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In search of Canada’s

lake monsters.

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Immigration - simplified application process

New skilled worker criteria

Extreme diets - when diets go too far

Creating balance in your life

Whistler - winter wonderland

Swapping snow for Cacti part 2

Discover the Durham region part 2

issue 36 nov 08

muchmorDiscover Your Canada

Canada Magazine

Top 10 holiday

party offenses

Saving money in these uncertain times

Preparing for a layoff

issue 37 dec 08

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Muchmor Magazine is a publication of Muchmor Media. All rights reserved in all media. No parts of this publication can be reproduced in any form, copied of stored electronically for commercial use without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Storing for personal use is acceptable.

Muchmor Media relies on information supplied by external sources and this publication is supplied on the basis that it believes the to be correct and accurate at the time of publication. Muchmor Media does not however warrant its accuracy or completeness and to the full extent of the allowed by law excludes liability for any loss or damage sustained by readers arising from or in connection with the supply or use of this information. If errors occur and are brought to our attention it is our policy to correct any errors of fact whenever we can.

The opinions of readers and contributors are not necessarily the opinions of Muchmor Media, and we cannot be held responsible for their comments.

From the EditorEveryone at Muchmor Media would like to wish all our

readers a very happy Christmas and a great New Year. I know not everyone celebrates Christmas but whatever your beliefs now is the time to celebrate everything we have in life and to remember those who are not so fortunate.

Even though we are all going through tough times we must also try to give a little to those less fortunate, be it money, food or simply a few prayers. Check out the charity ads we have in this issue and give them a call or click on the ad to visit their website to see what they are all about and perhaps donate a little.

If you are going to have a little turkey leftover this year check out the recipes we have on page 16 to save any going to waste.

Did you know you might have a lake monster living nearby? Lots of lakes in Canada have them - well lots of sightings at least! You never know you might be the one to prove they exist!

For those not yet living in Canada we discuss the new immigration criteria recently announced and how it might affect your application.

We also look at the very serious subject of extreme dieting. Do you know or suspect someone of having an eating disorder? If so you will want to read this article.

Finally we visit Whistler where you can find some of the best winter sports in the world, not just Canada.

That’s all for now, have a great holiday and speak to you all next year.

Jane Toombes

Editor

2 Editorial

Contents 3

Contents

Discover Canada 4! Discover Durham Region (part 2)10! In search of lake monsters

Travel12" Whistler winter wonderland"

Lifestyle

16! Leftover turkey recipes18! Swapping snow for cacti (part 2)22! CanadiansTalk23! Top Canadian...

Working Life

24! Top 10 holiday party offense26! The slightly unusual27! The 5 people you meet at the holiday ! party28! Six ways to prepare for a layoff29! Ten worst things to do at a meeting30! Creating balance in your life

Money

32! Saving money in these uncertain ! times35! Canada charity

Motoring

36! Winter car tips36! Don’t let your vehicle fall into a ! recession to37! What is a hybrid car?

Kidzone

38! Christmas presents for your family39! Top kids stuff….

Moving to Canada

40! Exactly what paperwork do I need?43! New direction from U.S.43! Proud women44! Seeking pension integrity for Brits46! Countdown to Canada46! Canada housing market48! New skilled worker criteria announced

Health & Wellness

50! Extreme dieting53! Clearing snow without injury

Home & Garden

54! Christmas ornaments: new ideas for ! old decorations56! Flooring to use inside your home57! Re-bloom the poinsettia but how?59! Bed bugs and your family

4 Discover Canada

Discover Durham Region

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By Jane Toombes

We continue our look at the Durham Region and what it has to offer us all

Last month we looked at why the Durham Region of Ontario is a great place to live in or visit. This month we continue that exploration and look at the remaining municipalities and what they can offer residents and visitors.

Oshawa

The city of Oshawa has a population of 149,726 which is fairly evenly split between men and women. The average household income is $70,654 which is higher than many similar sized cities.

Oshawa began as a village back in the 1750’s when the French established a trading post at the mouth of Oshawa Creek. Forty years later Roger Conant established a fur and packing business which led to the start of this pioneer community.

Soon, many companies were taking advantage of the water power available here which then encouraged farmers to move to this location. Before long a small community of churches, shops, hotels and mills was established.

In 1842 an application for a post office was made and the residents had to decide on a name for the community. Originally Sydenham was suggested but then two visiting Indians suggested the name Oshawa which means “that point at the crossing of the stream where the canoe was exchanged

for the trail.” This was agreed and Oshawa was born. In 1850 Oshawa was recognized as a village with a population of around 2,000. In 1879 the population had doubled and it changed to town status.

During the second half of the 1800’s Oshawa steadily grew and new industry came to the area. Joseph Hall purchased the Oshawa Manufacturing Company in 1858 which became the largest producer of agricultural implements in Canada. Cedar Dale Works was another large company which became successful during this time for its manufacturing of hoes and axes amongst other things.

In 1871 the Ontario Malleable Iron Company received a bonus to establish itself in Oshawa and was vital to the local economy. Another big boost to the town was the relocation of the McLaughlin Carriage Company which became the largest carriage works in the British Empire.

Robert Mclaughlin made a decision to enter the automobile industry at the turn of the century due to its gaining popularity. He contacted the Buick Motor Car Company of Michigan who agreed to use the Buick engine in McLaughlin cars. In 1907 a total of 198 such cars were produced.

Later in 1915 the McLaughlin’s obtained the rights to build Chevrolets and thus the Chevrolet Motor Car Company of Canada was established. In 1918 the two companies

merged and formed General Motors of Canada Limited with Robert McLaughlin as president.

In 1921 the Pedlar Metal Roofing Company who came to Oshawa in 1861 became the largest plant of its kind in the British Empire.

During and after the First World War, Oshawa was a key industrial centre, but it was hit hard during the Great Depression of the late 1920’s. However, in 1924 it was elevated to city status and by now had a population of 16,659.

During the mid to late 1930’s the city began to recover from the Great Depression and the onset of World War II led to a huge industrial boom for the city. This boom continued to the late 1970’s when the entire Canadian economy started to decline.

These days the city still relies heavily on its industrial heritage. In recent times the automobile industry amongst others has seen a huge decline in sales due to the global economy which has affected many Oshawa industries, not least of which is General Motors. This in turn is leading to the reduction in staffing levels at these plants which has a knock-on effect across the Durham Region and indeed the whole of Ontario and North America.

On a brighter note Oshawa has plenty to offer both visitors and residents and has excellent transportation links. Oshawa is

Discover Canada 5

Parkwood Estate Gardens, Oshawa

located along the Highway 401 corridor linking the city with Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa. Rail links offer easy connections to the rest of Canada as does Oshawa Municipal Airport. It is also only a short drive to Toronto International Airport. GO Transit links Oshawa to Toronto and the rest of the GTA and the Durham Region Transit (DRT) operates throughout the region.

Education is key to the continued development of Oshawa and the Durham District School Board is responsible for the public schools in the city. There are 47 English and 3 French elementary schools. Secondary schools number eight. In addition there are a number of private schools in Oshawa as well as Catholic schools run by the Durham Catholic District School Board.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is located in Oshawa as is Durham College. Trent University also has a satellite campus in Oshawa offering full and part-time courses in nine degree programs.

Oshawa is home to over 1,200 acres of parkland with over 22 km of trails to explore. The Waterfront Trail is one of the longest at 9 km. Along this trail you will find lake views, marshes, picnic areas, playgrounds and lots of nature and wildlife. Other trails of note are the Harmony Creek Trail and the Oshawa Creek Trail. Oshawa also has two conservation areas: Oshawa Valleylands and Purple Woods.

Another legacy of Robert McLaughlin, the founder of General Motors is the Parkwood Estate. This is one of the finest and one of the only remaining grand estates in Canada. The McLaughlin family lived in the home between 1917 and 1972 and it is now a National Historic Site open to the public year-round. The mansion was built between 1915 - 1917 and is classic revival in style with some georgian features. The beautiful gardens are free to explore and include three large greenhouses full of orchids, tropical and Japanese plants. Why not enjoy afternoon tea at the Garden Teahouse?

Another fantastic garden attraction is the Oshawa Botanical Gardens which we detailed in the last issue if Muchmor.

Recreation is high on the Oshawa agenda and you will find many indoor and outdoor facilities. The Civic Auditorium Complex has a pool, sauna, fitness centre, squash and badminton courts, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor tracks as well as meeting rooms. The Donevan Recreation Complex also has a pool and sauna, arena and skateboard park.

The Legends Centre is a $40 million facility with no less than four NHL sized ice pads, leisure pool, water slide, gymnasium, fitness centre, indoor track and wellness room. It also has a library.

The city also has 62 ball diamonds, 6 multi-purpose fields, 45 outdoor fields as well as many other facilities to cater to every need.

If you prefer to shop then you will want to visit the Oshawa Centre which has over 200 stores and is one of Canada’s largest malls.

If you need to be employed in Oshawa then as we have mentioned manufacturing is high on the list of sectors prominent in the area. As of November 2008 the unemployment rate in the city was 7.3%, up on the previous three months figures.

Major public sector employers include Durham District Board of Education, Lakeridge Health Oshawa, Ontario Ministry of Finance, Durham Catholic School Board, Durham College, City of Oshawa and Durham Regional Police Service. In the private sector Currently General Motors is the largest single employer with over 10,000 employees. Other large employers are Minacs Worldwide, TDS Automotive, Durham Contact Centre and Bell Canada.

Housing in Oshawa is more affordable than Toronto which leads many people to live in the city and commute to Toronto. The average selling price in October 2008 was $212,148 for all home types. Single-family detached homes sell for an average of $235,335 and a row house for $198,375.

Clarington

The municipality of Clarington incorporates the urban communities of Bowmanville, Courtice, Newcastle and Orono as well as many rural communities.

The municipality came into being in 1994 and had previously been known as the Town of Newcastle. The name of Clarington is a combination of Clarke Township and Darlington, the two townships that amalgamated in 1974 to create the Town of Newcastle.

The area of Bowmanville saw its first settlers in 1794. One family, the Burks, built a tavern on the brand new Danforth Road which connected Kingston to York. In 1806 Burke built a saw mill on what became known as Bowmanville Creek. Another local, Leonard Soper also built a mill in the same area and soon the area became known as a great water power location and three more mills were built. This settlement became known as Darlington Mills.

Charles Bowman than came to the area and purchased Burk’s Holdings. This gave the community its new name Bowmanville.

Soon the area began to grow attracting new settlers and other industries. Before long the village had factories, brick yards, hotels, retailers and tanneries.

One hotel which was established was the Waverley Hotel owned by Alphonso Hinds. This hotel had an excellent reputation as not only did it provide patrons with clean linens it also provided soap, a rarity in those days. In 1832 a cholera epidemic swept through the area and Hinds was the only hotelier to survive. This was thought to be because of his liberal use of soap.

6 Discover Canada

Parkwood Estate, Oshawa

Church in Bowmanville

Jungle Cat World near Orono

Clarington water tower

Discover Canada 7

Sign in ChurchillOrono, Clarington’s fourth largest urban community was once the seat of government for Clarke Township. The area got its name from Orono in Maine, USA due to the similar landscape. In 1854 the community was declared a Police Village and became an important stop on the major road leading from Lindsay to Newcastle.

The community of Courtice, which is actually pronounced Curtis was first settled in the late 18th century. The name comes from one of the founding families. Until very recently the community remained a small rural village, but during the 1980’s developers started to build new housing and soon the community grew.

Newcastle became a town in 1856 and like Courtice was a small rural community until the 1990’s. Because of the need for affordable housing within commutable distance of Toronto, both these communities have seen extensive growth.

The economy of Clarington was and still remains connected to agriculture. Other major industries include manufacturing, construction and tourism.

As with many Canadian communities recreation plays a large role and just this

year the brand new Newcastle and District Recreation Complex opened in Newcastle. The complex has pools, badminton courts, tennis courts, volleyball, gymnasium, hockey plus lots more.

Other recreational facilities include the South Courtice Arena which has one NHL size ice pad and one Olympic size ice pad, a gymnasium and meeting rooms. Also in Courtice is the Community Complex which has a large leisure pool, splash area and amusement slide as well as whirlpools and saunas. Clarington Fitness Centre has a large pool, two squash courts, a whirlpool and sauna.

There are several conservation areas in Clarington to explore. These include the Bowmanville Harbour Conservation Area, Bowmanville Creek and Soper Creek Valley trails and Stephen’s Gulch Conservation Area.

Darlington Provincial Park has several trails all of which are either classed as easy or moderate. They range from 1 km loops to 2.6 km easy Waterfront Trail. Watch out for scenic lookouts, marshland, ravines and forest where wildlife and plants are never very far away.

Clarington is also home to Jungle Cat World near Orono and Bowmanville Zoo, both of which offer excellent opportunities to see wildlife up close and personal. Of course the area is on the edge of Lake Ontario so water related recreation is always available. Sail your own boat or hire a charter from one of the many

marinas and boat launches along the coast. Winter is no excuse for not getting out

and enjoying yourself either as the area has many cross-country skiing opportunities as well as snowshoeing, snowmobiling and other winter activities.

Living in the area means you will want to know how much it is going to cost to buy a property. As of September 2008 the average single-family detached property sold for $273,455 whilst a row house sold for an average of $194,167. Condo apartments are the cheapest form of housing in the area with the average selling price being $145,258.

Scugog

The Township of Scugog lies to the north of Clarington, Oshawa and Whitby and to the south of Brock. The main urban centre is Port Perry which lies on the shore of Lake Scugog one of the largest bodies of water in Southern Ontario.

Scugog started life as the Township of Reach in 1809 when several farms were established, however it wasn’t until 1821 when the first settler, Reuben Crandell Snr. moved to the area. During the late 1820’s more settlers came to the community and with them came more buildings and amenities such as saw mills, schools etc.

During the 1830’s many new roads were built to connect the different communities of the area. In the mid 1840’s Peter Perry of Whitby decided that an area to the side of Lake Scugog would be an ideal location for a village and thus Port Perry was conceived. In 1844 he built a general store, a wharf and a warehouse. Soon after a lumbar mill was built along with a school house and several other buildings.

Put your ad in front of 50,000 people for as little as $199 per month for quarter

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Lake Scugog

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8 Discover Canada

By the late 1840’s the village had grown substantially, helped by the growth of nearby Oshawa.

On the 4th July 1850 a tornado hit the area of Reach, destroying many buildings and killing a number of people as well as livestock.

During the 1850’s much of the marshland that dominated Lake Scugog was cleared and this allowed easy access by boat. From this time many people took to the waters to sail for both business and pleasure. A boat called the Woodman was built and used to ferry people and wares across the lake three times a week.

In 1852 the village officially became Port Perry and was incorporated into a village in 1871. In 1856 the Scugog Bridge was erected linking Port Perry with Scugog Island. This was the first permanent road connection between the two locations previously served by a ferry.

Port Perry has been engulfed by fire on three separate occasions. The first time in November 1883 a fire started at the rear of the Port Perry Hotel in a blacksmiths shop. Although several prominent buildings were destroyed no one was injured in the blaze.

The following July another fire broke out and because the area was in the middle of a heat wave the fire spread rapidly from the stables at which it started. Over thirty buildings and 50 businesses were destroyed, valued at the time at $350,000, but would be worth tens of millions these days. Again, luckily no one was killed in the fire although several people were treated for burns and some livestock was killed.

On the night of September 18th 1901 yet another major fire devastated Port Perry. Again many businesses were destroyed but no deaths were reported.

In 1974 Port Perry, Reach, Cartwright and Schgog township was amalgamated to form the Township of Scugog after the creation of the Regional Municipality of Durham.

Today Port Perry retains much of the charm of the past with many of the Victorian buildings still in existence. It serves as the administrative and commercial centre for the Township of Scugog and is home to the Great Blue Heron Charity Casino.

The Township of Scugog has over 180 hectares of parkland with 43 parks, 17 playgrounds and 18 sports fields.

There are also many trails to enjoy including the Scugog Shores Millennium Trail, a 1 km trail along the shores of Lake Scugog encompassing beach areas, parks and picnic areas.

The Canterbury Common Trail is a 2.5 km limestone walkway which offers a beautiful lookout and rest areas overlooking the lake.

Purple Woods Conservation Area is home to the annual Maple Syrup Festival and is a 17 hectare sugar maple forest. The area has a spectacular lookout with stunning views across to Lake

Ontario as well as several short and easy trails.

There are many things in the area to occupy both residents and visitors such as fishing on Lake Scugog. Many different species of fish can be found here: Muskellunge, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Walleye, Black Crappie and Catfish.

Another popular pastime is golf and a number of golf courses can be found in Scugog to appease the professional and amateur alike.

To the north of the township is Northwood Zoo and Animal Sanctuary where you can see exotic and endangered animals. This is a non-profit organization providing care for animals and education to the public.

If you want recreational facilities then you will want to check out the Scugog Community Recreation Facility in Port Perry.

Municipal Hall, Port Perry

Queen Street, Port Perry

NANNIES & COMPANIONS INC.

Discover Canada 9

It has two beach volleyball courts, three ball diamonds, eight soccer pitches, skateboard facilities and meeting rooms.

Housing in Scugog tends to be more expensive that other areas in the Durham Region. The average selling price of a single-family home during September 2008 was $323,392.

Uxbridge

The Town of Uxbridge began life in 1806 when Quakers arrived from Pennsylvania. The community remained small until the Toronto and Nipissing Railroad arrived in 1871. The following year the village of Uxbridge was incorporated and in 1885 it became a town.

In 1974 Uxbridge was incorporated with Uxbridge Township and Scott Township to form the Town of Uxbridge.

Uxbridge is located above the City of Pickering to the west of the Durham Region and incorporates the communities of Glasgow, Goodwood, Siloam, Sandford, Coppins Corners, Zephyr, Sandy Hook, Udora and Leaskdale. Uxbridge if the urban centre of the town.

As a visitor to the area you will find plenty here to keep you occupied. We mentioned the Thomas Foster Memorial in the last issue of Muchmor. This is a building built in the style of the Taj Mahal in India by Thomas Foster and now houses the crypts of Foster, his wife and daughter. The memorial is open to the public on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of July and the 4th Sunday in August as well as the first two Sundays in September. A fee of $4.00 is payable.

Another very popular tourist location in Leaskdale is the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables. Montgomery wrote half of her 22 books whilst living in Leaskdale. She was the wife of the local minister Rev. Ewan Macdonald and at the time of marrying him had already written Anne of Green Gables and was well known. They lived in the area between 1911 and 1926.

The Uxbridge-Scott Museum is another place worth visiting. Here you can learn about the Quaker heritage of the area as well as many other interesting things about Uxbridge.

