Good Day! I had an opportunity early this month to do a day hike to a spot I had never been to previously. It's called Monica Meadows, and is located in the Purcell Mountains, about 30 km. from Duncan Lake. This is about a 3 hour drive from Nelson to where we started hiking. It's truly magnificent, as I hope these few photos convey. You will need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get there.


This shot was from near the parking lot and looking west.

There were 21 of us who took part in this excursion. Roger wound up with 2 packs on as he was helping out another hiker.

Once up into the meadows, the wild flowers were stunning. There is such a short opening to view these spectacular sites, as we were up over 6,000 feet in elevation.

Lunch time at an out-of-the-way lake and time for a snooze before we head back down.

I was watching the Global Morning News on television the other day and one of their guests did a segment that I thought was worth sharing. Lots of summer ideas, such as "How To Keep Cool Without A/C" or "How To Treat A Mosquito Bite", etc. Here is the link to check it out: media2o web-link

Survey Shows Strong Support for Laws Restricting Talking on Cell Phones While Driving

Last month, BCAA asked newsletter subscribers to take part in a survey soliciting views on the use of cell phones and other mobile communications devices while driving, and whether or not the provincial government should impose restrictions.

The majority of 7,311 respondents believe the B.C. government should restrict both texting and talking on cell phones while driving. There was almost unanimous support for prohibiting texting while driving, and for new and novice drivers from texting and using cell phones as well. Respondents were divided over whether the government should ban cell phone use altogether, or just the use of hand-held phones.

The survey results are as follows:

• 46% said they talk on their phones while driving, at least a few times a week. Of those, 73% hold the phone to their ear and 27% use a hands-free device.
• 91% of survey respondents said there should be restrictions on talking on phones while driving. Of those, 60% said any use of cell phones while driving should be banned, and 40% said talking on hand-held phones should be pr ohibited
• 97% said texting should be prohibited while 6% admitted to texting while driving.
• 97% said restrictions should be placed on new and novice drivers (those in the Graduated Licensing Program). Of those, 82% said new and novice drivers should be prohibited from any use of cell phones, including texting, and 16% said they should be restricted from texting or using hand-held phones, but allowed to use a hands-free device.
• 94% said governments should be educating and warning drivers about the dangers of texting and talking on cell phones while driving, regardless of whether or not they impose restrictions.

Plus, over 4,000 respondents provided written comments. Here are a few:

"Boy, one would think we are looking at re-introducing capital punishment.This should be a no brainer. Gov't show a modicum of leadership! You can add taxes without public input, put the laws on the books now!"

"No. We have too many laws as it is!"

"If the call is that important pull over and make/ text it . Peoples insurance or medical coverage should be null and void if they are on a cell phone when an accident happens. People need to be accountable for their actions. Harsh I know, but some of us are tired of paying for people who do dangerous things. Would you pass your drivers test while you were talking on a cell phone?"

"The focus of any laws & education should be on driving with due care & attention. Eating a sandwich, drinking coffee, putting on makeup or reading WHILE driving should be banned. Don't just focus on cell phones or PDAs."

"Using cell phones while driving (hand-held or not) is a distraction. Regarding government education and warnings - it should be built into drivers' exams­at all levels. Either we live in a world of really stupid people, or with a lot of idiots who refuse to recognize the obvious. ANY distraction while driving is dangerous!"

"I wish I could find a bumper sticker that said: GET OFF YOUR PHONE OR GET OFF THE ROAD!"

THE PASTOR'S CAT... Dwight Nelson recently told a true story about the pastor of his church. He had a kitten that climbed up a tree in his backyard and then was afraid to come down. The pastor coaxed, offered warm milk, etc. The kitty would not come down. The tree was not sturdy enough to climb, so the pastor decided that if he tied a rope to his car and pulled it until the tree bent down, he could then reach up and get the kitten. That's what he did, all the while checking his progress in the car... He then figured if he went just a little bit further, the tree would be bent sufficiently for him to reach the kitten. But as he moved the car a little further forward, the rope broke. The tree went 'boing!' and the kitten instantly sailed through the air - out of sight. The pastor felt terrible. He walked all over the neighborhood asking people if they'd seen a little kitten. No. Nobody had seen a stray kitten. So he prayed, 'Lord, I just commit this kitten to your keeping,' and went on about his business. A few days later he was at the grocery store, and met one of his church members. He happened to look into her shopping cart and was amazed to see cat food. This woman was a cat hater and everyone knew it, so he asked her, Why are you buying cat food when you hate cats so much?' She replied, 'You won't believe this,' and then told him how her little girl had been begging her for a cat, but she kept refusing. Then a few days before, the child had begged again, so the Mom finally told her little girl, 'Well, if God gives you a cat, I'll let you keep it.' She told the pastor, 'I watched my child go out in the yard, get on her knees, and ask God for a cat. And really, Pastor, you won't believe this, but I saw it with my own eyes. A kitten suddenly came flying out of the blue sky, with its paws outspread, and landed right in front of her.' Lesson learned: Never underestimate the Power of God and His unique sense of humor.

