All of this money is going into negotiations with Katz, or the Katz Group, who is the owner of the Oilers. The group has agreed to come up with $100 million towards the project and wants the city to come up with another $125 million. An additional $125 million is to come from ticket user fees. At issue is the $100 million that the city is asking from the provincial government, as well as sticking points as to who and how the arena will be built and operated.

Council members are defending the bill, stating that with this large of a project everything has to be done right. And, because the public needed more information, council had to approve additional studies, consultants and hold additional public meetings. The cost of building and maintaining the website, making an information video and for communication support alone came to $112,000. All this and so far there isn’t a firm deal in the works.

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011 - Saving Money Proving Difficult to Some Canadians

Almost 59 percent of Canadians consider themselves savers. Despite that fact almost 50 percent have trouble putting an extra $25 per week aside. And 41 percent agree that if they could put away this small sum it would help with their financial goals. For 25 percent of Canadians, that means paying off debt.

This is 2011 and the economic climate is uncertain at best. It is more difficult to save money now than it was a couple of years ago, according to 49 percent of those surveyed by ING Direct. Some 31 percent are not anywhere near reaching their yearly financial goals, but most keep trying.

There is also evidence that some Canadians don’t want to commit to saving that small amount, or perhaps it is that they just don’t know how. A few suggestions could be eating out less often, shop less, make coffee and lunches and take them to work, clip coupons and cut down on grocery spending. Just keeping away from much of the packaged, processed foods will help save money and keep you healthier.

As it is now, over half of Canadians pretty much live paycheque to paycheque, and 31 percent don’t have any savings at all. If an emergency comes up over a third use a credit card or line of credit to pay for the problem if it is over $1,000. Only 11 percent go into the emergency fund for any reason. In these volatile economic times saving money is difficult, but starting small, like $25 per week will add up over the long term.

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011 - European Union Challenges Canada on Provincial Backing for Energy Projects

The European Union is protesting Canada’s provincial backing for wind and solar energy projects and has issued a complaint with the World Trade Organization. They are legally challenging Ontario’s system of guaranteeing higher prices for renewable energy sources if that energy is generated using a set amount of Canadian equipment or Canadian labour.

They are not the first. Japan has also issued the same legal challenge, not only with Canada, but with the United States and China. All three countries have elected to reserve projects, which could net billions, for local, in-country firms. The EU contends that these moves, under the global trade rules, are illegal because local producers have an unfair advantage.

At issue is the Ontario Green Energy and Economy Act. Under this initiative, solar projects will only be allowed if 40 percent or more of the initial development consists of Ontario services and/or products. Projects that produce wind energy must have 25 percent of development done by local companies. Several firms, from different countries, have elected to set up developments within the province to take advantage of the price guarantee.

The spokesperson for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Caitlin Workman, advised that Canada’s interests would be defended by Ottawa. It is the same response that Japan got when it filed a similar legal challenge this past June. Workman directed inquiries about the Ontario initiative to the provincial government.

Thursday, August 4th, 2011 - Edmonton’s Ethnic Diversity Mapped

Edmonton, like other population centers across Canada, has an ethnically varied population. Some cultures tend to blend in with everyone else; others gravitate towards communities of like ethnicity. A recent study, started by the Edmonton Journal, mapped out the communities to see just what was happening in the city.

Filipinos, accounting for some 20,000 residents tended to move to the outer edges of Edmonton, to places like Lewis Estates, Tamarack and MacEwan. Hardworking and intent on homeownership, Filipinos will work nearly round the clock to be able to buy that piece of property. West Asians and those from the Arab community tend to live in north Edmonton, along the length of 97th Street. Those of African heritage have communities in Beverly Heights and along 107th Avenue.

When the first Filipino-Canadians moved into Edmonton they were concentrated in the downtown core. As the city expanded outward and they were able to buy property they gravitated towards the suburbs. The homes in the suburbs have the added plus of being energy efficient and usually less expensive that their counterparts skirting downtown.

No matter what the ethnicity, homeownership is extremely important to Canadian immigrants, especially those who came from unstable areas. It provides a feeling of safety and security. Family is most important, and no amount of work or sacrifice is too much to provide that family with a stable, comfortable living environment.

Thursday, July 21st, 2011 - Pathology Program Retrains Patients in Communication Skills

When Edmonton resident Warren Steffes had a major stroke in 2007, his family was told he would barely survive surgery and have a minimal quality of life. His family insisted on surgery, however, and Steffes lived. As a resident of the Shepherd’s Care Wellness Centre for two-and-a-half years, Steffes is now able to speak again. Due to the speech pathology therapy he has received, Steffes talks so much that his brother jokes about his needing to be quiet.