Whilst on the subject of Quakers you might want to check out the Quaker Trail which can be navigated by walkers, runners and cyclists. The north loop is 2.2 km long and is an easy trail suitable for all whilst the south loop has some moderate slopes along its 1.7 km length.

The trail takes you along a beautiful path where you can see panoramic views across Uxbridge as well as visit the Quaker Village convenience store, Quaker Common pond and sit back at the picnic area whilst the kids play in the playground.

Other trails in the area include the

Historic Trail which is mainly on paved streets and is 2.4 km in length.

The South Balsam Trail is 2.5 km long and is divided between paved streets and wooded areas and is suitable for all including wheelchairs and strollers.

Ewan Trail is again accessible by all and is 3.4 km long and the Wooded Sticks Trail is mainly easy with a few moderate slopes. This trails winds through the wooded area of Elgin Park as well as through streets an is 3 km in length.

The Uxbridge Countryside Preserve is 140 acres of woodlands, wetlands and ponds with over 6 km of marked trails. The trails are used by walkers, cyclists and runners as well as snowshoers and cross-country skiers in the winter. No motorized vehicles are allowed.

As a resident the health and educational services within the area will be important to you. Uxbridge Cottage Hospital is the local hospital which has 20 beds and offers emergency care, in and out patient care as well as two walk-in clinics. Other health facilities are available throughout the Durham Region.

Durham College has a campus in Uxbridge and serves many of the rural communities in the region. Over 2,500 students currently attend the campus.

There are six schools in the area under the control of Durham District School Board as well as Uxbridge Montessori School, an independent school and St. Joseph’s, a Catholic school.

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Thomas Foster Memorial

Trans-Canada Pavilion, Uxbridge

Lucy Maud Montgomery House

Uxbridge Nature Preserve

Useful Links

City of Oshawawww.oshawa.ca

Municipality of Claringtonwww.clarington.net

Clarington Tourismwww.clarington-tourism.ca

Township of Scugogwww.township.scugog.on.ca

Township of Uxbridgewww.town.uxbridge.on.ca

Port Perrywww.discoverportperry.ca

Durham Regionwww.region.durham.on.ca

Cardinal Nannieswww.cardinalnannies.com

Bowmanville Zoowww.bowmanvillezoo.com

10 Discover Canada

In search of lake monsters

Okanagan Lake

There are more monsters than you might think in Canadian lakes

By Jane Toombes

Sequoia Club Discover Canada 11

When it comes to lake monsters the most famous is probably the Loch Ness Monster rumored to live in the depths of Loch Ness in Scotland, UK. But did you know Canada has its very own monster in the form of the Ogopogo?

In British Columbia you will find the magnificent Okanagan Lake in the centre of the Okanagan Valley. The lake is large at 135 km long and up to 5 km wide but it is the depth that makes it prime monster territory. The lake is over 200 metres deep and in some places where there are underwater shelves the depth may be even deeper.

It is thought that the Ogopogo has lived in the lake far longer than any settlers arriving in the country. For many years sightings of the monster have been reported but no concrete evidence has ever been recored to substantiate such claims.

The similarities between the Loch Ness Monster or “Nessie” and the Ogopogo are many. They both live “allegedly” in long, narrow lakes with very deep waters. Both lakes are at a similar latitude and both draw thousands of visitors every year hoping for a glimpse of the legendary creatures.

The Ogopogo is reported to be between six and fifteen metres in length with a serpent-like body and horse-shaped head. This gives rise to sightings of a humped creature in the lake.

Sightings of the Ogopogo can be traced far back in history when native Indians first spotted it. They referred to the monster as N'ha-a-itk or lake demon. They believed the monsters lair was in a cave under Squally Point near Rattlesnake Island, close to Peachland. No Indian would ever paddle in

these waters without first making an animal offering for fear of being eaten by the N'ha-a-itk. Documented sightings can be seen in archives going back to 1872, Nessie on the other hand only became known in the 1930’s.

Although the Ogopogo has been spotted in almost every area of Okanagan Lake, more sightings are in the area south of Kelowna near Peachland. This backs up the Indians claim that the monster lives in this area.

Lots of photos and film footage are available supposedly showing the Ogopogo in the lake, but none have ever proved beyond doubt that such a creature lives in the lake. Many photos are taken from a long distance, are blurred or simply show something in the water but not necessarily a monster. The last reported sighting was by a History Channel film crew on November 3rd this year. Their resulting footage will be broadcast in February 2009.

The Ogopogo is not the only lake monster to be reported in Canada, indeed Lake Ontario also has a monster lurking in its depths. Many sightings have been reported in Lake Ontario, mainly around the Kingston area giving rise to the name “Kingstie.” Although sightings go back hundreds of years, again no proof exists of such a creature living in these waters.

Another such creature is reported to live in Lake Simcoe in Ontario. This creature is referred to as Igopogo and its reported size varies between 3 and 20 metres in length. No recent sightings have been reported leading to the belief that the creature is no longer alive - if it ever was.

Yet another sea monster lives in Lake Manitoba and this one is called the Manipogo. This creature has been reported since the early 1900’s and is said to resemble the Ogopogo of B.C.

Turtle Lake in Saskatchewan, 120 km northwest of Battleford is home to a lake monster called the Turtle Lake Monster. Cree Indians first reported sightings of this creature with stories of people and livestock being eaten by the monster.

The monster has been reported to be between 3 and 10 metres in length, smooth and scaly, with and without a fin and a head resembling either a dog or a pig. That’s conclusive then!

When one starts to look at the whole topic of lake and sea monsters it seems that there is hardly a body of water in Canada that does not have some kind of story or legend surrounding a monster.

• Muskrat Lake north of Ottawa - Mussie

• Trout Lake, North Bay, Ontario - Trout Lake Monster

• Thetis Lake, Victoria, B.C. - Thetis Lake Monster

• Robert’s Arm, Newfoundland and Labrador - Cressie

• Cold lake, Alberta - Kinosoo

Whether or not these creatures really exist is for you to explore and find out. In a way it would be a huge shame if anyone were to prove that these creatures did not exist as it is the mystery and not knowing that really fuels our enthusiasm for such creatures. It also benefits the lakes concerned as tourists flock in their search of monsters.

Ogopogo Ogopogo sighting by Edward Fletcher in 1976

12 Travel

Whistler winter wonderland

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Continuing our winter sports series, this month we take a look at Whistler in British Columbia. Undeniably one of the best winter sports destinations in the world.

By Jane Toombes

When we think of winter sports, one place immediately comes to mind and that is Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia. Not only is it a world renowned destination it is also the home of the Winter Olympic Games to be held in 2010.

Whistler has been voted #1 for 12 years running by U.S. based SKIING Magazine. It also has one of the longest ski seasons in the world (November to July). Located just two very scenic hours north of Vancouver this resort is a Canadian tourism icon with over two million visitors every year.

The resort is within the Coast Mountain Range of British Columbia with two mountains to enjoy: Whistler and Blackcomb, each with its own unique features. Because of the coastal position of the resort, temperatures remain moderate throughout the winter season, rarely dropping below -10! in the valley and -15! in the alpine.

Fast facts - Whistler

Summit elevation: 2,182 m (7,160 ft)Base elevation: 652 m (2,140 ft)Vertical drop: 1,530 m (5,020 ft)Skiable acres: 4,757 Number of trails: 100+Number of lifts: 20Number of gondolas: 3 Annual snowfall: 1020 cm (402 inches)Terrain: 20% beginner, 55% intermediate, 25% advanced

Fast facts - Blackcomb

Summit elevation: 2,284 m (7,494 ft)Base elevation: 675 m (2,214 ft)Vertical drop: 1,609 m (5,280 ft)Skiable acres: 3,414 Number of trails: 100+Number of lifts: 17Number of gondolas: 3 Annual snowfall: 1020 cm (402 inches)Terrain: 15% beginner, 55% intermediate, 30% advanced

Whistler Village is the centre of the resort and has a strong sense of community. There is a town hall, police station, fire station, medical clinic, museum, library and over 200 shops and 90 restaurants. There are also plenty of public washrooms, telephones and visitors centres.

The village is pedestrian only, so no need for a car to explore the area. A free shuttle bus is on hand to help you get around if you feel the need.

The resort also offers a public transit system called the Whistler and Valley Express, also known as WAVE. The service offers convenient routes throughout the Village and its various neighbourhoods.

The nightlife in Whistler is excellent with bars, restaurants, clubs and plenty of live music to enjoy. Everyone is sure to find something that meets their needs.

The list of places to stay whilst in Whistler is almost as endless as the snow. Everything

from luxury hotels to reasonably priced chalets and B&B’s are available.

If you are in the market for luxury then you might want to consider the Fairmont Chateau Whistler or the Four Seasons Resort. There is also the Hilton Resort, the Westin Resort and the two Pan Pacific Resorts at Mountainside and Village. We did a quick search for accommodation in January 2009 and found luxury resort prices varied from around $400 per night, per room to nearly $2,000 per night for a two-bedroom suite at the Four Seasons. You will also find luxury condos, homes and chalets available.

Of course if you don’t want to spend that much money on a hotel room then there are many more reasonably priced hotels available. You might prefer a private chalet which again range from luxury five-star to more modest, though no-less beautiful three-star.

If you want to bring your cat or dog with you, Whistler offers some excellent pet-friendly accommodation as well as doggie daycare facilities. There are lots of trails and parks where you can walk your dog, although all dogs must be on a leash in the village.

Whistler also offers some excellent packages which include accommodation, lift passes, rentals and other options. These packages often represent excellent value for money and can be customized to suit your needs. They can even include flights, transportation and activities such as

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Whistler Village at Christmas

14 Travel

dogsledding or heli skiing. There really are endless possibilities.

PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola

The 2008/09 winter season will see the opening of the brand new PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola. Opening on December 12th 2008, the world record-breaking PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will stretch from the top of Whistler Mountain to the top of Blackcomb Mountain traveling a distance of 4.4 kilometres (2.73 miles) in just 11 minutes. The PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola will be the longest, highest gondola of its type in the world and will provide a breathtaking journey for visitors – winter and summer. The $52 million Gondola will make it easier than ever to enjoy the largest lift-serviced ski terrain in North America.

Every lift ticket purchased automatically includes access to the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, so everyone can try it out.

Fast facts - PEAK 2 PEAK

Speed: 7.5 metres per secondRide Time: 11 minutesFrequency: One cabin every 49 secondsDistance: 4.4 km (2.73 miles)Number of cabins: 28Cabin capacity: 24 seated, 4 standingHourly capacity: 2,050 peopleNumber of towers: 2 on each mountainUnsupported lift span: 3.024 km (1.88 miles)Highest point: 435 m (1,427 ft)

Activities

There is so much to do in Whistler it will be impossible to cover it all in this article but we will try to give you an overview.

Skiing: With over 8,000 skiable acres this could certainly meet all your skiing needs. There are over 28 km of cross-country trails suited to all levels of skiers. Lessons are also available from beginners to experienced skiers.

Heli Skiing: Whistler has been offering this experience for 27 years and will take you via helicopter to usually inaccessible trails. You can also choose to heli board if you wish.

Snowmobiling: Enjoy the thrill of snowmobiling through stunning scenery with expert tour guides.

Sleigh Rides: For a truly unforgettable Canadian experience, why not take a horse-drawn sleigh ride taking in Whistler's rugged beauty as you go. Majestic Clydesdale-Percheron horses guide your sleigh through acres and acres of pristine wilderness.

Dog Sledding: Guide your own dog sled team of Alaskan Racing Huskies through the beautiful Whistler scenery.

Snowshoeing: This activity is fun for all levels of experience where you will not only enjoy the scenery but the wildlife too.

Ziplining: Experience an incredible three hour journey as you ride on a series of cables and suspension bridges, and explore the hidden beauty of Fitzsimmons Creek and the picturesque forest valley between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.

Tours: There are many different tours you can take at Whistler Blackcomb including helicopter tours, snowcat tours, wildlife tours and sno-limo tours.

Spas: If after all that activity you need to relax a little then Whistler has many health and wellness opportunities. Several spas are available offering everything from manicures to half-day full body treatments.

Accessible Whistler

Whistler prides itself on being an international resort with accessibility to all people, including disabled travellers.

There are several accessible transportation options for getting to Whistler. If you're driving to the resort, there are designated disabled parking spaces in the parking lots in and around Whistler. The community's public bus service and local taxi company both have designed wheelchair accessible options.

Many hotels are accessible by wheelchair and have special facilities. You should ask about any required facilities before you book to be sure you will get the services you require.

Whistler Village is accessible with pedestrian-only streets, paved access to the Valley Trail, close proximity to transportation, and wheelchair access to the Whistler Mountain gondola for skiing and sight-seeing.

Gay Whistler

Whistler is considered "the largest gay-friendly mountain resort in North America."

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Many hotels are TAG Approved® which means they offer non-discriminatory policies including sexual orientation and treat heterosexual and domestic partners equally in personnel policies; they provide diversity and sensitivity training for employees and employ staff that reflects the diversity of the community, including gay and lesbian employees in all levels of employment.

The best time to fully enjoy Gay Whistler is during WinterPRIDE week. This is Canada’s biggest gay ski week and next year will take place between February 1st and 8th 2009. This will be the 17th year the event has taken place and it gets bigger and better every time.

Mr. Gay World will be crowned during WinterPRIDE. Twenty-four men will compete for the title and the winner will work with the international delegation to lead them in a coordinated effort to fight for equality for all humans, specifically the LGBT community.

The Mr. Gay World Competition in Whistler will have various challenges that will test each of the delegates strength in leadership, charisma, intelligence and being a positive role model and ambassador / spokesperson for the global cause of equality, respect and understanding.

For full details of WinterPRIDE and all issues relating to Gay Whistler visit their website at www.gaywhistler.com.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Visitors this year will likely be swept up by the Olympic and Paralympic spirit as Whistler prepares to welcome the world as the Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The Winter Olympics will be held between February 12th and 28th 2010 and the Paralympic Games between March 12th and 21st 2010.

In total 85 countries will participate in the Olympic and 45 in the Paralympic Games. There will be over 55,000 staff and 25,000 volunteers working during the events. It is expected that over 3 billion people will watch the Games on television worldwide.

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Tourism Whistlerwww.whistler.com

Gay Whistlerwww.gaywhistler.com

Whistler Blackcombwww.whistlerblackcomb.com

16 Lifestyle

Apple Turkey Potpie

Ingredients:

40 g chopped onion15 g butter or margarine2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted420 g cubed cooked turkey1 large unpeeled tart apples, cubed55 g golden raisins5 ml lemon juice0.8 g ground nutmeg1 (9 inch) pie crust

In a large saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Add the soup, turkey, apple, raisins, lemon juice and nutmeg; mix well. Spoon into an un-greased 11-in. x 7-in. x 2-in. baking dish. On a lightly floured surface, roll out pastry to fit top of dish. Place over filling; flute edges and cut slits in top. Bake at 425 degrees F for 25-30 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 egg, beaten55 g dry bread crumbs40 g finely chopped onion1 g curry powder0.4 g ground ginger0.6 g ground cinnamon0.8 g salt0.5 g pepper455 g ground turkeySAUCE:235 ml honey60 ml Dijon mustard1 g curry powder0.9 g ground ginger

In a bowl, combine the first eight ingredients. Add turkey; mix well. Form into 1 in. balls. Place in a greased 13-in.x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until juices run clear. Meanwhile, combine

sauce ingredients in a small saucepan; cook and stir until heated through. Brush meatballs with 1/4 cup sauce; return to the oven for 10 minutes. Serve remaining sauce with meatballs for dipping.

What to do with those

Turkey Meatloaf

Ingredients:

20 ml water8 ml teriyaki sauce45 g cubed bread1 egg, beaten20 g chopped onion9 g chopped green pepper7 g shredded mozzarella cheese8 g shredded Cheddar cheese1 dash garlic powder1 dash celery seed225 g ground turkey5 g grated Parmesan cheese

In a bowl, combine the water, teriyaki sauce and bread cubes; let stand for 5 minutes. Add the egg, onion, green pepper, mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, garlic powder and celery seed. Crumble turkey over mixture and mix well. Pat into an ungreased 5-3/4-in. x 3-in. x 2-in. loaf pan. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F drain.

Turkey Casserole

Ingredients:

170 g dry bread stuffing mix454.4 g sour cream1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of celery soup1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix2 (14.5 ounce) cans French-style green beans, drained280 g cooked, chopped turkey meat

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Prepare stuffing according to package directions. In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup and dry onion soup mix. Spread the green beans in a 9x13 inch dish. Top with a layer of turkey. Pour the soup mixture over the turkey. Top with stuffing. Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until browned and bubbly.

Lifestyle 17

turkey leftovers

Sequoia Club18 Lifestyle

Swapping snow for cacti

Continuing our look at why Arizona is fast

becoming a preferred destination for

Canadian snowbirds

By Jane Toombes

In our last issue we discussed the fact that many of Canada’s snowbirds were choosing to go to Arizona and spend the winter months relaxing in the sun rather than shoveling snow. We looked at the process of purchasing a property in Arizona and how a good Realtor can help. This month we look at the more mundane issues related to relocating to or spending several months in the USA.

Passports

Not so long ago a Canadian traveling to and from the U.S. by any mode of transport didn’t need a passport, but times are changing.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) is a U.S. Law which means all Canadian citizens entering the U.S. will require approved documentation. This is being implemented in stages with final effects taking place on June 1st 2009.

Air: If you are entering the United States by air you will require a passport and/or a NEXUS card. This is effective now and no one of any age will be allowed to travel by air without a passport or NEXUS card.

Land: Until May 31st 2009 you will still be able to enter the United States by land using a government issued photo ID such as a driving licence along with a birth

certificate or Canadian citizenship card. You can also use a passport or NEXUS card. Canadian citizens under the age of 18 years will only need to show proof of citizenship in the form of a citizenship card or birth certificate.

After June 1st 2009 you will require a passport or NEXUS card - no other documentation will be accepted.

Water: The same rules apply as land travel.

Non-Canadian citizens: Changes do not apply to non-Canadian citizens living in Canada and wishing to travel to the United States. Existing passport and visa requirements remain in place. See U.S. Department of Homeland Security for details.

All passports are required to have at least six months left before expiry from the return travel date. Passports can be renewed up to six months before expiry date.

If you are traveling by land and using your driving licence make sure it will not expire whilst you are away, likewise your vehicle sticker. Check and get them renewed before you leave if needed.

Home Insurance

Most Canadian insurers offer policies for snowbirds who leave their Canadian home unattended for extended periods of time. Some require you to have someone check your home every few days and some require that you shut off your heating, water etc. Others require your home to be connected to a heating alarm which in turn is connected to a station providing 24/7 coverage.

You should always check your coverage to make sure it is adequate and covers you for things such as damage caused by freezing water.

