The news right now is filled with images of the devastation and destruction in Haiti. In Nelson this whole episode is very close to home as there is a group of high school students, along with a church volunteer group who arrived in Haiti a couple of hours before the quake struck. They are presently staying at a mission school which is located about 80 kilometres away from the centre of Port au Prince. This was their destination, but moving around is a real problem as the roads are badly damaged and there is concern for their safety once they are outside of the mission grounds. Recent reports say that they are waiting to be taken by helicopter to the airport and then flown home, however the time line is unclear. You can imagine that the parents of these students, family members and church people are more than a little concerned! I will update this blog when updated information is received on this group. In the meantime, your prayers are coveted. The federal and provincial government representatives have been working overtime to find a resolution.
You know, it's strange how we get our news these days. Years ago, you would need to wait until the newspaper came out. Then came radio, followed by television newscasts, with special reports when something happened. After that, if I wanted to know something, or find out the hockey score, I could check it out on the Internet. With this earthquake, I am getting most of my news through FaceBook much more quickly than other media. By the way, the FaceBook link to the Haiti information regarding the Kootenay connection is: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=273852281773&ref=nf
A few weeks back we had a cold snap. It wasn't cold by prairie standards, but it was pretty chilly for a few days. The rocks near the water's edge were well covered with ice and the mist rising from the lake gave a very cool impression.
The weather has moderated since then, and it has been raining here for the past week. Although it is not melting on the area ski hills, the snow in town is disappearing very quickly.
In early March, I have been asked to participate in another Home Buyer's Seminar, which is hosted by Nelson & District Credit Union. Details are below:
Let me remind you that if you are thinking about a new home, this is an excellent time to get into the market. Interest rates are still at record low rates and prices have taken a "pause" over the past year and a half. Many other areas of the province are already showing price increases and we are anticipating that this area will "catch-up" to that trend, probably this spring.
Here is a news release from the B.C. Real Estate Association:
December Home Sales Second Highest on Record
I'll get some more stats for the Nelson market area a little later in this month's newsletter.
But, I'm sure you'll agree that it's time for some humour:
Larry's Proverbs
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.
14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
19.. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos.. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.
Do you ever wonder about the nutritional value of meals you eat at restaurants? The Vancouver Sun did an article a short while ago and reported on most of the franchise eateries in the Province of B.C. Some of this information is quite frightening, but I think it is worth a read: Rate Your Plate
Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?
This offering is a High Street Place condominium unit with 2 bedrooms + a den, 2 baths, gas fireplace, outstanding view. High Street Place is located near downtown Nelson, convenient walking distance to downtown and mall shopping. Check out further details on the web-site: Featured Property $335,000
"When you have a purpose in life, a vision for what you want to achieve, and know why you want to achieve it, work becomes fun, and the time you spend working seems to just whizz by." Clayton J. Moore (who played The Lone Ranger on television) The Chief's Wife Now for a little more statistical info regarding our market in the past year: Nelson # of sales in 2009 Average $ in 2009 # sales - 2008 Average $ - 2008 Land 8 $134,225 17 $217,246 Condos & Townhouses 11 $275,491 16 $312,612 Single Family Homes 101 $340,117 87 $359,711 Rural Nelson # sales - 2009 Average $ - 2009 # sales - 2008 Average $ - 2008 Land 30 $190,212 25 $143,591 * There are not enough Condos and Townhouses sold in the Rural Area to consider Single Family Homes 105 $352,037 112 $400,661 * Obviously, the vacant land sales in Rural Nelson goes against the trend. I checked the statistics and found that in 2008 the most expensive property (land only) that sold was for $279,900. In 2009 there were 9 sales above that amount, several were waterfront properties, including the most expensive lot at Kootenay Lake Village (beyond Procter) which sold for $795,000. As confusing as this may seem, it is likely that many of these properties had been offered previously at even higher prices and did not sell. It is good to see some buyer activity in our waterfront listings. Grandparents
"NEXT," the conference emcee announced, "we have the chief of the Minnesota State Patrol, Roger Ledding, who is here with his lovely wife, Beverly."
The chief took his place at the lectern. "I'm a little nervous," he began, "getting up before this distinguished audience and speaking today. But not nearly as nervous as I will be tonight when I must go home with my wife, Audrey, and explain Beverly to her!"
*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh
1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably neverput lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye...
2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 62. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"
3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"
4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"
5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.
6.. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied. "I can't read."
7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last, she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these, yourself!"
8. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."
10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "how do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."
11. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. 'It means carrying a child."
12. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties. "They use him to keep crowds back," said one child. "No," said another. "He's just for good luck." A third child brought the argument to a close."They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."
13. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."
14. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!
15. My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over; you hear gas leaks, and they blame their dog.
. . . . . and another month goes by. Thank you for reading. Your feedback is always welcome, and if you would prefer not to receive this link, just send me a quick note and I will delete your address.
Next month the Olympics come to Vancouver. I know that this is not everyone's favourite topic, but it is a once in a lifetime event for this area, so I hope to have a bit of information from there.
Thanks to Joey, Bud & Dave (the one in England) for contributing items I have used this month.
Lorne & Drew
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