The 72-year-old Steffes said that therapy has enabled him to recover much of his communication abilities. He is able to phone his family frequently, and admits that he often talks a bit too much.

Steffes is one example of patients that benefit from speech pathology therapy. Other patients have neurological problems from illnesses including dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. When a patient experiences aphasia, the technical term for language impairment, there are a number of ways to re-establish communication abilities. The most basic communication devices include gestures or drawings. Some patients practice reading, as well as listening to syllables and words.

Once patients have re-learned words, they move toward completing phrases, and eventually full sentences. Therapy at its more advanced level deals with developing entire conversations.

The speech pathology consultants partner with the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine. University students train with speech and language pathologists for periods of eight to twelve weeks. The students and pathologists work closely with patients’ family members to enable them to help patients in their progress.

Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 - Pad Rents Increase in Mobile Home Community, Residents Upset

Lot fees are going up at the Maple Ridge and Oak Ridge community mobile home parks and residents are not pleased. Residents, some of which have been there for years and are on fixed incomes, are facing $548 per month pad rent starting in January of 2012. Enough have voiced concerns about the three percent increase, both to the park owners and Coun. Kerry Diotte, the newly elected MLA of that district.

These pad rents are paid in addition to mortgages on the actual homes. Homeowners own the homes, but not the land they sit on. Some homeowners have made vast improvements to their lots, putting in gardens, ponds, patios and the like, spending their own funds to do so. This is money they will never get back. Basically, they are investing in someone else’s property.

Being in a mobile home park does have advantages. The Maple Ridge management does provide common property maintenance, including snow removal in the winter. It is also less expensive to pay pad rent than go out and buy a serviced lot to put a mobile on, which can cost up to $175,000 in the Edmonton area.

But there are also some unpopular rules. Maple Ridge has pet restrictions, one dog per home, and signage restrictions. Homeowners must put a smiley face on their homes to indicate they are for sale. Realtor and For Sale Signs are prohibited. Business signs of any kind are also not allowed. All these issues have caused complaints, but short of selling their homes, as of now there is not much mobile home owners can do about it.

Friday, June 17th, 2011 - Canadian Country Music Stars Hold Benefit Concert for Slave Lake Fire Victims

Canada’s own George Canyon and fellow artist Johnny Reed were part of a benefit concert on Jun 15th for victims of the Slave Lake Fire. Canyon has ties to the area, having played bars in Slave Lake as far back as 1991. The star lives in High River, not all that far away. Canyon is also very much a family man, and the number of people and families that lost their homes really affected him.

Organized by Tom Jackson, a musician and actor, and the CBC, the concert features an assortment of entertainers. Jackson noted that some 400 homes were destroyed and his helping with the benefit was a no-brainer. He’s worked with CBC before on benefit events. One concert was in 1997 that went to the aid of Manitobans stricken by the massive flooding of the Red River that year. Another, held in 2002, went to help Prairie farmers that were suffering through a drought.

Both men are in sync with the realization that the victims of Slave Lake survived the fire and can rebuild. It will take time, but it will happen. Benefit concerts such as this, given by good people to help other good people, will help. Devastating as the fire was, there is always the blessing of having family to hang onto.

Thursday, May 26th, 2011 - Slave Lake Homes Investigated by RCMP in Wake of Wildfires

In the aftermath of massive wildfires near Slave Lake, RCMP investigations have not discovered criminal damage to homes in the area. Along with local fire service personnel, RCMP officers have been entering many residences in order to ensure that gas valves are turned off, and that other safety hazards are addressed.

Homes that display broken windows or open doors have been entered and searched to verify that they have not been the subjects of vandalism or theft. Tim Taniguchi, who is with the Slave Lake RCMP, said that officers are not performing these checks arbitrarily, but that they have a duty toward public safety to investigate any risks.

Several items, such as ammunition and firearms, have been confiscated from a number of homes. Taniguchi said that since there are still some “hot spots” in the neighbourhood, RCMP needs to clear out these items for the time being. Due to the high heat generated by the wildfires, one piece of ammunition in a home exploded and blasted shots during a media tour of the town. No injuries were reported, but the incident, said Taniguchi, is one example of why comprehensive RCMP investigations are necessary.