Remember if you state in your insurance that your property is being checked every three days by a friend or relative, make sure it is as any violation will void your policy.

If you own an Arizona home you will also need home insurance which covers you for the extended times you are away. Many companies offer services which include looking after your property whilst you are away and some include insurance or are recognized by insurance companies.

If your Canadian insurer has offices in Arizona check to see if you can get a discount for covering both properties,

Lifestyle 19

20 Discover Canada

Car Insurance

If you are using your Canadian registered car make sure your insurance company knows you are taking your car to the United States for extended periods. Most insurers automatically insure Canadians to drive in the States, but some limit the duration of such travel. Make sure your policy covers you whilst in the U.S.

Many people decide to buy a car for their U.S. home and fly into Arizona. This is perfectly acceptable, but be aware that if you insure the car via a U.S. Insurer they may not recognize your Canadian driving history and therefore your premiums could be like those of a brand new driver - high!

Check this before you decide to buy a car in the States and shop around for insurance. Check to see if your Canadian insurer can help either by insuring the vehicle for you or doing so via one of their

offices in the U.S. who can then access your driver history or abstract.

Travel insurance

Make sure you take out travel insurance before leaving Canada. We cannot stress the importance of this enough.

A good travel insurance specific to snowbirds will cover you from everything from lost luggage to hospital stays and even fly your body home if you die abroad.

Make sure the cover you have is right for your circumstances and make sure you declare any pre-existing health conditions. If you fail to declare this any medical treatment received whilst in the United States may not be covered if it is deemed to be connected to a pre-existing condition. Even if you think that a small medical matter that has been treated and “gone away” is not important you would be wise to mention

it or check with the insurer. The last thing you want is to be denied coverage after receiving half a million dollars worth of treatment which you then have to pay yourself because it is deemed pre-existing.Medical treatment in the United States is not cheap and as a

non-citizen you are required to pay for all treatment received. This means that if you do not have adequate cover you will have to pay from your own pocket. A typical stay in a U.S. hospital can cost in excess of $10,000 per day plus treatment. Simply walking into a doctors surgery or clinic for tests can cost $2,000. Heart surgery can cost over $100,000. So you can see that if you fail to get adequate cover you could be paying for even the simplest treatments for many years to come and may even risk loosing your home and your sanity.

Shop around and get references from other snowbirds, particularly those who have had to actually use the insurance. Did the company cover them, did they pay out in a timely manner, did they provide contacts in the U.S., did they have their own doctors, nurses and facilities that you could use?

If the premiums seem high compare them to having to pay for the things they cover. It really is a payment worth making and will give you peace of mind knowing that when you need to get treatment for that sunburn you are fully covered.

Pet Insurance

Just as you should get adequate insurance for yourself, if you are taking your pet with you make sure you have insurance for him or her too.

Although the costs for animal treatment is much less that that of humans it can still place you in hundreds if not thousands of dollars of debt if your furry friends has an accident or gets ill.

20 Lifestyle

Independent Financial Services company servicing Bay of Quinte Region Eastern Ontario

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Tel: 613 - 922 - 6699 Fax: 613 - 962 - 6736

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Sequoia Club Discover Canada 21 Lifestyle 21

Carry proof of any immunizations and have your pet checked by a veterinarian before your trip. If your pet is on any medication or special diet take it with you. You should check for restrictions on any food products before your leave.

Health Care

First and foremost make sure you have adequate travel medical insurance as previously discussed. Notify your insurers of your travel dates and any changes to your health since the policy was purchased.

If your provincial or territorial health card expires whilst you are away renew it before you leave.

Make sure you have an adequate supply of any medications you will need whilst away and carry a doctors note outlining medications in case you need to show this to border officials. Have a list of your medications, medical conditions, allergies etc in case of an emergency. If you have allergies and/or medical conditions such as diabetes you might want to wear a MedicAlert™ bracelet which is recognized worldwide.

Depending upon how long you intend to be absent from Canada it can invalidate your provincial or territorial health cover. Most plans allow you a certain number of days in a year outside of Canada where you still retain full coverage. Examples include Ontario which requires you to be in the province for at least 153 days in a 12-month period. Alberta requires you be in the province for at least 183 days in the same period. All health plans have their own rules and most allow for extended stays as long as you apply beforehand for extended coverage. See your own provincial or territorial health plan for full details.

Taxes

We all have to pay taxes and some more than others. All snowbirds need to speak to a professional regarding their taxes when spending long periods of time outside Canada.

If you spend your time divided between Canada and the United States you may be liable to pay tax in both countries.

The United States has what it calls the Substantial Presence test which determines whether you are deemed a U.S. resident for tax purposes. You can find details of this and see if you would be deemed a resident using this link. If you are classed as a resident then you have to file a U.S. tax return for that year.

If you own a home in the United States and rent it our for income you will also be liable to pay tax on that income. The withholding of tax on 30% of the gross rents normally applies. As an alternative

you can elect to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on net rental income. You will also be required to include rental income n your Canadian tax return. Usually U.S. Net tax paid is eligible as a foreign tax credit on your Canadian tax return.

If you sell any real estate in the United States you will have to file a U.S. tax return regardless of your residency status or the profit or loss made. The net taxable amount will be the difference between the sale price and the original cost of the property plus any improvements made and less any depreciation. If you have owned the property for longer than a year any profit will be liable for a capital gain rate of 15%. Gains of over $300,000 will result in a 10% withholding tax. You will have to declare your profits in your Canadian tax return and it may be eligible as a foreign tax credit on the tax return.

You should always get professional tax advice relating to all tax matters as it is always better to do things properly from the start than to find yourself in “hot water” with the CRA or the IRS later on. Tax issues are complex and can change year on year, so always check with a professional before making any major decision. Different states within the U.S. may also have their own particular tax issues which you need to familiarize yourself with.

Canada and the United States have a tax treaty in place which means you will not pay double taxation, although you may be liable to pay tax in both countries.

The Canada Revenue Agency has produced a booklet which explains many issues relating to snowbirds. This can be downloaded in pdf format using this link.

Useful Links

Cedarlane Financial Consultingwww.cedarlanefinancial.com

Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)www.cra-arc.gc.ca

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)www.irs.gov

Homeland Securitywww.dhs.gov

Canada border Serviceswww.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

Arizona State University

Arizona landscape

Grand Canyon

22 Lifestyle

The www.CanadiansTalk.ca website builds upon several small layers to form a unique vehicle to discuss issues affecting us all. Breaking down forums into individual communities, people across Canada can share thoughts and opinions at a local level, or engage broader national topics.

Two years ago, I was looking for a site where I could communicate what was happening within my municipality. After being unsuccessful in my search, I decided to start my own. I figured that citizens of all over Canada had the same problem. With some hard work and many hours invested in promotion, today, we have grown to several hundred members with thousands of posts.

The success of the site depends greatly on the members contributing. We have some very upstanding members that have been recruited as moderators for their local forums. They facilitate and moderate discussions to keep everyone civil. Sometimes discussions can become very heated! But, that just demonstrates the passion our members have for their communities and their Country. We are always on the look out for intelligent individuals who want to spend some time to moderate their community. Being a non-profit site, there is no pay, but there are benefits of engaging conversation that open up new ideas and change people’s perceptions.

We have many other forums besides our bread and butter community forums. Some are Religion, Sports, Techie (If you require some type of computer assistance or just want to talk about the new gadgets available), Jokes, Travel & Entertainment, Cooking & Recipes, Politics, Business and Trade etc. There are over 100 different forums to fancy everyone!

One recent topic of discussion is the Big Three Bailout. Members from inside the big three to those on the sidelines are sharing opinions. It really gives good insight to ideas and perceptions that one may not ordinarily be subject to. So, if you are interested in sharing your views, opinions, and getting into important discussions I encourage you to visit www.CanadiansTalk.ca. Tell them that Glenn sent you…

“The happiness of every country depends upon the character of its people, rather than the form of its government.” - Thomas C. Haliburton (Canadian Writer, 1796-1865)

Your donations will have a lifelong impact!

The Children’s Aid Society of Brant

Endowment Fund

By sending a child to camp who otherwise would not be able to attend.By helping us finance post secondary educations for children who have grown up in care & overcome numerous challenges in their short lives.

Your donations & estate gift giving will help us invest in a child’s future!

Call: 519-752-9094 Fran Welsh TThhaannkk yyoouu..

Fiction hardbacks

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DVD’s

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TV shows

Top Canadian…

1. Grey’s Anatomy - 2.242. C.S.I. - 2.133. House - 1.954. Survivor: Gabon - 1.955. Desperate Housewives - 1.81

6. Dancing with the Stars - 1.797. C.S.I. Miami - 1.718. Amazing Race - 1.699. C.S.I. New York - 1.6810. ER - 1.63

1. Black Ice, AC/DC2. My Love, Celine Dion3. Funhouse, Pink4. High School Musical 3, Soundtrack5. 70’s Volume 2, Sylvain Cossette

6. Death Magnetic, Metallica7. Closer, Sarah McLachlan8. Paper Trail, T.I.9. Hundred Million Suns, Snow Patrol10. La Ligne Orange, Mea Aieux

1. Tropic Thunder (18A)2. WALL-E (G)3. Kung Fu Panda (PG)4. Get Smart (PG)5. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (14A)

6. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG)

7. Transsiberian (18A)8. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)9. The Incredible Hulk (PG)10. The Strangers (14A)

1. The shack, William P Young

2. World Without End, Ken Follett

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4. Heart and Soul, Maeve Binchy

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7. Late Nights on Air, Elizabeth Hay

8. The Chase, Clive Cussler

9. Gods Behaving Badly, Marie Philips

10. Three Day Road, Joseph Boyden

1. Through Black Spruce, Joseph Boyden

2. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, David Wroblewski

3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Burrows/Shaffer

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6. A Most Wanted Man, John Le Carre7. Swallowing Darkness, Laurell K

Hamilton8. The Host, Stephanie Meyer9. Salvation in Death, J Robb10. All the Colours of Darkness, Peter

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Lifestyle 23

S E Q U O I A C L U B24 Working Life

Top 10 holiday party offenses

It’s that time of year when companies all over the country tend to party. But there are some things you really shouldn’t do at the office party.

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Working Life 25

By Rachel Zupek, CareerBuilder.ca

No matter who you are, where you work or what you do for a living, somebody in your company dreads the annual holiday party.

Employees think the company party imposes on their free time during an already busy season, says J.T. O'Donnell, career expert and co-author of the nationally syndicated weekly column, "J.T. and Dale Talk Jobs." Workers aren't paid to go; they'd rather see the amount of money being spent on the party divided into bonus checks; and their definition of "party" means letting loose and being themselves with friends - not acting professional to gain the respect of their co-workers.

"[North Americans] place more emphasis on our careers as a way to define ourselves personally," O'Donnell says. "At any corporate-sponsored event, we must keep in mind - even if it is begrudgingly - that we must think about our actions and the impact they can have, both positively and negatively, on our careers."

Unfortunately, this fact is lost on some employees. According to a recent study, 36 percent of employers reported such behavioral problems as excessive drinking, off-color jokes, sexual advances and fist-fights at last year's company party. Fifteen percent of employees who engaged in inappropriate behavior reported a negative impact on his or her career growth.

When work is bad, life is bad, so don't take any risks this holiday season. Here are the top 10 offenses to avoid at this year's company holiday bash.

1. Assuming you aren't required to go

Unless you've got an unbelievably good reason, you need to attend. Not attending speaks volumes about your attitude toward the company.

"If you can't appreciate what the company is doing to celebrate the holidays and its efforts to make you feel like a part of their family, then you send a clear message that you don't put much stock in the employee-employer relationship," O'Donnell says.

If you absolutely can't go, let management know in advance and give specific reasons why not.

2. Dressing inappropriately

Don't dress as if you were going to a club or trolling for dates, O'Donnell says. Even if you're hittin' the town later, you still need to dress properly for the party.

"Maybe you're known for being very stylish in your private life, but when it comes to a work function, it's better to blend in as

opposed to making a statement that might get misinterpreted," she says.

If you show up and realize you aren't dressed appropriately, try to make light of it. Better to acknowledge it's not acceptable than pretend that it is.

3. Attending on an empty stomach

Holiday events typically involve drinks and appetizers before the meal. But, appetizers often don't make it all the way through the crowd, O'Donnell says. It's better to get some food in your stomach prior to the event so your first drink doesn't go straight to your head.

"If you're feeling 'warm and fuzzy' and realize you haven't eaten in hours, put the drink down, switch to water and find some food," she suggests.

4. Pitching ideas to upper management

Some folks view the company party as a way to schmooze the higher-ups or tell them their grand plans to save the company.

"While managers do use these events to meet and spend time with employees they don't regularly come in contact with, they aren't looking to strategize on work," O'Donnell says. "Keep the talk to lighter subjects. There's nothing worse than a brown-nosing badger to ruin a manager's evening."

5. Getting drunk!

Seventy percent of companies are serving alcohol at their holiday parties this year, a 15 percent drop from last year, according to a recent survey.

There's a reason for this, people!Bottom line: Don't drink excessively at the

holiday party. You'll end up saying or doing something you'll regret.

6. Hooking up!

Co-workers secretly harboring feelings for each other often think it's okay to act on those feelings at the holiday event, O'Donnell says. Not so.

"It's important to act like you do at work. You're not paid to get cozy on the job, and the holiday party is an extension of your job," she says.

Keep your distance until after the event when you can have some privacy.

7. Bringing a 'crazy' date

If your spouse or date is known as the 'life of the party,' there's a chance he or she will make the night unforgettable ! and not in a

good way, O'Donnell says."Some people think, 'It shouldn't matter

how they act, as long as I act okay,'" she says. "You're guilty by association."

Don't give employers any reason to wonder if you aren't as you appear on the job. If your date starts to make a scene, cut the night short.

8. Being a 'Scrooge.'

Don't be a Debbie Downer and walk around with a scowl on your face, O'Donnell says. If you aren't excited to be there, keep your thoughts to yourself.

"These events are meant to give employees an opportunity to connect on a personal level so they can relate to one another at work," she says. "You don't have to overdo it, but you have to at least do it."

Check your negativity at the door, put on a smile and socialize.

9. Not using your best table manners

It seems obvious, but for many, manners go out the door after business hours especially with a drink in hand, O'Donnell says. No swearing, chew with your mouth closed and remember to say "please," "thank you" and "excuse me."

10. "Dirty dancing" or executing "athletic displays."

"Even though krumping, bumping and grinding are all the rage, these moves have no place on the corporate dance floor," O'Donnell advises. "Moreover, back flips, splits, jumps and spins can only lead to disaster."

Keep moves clean and in control. Even if folks are begging for you to dance, O'Donnell says, keep in mind that everyone loves to watch other people embarrass themselves.

S E Q U O I A C L U B26 Working Life

The slightly unusualIn this months unusual jobs we talk to Tila Silveiro about her role as a certified Feng Shui expert. Her business nine corners located in Toronto follows the teachings of

old masters of Feng Shui and was established in 1999.

I am a Feng Shui expert and the owner of nine corners since 1999. My goal is to help others improve the quality of their lives with the principles of Feng Shui any chance I have. Either through consultations, lectures or mainly inspiration. Feng Shui is the Law of Attraction at its best - when you live it -you’ll experience it.

How did you get started in this line of business and when did you start?

Talk about fulfilling one’s dreams! While working for the corporate world for

over 15 years, I secretly dreamed of having my own business and being my own boss. I had no idea how or what it would be about but I definitely knew that it would be something creative and most importantly I would be in a position to help others.

The universe works in mysterious ways. The last two years of my employ I was “pushed” out many times. The reasons differed from company to company: restructuring, bankruptcy, move to the US, take over, you name it. Finally I had enough of it and decided to go on a limp and start my own business. Imagine that!

I was not scared - I was terrified. Just recently divorced and a single mom, I forged through. I chose to focus on the benefits of spending more time with my child, and the opportunities that lay ahead. I took self-employment training while deciding what the business would look like. It wasn’t always clear.

My life was in turmoil, it was after a miraculous survival from a serious car crash that someone gave me a book. A Feng Shui book. I was hooked. I could not put it down. I was feeding my child with one hand and holding the book with the other. You have to understand that ever since I was five, every house I visited, I would in my mind reorganize the lay-out, furniture, change colours and décor - finally my weirdness had a name it was Feng Shui. I started taking courses practicing it on my friends, suddenly I have a certificate that allows me to practice it.

Nine years later I still feel butterflies in my stomach every time I am driving to a new client’s home, excited with the

anticipation of making a difference to someone’s life.

What did you do before?

I worked for the corporate world for about 15 years prior to venturing on my own as a manager. The thing I enjoyed the most was training and coaching my staff.

What sort of people buy your services?

My services attract most individuals that have realized that there is more to life and have embarked on their own spiritual journey. Currently the large majority of my client base is women of all walks, but men are slowly catching up.

How do you find new business?

Most of my new clients are referrals from existing clients. My first client brought me five others. Today my ratio of referrals is one in three.

I also find that women’s networks work best, not just for more business, but for support and camaraderie.

What is the most difficult part of your job?

I love what I do - helping others improve the quality of their lives with the Principles

of Feng Shui, meeting people, following up, helping them with the process, etc.

However, I do find it difficult to keep up with constant changing technology. Online marketing: blogs, webinars, ezines and so on.

What is the most common misconception about your business?

The most common misconception about Feng Shui is that it is a religion. I learned the hard way. A few years back I rented a vendor’s table at a Jewish fundraiser event. I noticed that people where looking at my table sideways and avoiding me all together. Later a kind lady on the next table explain to me that there is a fear that Feng Shui interferes with religious beliefs. If nothing else, Feng Shui enhances every aspect of one’s life, including spirituality.

Give us some unusual facts about your business.

I had a client just recently that called me in to Feng shui her condo. Her intention was for me to shift things around so that this male friend of hers would contact her. Her friend had been transfered to Africa on a job project for over 3 months, and she had not heard from him since. Many thoughts went through my mind at the time, but if that was her wish I would try my best to help her. Low and behold within a week he contacted her and she ended up going to Africa to spend a month with him. Who knew …

Tila Silverio, certified Feng Shui expert

nine corners

Feng Shui Inspired

647.341.2055

www.fengshuiinspired.com

S E Q U O I A C L U B

!

Working Life 27

By Robert Half International

Another year has passed, and your firm's holiday party is fast approaching. You enjoyed the last event and, unlike a certain co-worker, managed to get through the evening without doing the Chicken Dance in front of your peers. When viewed from this perspective, the evening was a success.

As you contemplate this year's celebration, however, you're interested in more than making it through the evening unscathed. After all, the holiday party is a rare opportunity to connect with co-workers you don't often interact with, including key decision makers in your company. Following are five types of people you'll likely encounter at a holiday celebration and tips for making the best impression with each.