And now for something completely different:

Within the past month the provincial government has announced that it will be implementing a harmonized sales tax effective next July 1st. For some, this is good news. Business owners, for example, will only have to collect and submit one tax, so their bookkeeping will be simplified. Consumers may think that it makes no difference to them. After all, they are paying 12% now (7% P.S.T. + 5% G.S.T.) and they will be paying 12% after the new tax is brought into effect.

However, there are a number of areas that are currently exempt from one of the current taxes, that will be caught in the umbrella of the new harmonized tax (H.S.T.). You may have heard about the cost of restaurant meals going up by 7% (they are presently exempt from P.S.T.). So, a $20 meal will increase by $1.40 with the application of the new tax. Hopefully, that won't be enough to dissuade you from going out for a meal on occasion, but in total, it will be a large increase in income for the government.

Another example that is presently exempt from P.S.T. is real estate sales commissions. When you list your home through a REALTOR the amount of the commission is subject to G.S.T. If the commission amount comes to $15,000, the G.S.T. on that amount @ 5% is $750.00. However, with the inroduction of this new tax that tax amount pay able will jump to $1,800!

The province has promised that it will introduce some legislation to soften the blow on new home construction, but that has yet to be seen. Since this legislation was introduced without the benefit of legislative review, I am having difficulty with the concept that most British Columbians are i n favour of this change, and that it will not be a "tax grab" on the part of the provincial government.

O.K. - that's my rant for this month.

Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?

New Listing! - 3 bedroom, 2 bath family home with 2 bdrm in-law basement suite with level entry. Corner location with outstanding view. This home has been beautifully updated and cared for. Asking price is $439,000. For further details, please check the web-site at: Uphill home

Two buddies are fishing, but they haven't caught anything all day. Then, another fisherman walks by with a huge load of fish. They ask him "excuse me, but where did you get all those fish?" The other fisherman replies," If you just go down the stream until the water isn't salty, there are a ton of hungry fish." They thank him and go on their way. 15 minutes later, one fisherman says to the other "fill the bucket up with water and see if the water is salty." He dips the bucket in the stream and drinks some. "Nope. Still salty." 30 minutes later, he asks him to check again. "Nope, still salty." One hour later they check again. "Nope. Still salty." "This isn't good," the fisherman finally says. "We have been walking for almost two hours and the water is still salty!" "I know," says the other. "And the bucket is almost empty!"

This next article was issued by the Kootenay Real Estate Board, with some material gathered from the Vancouver Real Estate Board. I think it is a good explanation of our Multiple Listing Service:

What is MLS®?

SSo much more than just an advertising system; many members are asked this question, here are some points that can assist with the answer.

1. Residential and commercial property listing service.

2. Comparable sales data, market statistics and basic REALTOR® marketing tools.

3. A regulatory framework that proves public-protection and assurance; this lends to the description of our MLS® Rules; standards dealing with data, forms, contracts, rules and education; quality control to ensure accurate, reliable, trusted and authoritative data; and dispute resolution mechanisms that ensure fair procedures for handling disagreements.

4. A professional framework that involves professional standards, business practices, government relations, and education to achieve knowledgeable and trained professionals.

5. An effective marketing system that gains public trust and brings value to your clients.

6. The MLS® system, also known as the Multiple Listing Service® is an information-sharing and cooperative marketing network created by REALTORS® to help the public buy and sell homes.

7. MLS® is a member based service, paid for by the REALTOR® members of the local real estate Board.

8. The MLS® mark symbolizes the cooperation among REALTORS® to effect the purchase and sale of real estate.

9. The KREB administers and operates the local MLS® system.

1. The Canadian Real Estate Association owns the trademark, and licenses its use to Boards and Associations across Canada.

In 1956, some of the earliest leaders at our Board received recognition from CREA to be participants in the cooperative listing system. Way back then our members understood the power of working cooperatively. Today the MLS® signifies to the public that there is a professional involvement of a REALTOR® throughout the entire transaction. It represents a quality of service, a set of high standards and integrity of information.

The MLS® should be viewed as much more than a property listing tool, it is structure, cooperation, accountability and standards that REALTORS® commit to and are gained through participation of a professional community of practitioners.

Thanks to the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver for some content within this article.

One of the points mentioned in the above article was "information sharing". With that in mind I want to share a report that the Kootenay Real Estate Board published last month, with stats for the first 1/2 of 2009. Where do Buyers come from?

According to the report there were 70 homes reported as sold for the Nelson area.

- 44 were bought by people within the city or region

- 9 were from within the West Kootenay

- 1 was from the East Kootenay

- 3 from other communities in the B.C. interior

- 6 from the B.C. Lower Mainland

- 6 from Alberta

- 1 from other provinces

- It appears that there were no U.S. or International buyers coming to Nelson in the past 6 months.

Last month I mentioned the versatility of YouTube if you are searching for information or archives. I saw this clip on TV, but a reader also sent it to me (Thank You!), so I thought I would share this unconventional wedding ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0&feature=player_embedded

Now, to finish off, I have a new photo of part of my family. This was taken last week at the Frank Slide in the Crowsnest Pass. My son, Brian, is the father of the 3 little girls. My daughter, Yvonne, is the girls' aunt.

This is an amazing bit of Canadian history (The Frank Slide, not my family).

Time to close off for another month. Your feedback is always welcome. Thank you for reading. If you have questions, we would love to receive them.

Lorne & Drew