A Homeowner's Nightmare - 06/17/07 08:20 AM
The purchase of a new home (or any home for that matter) should be an exciting time in a young family's life, but this Brampton couple has been through hell aparently.
http://www.thestar.com/living/article/225230
They have been battling with Tarion (the private corporation that regulates Ontario builders and provides warranties on new houses and condos), which ironically is supposed to protect consumers, for more than 2 years over issues that include sloping floors, bulging walls and missing support beams!
Buyer beware !
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History & Development - 06/17/07 08:12 AM
Here is a follow up to my Blog entry of May 20 2007 which referred to the collapse of historic Walnut Hall in Toronto.
Today's story in the Toronto Star states:
"Vancouver based Westbank Developments - which will be erecting the huge Shangri-La Hotel and condominiums on the same property - are the building's new owners and have vowed to save it.  Early plans have it eventually revived as a tavern, though there is talk it might also become retail space or a high-end restaurant."
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The Loonie is Soaring ! - 06/01/07 04:03 PM
Our beloved one dollar coin just closed (Friday June 1) at 94.22 cents US, "its highest value since July 1977, and economists are saying it will continue to rise".
http://news.sympatico.msn.ctv.ca/TopStories/ContentPosting.aspx?feedname=CTV-TOPSTORIES_V2&showbyline=True&newsitemid=CTVNews%2f20070601%2fcdn_dollar_070601
For our American friends who may not know this ... our one dollar coin is affectionately known as the "loonie".  This bit of news may encourage us to go a bit loonie and shop south of the border like we did in the good old days.
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It was a good month ... - 06/01/07 03:35 PM
June 1st ? 
Excuse me, but how did the month of May pass by so quickly?  I know the old saying "time flies", especially when you're busy ... but THAT was ridiculous !
Being busy does have its rewards though.  As mentioned in one of my previous blogs, clearing my office also cleared my mind which lead to more writing.  I submitted some articles for publication and had a few small sucesses:
My business was featured in the "Spotlight on a Member" section of the Brampton Board of Trade newspaper, Trade Talks, May 2007; several articles are being featured on the http://www.erenovate.com/ website … (5 comments)

Frame it Right - 06/01/07 07:38 AM
Enjoy the summer with your family - quite literally - even if they can't be with you.  The next best way to surround yourself with loved ones is by creatively displaying the old family photos.
I'm no photographer but as a child I spent many hours with my dad watching his work come to life in the darkroom.  Formal portraits are boring so try to use informal candid shots.  And think about lighting too - early morning and late afternoon is much better than the glare of the midday sun or indoor lighting that turns the pupils red.
Start by sorting through what … (2 comments)