The busy executive

If you work for a large company, you may rarely see the CEO, much less converse with her. But a holiday celebration can provide just such an opportunity. Have an idea of what you're going to say before you shake an executive's hand. (Hint: This is not the time to express your desire for a more casual dress code or dismay at the size of this year's holiday bonus.) Introduce yourself and then make light, upbeat conversation. For example, you might say how much you're enjoying the party or ask the executive about her holiday plans. Company higher-ups are often inundated with people wishing to speak to them, so don't monopolize the time; talk briefly and move on.

The chatty Cathy

This person loves to talk - in fact, you can't get a word in edgewise. You've listened patiently as your co-worker described his food allergies, favorite sitcoms and last five vacations, and you're desperate to make a gracious getaway. Yet, each time you try to do so, your colleague launches into another long, drawn-out story. While this person's antics may be frustrating, keep in mind that he could simply lack social skills.

Your first step should be to draw others into the discussion. If you see someone standing nearby who is not already engaged in conversation, for example, try waving him over and making introductions. Once you have several people talking, the conversation is bound to grow livelier, at which point you can politely excuse yourself by letting the group know there are other guests to whom you'd like to say hello.

The wallflower

You notice someone you've never seen before hovering around the buffet table looking a tad uncomfortable. Take a chance; introduce yourself and offer to show this person around the party. She may be a new employee or client who doesn't know anyone yet. Smoothing the way for someone is a kind act, and your good intentions may even be repaid. If this person is a new hire, for example, she may be more likely to help you out in a pinch.

The rival

There's probably someone at work you're not crazy about, whether it's the co-worker who has stolen credit for your work or a colleague whose ego could fill a football stadium. While you may want to avoid this person at all costs, consider extending a peace offering at the holiday party, whether it's by paying the person a compliment or

offering him the last cupcake on the dessert tray. Your efforts may not always make a difference, but you'll enjoy yourself all the more knowing that you behaved generously in the spirit of the holidays.

The awkward spouse

If dates are invited to the holiday party, you'll probably run into the awkward spouse. This person was likely dragged to the party by her significant other and would rather be anywhere else than hobnobbing with strangers. This person couldn't care less if the new campaign failed to impress management or if Carl in HR is getting a promotion. Be ready to make small talk on topics unrelated to work, such as vacation plans or hobbies. Also, avoid office gossip since whatever you say could eventually get back to your co-workers or boss.

Giving a little thought to how you interact with everyone from executives to adversaries can make the holiday event much brighter. The impressions and connections you make may prove to be especially helpful when the celebration is over and everyone is back in business mode.

Robert Half International is the world's

first and largest specialized staffing firm with

a global network of more than 360 offices

worldwide. For more information about our

professional services, please visit

www.rhi.com.

The five people you meet at the holiday

party

S E Q U O I A C L U B

Six ways to prepare for a layoff

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.ca Editor

Bill Healy never saw it coming. The head of a successful division of a major financial institution, he'd just been interviewed for his company's newsletter when he got the call. He was to be one of the 103 employees let go as part of a corporate restructuring.

Healy felt blind-sided and betrayed. "I had over 15 years of service and even sat on a restructuring task force," he relates. "I had no idea I was vulnerable."

When layoffs are ahead, you need to watch your behind. Here are six ways to prepare and protect yourself:

1. Get Organized

Print and take home personal files on your computer and locate copies of your performance appraisals and other personnel records. Review your status reports and project files to help you update your resume so that it reflects all of your recent accomplishments and newly acquired skills. Think about what you might want to do next and whom you might want to use as a reference.

2. Get What's Coming to You

Take advantage of any perks and benefits to which you are entitled. Schedule your checkups and tend to any dental or medical issues while you're still insured - especially if you've already met your deductibles.

If you've got a flexible spending account, turn in all outstanding claims to avoid forfeiting any balances. In addition, know exactly how much vacation and floating holiday time you've used and make sure you've taken credit for your holidays. (Most companies will not honour unused holidays, but will pay you for any remaining vacation.)

3. Get Connected

Spend at least one to two hours a day networking. Call your friends, former co-workers and clients. Attend your professional association meetings. Talk to headhunters and corporate recruiters. This is a good time to help others who may be helpful to you in the future.

4. Get Searching

In addition to networking with colleagues and recruiters, visit the Web sites of any relevant trade and professional associations as well as companies where you'd like to work. Check print and online job postings to see what the requirements of your desired next job are and note any gaps in your experience or skill base.

5. Get an Exit Strategy

The HR folks will be working from a script when they give you the news. Make sure you know what you should say, too. If no information about severance pay has been communicated, check the company policy

manual to find out what is standard practice. Do not agree to sign anything then and there; say that you need to review the proposed agreement with your legal and financial advisors.

Thoroughly assess your situation, so that you can negotiate aspects of the termination that will have the most value for you. For example, if the layoff occurs shortly before a bonus will be paid or before a service anniversary that would increase your vesting rights in any company-sponsored retirement or profit-sharing plans, prepare a case that you should be entitled to receive that payment or additional vesting.

Also think about receiving your severance payment as salary continuation rather than a lump sum agreement. Salary continuation often allows for a continuation of disability benefits and also lets you answer "yes" when asked if you're still employed.

6. Get Fired Up!

When layoffs are looming, the best course of action is to stay positive and place yourself in a position of strength. Remember, change is an accelerating mechanism. It can bring about hardship and anxiety if you try to avoid it, but tremendous opportunity if you accept and welcome it.

Visit Careerbuilder Canada

28 Working Life

S E Q U O I A C L U B Working Life 29

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10 worst things to do in a meeting

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.ca Editor

Meetings are often hailed as the No. 1 time-waster in corporate North America, and unless food is served to offset the boredom - the most tortuous part of the work day.

Who among us hasn't cringed as the office windbag launched into a self-aggrandizing discourse that was completely off-point? Pitied a meek co-worker who got trounced by the office bully? Or marveled at a colleague's ability to string together an array of buzzwords that mean absolutely nothing?

Yet no matter how mind-numbing things get, don't be lulled into thinking that meetings aren't important. The fact is, they can make -- or break -- your career. Here are 10 things you should never do in a meeting:

1. Show Up Late: Nothing says "I'm

disorganized" like walking into a meeting already in progress. Arriving a few minutes early not only demonstrates that you respect

your colleagues' time, but guarantees you get a good seat as well.

2. Be Unprepared: If you've been given an agenda or materials beforehand, read them. Think of any questions you have or contributions you could make to the subjects being discussed.

3. Monopolize the Conversation: When discussion ensues, it's protocol to let more senior figures contribute first. Once they've said their piece, concisely make your points. Don't drone on -- or feel compelled to speak at all if you don't have anything purposeful to say. As the old adage goes, "Better to be thought a fool, than speak and remove all doubt."

4. Make Your Statements Sound Like Questions: Phrasing your statements as questions invites others to say no, argue or take credit for your ideas. Speak in declarative sentences, such as, "Let's do more research on that."

5. Misread Signals: Try to gauge the needs and mood of those in the room. Listen carefully to what people are saying to discern how receptive they might be to your ideas. You need to make your message relevant to your audience. For example, if everyone is focused on cutting costs and you're angling for a system upgrade, you'll either want to stress how the new software will save money -- or table your request for another day.

6. Get Intimidated: Unfortunately, some of your co-workers may view meetings as a battleground and themselves as verbal

gladiators, sparring for the boss' favor. If you become the victim of a put-down or accusation, calmly defend yourself. If you need to buy time to think, do so with a question that will make your attacker accountable. For example: "Andrew, when did you start thinking I don't care about our sales results?"

7. Chew Gum: The smacking, popping, cracking and cow-like chewing are annoying. Plus, it's rude and unprofessional. 'Nuff said.

8. Keep Your Cell Phone On: You turn it off in restaurants and at the movies. Turn it off for your meeting. A ringing phone interrupts the presenter and distracts the audience. And whatever you do, never take a call in the middle of a meeting.

9. Wander Off Topic: Don't hijack the agenda. Stay focused on what you and your team are trying to accomplish. If you must digress into unrelated areas, make sure it's all right with the others present. A good way to handle important issues not related to the topic at hand is to record them on a flipchart and revisit them at an appropriate time.

10. Skip It: Sure, you might get more done if you forgo a meeting to stay at your desk and do your actual work. But if the meeting was called by someone higher up in the organization, you'll miss an opportunity to make yourself known. Remember, in the end, meetings aren't just about productivity, they're also about projecting a positive image and building professional relationships.

Sequoia Club

By Lia Bandola

Life has gotten pretty hectic and even out of control for some of us. Many of us feel like we’ve gotten on a treadmill and just can’t seem to get off. We may even feel like we’ve lost control over our lives. If you feel this way, you’re not alone. There are many reasons why our lives may be spinning out of control from taking on too many commitments to having too many children to having too many jobs. Whatever the reasons behind your chaotic life, there is one underlying thread – we have allowed our lives to get to this point and we have a choice as to whether we want it to continue. If you think about times when you may have become overwhelmed and have more on your plate than you can handle, what can typically happen is that we all of a sudden become very ill or someone else close to us becomes ill and we are forced to put everything on hold to concentrate on just getting well or caring for someone else until they are well.

Well, what if we were to stop ourselves before it gets to that point and we just take a voluntary “time-out” to recharge or regroup? Time to just get our priorities figured out or just to have fun. I know what you’re thinking – “If it were that simple, I would just do it, but it’s not – I have obligations!” True enough, if it was simple, we’d all be doing it on a regular basis, however, that’s just the

point. It’s not something that is easy to do because we have crammed our lives so full of “stuff” (both figuratively and literally) that it becomes very difficult to just take time out. The key is to build these times into our regular schedules and to start weeding out anything that isn’t truly important. How do we do that?

Here are a couple of suggestions to start re-creating your life to make it more balanced.

Learn to Say “No”

Remember that when you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else, such as time with your partner or children or sleep or a hobby, exercise, etc. When I first heard this, I thought that is a perspective I never looked at. We normally say yes to things we may have wanted to say no to without thinking what it will cost us to do that particular thing. How do we determine what we want to say yes to? Cheryl Richardson, who has written several best sellers, including “Take Time for Your Life” suggests writing an “Absolute Yes” list. This is basically a list of the main priorities in your life, such as children, partner/spouse, work, home, school, etc. The number one thing on that list should be you! If you don’t take care of your self first, how can you be effective in caring for all the other people and commitments in your life? Once you have determined what you want to be on your Absolute Yes list, you just keep referring back to that whenever you get a request for your time. If something doesn’t fall into the Absolute Yes list, the answer is no. This really just sets up a guide map for how you truly want to spend your time. If baking cookies for the office cookie exchange is not something that falls into your “yes” list, then politely decline.

A few other points to remember:

• There are times of course when saying yes to something means more satisfaction, more money, more health, whatever and the no is to something that is not good for you.

• Just get clear on which things you are saying yes to will benefit some area of your life and which won’t.

• Challenge yourself to say no to at least two requests of your time every day this week that do not align with your priorities.

• Look at your list every once in a while and revise it if needed to include things that may now fit into your Absolute Yes list and eliminate or shift the order of other things. But one thing should never change. The very top priority should be you!

• You must set aside time every day (yes I said every day!!) for self-care. Whether it’s meditating in the morning, exercising, reading (for pleasure), walking in nature, whatever makes you feel good, do it! Even if it’s only 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at night, this is an absolute yes priority.

• You can’t be an effective parent, partner, employee, entrepreneur, whatever, if you are run ragged and feeling overwhelmed. You are at the top of that priority list for a reason.

• If you don’t take care of yourself first, you simply cannot take care of everyone and everything else effectively.

• On an airplane, if you are with children, who gets the oxygen mask first? The parent, then the child. Why? Because if you don’t get oxygen first, how will you possibly be able to care for your child and get them the oxygen they need? This principle should be applied to your day-to-day living.

30 Working Life

Creating balance in your life

Sequoia Club Working Life 31

Making Time for Fun and Pleasure

So how do we find time to do all the things we want to be doing, while at the same time fulfilling all the obligations we have too.

Well we all have the same 24 hours right? So why do some people seem to effortlessly get all their stuff done and still be able to fit in all the fun and enjoyable things they like to do?

These are typically people who know how to prioritize and cut out the unnecessary time-wasters that many of us do without even thinking about.

Free up time by delegating to other family members or whoever you can find who can do the job. Get organized and prioritize your tasks to include only truly necessary tasks. Get support in whatever way possible.

Spouses, partners, children (even very young children) can be delegated tasks, so that you spend time doing more enjoyable activities. Even trading off duties, such as childcare or grocery

shopping can free up your time and then you get to help someone else out too.

Feed Your Soul - That can mean something different for everyone. So the first step would be to figure out just what that is for you. One way to really get in touch with what “turns you on” is to go back and remember what you got great pleasure from when you were a kid. What did you really love to do? Dance, sing, colour, write stories, sit under a big tree reading a great novel, playing sports? These can give you great clues as to what you may enjoy again as an adult.

Getting “still” to meditate can be a wonderful way to get clear on what your soul needs.

So figure out your Absolute Yes list, make you a priority and you will see all the other areas of your life start to balance out as well.

It’s amazing how when once you have your priorities and values really clear, you will have the time to do the things that are important and let go of the things that really are not!

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32 Money

Saving money in these

uncertain times

By Jane Toombes

Money 33

We are all very much aware of the current economic climate that faces us all. Everyone is looking for ways to save a few extra dollars and if we put our minds to it there are some very easy steps we can all take that will cut back on our spending and put some extra dollars in our bank accounts.

Heating

Heating is something we all need during the winter months, but do we need as much as we think? By turning down the thermostat just one or two degrees you will reduce your heating bills. You will reduce them even further by turning the thermostat down even more overnight.

You might need to put on a light jumper for part of the day or perhaps an extra blanket on the bed at night but the savings will far outweigh the very slight inconvenience. You can do this gradually so that you get used to the reduction and you might find you can turn it down quite a bit and not even notice.

If you leave the house, turn the heat down, after all you are not there so why waste it? For extended absence you can turn it down even more. As long as you are leaving the thermostat warm enough to prevent freezing pipes then your home will be fine. Experts suggest a temperature of around 55" or 13! is fine for this purpose.

If you don’t already have one, purchase a programmable thermostat. The money you spend will be well worth the savings and the convenience. Buy one that allows you to not only set temperatures during the day and night but one that allows to to set different settings for weekends and weekdays. You can then have one setting for the weekend when perhaps you are home more and another whilst you are at work in the week.

You should also make sure your home is insulated as this will save on your heating costs and stop draughts.

By taking these simple measures you can save anything from 5 to 15% of your heating bills.

Laundry

Obviously the first step to saving money with laundry is to use efficient appliances. This means those that use less water, electricity and detergent. It is also obvious that changing an appliance for the sake of it is not a good idea. However, if your washer or dryer needs replacing then try to buy a model that is as efficient as possible.

You can save money by washing in cold water rather than using the machine to heat the water. Wait until you have a full load before using the washer, or set the washer to half load so that it uses less water.

Modern front-loaders use up to 40% less water and are more efficient than top-loaders, although some of the most modern top loaders now operate differently and use less water and electricity than their older counterparts. Look for the Energy Star rating of any machine you plan to buy.

Make sure you clean out the filter on your dryer after every cycle as this will greatly improve the efficiency of the machine. Don’t set the dryer to dry for 40 minutes when 20 will do.

Kitchen appliances

Again buying an efficient model is the first step to saving money, but you can also do other things which will save many dollars.

Make sure your fridge and /or freezer is full as this makes the appliance more efficient. Even if this means using some bottles of water to fill the fridge this will be better than empty space. Perhaps a few cans of beer works better for you?

Cover food and liquids in the fridge to stop moisture being released which will make the compressor work harder.

Make sure the seals around the doors are clean and undamaged. You can place a sheet of paper in the door and close it then try pulling it out. If you can pull it out the seal is poor and you should have it replaced.

If you have a spare fridge or freezer in the basement or garage that rarely gets used, turn it off.

Use a thermometer in the fridge and freezer to make sure the temperature is correct. By having either set too high or too low can be detrimental to your food, your utility bill and more importantly your health.

Many newer fridges and freezers are frost-free, but if yours doesn’t have this facility then make sure you do not have any frost build-up as this will make it inefficient.

Dishwashers have been proven to be more efficient than hand washing. However you still need to take certain measures to get the most from your dishwasher.

Don’t rinse your dishes under a running tap before placing them in the dishwasher. Simply scrape or wipe the dishes. Most modern washers are more than capable of washing soiled dishes, after all that is what they are for. Fill the washer or use a half load cycle and load according to manufacturers instructions to get the best results.

Ranges will also use a lot of electricity or gas and you should avoid pre-heating them for too long. There is always the temptation to turn the oven on far sooner than you really need it. Instead use it so that when it beeps to tell you it has reached temperature you are ready to put the food inside.

Another good alternative is to use a toaster oven or grill instead of the range as these will use far less energy and will pre-heat much quicker.

Lighting

Always use energy saving bulbs in lighting fixtures. They may cost slightly more to purchase but will cost less to run and will last many times longer. Using energy

34 Money

efficient bulbs reduces electricity costs by up to 75%.

Driving

Money can be saved when driving. Only use your vehicle when you have to, cut out those unnecessary trips. Don’t speed as this will increase fuel consumption. Make sure your tires are inflated to the correct pressure as this too can effect fuel consumption.

Keep your vehicle properly maintained and check oil levels regularly.

If carpooling is an option use it. This not only cuts down each cars fuel consumption it also means less cars on the road.

Shopping

When shopping hunt out the bargains. Compare store flyers for the best deals and cut out those coupons.

Buy in bulk the items that you know you will use such as toilet paper and kitchen rolls as this can save money.

The same goes for clothing and household shopping. Wait for the sales and compare prices. Only buy what you really need not always what you want.

Buy stores own or generic brands rather than more expensive branded products. This is particularly true of over-the-counter medication.

Books, DVD’s etc

Many of us buy books and magazines and it can be surprising how much we spend on these items. Instead why not join the local library and get your books for free. Lots of libraries also have magazines and newspapers, so you won’t need to buy them either. If you regularly buy certain magazines consider subscribing as it is often much cheaper than buying them retail.

When a film comes out on DVD or Blu-ray that you have been waiting for, instead of paying $30 or $40 for it why not rent it instead. Most of the video rental companies also rent video games so you can save some extra bucks on these items too. Some libraries also rent films and CD’s so check there too.

Whilst on the subject of films, check that you are not paying for TV channels you are not using. Are you on the best package for your TV usage? You may also be better to bundle your TV, phone and Internet service if your provider allows.

Wine and beer

If you simply cannot live without your supply of alcoholic beverages then have you thought about brewing your own? Not only will this save you money it is also a fun hobby.

