The Winter That Wasn't

Although it seems like a very long time ago now, the Olympic Torch Relay passed through Nelson on January 23rd. Here runner Bill McDonnell runs the "gauntlet" down Josephine Street to light the cauldron during the Nelson celebrations. Although I will be quick to admit that I have reservations about the priority of spending decisions regarding Olympic events, I thought this was a great event and the community certainly turned out in support.

A week later Dorothy and I were enjoying a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. It was our first trip to Mexico and our first time at an all-inclusive resort. We had a couple of days of less than perfect weather, including an out-of-season tropical storm that did a lot of damage, but we also had some great weather, got a bit of a tan, swam in the ocean and relaxed a lot. Oh, and we ate well, too!

After that it was back to Vancouver where we were able to take part in a little bit of Olympic fever. We attended 3 events, including the Pairs figure skating short program (above), short track speed skating and a women's hockey game (Canada vs. Switzerland). Since coming home we have become "Olympic Junkies" as we watch too much television, but we are enjoying a great series of games.

I must also comment on how impressed we were with the transportation in Vancouver. We didn't wait more than 5 minutes for a bus to load us up and take us to Sky-Train, where there were no real waits, either. We also felt that the city was much friendlier than we sometimes experience.

We waited in line to hold the Olympic medals (notice the white gloves) at the Canadian mint display. It seemed that they were completely overwhelmed by the number of people who wanted to touch these beautiful medals.

There were line-ups at all the pavilions, but Dorothy and I both liked the Northern House the best (though we didn't see them all).

For a great write-up on a day at the Olympics in Vancouver, I invite you to check out my cousin's blog. She does an amazing job with this, and her photos are incredibly good! Judy's front porch

Do You Know A Buyer For This Home?

This 1/2 duplex (the right half) has 3 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths and is less than 20 years old. Located in the Rosemont area of Nelson, it is in great shape and also has a garage. Priced at $245,000, you can check out more details at Rosemont Duplex.

Bible Study Humor
LOT 'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?' A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.'

DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark ? ''No,' replied Johnny. 'How could he, with just two worms.'

HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, 'We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a Higher Power. Can anybody tell me what it is? One child blurted out, ' Aces!'

MOSES AND THE RED SEA
Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. 'Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea , he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved.'

'Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?' his Mother asked..

'Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!'

THIS IS MY FAVORITE!!!

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said pr oudly, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know.'

UNANSWERED PRAYER
The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.
'Well, Honey,' he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages. 'I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon.'
'How come He doesn't answer it?' she asked.

New CPR Method...A MUST SEE ,
Some know about this but worth a repeat !!!

A MUST SEE, NEW CPR METHOD

NO MOUTH TO MOUTH AND WORKS BETTER.

ANYONE CAN DO AFTER SEEING THIS ONCE!

View the youtube video, then pass it on. You may be saving someone's life!

Continuous Chest Compression - Video by Mayo Clinic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5huVSebZpM

The caption at the top of this blog says "The Winter That Wasn't". That's what I have been calling this season. There's plenty of snow up at Whitewater, but none on the ground in the downtown area. Flowers are already sprouting through the ground and I couldn't believe the number of cyclists out on the North Shore earlier this week. Although I may be over-anxious about this, I think the golf courses could be opening soon!

It continues to be a very good time to consider buying real estate. The market is still rather quiet, but we expect that will change. Many of the larger cities in Canada are already experiencing an active spring. Interest rates are still incredibly low and are expected to rise by mid-year. Also, the impact of the H.S.T., which comes into effect on July 1st, 2010, will impact the costs associated with buying a home.

Recently, the Federal Finance Minister announced changes to mortgage financing rules for Canadians to take effect on April 19^th. We’ve been hearing quite a bit of misunderstanding about what changes are coming and wanted to set the record straight for anyone who may be thinking about buying a home or investment property or re-financing a mortgage in the near future.

Here are the 3 changes that will take effect on April 19, 2010:

1. New qualifying standards will mean borrowers must be able to handle a five-year, fixed-rate mortgage, even though they may opt for a shorter term and lower rate. As it now stands at the major banks, borrowers are income-tested for a three-year fixed rate. Based on a 5% down payment and a home price of $337,000, a buyer would need about $9,200 more in annual income to qualify under the changes. At $200,000 and 5% down, that would fall to $5,500.

2. A minimum down payment of 20% will be required for government-backed insurance (CMHC) on properties not lived in by their owners; up from 5%. It will most likely impact individuals buying real estate for investment purposes, including those looking to purchase rental properties.

3. Refinancing homes will now be limited to 90% of the value of a property, down from 95%. That means property owners won't be able to draw equity back down to the 5% down payment level, rather the limit will be back down to 10%.

Measures considered but rejected included an increase to the minimum down payment on homes from 5%, and shortening the maximum time over which borrowers can spread out their payments from the current 35 years.

We hope this clears up any confusion on the up-coming changes. If you have any real estate related questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Thanks to Bud & Dave (the one in Ft. St. John) for contributing to this month's newsletter. We always appreciate your feedback.

This month's blog may seem a little shorter than usual. That's because since returning from my vacation I've been running full out. Besides, it's the end of the month, end of the week (Saturday) and after 5 p.m. as I finish this, so I'll bid adieu!

Thanks for reading.

Lorne & Drew

P.S. Go Canada Go!