The most dangerous fires have been completely extinguished. A few areas in the neighbourhood are still of concern to firefighters, however. Until the firefighters and RCMP are convinced that the Slave Lake area is free of safety risks, residents will not be permitted to approach their dwellings until at least one more week passes. Officers are seeking residents’ patience and cooperation as they finish their work.

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011 - Motion Regarding Anti-Idling Law Put Before Council, Again

There have already been two motions put in front of the Edmonton city council in the last four years regarding an idling ban for vehicles. Somehow they managed to become stuck on the back burner, in hopes that those wanting the laws would perhaps go away. But no, they are back again with another motion. It was debated in committee on Tuesday, with the result being another motion calling for rules and subsequent fines for those who idle vehicles anywhere near hospitals, schools or a senior centre.

Coun. Kim Krushell wants to make a decision on the matter to finally put it to rest or make it law. Those promoting the anti-idling motion have changed their tactics somewhat by focusing not on global warming, but rather on the harm the fumes are doing to the health of kids and seniors. That makes it more likely the motion will pass, no matter what type of arguments are made against that passage.

Coun. Kerry Diotte is one person against the bylaw, calling it draconian since only a small number of people are pushing for it. Diotte notes there is no evidence of the harm the fumes do, nor has he received any calls from parents concerning the issue. He much prefers using public education, as is done with recycling, which is encouraged, but not enforced by law.

On the other side of the debate is Coun. Don Iverson, who does not believe that public education programs are effective. A law would ensure compliance by most. Chances are the motion will eventually pass, if not this time, at a future date. The debate, in the mean time, will continue.

Friday, April 29th, 2011 - Economic Need for Oilsands Trumps Environmental Issues in Political Arena

Sometimes it is hard to balance the energy needs of the people with environmental needs of nature. The bitumen that comes out of Alberta’s oilsands fuels cars, allows industries such as steel mills to produce their product, and keeps thousands of people employed, not just in Alberta, but across the country. Voters looking at the economy tend to have Alberta and its oilsands in mind because of the contribution to the country.

On the other hand, when the subject turns to environmental issues, Alberta is also the focus. Discussions are ongoing about climate change, the dangers of tailings ponds, cap-and-trade and how to reclaim lands in the region. But these are generally much quieter voices, or at least they get drowned out by the more audible conversations about the economy.

How do the elections affect this? According to Patti Gau from Strathcona County, one of the areas in Alberta’s “Ground Zero,” not much at all. No matter what the campaign platform, whoever wins the election is not going to want to do anything that would damage the economy. That would be political suicide. Talk of alternative energy sources like solar power or windmills is just that, talk. Those who do bring up “green subjects” are careful to do so outside of Alberta. Jack Layton did just this, bringing up the issue in Quebec and Ontario, far away from oilsands country.

He is not alone. Conservative Brian Jean, who is the incumbent in Fort McMurray wants to keep his job and at this point is favored to win against the New Democratic candidate. Tim Uppal, the Conservative incumbent from Edmonton-Sherwood Park, is being challenged by Independent Jim Ford, who he beat narrowly in 2008. All of these candidates know that in their ridings particularly, the oilsands play a major part in keeping people employed and the economy going strong. No one is going to rock the oil boat, not here.

Archived Blogs

Monday, April 18th, 2011 - Oilers Clinch First Overall Draft Pick

Friday, March 25th, 2011 - Edmonton City Council Exploring Long-Term Transportation Strategies

Thursday, March 10th, 2011 - Retirement Picture is Changing in Canada

Friday, February 25th, 2011 - Stelmach Appoints New Cabinet Members

Friday, February 11th, 2011 - Two Different Ideas for Expanding the Shaw Conference Centre

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011 - Edmonton Will See Lots of Potholes Come the Spring Thaw

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 - Housing Starts in 2010 Stronger Than 2009, But Ended Year on A Slow Note

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 - Animal Advocacy Groups Determined To Give Lucy A Home in Sunny California

Thursday, December 9th, 2010 - Funding Idea for New Edmonton Arena Interests Council

Thursday, November 25th, 2010 - Royal Canadian Humane Association Medals Go To Brave Edmontonians

Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 - Annual Candy Cane Lane Display Just Around the Corner

Friday, October 29th, 2010 - Auditor General Report Inspires Changes

Friday, October 22nd, 2010 - Get Ready, Set…To Get Your Flu Shot

Tuesday, September 29th, 2010 - McLuhan House Worth Preserving