Snack time

All of us are guilty of popping into places like Tim Hortons for a coffee and donut but have you ever thought of how much you spend there?

If you were to have a coffee and donut three times a week your average spend is around $750 per year. Many people eat out every day in similar places. So if you spend on average $5 per day, which lets face it is not a lot of money but have you added that up? In a year you will have spent an amazing $1,825 - on coffee! If you only did this five days a week it would still be over $1,300 per year.

By making your own food at home and taking it to work with you it could save you hundreds if not thousands.

Finance

Shop around for a better mortgage or credit card rate. You might be surprised at how much you could save simply by changing your credit card. It is also worth asking your lender to reduce your interest rate. Many will do this rather than loose you as a customer. Try to pay off credit card debt each month to avoid interest charges altogether.

If you currently pay your car, life or home insurance monthly check to see if you can save money by paying annually. Don’t be tempted to automatically renew insurance, shop around first and if you find a better deal but want to stick with your original company ask them to price-match.

Budgeting

Simply by writing down all your spending habits over a period of time can be enough to highlight areas where savings can be made. Get into the habit of writing down your spend each day and then analyze it at the end of the week and then again at the end of the month.

When you suddenly see that you are spending $200 per month on hair products or coffee then you can start to see where savings can be made.

You might be pleasantly surprised that you can indeed make some savings, however small. Many people believe they already only spend what they have to but by writing it all down it puts things into perspective and you can start to see that by cutting back a little on those indulgences you can spend more on other more important things.

So as you can see by simply cutting back on a few things that after a while you won’t even notice you will save lots. Who knows you might even have enough at the end of the year for a well deserved holiday, or perhaps that wide-screen TV you have been wanting for so long.

www.cedarlanefinancial.com

Money Saving Tips

Never grocery shop whilst hungary as you will be tempted to buy more

When you have finished cooking turn off the oven and open the door to heat the

room

When going shopping write a listand stick to it

Invite friends round for a meal, or go to theirs rather than eating out

Stop smoking, not only will it save you money it could save your life

When making food such as a casserole or lasagna make a large batch and freeze

portions for another time.

Swap books, CD’s, DVD’s, games etc with friends

If you are feeling depressed or stressed, don’t go shopping. You will be tempted to

spend far more than you wanted

Buy your husband, wife or significant other’s Christmas gift in the January sales.

If you have lots of unused stuff in your home have a yard sale, or sell them online. Anything that is left donate to

charity

Instead of buying lottery tickets each week invest the money in a good savings account. Your chances of getting a good

return on your investment far outweigh the possibility of winning the lottery

If you have a granny annex or in-law suite consider renting it out and help pay your

mortgage

If you need a particular power tool, first ask if a friend has one you can borrow.

This applies to other items too

If you need to go to the dentist check to see if your local college has a dental

school. Many offer much reduced rates to allow students to practice on you (under

supervision of course)

If you have a baby or young child check with other mothers to see if you can swap

clothing, baby items etc. Many are only used for a very short period of time so will

still be in good condition

Don’t withdraw money from ATM’s not approved by your bank as you will be

charged extra

Money 35

Over 1 million Canadians can’t afford both. The high cost of housing forces many people to make choices no one should have to make. You can choose to help. To donate, participate or advocate visit www.habitat.ca

RENT CHILDCAREor

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Sequoia Club36 Motoring

Winter car care tipsBy Norman Fleming

The cold weather affects your car too. Along with making driving more hazardous due to ice and snow, extreme winter weather can be stressful, especially on older cars.

As winter approaches take your car to your trusty mechanic and have him check the following items: battery, wipers, antifreeze level, heating system, brakes, defroster.

You'll want to make sure your battery is fully charged as cold weather starting is a heavy drain on your battery. You'll want to make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition as they'll get a lot of use brushing snow off, and, make sure you have plenty of windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and carry an extra gallon in your car. Your windshield washer fluid will get used up quickly keeping salt off the windshield. You will want to make sure that your antifreeze is at proper levels. Antifreeze can prevent freezing of your engine to about 30 degrees below zero. It should be replaced every two years. Have your heating system checked, this will include your defroster, which you'll really need during the winter.

Make sure you have good winter tires on your car. If you live in an area where you get a good amount of snowfall you may want to make a seasonal change from all season to snow tires. All season radials just don't give you the same performance in snow and ice that dedicated snow tires do.

There are things that you should keep in your car during the winter. Snow scraper, deicer, blankets, extra hat and mittens, small snow shovel, sand (to help with traction), boots. At all times you should have a small first aid kit, booster cables, small tools such as screwdriver, wrench and pliers, a flashlight with extra batteries, extra water. Keep a can of deicer in your home so you'll be able to get into your car.

Remember before leaving home to make sure your car is completely cleaned off. Clear all snow and ice from your hood, roof, trunk and side. Make sure your headlights and tail lights are clearly visible. Drive slowly. The posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions. When driving leave plenty of stopping distance between you and the car in front. You may need to leave more distance in icy conditions. Make any turns slowly. Brake slowly.

By following these tips above you can have a safe winter driving season.

Don’t let your vehicle fall into a recession too!Our economy keeps getting worse and

worse, most say we are in a recession. In a recession the worst thing is that people stop spending money completely, which has a very negative effect on the economy as a whole. If people are not buying things they need less people to work in stores, restaurants and other retail or service businesses, which means more people get laid off. Which means less money being spent, and the cycle will continue. It has a downward spiral effect. The same thing will happen to your car if you don’t spend any money to repair it when it needs it. Your vehicle will feel some very negative effects. So, don’t let your vehicle fall into a recession too, get auto body repairs when they are needed.

Auto body repairs or automotive reconditioning is where your vehicles auto body is repaired by a skilled and trained professional. They use the existing materials and possibly a few extra materials to repair your vehicles auto body rather than just replace it with new. Some repairs that can

be completed are bumper repair, auto body repair, windshield repair, paint touch up, wheel rim repair, paint-less dent removal, interior repair and more. The auto body repairs come out looking just as good and are just as safe as replacement. You can find an auto body repair shop around you with no problem, but you need to look for a few things. Make sure they have established a good reputation and make sure you are getting a good deal also.

Most people don’t get their vehicles auto body repaired because they think it costs too much money. What they don’t realize is that many auto body shops will work with your insurance and some will handle the whole process with your insurance company. But, more surprisingly is that most people don’t even use their insurance because the repairs are so affordable. Also most repairs are completed within just two to six hours, which means you shouldn’t need a rental at all or for very long so you will save money on that as well.

Also, what most people don’t realize is that by trying to save money and not get the repair done, they could be costing themselves more money in the end. Many times if you do not get an auto body repair completed in a timely manner you will be faced with more damage and more costly damage as your first auto body damage leads to more because you simply did not get it repaired. Also if you do not repair your vehicles auto body damage you are subtracting from your vehicles resale or trade in value, which will mean less money towards a new car and more money out of your pocket.

So, don’t let your vehicle fall into a recession along with the economy.

Take care of auto body repairs fast and keep more money in your wallet! Find an auto body shop to repair your vehicles auto body today.

Motoring 37

What is a hybrid car?

So, what is a hybrid car? In this article we define ”hybrid car” including details on how the motor works. Special attention is given to how electric engines and gas engines are combined to achieve a hybrid car. Time is spent explaining how hybrid car recharging works. Finally, we explain the drawbacks of hybrid cars.

It is pretty much obvious that technology is evolving in different fields. One sign of which would be the continuous innovations in the automobile industry. As each year passes, new systems are discovered. And as gas becomes a problem, more car technologies to save fuel are created and discovered incessantly. If you’re not that familiar with what’s new, then for sure you have little idea of what is a hybrid car. If this is the case then, here are the essential things you need to know about this type of car.

What is a hybrid car?

Well, It’s A Mix of Technology! New hybrids could offer you the best of both worlds. This is because they give you both the power of gas fueled cars, along with the cost efficiency of electric cars. In fact, such kinds of cars are considered at present to be the highlighted showcase of what innovations from different areas could create when combined together in one vehicle.

However, if you’re not that much into technical stuff, you may find it hard to understand how hybrid cars function and process. Nevertheless, they are easy to use and are made to be user friendly by their manufacturers.

How The Motor Works

If you want to answer ”What is a hybrid car?” you must understand hybrid car

engines. In fact, what really makes this kind of car so special is its engine.

The engine’s function starts out by using windings, which are moved by electromagnetic force. Such force is produced when an electric current travels over the motor. If the current’s polarity runs one way, then the motor runs one way too. As the current’s polarity changes course, the motor current’s direction does too.

Conventional Motors

The motor of a conventional vehicle would be extremely different. In traditional gas engines, you would find pistons, which push up the gasoline into the crank. This pushing action provides power to your vehicle’s wheels so that it can move. This is a cycle that repeats itself countless times until your vehicle moves. Whenever the vehicle’s gas pedal is stepped down, gas would flow into the car’s system. In turn, it would increase your car’s pistons and wheel’s power.

Gas And Electricity

The great thing about hybrid vehicles is that they could make use of both electric engine and traditional engine systems. When these two systems come together, they actually produce a ground-breaking car power. When your car starts moving, its computer sensor would determine what engine type would be most suitable to be used at that given point in time.

In instances that your vehicle would need high power, then your car would automatically make use of its gas engine. Just the same, when your vehicle needs low power levels, it would automatically make use of its electric engine system.

Recharging Process

In relation to the electric engine system, whenever your car stops, its battery would regenerate by conserving energy. Whenever your vehicle’s power drains out from your electric battery, your car would automatically use your gas engine up to the point in which your electric battery could be recharged and ready for use again.

Point Of Difference

One main difference between conventional cars and hybrids is the behaviour of their engines. Whenever a conventional car is idle, its gas would continue running. However, whenever a hybrid vehicle is idle, its motor would sense it automatically and then switches from gas engine to electric engine. When your car stops, the electric energy would be absorbed back into your battery’s electrical portion.

Drawbacks

Although these environmentally friendly cars are great, they still come with a drawback. One major down point would be the vehicle’s weight. In addition to your engine’s weight there would also be add-ons which are vital to support your electric engine, so that it could run smoothly. Nevertheless, the two different engine systems could co-exist smoothly in a hybrid vehicle. In the end you get an environmentally friendly and worthwhile vehicle that can also help you save money.

Although hybrids are all environmentally friendly and economical, they still have variations. There are some that have charge coils, which allow users to recharge their electrical battery supply. There are also models that have alternative fuel sources like fuel cells.

38 Kidzone

Christmas gifts for your family

Yep, it’s Christmas time again and we are all trying to think of what to buy that someone special in our lives. So, have you got your mum and dad a present yet? Do you know what to buy granny? Here are a few ideas which may help.

Dad: Men are difficult to buy for as you cannot resort to flowers or jewellery as you can with a woman, so Dad needs a bit of extra thought.

Lots of men love sports of one form or another. If your Dad has a favorite team you might want to buy him something related to them. Sports items come in all shapes, sizes and of course price range, so you are bound to find something that you will be able to afford. If your budget is small then how about a book, a hat or a key ring? If you have a bigger budget then perhaps some clothing such as a hockey shirt or perhaps a ticket to a game will be a great present.

You can use the Internet to get to your dad’s favorite team website. They will usually have a shop where you can see all the different types of items available and their price. If you plan to buy things online you might want to ask Mum if she can use her credit card to buy them with. Otherwise many items are available in local shops.

Another excellent present is one you make yourself. You could make a pen holder for his desk, or a paperweight from a painted stone. Another good idea is a plaster cast of your hand or foot. Not only will this be a fun present it will also be a great keepsake for Dad. If you have baby or toddler brothers or sisters get Mum to help you all take casts of your hands and feet. In years to come you will all be able to look back on how small your feet once were.

If you have a nice photo of you and Dad you might want to buy a cheap photo frame for it and then decorate the frame. Not only will this be a great present it will also be one you can change regularly simply by changing the photo.

Many shops these days will print a photo onto a mug or other similar item. You can either take a photo you have already or they will take one for you and then print it. This can be an excellent present with that personal touch Dads love.

If you really don’t know what to get Dad then a gift certificate might be the answer. Choose one from his favorite store or relating to his favorite hobby. This will allow

him to buy whatever he wants, but it will ultimately still be from you.

Mum: Mums are definitely much easier to buy for but don’t be tempted just to buy flowers or jewellery as it is a quick and easy solution. Put some thought into it and it will mean even more to her.

Something you have made yourself will always be a good idea and similar things to those we mentioned for Dad will be good. A mug with your photo on it is as good for Mum as it will be for Dad.

If Mum uses a particular lipstick or perfume then these will make an excellent present that she can use for a long time. Most mums also love chocolates so buy a box of her favorites. If she reads a particular magazine regularly then you might be able to afford a six or twelve month subscription for her.

Perhaps one of the best Christmas presents for Mum is to help her out with the Christmas meal or doing something that will giver her time off for herself.

One very good present for both Mum and Dad is to arrange for them to have a meal out together, just the two of them. Arrange with a friend or relative to have them stay with you or you go to them for the evening. Give Mum and Dad a gift certificate for their favorite restaurant and let them enjoy each others company.

Grandparents: Grandparents are one of the easiest of our family members to please as they will love anything you give them. You could give them a pebble from the beach and they will love it and treasure it as much as if it were a diamond. That’s what grandparents are all about.

As with parents, grandparents will love anything you make yourself, especially if it is personalized with a photo or wording. A mug with the words “World’s best Grandma or Grandpa” will be treasured. A photo frame with your photo will sit on their mantelpiece for years to come.

Why not make them a painting they can hang on the wall or fridge or make them an ornament they can keep on show?

Older grandparents tend to feel the cold more than you so a lovely warm blanket or some socks or slippers will always be welcomed. Again you can often get these personalized to give them that extra special touch.

Remember it is always the thought that counts not the amount it cost.

Kidzone 39

Movies in theatres

Video games

DVD rental

Bestselling books

Top kids stuff…

1. New Moon, Stephanie Mayer2. Twilight, Stephanie Mayer3. Eclipse, Stephanie Mayer4. Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Mayer5. Brisingr, Christopher Paolini

6. Inkdeath, Cornelia Bell7. Just One Goal, Munsch/Martchenko8. Love you Forever, Munsch/McGraw9. Just One Goal, Munsch/Martchenko10. Gallop, Rufus Seder

1. Wall-E (G)2. Kung Fu Panda (PG)3. Get Smart (PG)4. Hellboy II: The Golden Army (14A)5. Star Wars: The Clone Wars (PG)6. The Incredible Hulk (PG)

7. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (PG)

8. Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (G)9. Tinker Bell (G)10. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the

Crystal Skull (PG)

X-Box 360Mirror's Edge (T)Tom Clancy's End War (T)James Bond 007: Quantum of Solace (T)PS3Mirror's Edge (T)Tom Clancy's End War (T)WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 (T)

WiiWii Music (E)Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (T)NHL 2K9 (E10)Nintendo DSPokemon Diamond (E)Pokemon Pearl (E)Diddy Kong Racing (E)

1. Twilight (PG)2. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (G)3. Bolt (G)4. Four Christmases (PG)5. High School Musical 3: Senior Year (G)

6. Quantum of Solace (PG)7. Beverly Hills Chihuahua (G)8. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (PG)9. The Haunting of Molly Hartley (14A)10. Transporter 3 (14A)

Sequoia Club40 Moving to Canada

Exactly what paperwork do I need?

We take a look at the paperwork you will need to submit as part of your simplified application process

By Jane Toombes

Moving to Canada 41

In September 2006 Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) introduced a new simplified application process for many skilled workers and business immigrants.

Before the implementation of this new process all applicants had to submit a large number of forms in order to apply for immigration along with lots of supporting documentation to back up the information submitted. Once this new simplified system was in place it was simply a case of sending off a few forms and waiting for CIC to contact you again once they started processing your file. At this point they would ask for your supporting information.

Now, two years on, the first people to submit their applications under the simplified process are starting to wonder what it is they need to start preparing. What will CIC ask for and when?

As any Scout will tell you “Be Prepared.” This goes for dealing with the CIC as well. A lot of the information you will need to supply to CIC can be prepared in advance, so make sure you have everything ready to go. There are a few things you cannot do until the last minute, but if you have prepared a good proportion of the work everything will be so much easier and less stressful.

What will CIC ask for?

When you originally applied for immigration you will have completed a few forms relating to your personal information. Some of the questions will have related to topics such as your education, language skills, relatives in Canada, work experience, family members and details of your passport and funds available.

CIC will now ask you for proof that the information you supplied is correct and that you qualify for permanent residency.

Depending upon the type of application and the visa office used you may be asked for more or less information.

Education

In your original application form you were asked the length and highest level of your education. Now you need to supply information to back this up.

You will need to send copies of any post-secondary education for the principal applicant and any spouse or common-law partner named on the application. This includes any certificates, apprenticeships, diplomas, degrees, professional qualifications and other such education, training and qualification documentation. You may also be asked to supply original transcriptions of degrees in university-sealed envelopes.

You will also need to give details of the dates of study and the name of the institution you studied at.

Personal details

This is a rather broad section and covers things you have been doing in the past few years. Remember to read carefully the time frame in which a particular question relates.

For example you will be asked to list your employment history for the last 10 years or since you were 18, whichever is the longest.

You will have to give dates of all activities undertaken and should leave no gaps. This will include jobs held, unemployment periods, prison confinements, periods spent as a homemaker etc. Basically you need to account for every day of that 10 years.

An example would be:

• June 1997 - February 2001 Employed by ABC Engineering in London, England

• February 2001 - July 2001 Unemployed and searching for work in London, England

• July 2001 - September 2005 Employed by XYZ Communications in Brighton, England

• September 2005 - May 2006 Employed by 123 Company, London, England

• May 2006 - Present day Self-employed at Dave’s Electrics, London England

You will be asked if you have held any government positions such as that of a police officer, civil servant etc. You will also need to state memberships of any associations or organizations such as political parties, student organizations, professional associations, trade unions etc.

If you have ever served in the military you will also have to give details of dates, branch, commanding officer, rank and dates and locations of service.

Another area of information you will need to disclose is a list of addresses you have lived in and when since your 18th birthday. This will include dates (month, year), address, city, country. If you cannot remember the exact dates, be as accurate as you can be. If you cannot remember certain details such as a specific door number give as much information as you can and explain that you cannot remember this particular detail.

You will also be asked to supply documents relating to your identity such as certificates relating to birth, marriage, divorce, death or adoption. This information, where applicable, will be required for all applicants including any children.

You will also need to send a copy of your passport. This will be the page showing the passport number, your name, date of birth etc. If you live in a country that differs from your nationality you will need to show proof of residency or visa for that country.

Canadian connections

If you have ever lived, worked or studied in Canada you will need to give details of this. Likewise if you are claiming points for

relatives in Canada you will need to supply proof of the relationship, a copy of your relatives status in Canada, i.e. Canadian passport, citizenship card, permanent residency card as well as proof that the relative is currently living in Canada.

Work experience

This is probably one of the more frustrating sections as the principal applicant will need to get references from previous employers.

You will need to have contracts of employment from past and present employers as well as a recent letter of reference from those employers. The letter must be on company headed paper with the company’s full address, telephone number and if applicable the company seal.

The letter must include the period you were employed by the company, your main responsibilities, your salary and benefits and be signed by either your supervisor or human resources manager. They should also attach their business card to the letter.

You may be a bit daunted about getting this information, but if you write to the company, preferably the human resources department and give them as much information as possible about your time employed there they usually comply. If you don’t get all the required information in the letter, ask again. If the person replying does not have a business card, or the company does not have a seal then ask them to state this in the letter.

If the company you once worked for is no longer in business you need to give CIC your dates of employment and any evidence to back this up such as contracts of employment, letters from the company, pay slips etc. You need to tell CIC that the company is no longer in business and that you therefore could not get the required references.

If the company no longer has records of your employment ask them for a letter stating this. It is not uncommon for companies to destroy information over 6 or 10 years old. As long as you can get the company to acknowledge this CIC will accept it. Again, if you have any information to prove your employment include it.

TIP: A good tip for people employed in the UK is to get a copy of your National Insurance Contributions. You can do this under the Data Protection Act. The details you get back will show who you were employed by each year and your earnings. Not only will this prompt your memory regarding dates of employment you can also send this to CIC as proof of working for different companies etc. This is an official document that CIC will accept. You can find details of how to do this via this link.

Other country’s tax collection agencies should also be able to provide similar information.

42 Moving to Canada

Language ability

In your original application you were asked your native language any secondary language and your proficiency in English and / or French.

If English or French is not your native language you must provide proof of your proficiency of either language. You will need to take a language test at a CIC approved language testing centre. The results of the test will need to be sent to CIC and these should be originals, not copies.

If your native language is English or French you are still required to give evidence of this. An example would be to submit a letter confirming that you have only ever spoken English, were educated in English and speak no other language.

Arranged employment

If you have arranged employment in Canada or are already working in Canada under a work permit you are required to provide a copy of the permit or job offer. Any job offer must be approved by Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC).

Police certificates

All applicants and dependents are required to provide up-to-date police certificates in order to immigrate to Canada. Everyone over the age of 18 years must provide one (over 16 years in some jurisdictions). The certificate must be no older than three

months when submitted and must be an original.

We covered how to obtain police certificates from most of the top immigration countries in our August 2008 issue on page 34 - click here fore details.

Settlement funds

Your application included the question “Amount of unencumbered transferable and available funds you have in Canadian dollars.” Now you have to show you really do have these funds available.

You need to refer to the CIC’s required funds for the number of family members in your application. This is subject to change, so be sure to check using this link.

You need to show that you have these funds in accessible funds which can be transfered to Canada when you land. If you have arranged employment you do not need to show these funds.

Proof can be in the form of bank statements, letters from your financial institution showing these funds in a transferable fund.

If your funds are coming from the future sale of property you will need to get an up-to-date property valuation, along with an up-to-date statement from your mortgage company to show the equity in the property.

Medical

Everyone entering Canada as an immigrant must take a medical including children. Canada needs to be sure that you will not be

a danger to public health or cause excessive demand on the health or social services in Canada. When you are requested by CIC to take a medical you must use a Designated Medical Practitioner.

We detailed the immigration medical in our June 2008 issue - use this link for details.

The medical cannot be done until it is requested by CIC, so don’t be tempted to have one done before being asked. You will only have to do it again which will cost you time and money.

Some people will be asked for additional information depending upon their circumstances, type of immigration applied for and visa office used. However this guide gives you a good idea of the type of things you will need to have ready.

Useful links

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

www.cic.gc.ca

HM Revenue & Customs (National Insurance files)

www.hmrc.gov.uk

Internal Revenue Service (URS)www.irs.gov

S E Q U O I A C L U B Moving to Canada 43

New direction will come from US, not new MinisterBy Guidy Mamann

Whenever a new minister of immigration is

appointed in Canada the pundits pull out the tea leaves in search for a glimpse into the future of Canadian immigration policy.

I, on the other hand, don’t really bother much.

The truth is that Canadian immigration ministers rarely exercise any significant personal influence on our immigration policy. They rarely have any immigration experience whatsoever or any publicly known positions on immigration policy prior to assuming responsibility for this portfolio.

Even if they did, they are not free to exercise their own will. They are but one voice in cabinet and take their direction, not from their conscience, but from the prime ministers office. In any event, they are rarely around long enough to actually do anything of substance before the revolving door to CIC’s national headquarters spins around and smacks them on the behind in the opposite direction.

Since February 2006 when Stephen Harper became Prime Minister of Canada he has named not one, not two, but three immigration ministers. Monte Solberg lasted 11 months. Diane Finley lasted 22 before being replaced on Oct 30th by Jason Kenney.

Both Solberg and Finley were tightly managed by the PMO and neither articulated anything remotely bold or creative in respect of an immigration program which just about everybody agrees is sorely in need of major repair.

This past week, Kenney offered no profound insight into where we may be headed. All he said was “I look forward to the privilege of serving as Canada’s Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism as we continue our commitment to reuniting families, to maintaining our humanitarian obligations to refugees, and to supporting Canada’s economy.”

As Jerry Seinfeld might have said “Yada, yada, yada”.

What exactly does Kenney plan to do, if anything, about a backlog of about 900,000 applications for permanent residence? What about the 500,000 to 1,000,000 undocumented workers in Canada? What are we going to do with them? What are we going to do about our selection system in the face of a looming worldwide recession? Are we going to continue importing the worlds “best and brightest” so that we can seat them behind the wheel of a downtown Toronto cab?

I doubt we will catch any real insight from Kenney who will be reading closely from his Prime Minister’s unpublished script.

As for me, I will be looking south of the border for some glimpse of our immigration future.

Since 9/11, the US administration has expressed little stomach for the adoption of any progressive immigration reforms of any kind notwithstanding many objective reasons to act. The White House needed to be seen as tough – and not necessarily

“smart” - on immigration. Under these circumstances, Canada would not dare risk being seen as “soft” on immigration.

But now our American friends have elected a bold, creative and smart new leader in Barack Obama.

He has a huge mandate, an unprecedented approval rating for any president-elect, and the “ethnic” vote.

With respect to immigration he has articulated three basic principles.

First, he wants to secure the US borders to stem the 500,000 or so new illegal immigrants to the US each year.

Second, he intends to crack down on employers who hire illegals.

Thirdly, he intends to create “a pathway to citizenship” for the 12 million people or so that are already in the US. Obama concluded wisely that “The notion that we are going to round up 12 million people is unrealistic”.

In the post 9/11 world, Canada could not even dream of an amnesty program for its own illegals even if it was felt to be in our national interest.

If under Obama’s leadership, the US goes in that direction, that will pave the way for our own government to do the same. Perhaps we will follow up on some other much needed immigration reforms.

In my view, if you want to see where Canada might be headed, follow Obama - not Kenney.

Guidy Mamann practices law in Toronto at

Mamann & Associates and is certified by the

Law Society of Upper Canada as an

immigration specialist. Reach him

confidentially at 416-862-0000 or at

metro@migrationlaw.com.

Proud womenImmigration is defined as the departure from one’s native land to settle in another country or region. Immigration is not a simple process; rather it is a series of transitional phases. Adjusting to a new culture and environment is difficult for everyone but it is much harder for an older generation. The immigration experience can have a negative impact on the self-esteem of seniors due to language and cultural barriers, intergenerational conflicts, isolation, health and financial issues.

Seniors (50+) need to be acknowledged for the contributions, ability and talents they bring to the community. They are the key teachers that distribute valuable and precious information to younger generations to ensure cultural values, norms and customs are respected and carried on. For today’s youth to understand first hand information from a senior’s experience and

for seniors to teach and share their talents and skills the Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association has developed a new project, “Proud Women”.

The Proud Women project is designed to build stronger interactions and communication between immigrant youth and immigrant seniors from diverse cultures. The purpose of this project is to celebrate and praise the role of women in the world. We currently have recruited many senior immigrant women from the community to participate in this project. These women will talk about what it means to be a female in

their home countries, share their life experiences and knowledge and also explain what makes them proud to be a woman today. Youth will meet and interview these senior women and compose their stories.

This project will create and facilitate intergenerational understanding. Seniors and youth will celebrate their cultural pride and use this opportunity to share the past and embrace the future. Seniors will motivate younger generations in becoming stronger and embracing challenges in a positive manner. The final stage of this project is to publish a book to encourage and inspire other immigrant senior women and youth.

If you are interested in enrolling in the

project or have further questions, please

contact: Mani Korha, Project Coordinator,

Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association,

#200, 138 – 4th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB

T2G 4Z6, Ph: (403) 263-4414 (Ext. 159)

www.ciwa-online.com !

!

44 Moving to Canada

Seeking pension integrity and freedom of movement for Brits

By Tony Bockman, ChairmanCanadian Alliance of British Pensioners / International Consortium of British Pensioners

In the October issue of Muchmor, you read about the fact that the United Kingdom refuses to uprate in line with inflation the British State Retirement Pension of over 50 per cent of UK pensioners resident abroad, including 153,000 in Canada. You also read that 13 “frozen” pensioners living in Canada, Australia and South Africa have taken the UK Government to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), charging them with discrimination. The International Consortium of British Pensioners, which includes the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners, is underwriting the case.

On November 4, a Chamber of the ECHR, in a 6-to-1 decision, rejected the pensioners’ challenge. However, the Consortium has instructed our legal team to seek an appeal of the case (Carson, Jackson and Others v the United Kingdom) to the 17-judge ECHR Grand Chamber.

We remain strongly of the view that the!case!does indeed raise very serious questions affecting the interpretation and application of the European Convention on Human Rights and the protection of the fundamental rights of 11.5 million pensioners – not only the half-million whose livelihoods are directly affected (impelling many into poverty after paying pension dues throughout their working lives) but also the 11 million still living in the UK whose freedom of choice regarding where to live in retirement is severely restricted by the potential loss of pension income, trapping many in a life of loneliness far from children and grandchildren overseas – surely a right that none of us expected to have taken away from us.

The dissenting judgment by Chamber President Lech Garlicki reinforces our view: ‘Considerations of social justice and equity require that persons who have duly contributed towards the pensions of others should not be treated differently in the subsequent calculation of their own pension. Differential treatment based solely on current residence has no link to the contributory nature of pensions and, therefore, is deprived of a reasonable justification.’

I have been absolutely bowled over by the hundreds of current and future pensioners around the world who have taken the time to contact me since November 4 in order to express their anger with the Chamber’s

decision and to urge us to proceed with the application for referral to the Grand Chamber. They can rest assured that we are indeed doing just that. And we also continue to wage a strong “Hearts and Minds” campaign in the halls of Westminster and in the court of British public opinion.

The Canadian

Alliance of British

Pensioners is a

not-for-profit

organization

registered with the

federal

government. It is

run by volunteers

with members

across Canada.

Tel: 1-888-5913964 (in the Toronto area call

416-253-6402).

Email: info@BritishPensions.com.

Web site: www.BritishPensions.com

Tel: 001 403 932 5670Email: Helenparnell@shaw.cawww.moving2alberta.com

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Moving to Canada 45

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46 Moving to Canada Advertorial

Countdown to Canada

By June Spindloe of Relocation Nova Scotia

Most of us use the Internet and informativepublications like Muchmor to research and gather information about planning, preparation and fact finding trips before emigrating, There is an endless supply of information about Canada and "How To" guides and forums to choose from.

Canada is one of the largest countries in the world and one of the most diverse, where you will choose will depend on your own preferences for family lifestyle and work.

Congratulations If you have chosen Nova Scotia as your destination!.

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We know that everyone's situation is different and unique to them, and we are pleased to be able to offer this new service with the support and encouragement from many newcomers that have successfully used our services.

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48 Moving to Canada " " " " " " " "

Pastures

Angel

New skilled worker criteria announced

For the last few months we have been keeping track of the implementation of the new rules regarding skilled worker immigration to Canada. Any applications received after February 27th 2008 were going to be subject to the new rules which have now been announced by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

New Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney announced on November 28th that Canada would be accepting between 240,000 and 265,000 new permanent residents in 2009. These numbers will include up to 156,000 in the economic category, 71,000 in the family class and 37,400 in the humanitarian category.

As part of the new rules for skilled worker applications Minister Kenny also announced new plans which will allow faster processing of high-demand occupations and those applicants who have arranged employment.

Over the past few months consultations have taken place across the country to form a list of high-demand occupations. New applications that are received but do not meet the criteria will not be processed. A full refund of any fees paid will be given.

The aim is to ultimately reduce the huge backlog of over 900,000 applicants as well as speed up the processing times. Currently it can take up to six years to get a decision, the new system hopes to reduce this to 6-12 months. It also allows Canada to be more selective, allowing only those that meet the current job demands to become permanent residents.

“The eligibility criteria apply only to new federal skilled worker applicants and will not affect Canada’s family reunification or refugee protection goals,” said Minister Kenney. “Applicants who aren’t eligible for the federal skilled worker category may qualify under another category, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, or as temporary foreign workers, which could then put them on a path to permanent residency through the new Canadian Experience Class. There are many ways to immigrate to Canada.”

All applications received on or after 27th February 2008 will be processed under the new rules. Applications received after this date and that meet the new criteria will be processed immediately upon receipt.

Criteria

• Applications submitted with an offer of arranged employment; or

• Applications submitted by foreign nationals who have been residing legally in Canada for at least one year as temporary foreign workers or international students; or

• Applications from skilled workers with evidence of experience of at least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the last 10 years under one or more of the following National Occupational Classification categories:

0111 Financial Managers0213 Computer and Information Systems Managers0311 Managers in Health Care0631 Restaurant and Food Service Managers0632 Accommodation Service Managers0711 Construction Managers1111 Financial Auditors and Accountants2113 Geologists, Geochemists and Geophysicists2143 Mining Engineers2144 Geological Engineers2145 Petroleum Engineers3111 Specialist Physicians3112 General Practitioners and Family Physicians3141 Audiologists and Speech Language Pathologists3143 Occupational Therapists3142 Physiotherapists3151 Head Nurses and Supervisors3152 Registered Nurses3215 Medical Radiation Technologists3233 Licensed Practical Nurses4121 University Professors4131 College and Other Vocational Instructors6241 Chefs6242 Cooks7213 Contractors and Supervisors, Pipefitting Trades7215 Contractors and Supervisors, Carpentry Trades

7217 Contractors and Supervisors, Heavy Construction Equipment Crews7241 Electricians (Except Industrial and Power System)7242 Industrial Electricians7251 Plumbers7252 Steamfitters, Pipefitters and Sprinkler System Installers7265 Welders and Related Machine Operators7312 Heavy-Duty Equipment Mechanics7371 Crane Operators7372 Drillers and Blasters – Surface Mining, Quarrying and Construction8221 Supervisors, Mining and Quarrying8222 Supervisors, Oil and Gas Drilling and Service9212 Supervisors, Petroleum, Gas and Chemical Processing and Utilities

In order to check if your occupation fits one of the above categories you can go to the National Occupational Classification website and enter the four-digit occupation code. You will then see the classification of that particular category with example job titles, a general description of the role, main duties and employment requirements.

Anyone applying for immigration under the skilled worker category now or whose application was received by CIC on or after 27th February 2008 will be assessed using the above criteria. If your occupation does not qualify under these new criteria your application will be returned along with a refund of any fees paid.

If your occupation does fall under the above criteria your application will be

Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney

Moving to Canada 49

Charlotte, Debra & Carl hiking in Arnica Lake

Monty the cat

processed immediately and you will receive a decision within 6-12 months.

If after reading this you are unsure if you will qualify for immigration under the new criteria then you can use the eligibility tool supplied by CIC to give you a better idea. This is a new tool available at www.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada. Just answer a few simple questions relating to your your occupation and it will decide if you might qualify under any of the immigration options.

Muchmor tried this new tool and input the required information as if we were an electrician and had no work experience in Canada and had not previously applied for immigration. It told us that we may be able to immigrate under the Skilled Worker program, but would not qualify for the Experience Class.

We then tried the process as a HR Manager which would previously have qualified (pending other criteria are met). This time it told us that we might qualify under the Skilled Worker program if we could secure pre-arranged employment. It also told us to consider the options of Provincial Nominee Programs or the Temporary Foreign Worker program.

Most other forms of immigration such as the Provincial Nominee and Temporary Foreign Worker Programs require you to have pre-arranged employment before applying.

Our thoughts

When we first heard about the possibility of new criteria being implemented CIC suggested that they would be fast-tracking certain high-demand occupations and those that did not qualify as high-demand would be processed but at a slower pace. Now it has been announced that those occupations not classified as high-demand will not be processed at all. This will be a bitter blow to many who previously qualified but no longer do.

If your application was received by CIC before 27th February 2008 your application will be processed according to the old rules, but those received after this date by CIC will come under the new criteria and may no longer qualify.

So, what now? If you no longer qualify as a skilled worker then you really do need to consider trying to get pre-arranged employment in Canada as this may enable you to apply through several channels: Skilled Worker, Provincial Nominee, Experience Class or as a Temporary Foreign Worker.

Although many people will be disappointed, equally many will now find themselves fast-tracked through the system. Remember though, you still need to qualify under the points system too.

FAQ’s

Q: You applied some time ago and will be processed under the old system but you now qualify under the new criteria. Should you withdraw your old application and reapply?

A: There is no straight answer to this and a lot will depend on where in the application process you are. If you applied a couple of years ago then chances are you are at the point of having your application processed relatively soon. In this instance you might want to leave your application in place and wait your turn for processing as it may be quicker than starting over again.

However, if you applied close to the cut off date and now qualify under the new criteria you will probably find it much quicker to cancel your original application and reapply under the new criteria. When doing this you have to be sure that you definitely qualify as if you don’t you will be refused immediately.

If you reapply and qualify your application will be processed within 6-12 months, probably much quicker than leaving it in the old system.

This decision needs careful thought and if you are in any doubt about qualifying under the new criteria you may be wise to leave well alone and leave your application in the old system.

Q: If my occupation now qualifies do I still need to meet the points criteria?

A: Yes the points system is still in place and all applicants will need to attain the required number of points in order to apply.

Q: If my application was received after 27th February 2008 by CIC do I have to reapply or submit it again for the new rules?

A: No, your application will be automatically processed under the new system.

Q: I no longer qualify under the new criteria but did before. Does this mean I cannot apply to immigrate to Canada?

A: It means you cannot use the Skilled Worker Program to immigrate, however there are other routes into Canada although most require you to have pre-arranged employment to qualify.

Q: My occupation is not one of the high-demand jobs listed, but I have arranged employment in Canada, do I still qualify?

A: Yes, anyone who has arranged employment will automatically qualify.

Q: If I am now refused will I loose the money I have already paid?

A: No, all fees paid will be refunded.

Useful Links

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

www.cic.gc.ca

Eligibility Questionnairewww.cic.gc.ca/cometocanada

National Occupational Classificationwww5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC-CNP/app/

index.aspx

Alberta Nominee Programwww.albertacanada.com/immigration/

immigrate/ainp.html

British Columbia Nominee Programwww.aved.gov.bc.ca/provincialnominee/

welcome.htm

Manitoba Nominee Programwww2.immigratemanitoba.com/browse/

howtoimmigrate/pnp/

New Brunswick Nominee Programwww.gnb.ca/immigration/index-e.asp

Newfoundland and Labrador Nominee Program

www.nlpnp.ca

Nova Scotia Nominee Programwww.novascotiaimmigration.com/en-

page1040.aspx

Ontario Nominee Program (Pilot)www.ontarioimmigration.ca/english/

pnp.asp

Prince Edward Island Nominee Program

www.gov.pe.ca/immigration/index.php3?number=1014385&lang=E

Quebec Skilled Worker Programwww.form.services.micc.gouv.qc.ca/epi/

index.jsp?languageCode=en

Saskatchewan Nominee Programwww.immigration.gov.sk.ca/

Yukon Nominee Programwww.immigration.gov.yk.ca/

ynp_overview.html

Canadian Experience Class

www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/cec/index.asp

50 Health & Wellness

Extreme dieting

When diets are taken too far and become an eating disorder

By Jane Toombes

Health & Wellness 51

Eating disorders are becoming much more prevalent in todays society. Although 90% of those affected by eating disorders are women, men can be affected too. In the United States it is thought that around 10 million females and 1 million males suffer, whilst in Canada 3% of women will be affected by one disorder or another. This equates to nearly half a million females. It is also thought that around 0.5% of males in Canada will suffer from some form of eating disorder during their lifetime.

So what exactly is an eating disorder?

There are actually several forms of eating disorder. Three forms are recognized as clinical eating disorders:

Anorexia Nervosa: People with anorexia nervosa are obsessed with controlling their weight and believe that starvation is the key. They often believe that by controlling their weight and therefore their body they can also control their lives. They probably have low self-esteem and feel that the only thing they can control is their weight, so they do this to excess.

Someone with anorexia will lose excessive amounts of weight with no obvious reason. They will refuse to eat or become secretive about eating and will shy away from eating in public, even with family. They will deny being hungary and will use excuses to avoid eating. They will complain of being fat or overweight when in fact they are extremely underweight. They may try to hide their weight and body shape by wearing large, baggy clothes.

A person suffering from this disorder will appear thin and may experience loss of head hair whilst gaining find body hair. They may appear pale and have dry skin and women may see a decline in menstrual periods or the stopping of them altogether.

Bulimia Nervosa: A person with bulimia will eat excessive amount of food at one sitting and then purge themselves. They do this by using vomiting, laxatives, enemas, diuretics or excessive exercise to rid their body of the food they have consumed. They find comfort in bingeing but then feel guilty and so purge themselves.

They often appear to like food and may become fascinated with cooking and enjoy recipes and discussing food with others.

Symptoms of bulimia include episodes of bingeing and purging, frequent dieting and use of excessive exercise. Bulimics become very secretive about their purging learning how to vomit silently and will often hide evidence. It is not unheard of to find bags of vomit hidden in a bulimic’s bedroom or to find lots of laxatives in drawers. A bulimic’s fridge or cupboard will often be stocked with lots of food, particularly food not necessarily

considered good for us such as cakes and chocolate.

Some bulimics will have scuffs and abrasions on their knuckles where they have forced their own hands down their throats to induce vomiting.

It is not unusual for bulimics to appear to be of normal weight.Binge Eating Disorder (BED): As with bulimics, people with BED will eat excessive amounts of food in a single sitting, but will not purge - this results in obesity. Many people with BED will be secretive about the amount they eat and will hide food. They may be excessively overweight but not appear to eat very much. The fact is they are often eating in secret and hide the amount of food they actually consume.

They feel out of control and unable to stop eating and may have a history of failed diets.

Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (ED-NOS): This can include people who suffer from one of the above disorders without all the symptoms. It could be someone with anorexia who appears of normal weight, someone who chews large amounts of food but does not swallow or someone who goes from anorexia to bulimia in cycles. It can cover just about anything that does not fall into one of the recognized disorders but is still classed as an eating disorder.

How to recognize an eating disorder

There are certain symptoms one can look for if a friend or relative is suspected of having an eating disorder.

• Excessive weight loss

• Calorie counting

• Missing meals

• Hiding food

• Avoiding meals

• Excessive exercise

• Excessive amounts of food suddenly disappearing from cupboards etc.

• Low energy levels

• Frequent illness

• Excessive sleep

• Avoiding social events

• Lying about having eaten

• Playing with food on the plate

• Using bathroom immediately after eating

• Running water in bathroom to cover sound of vomiting

• Dull, dry skin

• Hair loss

• Light, downy hair over body

• Knuckle abrasions

• Wearing baggy clothing

• Use of laxatives or other purging products

• Vomiting

• Loss of menstrual cycle

• Mood swings and depression

• Excessive use of weight loss books, websites, magazines etc.

How to help someone with an eating disorder

The first thing to remember when dealing with someone with an eating disorder is do not try to force them to eat or to stop bingeing and purging. These are just symptoms of a much deeper problem which must be tackled before the issues with food can be addressed.

Eating disorders can kill and often do, so it is very important to try to get the person to seek specialist medical help. Children under the age of eighteen can be forced by parents to seek medical help, however an adult has to make that decision themselves. The biggest benefit a friend or relative can offer someone with an eating disorder is to offer support and listen to them. Try to find out the underlying issues which are causing the problem.

Remember that eating disorders are usually a way for the person to feel in control of something in their lives. What has happened to make them feel out of control and how can it be rectified? Many sufferers feel that they are ugly and fat and that no one will love them unless they loose weight. They have a distorted perception of their own body and feel that they are overweight when they are the complete opposite. They look in the mirror and see a 200 lb. person when in fact they perhaps weigh under half of that.

People with eating disorders often exhibit other tendencies such as self harm or addictive behaviours. It is now thought that some disorders can be genetic, so if a parent suffered then the chances of a child suffering is greatly increased.

Treatment for eating disorders varies by location and by patient. As an eating disorder is a psychological disorder the person suffering needs support and understanding more than anything else. Much of the treatment offered these days revolves around support and in the form of group therapy sessions, meetings with counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists. Some therapies involve just the patient whilst others reach out to friends and family too. The therapy is there to try to get the person to help themselves and to understand the underlying issues which caused the eating disorder in the first place. They are taught how to feel more confident about themselves, how to believe in and love themselves again. How to cope with stresses that can make the disorder worse.

Sufferers will also be put in touch with dietitians who can help them understand food and improve their eating habits over a period of time. They can also help with exercise plans and help the patient get a more balanced understanding of how food

52 Health & Wellness

and exercise can help, not hinder their recovery.

These days there re also many facilities available purely for the treatment of eating disorders. Many treat outpatients who come in for specialist support and treatment whilst others offer inpatient care. This allows patients to live in the facility for a period of time in order to get the care and treatment they need.

Real stories

Louise (not her real name) is currently 32 years old and has suffered from bulimia since her early teens. It started when she hit puberty and put on quite a bit of weight and her breasts started to develop.

“I was one of the first to start developing at school,” she recalls, “ and I was very self conscious. Boys started to look at me differently and other girls picked on me for having breasts and needing a bra. Soon, I was trying everything possible to reduce my breasts including strapping a bandage round them.”

Over the course of the next year Louise tried to diet in order to lose weight and change her body shape.

“I cut down on the food I ate and did start to loose a few pounds which made me feel a little better. One day however, changed my life. I was listening to the radio one evening whilst doing my homework when a woman was interviewed who had an eating disorder. She told the host how she had started making herself sick in order to loose weight. This suddenly made perfect sense to me. I could get away with eating but then get rid of it and still loose weight. It was the perfect answer.”

That night Louise make herself sick for the first time and says she found it “liberating - I was in control of my body at last.”

Over the next five years she managed to cover her disorder very well, in fact her parents and friends had no idea that she would eat lots of food and then purge herself. By this time she had also started taking laxatives and was a regular at the local gym.

“When I look back at photos of me then, I can see that I did not appear particularly thin so can understand why no one really noticed. I had bulimia off to an art-form, have regular meals with my family then vomiting after. I would also stock up on food and hide it in my room and every few days would eat everything in sight, then back to purging again.”

When Louise started university she had to share a room with a fellow student, this was when her eating disorder was discovered.

“My roommate Sue quickly became a good friend and we did almost everything together. After about six months she questioned me about my eating habits,

saying she had found a pile of food under my bed when she was cleaning the room. My first instinct was to rant and rave and tell her she had no right to look under my bed. For several days we hardly spoke and it wasn’t until she sat me down and said she wanted to help me that I finally admitted I had a problem.

“By now I had been a bulimic for about eight years and knew no other way of life. Part of me wanted to change, but the other part of me was scared to, especially as I was afraid of putting on lots of weight again.”

With Sue’s help Louise started going to a support group, a bit like Alcoholics Anonymous but for people with eating disorders. After several months she had cut down on her bingeing and purging cycle and even had a boyfriend for the first time.

“My first real boyfriend was really nice, but inevitably after a while he wanted to take the relationship further which once again made me start to think about my body. I still had this misconception about myself and could only think that he would hate me once he saw me naked. This led me back into being a full-blown bulimic again and this went on for several more years.”

When Louise left university she want back home and eventually built up the courage to tell her family about her bulimia. “I knew I did not want to live this way, but could see no way out. I thought that if I could get help I could get over it.”

Her parents and sister were brilliant, and after the initial shock soon had Louise enrolled in a support group.

“My family, especially my sister, were with me every step of the way.” says Louise, “I would never have been able to make it through the other side without them. The support group was great and I had help from our family doctor who put me in touch with a dietitian who helped with my eating plan.

“I am now 32 and have been bulimia-free for four years. I have a great boyfriend, who accepts me as I am and knows all about my past. Between him and my family they keep me going and I have not been tempted to lapse back to my old ways.

“Now I help run a support group for other men and women in the same situation. It was in no way an easy recovery, but it can be done. Sadly I have also known and seen others who have not been so lucky and have died. I cannot say with absolute certainty that I will never slip back into bulimia, it is one of those things that is always with you. However, I am determined to stay healthy and happy and in the next year or so really want to start a family. I am proof that you can recover from an eating disorder.”

It is a common misconception that males do not suffer from eating disorders and although it is true that 90% of sufferers are female, males do still suffer.

Ben started on his anorexia path in his early teens. He had been passed from foster home to foster home after suffering mental and physical abuse from his father since being a toddler.

The abuse led to a deep self-loathing that he could not shake and which manifested itself in an eating disorder. By the time Ben was fourteen he was on a diet of almost nothing. He would drink, but would only nibble at food and would never eat with others.

One of his foster parents noticed the problem and alerted authorities. They in turn made him seek medical attention, but although he kept his appointments with the doctor, he was still not eating.

By the time Ben was seventeen and out of foster care he was skeletal thin. He shut himself off from others and moved into an apartment after getting a job at a local retail outlet. He lapsed in and out of depression and had few friends. Soon Ben had added drinking to his problems. His income was split between his rent and his alcohol. Of course he needed no money for food.

Soon his work started to suffer and on several occasions he was either late for work or didn’t turn up at all. This led to his boss having to let him go, but not before trying to get him to find help, which he didn't choose to do.

Once Ben lost his job he couldn’t pay his rent and was soon living on the streets.

Last year Ben was found dead lying under a cardboard box in a snowy city street, he was only nineteen years old and weighed under 100 lb.

As you can see there are many reasons why people start on this destructive path and the underlying cause is where treatment needs to be aimed. Eating disorders are a symptom of a much deeper underlying problem and the earlier they are addressed the better the chance of recovery.

Unfortunately around 20% of people with eating disorders will die as a result. Death can be a direct result of starvation or one of many complications such as cardiac arrest, kidney failure or even suicide.

Many who survive end up with long term problems such as heart and kidney failure. Some suffer brain damage or digestive problems. Those with bulimia will often have bad teeth as a result of tooth erosion by the acidic stomach contents constantly being purged. Stomach ulcers are also not uncommon.

Eating disorders are an increasing problem in todays society and everyone needs to be aware of it. If you suspect someone or even yourself of having an eating disorder there is help available. Go to your family doctor or medical clinic or look for a specialist in your area. The earlier treatment is started the better the long term prognosis will be.

Health & Wellness 53

Clearing snow without injury

It is amazing how many people are injured or killed by snow every year. These injuries and deaths can occur in many ways. We all know the dangers of driving in snow and ice, but even the most mundane of snow tasks can result in problems.

Snowblowers

Many Canadians own snowblowers and use them every year without incident, but they are potential hazards.

Due to the nature of the machine snowblowers can easily get clogged up with wet snow which stalls the motor. It is then tempting to remove the snow without first turning off the machine or engaging any safety measures. So, picture this: clogged blower, hand in blower, snow removed, motor restarts, whoops - missing fingers.

Snowblowers are a leading cause of traumatic finger and hand amputation in North America.

Always, always turn the blower off before putting your hand anywhere near the chute or blades. Disengage the clutch and wait a few seconds for the blades to stop rotating. Never use hands to remove snow, instead use a stick or broom handle. Never remove safety devices fitted on a machine and never use whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Roof clearing

When there is a good snowfall we are all aware of the danger of leaving the heavy snow of the roof, but care should be taken when trying to clear it.

Many people are injured every year by falling from rooftops whilst clearing snow. Another danger is someone underneath being crushed by snow falling from rooftops.

Leaving the snow on the roof can also be dangerous as sometimes the excessive weight causes the roof to collapse causing injury or death to those inside the property.

Another potential hazard are icicles which can fall and injure people standing underneath. Large ones can have the potential to kill.

The main thing to remember is to get in the professionals when clearing the roof. They have specialized equipment and can secure themselves with harnesses and other safety equipment.

Snow shoveling

The task of simply clearing your driveway can be fraught with danger. Many people slip and fall whilst snow shoveling leading to any number of injuries. The elderly are particularly prone to hip injuries which can be very serious.

Some people have been known to suffer from heart attacks whist exerting themselves shoveling.

Back injuries are common in this situation from simple sprains or strains from twisting in the wrong way to much more serious injuries.

If you are snow shoveling and feel pain in the the chest or shortness of breath, stop

immediately and seek medical help. Bend knees whilst shoveling and do not

twist when throwing snow aside. Make sure your clothing and footwear match the conditions. Don’t be tempted to carry large shovels of snow, smaller, lighter loads are better and don’t get dehydrated. The best solution of all is to get someone else to do it for you.

54 Home & Garden

Christmas ornaments: new ideas for old

decorations

By Ellen Bell

Most families have a collection of Christmas ornaments they display on their tree year after year. Often times, these ornaments are full of sentimental value. However, when you've been using the same ornaments for many years, they can also get a little boring. The important thing to remember is, you don’t have to part with your old ornaments in order to freshen up your tree. Hang onto those treasured items and find a new way to display them.

When getting ready to clean out an old collection of Christmas ornaments, the first step is to weed out any items that are worn or broken. Some things you may be able to repair easily, while others will need to be thrown away for safety reasons. Next, go through the remaining ornaments and decide what you want to keep. If there are ornaments you don't want to keep, but also don't want to donate to charity, consider handing them down to another family member. The gift of an old heirloom ornament might mean a lot to someone else in the family.

Now that you've got your old Christmas ornaments cleaned out and you've decided what to keep, the next step is figuring out how to display them. If you still want to display them on the main Christmas tree in your house, then consider ways to freshen up the look of your tree. If you currently use

an artificial tree, you might want to consider getting a live Christmas tree this year, or perhaps just purchasing a new artificial one in a different size or color. Adding a new set of ornaments in coordinating (or differing) colors will spruce up the look of the tree. You might also consider new lights. For example, if you've always used multi-colored lights in the past, try using plain white. You'll probably find that your holiday ornaments stand out a lot more. You could also add some other types of decorations to your tree to make it feel new again. Consider adding strings of beads, tinsel, feathers, floral accents...the sky's the limit! For a really unique and whimsical tree, you can add almost any item and it will simply add character to the tree and make it more interesting.

In some cases, you may not want to put your old ornaments back on your main Christmas tree. After all, you've been using them there for years, so why not come up with a totally new way to display them? One option is to purchase another, smaller tree that you set up in another part of the house, and use only your old decorations on that tree. If your collection of old ornaments isn't very big, a small tabletop tree will probably be large enough, and these smaller trees can be lovely on an end table or buffet, in a foyer, or on a countertop in a guest bathroom.

Old ornaments also make a nice display in a lighted curio cabinet. Try accenting the display with old photos of your family around the tree when it was decorated with those ornaments. Old ornaments can also be very carefully placed down inside a large clear glass vase, bowl, or hurricane lamp. This is a beautiful way to display your ornaments, while still keeping them safe. You can then use the vase or bowl as a centerpiece on your holiday table.

Be sure to choose a good, safe method of storage for your old ornaments. When packed away, you don't want them touching one another, because they may get scratched or broken. Also be sure to pack them toward the top of your boxes. Remember, the more you have to dig for something, the more likely it is to get broken.

So next time you're cleaning out your holiday decorations, don’t throw out old ornaments simply because you're tired of them. There are many new and fresh ways to display old items. With a little time and creative thinking, you too can come up with a unique new way to display your old memories.

S E Q U O I A C L U B

MLS: C3340604 Price: $318,500 Province: Alberta City: Calgary Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2

This end unit town house is located in the heart of Mckenzie Towne within walking distance

to all amenities. This home offers lots of upgrades Oak kitchen cabinets, island w/eating bar

& paddle fan over kitchen nook, Tile entrance, stairs and bathrooms, "Lauzon' Red Oak

pacific natural hardwood throughout, Custom blinds & Kitchen curtains , Impressive Pewter

& Crystal Chandelier in the 10 ft. entrance. Duo-vac vacuum system, upgraded appliances,

ADT security system. The upper floor has two bedrooms with walk-in closets and en-suites,

Private fenced front yard with concrete patio double attached garage and more.

MLS: C3307045 Price: $555,000 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, 2 HOMES IN ONE, RARE LEGAL SUITE. Live up and rent

down. This unique walkout bungalow in a cul-de-sac location has a rare LEGAL 2 bedroom

suite in the basement with own private entrance and patio. Rental income from this suite

can be used as income when applying for a mortgage. The main entrance has a great slate

floor and den/home office. Upstairs you have a good size kitchen with island come kitchen

table. Family room has cosy fireplace already fitted with wood surround. There is also a

formal dining room or this could be the home office! hardwood flooring throughout.

MLS: C3339815 Price:$670,000 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 3

How much better can this get than your own private park as you sip coffee from your deck

(duradeck/glass rails) or from the sunroom/green house that is heated and has automatic

water system. This bungalow walkout features infloor heating in the lower level, kitchen,

foyer and bathrooms(high efficiency boiler system). The hardwood flooring is throughout

main level plus tile in kitchen & bathroom, foyer and lower level. The home has vaulted

ceilings, three bedrooms, two more down. Another 3pc bathroom, built in oak cabinetry in

family room, painted ceilings throughout,sound system RI, There is oak package in kitchen

with new appliances & quartz countertops.

MLS: C3345205 Price: $369,900 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3

Easy walking distance to downtown and all stores from this good bungalow facing onto a

small green park and a cul-de-sac. Owner has upgraded roof to metal, windows have all

been metal clad on exterior, new laminate flooring in eating area and kitchen, both main

floor baths have all upgraded fixtures and even the lino is new, new lighting fixtures, new

instant hot water tap, new furnace, new fence in back yard, driveway and sidewalk have

been coated with aggregate finish and the list goes on. The lower level is developed with 1

bedroom and a den that can be used as a bedroom, a 3 piece bath, a bar, a laundry room

with cupboards and a sink and a huge rumpus room. This home is made for families and

you can move right in.

Helen Parnell

Tel: 403-932-8888

www.moving2alberta.com

MLS: C3339815 Price:$670,000 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 3

How much better can this get than your own private park as you sip coffee from your deck

(duradeck/glass rails) or from the sunroom/green house that is heated and has automatic

water system. This bungalow walkout features infloor heating in the lower level, kitchen,

foyer and bathrooms(high efficiency boiler system). The hardwood flooring is throughout

main level plus tile in kitchen & bathroom, foyer and lower level. The home has vaulted

ceilings, three bedrooms, two more down. Another 3pc bathroom, built in oak cabinetry in

family room, painted ceilings throughout,sound system RI, There is oak package in kitchen

with new appliances & quartz countertops.

Advertorial Home & Garden 55

MLS: C3313479 Price: $599,000 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

What a walkout bungalow! This house has recently been renovated with new paint

throughout. Upon entering you are welcomed by a bright clean house with the

MOUNTAIN view right from the new front door! The main level features the kitchen with

tons of counter space, new stove, and light fittings, corner pantry, all black appliances and

rounded high breakfast bar. There is also a private den/office and large mud room. The

large Master Bedroom has a spacious 4-piece en suite with soaker tub and walk-in closet.

The main level boasts incredible windows that allows lots of natural light.

MLS: C3313479 Price: $599,000 Province: Alberta City: Cochrane Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

What a walkout bungalow! This house has recently been renovated with new paint

throughout. Upon entering you are welcomed by a bright clean house with the

MOUNTAIN view right from the new front door! The main level features the kitchen with

tons of counter space, new stove, and light fittings, corner pantry, all black appliances and

rounded high breakfast bar. There is also a private den/office and large mud room. The

large Master Bedroom has a spacious 4-piece en suite with soaker tub and walk-in closet.

The main level boasts incredible windows that allows lots of natural light.

56 Home & Garden

Flooring to use inside your home

By: Mark Bordo

The choice of materials to use for your floor, whether you are renovating or building anew, is a very important one. Not only are there the usual considerations of quality and durability, you must also think about aesthetics such as color, texture and pattern.

In addition, the "feel" of different flooring materials will also influence your choice. Your lifestyle, as well as family size and composition, must come into the equation, too. With these factors in mind, you are ready to consider the top ten types of flooring to use inside your home.

1. Hardwood is a perennial favorite and very popular for living rooms, dining rooms and other areas that are low in moisture, wood’s primary enemy in home environments. Hardwood flooring comes in many attractive colors across a great range of wood species, with a variety of grains and possible surface treatments (wet look, dry look, etc.).

2. Cork is a choice that is gaining ground for kitchens and other areas where the residents are on their feet a lot. Cork offers soft, supple support and has the additional advantage of being environmentally friendly.

3. Ceramic tile is long lasting, tough and available in many colors and sizes. Often used in bathrooms and kitchens, some home styles are also amenable to its broader use throughout the residence. Tile is one of the materials that can be used on walls too, opening up additional design and construction possibilities.

4. Laminate floors give the look of hardwood and various other flooring materials, without the cost. The latest technology essentially produces sheet material with a "picture" of hardwood on its surface, to create the appearance of the preferred (and much pricier) wood.

5. Linoleum has proven itself over the years to be a low-maintenance option for kitchens and other high-traffic rooms. Unlike its vinyl counterpart, linoleum uses all natural materials, and can be installed as tiles or large, rolled sheets.

6. Bamboo, yet another environmentally friendly wood option, results in floors that are known for being incredibly strong and durable. The warm, natural feel of bamboo can add a stylish finish to any room.

7. Wall-to-wall carpet remains an attractive, practical choice for bedrooms and playrooms, literally imparting a "soft landing" quality to floors. With an almost endless variety of choices in both material and color, carpeting can always be made to suit a home’s construction style or décor.

8. Area rugs are, technically speaking, a secondary type of flooring, adding color on top of hardwood or giving comfort in areas like the kitchen, where tougher materials may be hard to stand on for long periods. In addition, area rugs can be important decorative elements in a room, or even a hallway.

9. Marble is the height of luxury. Marble flooring is made from natural stone, which means that it is hypoallergenic and moisture resistant when properly sealed. It will not emit any toxic chemicals or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your home.

10. Artistic materials, like leather or brick, give an entirely different feel to a home. Some companies are even offering leather flooring for areas like media rooms, or brick for decorative walkways through the interior of the home.

The choices are broad enough to give the renovator or homebuilder a huge palette of colors and textures to work with. When seen as an integral part of the

home (re)design, the choice of flooring material becomes more and more important.

Since it is among the more labor-intensive parts of a home construction or renovation plan, flooring should be decided on carefully. Repainting a room after a bad color choice is a whole lot easier than replacing a floor that not enough thought went into. Take your time, make a good decision and then be prepared to live with it. If you are careful and thorough in your decision, you will doubtless have many years of enjoyment from your new flooring.

What’s under your feet?

STIRLINGC A R P E T & F L O O R I N G

Brian & Kim Suurdt

400 West Front Street, Stirling,

Ontario, K0K 3E0

Tel: 613.395.1400 Fax: 613.395.4705

Toll Free: 877.847.5464

Email: info@stirlingflooring.com

Web: www.stirlingflooring.com

S E Q U O I A C L U B Home & Garden 57

Re-bloom the Poinsettia but how?

By Fred Myers

The Poinsettia houseplant still holds first place as one of the most favored holiday flowers. The question that is most frequently asked: "How can I keep my Poinsettia through the entire year and have it re-bloom next season?” This is a precise procedure but if done well you will experience a sense of accomplishment and it is an excellent bragging point with your friends since it does involve some effort.

The process begins with how you treat your Poinsettia from the time of arrival at your place of residence. Remember you are dealing with a tropical plant so this houseplant will certainly enjoy a south,west or east positioned window to a north one. The direct sunlight is important and attempt to provide as much as you can. Heat is another factor. If you want the Poinsettia to bloom for a long time,try to maintain a temperature of 65-75 degrees F.

You can lower the temperature at night to 60 degrees F without any ill effects to the plant. Exposure to chilly drafts or leaves accidentally coming in contact with a cold window pane,will result in an early drop of leaves. You should water the plant whenever it feels dry. It should be watered at least until the water runs out the bottom of the pot. However if your pot has a rimmed saucer attached,do not let the water remain in the saucer. The wilting of a Poinsettia is another reason for leaves falling from the plant.

Following the holiday season is a most important time to start your save the Poinsettia routine. I would continue to water your Poinsettia through January, February and March any time the surface feels dry to the touch. We arrive at April at which time begin the gradual withdrawal of watering and allow it to dry between watering. If you notice the stem beginning to shrivel, which happened to me the first time I attempted this procedure,the plant is over stressed and on its way out. In a week to ten days as the Poinsettia has gotten use to the dryness,move it to a cooler spot like a basement or heated garage because you still want to maintain at least a 60 degrees F temperature. By the way through desperate measures of watering I did save the plant but if ignored for more than five days I think you will have a problem. In other words less watering but do not let it get too dry or you will be asking for trouble.

May was the month where I cut back the stems to about four inches and moved the Poinsettia to a 2-3 inch larger pot. At this point water it well and place it in the brightest window light you have in your place. I would watch for new growth and start fertilizing with any good plant fertilizer following the directions on the package.

When all danger of frost in your area has disappeared,if you have to deal with frost,the Poinsettia can be moved outside into a shaded area for two to three weeks to get it use to its new location. Now you can sink the plant into a sunny protected area of your outdoor garden where some light shade is acceptable in the afternoon. It is a good idea to turn Poinsettia a quarter turn at least once a week so the roots do not attached themselves to the soil in your garden. This also helps maintain an even growth of your plant.

During mid summer you should pinch each stem back about

one inch and perform the same procedure in August allowing three to four leaves to remain on each stem. By this time your plant should begin to have a bushy look and by the end of August move the plant back indoors to your brightest location and continue watering and fertilizing through September making sure your temperature remains above 65 degrees F.Now arrives the most important time of year in the cycle of the re-blooming Poinsettia. Its bud is impacted by the length of the daylight. They require 10-12 weeks of reduced sunlight per day. You will need to create these conditions because they are crucial and patience is a virtue. Starting with October 1,the plants must remain in complete darkness from 5pm to 8am

returning them to a sunny window during the day. You can use a box or material to block the light or put them in a closet but if light seeps in through the cracks or you accidently open the closet the bud will be impacted.

At the end of November you can cancel the darkness and allow the plant to stay in the window. You should be observing flower buds at this time. The fertilizing should cease on December 15th and your plant should be at the same treatment period as in the past year. It should be blooming and ready to start the process all over again that is if the gardener has not become weary.

58 Home & Garden

MLS: 41252214 Price: $369,900 Province: Nova ScotiaCity: Wellington Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

EnCom Ultra Energy Efficient Home! ICF Foundation that is extremely energy efficient. Infloor radiant. Evacuated tube Solar Hot water to preheat both infloor and domestic hot water. Tankless on demand water heater. Designed to maximize winters sun and minimize summer`s sun. Projected at sub $1000 annual utility cost. R-82 or above insulated. Will be one of most energy efficient homes around(In Canada).

MLS: 41087172 Price: $709,900 Province: Nova ScotiaCity: Fall River Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 5

Spectacular lakefront home in Perry Lake Estates. The kitchen is a chef’s delight and loaded with custom stainless steel appliances and is complete with a breakfast nook, island and pantry for added convenience. Large family room located on the main floor with a cozy fireplace is a great spot for the family. A formal living room, dining room and large home office/den finished off the main floor. The lower level of the home is fully finished and boasts a large media room, games room and entertainment bar that you’ll find perfect for entertaining. Sits on 2.85 acres directly on the lake!

MLS: 40080814 Price: $212,000 Province: Nova Scotia City: Halifax Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms:2

Great Bungalow in a wonderful quiet neighbourhood. This home has a room for everyone. Open plan flow from hall way to spacious lounge, large kitchen area and separate dining area and 3 bedrooms up. Downstairs with a privacy door is a fully completed in-law suite with one double and possible second bedroom or office, full bath, fitted kitchen and a separate entrance out onto a large deck ideal for entertaining. The in-law suite is equipped with a pellet stove, in addition to the base board heaters, that will keep you cozy on cold nights.

MLS: 45207057 Price: $180,000 Province: Nova Scotia City: Maitland Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 1.5

Opportunity to own this fabulous heritage property in the village of Maitland. Set back from the road and surrounded by well manicured lawns, this house retains many of the original architectural features and has been well maintained by the present owners. Ground floor entrance opens into an impressive foyer with reception rooms off to the sides. The wide staircase takes you up. Living area flows nicely with spacious rooms and high ceilings to be expected of this period. The upper level includes the old servants quarters that have been tastefully modernized.

www.100metro.ca

MLS: 41115544 Price: $399,900 Province: Nova Scotia City: Fall River Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3

Finally a home with all the Bells & Whistles! Come and see for yourself with features that you rarely see elsewhere like the very efficient in-floor radiant heat on all levels, air con, top of the line built-in appliances, engineered hardwood floors and likely the best building materials available today! The home is located on one of the nicest lots in Miller Lake West in Fall River just minutes to Dartmouth Crossing and Stanfield Airport.Other features include inter locking cobblestone walkways, cherry wood kitchen, double car garage, propane fireplace, finished bonus room over garage, plus extensive wiring entertainment system.

MLS: 41087172 Price: $709,900 Province: Nova Scotia

Donna McNeilTel: 1-902-222-4937Email: donnamcneil@exitmetro.ca

Home & Garden 59

By Ben Anton

A resurgence of Cimex lectularius, better known as the common bed bug , has turned playful bedtime sendoffs into truly fearful warnings. This resurrection can largely be attributed to the halt in using the pesticide DDT that nearly eradicated bed bugs in the United States in the 1950s, leaving little to no defense against the uprising miniscule offenders today. Adding to this effect is the fact that bed bugs are nocturnal in nature, preying on sleeping people across the world. They feed on human blood, leaving only a trail of red itchy welts or localized swellings on the skin as calling cards of their appearances.

While red marks may be an indication of an infestation, they are definitely not a confirmation. Finding these critters is no easy task, as they are approximately 4-5 mm in length with a flattened form, allowing them to hide in crevices and creases with ease. While often found hiding all over the house, their favorite spot to conceal themselves – in the event that a mattress cover or pillow cover are not being used – is in or around the bed, hence their name. Being so close to their primary food source gives them the opportunity to feed every 5 -10 days, though they are able to live up to 18 months without eating. .

A bed bug will dine on human blood for approximately 5 -15 minutes before it will be fully engorged, more than tripling its size. This change has been known to cause misidentification as it becomes round in shape, different from its naturally flat shape. Additionally, when it is an adult it becomes

brown in color, except after feeding when it takes on a dark red hue due to the intake of human blood.

Because of their miniscule size and innate ability to hide, bed bugs can enter the home in a multitude of ways, including any type of object that can be transferred from one home, apartment, condo, hotels, etc., to another. This transferability, coupled with their hyperactive reproduction, allows their wrath to be widespread very quickly, especially in homes that are older or have many cracks and crevices, messy cluttered homes, and homes where mattresses or pillows are not covered with some sort of allergen - reducing encasements. To get a feel of their ability to infest an entire house, here are some reproduction facts:

• Females lay eggs in clusters of 10-50 in just one day

• The eggs are whitish in color, pear shaped and approximately 1 mm in length

• A female will lay up to 500 eggs during her lifetime

• Eggs hatch in 1-2 weeks time

• In one year’s time, three generations can be produced

• Newly hatched nymphs—as they are called–begin to feed on human blood immediately

• Nymphs are colorless and the size of a pinhead

• A nymph will go through five molting stages before becoming a full adult, feeding during each stage

Though these wingless vampires have been known to be brimming with pathogens- hepatitis B and plague included - they have not been shown to be a transmitter of disease. Unlike mosquitoes, they are not thought of as being a medical threat, making them more of an annoyance then anything else.

Some people try to live with bed bugs in their lives, though they often are covered with welts and scars from scratching all over their bodies. No distance is great enough to be protected once they have entered your home. They have been known to travel over 100 feet on their own to feed, making merely disinfesting your bed and using mattress and pillow covers a futile act.

In order to be fully rid of these pests, a home needs to be thoroughly cleaned, ensuring that every crease, crevice, floorboard, outlet and corner has been cleaned and rid of them and their eggs. Furthermore, every hole and crack should be filled and caulked, leaving little to no room for already existing eggs to penetrate the home. Once your house is rid of infestation, you should use a complete, zippered mattress encasement, a complete zippered pillow encasement, and a zippered encasement for your box spring. This traps any existing critters inside, essentially permanently removing them from their food source, and disallowing new bugs from hiding in their beloved hotbeds.

Bed bugs and your family: how to prevent infestation in your

home

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Sequoia Club

Carol Brough - Sales Representative

CENTURY 21 Lanthorn Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage*102 Main Street, Picton, ON K0K 2T0Tel: (0) 613-476-8039 Email: carolbroughc21@hotmail.com

60 Home & Garden Advertorial

MLS: 2085960 Price: $399,900 Province: OntarioCity: Picton Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Unique 4 year old custom built, bright, open concept home with commanding view of Smith's Bay and convenient waterfront access. Many exciting features include living and dining area with vaulted ceiling, skylights, gas fireplace and three sets of French doors opening onto a wrap around balcony overlooking the bay. Main floor family room, stunning kitchen with island. Full basement with 9' ceiling, double car garage with loft plus single carport and triple parking. Close to marina and vineyards.

MLS: 2081104 Price: $259,900 Province: OntarioCity: Adolphustown Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2

Hobby farm for horses. Newly renovated home on hill top. Original hardwood in living and dining rooms. All new windows (2007). New flooring in kitchen and bathrooms (2008). Main floor laundry and walk out to deck. Hill top views of orchard and Adolphus Reach from front porch. 10+ acres with two quonset huts. One is used for stable for horses. 100' x 125' riding ring plus 4+ acres fenced pasture. Virtual tour: http://www.Obeo.com/464998

MLS: 2082916 Price: $398,90 Province: OntarioCity: Warkworth Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3

Large custom built eat-in-kitchen featuring cedar posts and lots of pine. Wood stove, 2 skylights, loads of countertop and kitchen garage. 9ft. Ceilings original hardwood and trim in dining room. Beautiful wood staircase and railings. 3 season sunroom with lovely views of the rolling countryside, walk in closet in Master Bedroom, media room with wood stove, attached 2 car garage, 2 wells plus year round stream and large pond, machine shop with hydro and 32x16 inground pool.

MLS: 2076639 Price: $935,000 Province: OntarioCity: Picton Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4

Located on prestigious Loyalist Parkway overlooking Picton Bay stands this fifties vintage structure renovated & added to in a "Southwestern" style. Prince Edward County Glenora Road lakeside living at it's best. Beautiful sunsets, easy access to sheltered water, substantial lake activity(birds, sailing school, kayaking, world class fishing, seaplanes, power & sailing yachts), an award winning saltwater pool & hot tub & a myriad of lake facing rooms including the substantial in-law suite. The custom designed large well equipped commercial kitchen is a Chef's dream. B&B potential