I cant believe it!  A day I thought I might not live to see has arrived, the Opening of the new Golden Ears Bridge, the first new span of the Fraser River in Greater Vancouver in over 20 years.  The first major part of of nearly 1 Billion dollars in major infrastructure being built in and around the eastern end of Metro Vancouver.  Next in line is the opening of the new Pitt River Bridge this Fall and then in early 2010 the Port Coquitlam railyard overpass bridge. An incredibly exciting time to be living in Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows or Port Coquitlam.  Check back soon to see my post detailing all the opening day activities!  06/14/2009

  Darren Revell Dominion Lending Centres Mountain View Ltd Phone: 604-719-3805 Email: drevell@dominionlending.ca http://www.MortgageInBC.com This edition of Weekly Rate Minder has the latest, best rates for Canadian mortgages. At Dominion Lending Centres, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that suits your needs. Best of all — our service is "free".* It's the selected lender that pays us and YOU get the best rate. *(O.A.C., E.&O.E.) • Our Best Rates • Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on http://www.MortgageInBC.com Terms Bank Rates Our Rates 6 Month 4.75% 3.95% 1 YEAR 3.90% 2.90% 2 YEARS 4.05% 3.05% 3 YEARS 4.15% 3.15% 4 YEARS 4.84% 3.79% 5 YEARS 5.25% 3.54% 7 YEARS 6.60% 5.15% 10 YEARS 6.70% 5.25% Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE Prime Rat... 05/27/2009

May 11, 2009 Thornhill and Albion real estate neighborhoods of Maple Ridge suffered through a hailstorm with some of the largest hail stones these parts has seen in recent memory. The marble sized hail put a bit of a scare in the residents of these Maple Ridge areas who are not used to this size of hail.  The hailstones were large enough in fact to be used as icecubes in drinks!  It was a strange weather day in other respects as the Sun beat down with enough warmth to steam up all the wet roads and building then dramaticly turned into the Wizard of Oz like black storm clouds that were responsible for the storm. For all Real Estate related questions in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Tri-Cities or Port Coquitlam, Port Moody & Coquitlam call Scott Leaf. Get a self-serve Real Estate Mar... 05/11/2009

Darren Revell Dominion Lending Centres Mountain View Ltd   604-719-3805 Email Weekly Rate Minder This edition of Weekly Rate Minder has the latest, best rates for Canadian mortgages. At Dominion Lending Centres, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that suits your needs. Best of all - our service is "free".* It's the selected lender that pays us and YOU get the best rate. *(O.A.C., E.&O.E.) · Our Best Rates • Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on dominionlending.ca Terms Posted Rates Our Rates       1 YEAR 3.90% 2.90% 2 YEARS 4.05% 3.05% 3 YEARS 4.15% 3.15% 4 YEARS 4.84% 3.79% 5 YEARS 5.25% 3.59% 7 YEARS 6.60% 5.15% 10 YEARS 6.70% 5.25% Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE Prime Rate is 2.25%. Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime  + .75%... 04/28/2009

For all Real Estate related questions in Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows and the Tri-Cities or Port Coquitlam, Port Moody & Coquitlam call Scott Leaf. Get a self-serve Real Estate Market Snapshot of your neighborhood or the one you want to move to at: http://www.whatismyhomesvalue.ca/ Scott Leaf Real Estate Marketing & Associates Keller Williams Elite Realty www.whatismyhomesvalue.ca www.scottleaf.com 04/26/2009

Scheduled to open June 30, 2009 the Golden Ears Bridge is just having the finishing touches put on it as I write this.  These shots was taken from the Maple Ridge Industrial Park bridge on/off ramp yesterday.  The approaches and freeway are all done!  I actually saw workers driving back and forth over the bridge.  The landscaping and toll booth construction is well underway. I still have a huge problem with Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows being singled out to pay a toll when places like Richmond take the Knight Street, Arthur Lang, Deas Island for granted but lets get it open then complain! :) There seems to be an army of security guards preventing people from getting close to this project so if you wander over be prepared to be 'moved along'.  As it was yesterday I had to quickly take these ... 04/19/2009

      Welcome to the 2009, Golden Ears Gateway Outdoor Lifestyles Show! No where else in BC can you go to a outdoor trade show, wondering through the exhibits, then walk out the door and test that new mountain bike or golf club. Maple Ridge is the perfect location for this event because everything you can imagine outdoors is right in our backyard. This event promises to be one of the best in BC, sporting vendors from all avenues of outdoor recreation sports. Here you will find golf equipment manufacturers, RV vendors, mountain biking vendors, boating vendors and even a climbing wall!Besides having some of the best outdoor recreation vendors in the world on exhibit, you will also find tons of activities from golfing demos, a climbing wall, RV's to walk through, boats to sit in and a hug... 04/16/2009

        Welcome to the 2009 Fishing Derby! The Chamber of Commerce and their partners are putting together a fishing derby for anybody that wants to come. Each team will be a family consisting of one or two parents and one or more children. We guarantee that everyone that comes out whether to participate in the derby or comes out to take in the event and the vendors will have a great time. This event is going to be a blast! There will be vendors displaying their goods, fun activities for the whole family and tons of fish and lots great prizes! Registration is $99.00 + GST per person after May 15th. Early bird registration price is $75 + GST per person if registered before May 15th. Children 12 and under are free however they need to complete a form to be eligible for prizes.         04/16/2009

Luncheon with TransLink Golden Ears Bridge - 3 Months Away!  Tuesday May 5th    Guest Speaker - Fred Cummings - TransLink President of Major Construction Projects Join the Chamber for lunch and find out all the information on the new Golden Ears Bridge, the opening dates and the tolling process.   Meadows Gardens Golf Course 11:30 - 12:00 pm - Registration & Networking 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Lunch & Guest Speaker   Member Price - $25.00 Non - Member Price $35.00   Tables of 8 are available for Chamber members only - $175.00   This event is expected to be sold out. Please RSVP by no later than Friday, April 29th, 2009. There will be no tickets sold at the door.   Call Shannon at the Chamber office at 604-463-3366 to reserve your spot today! 04/14/2009

CMHC Came through with another report for Housing Starts in the Lower Mainland.. Here is the information on Maple Ridge.. and some insight...   Maple Ridge - March 2008  Detached Starts -- 26 , March 2009  Detached Starts -- 8                     March 2008  Multiple Starts -- 34 , March 2009 -- Multiple Starts -- 0 TOTAL STARTS  --         March 2008 -- 60 , March 2009 -- 8 Year to Date ---  ===    March 2008 --129 , March 2009 -- 44   NOTE:  Delta, Langley and White Rock have all seen an increase in Housing Starts in 2009 over 2008. 04/14/2009

  Darren Revell Dominion Lending Centres Mountain View Ltd   604-719-3805 Email Weekly Rate Minder This edition of Weekly Rate Minder has the latest, best rates for Canadian mortgages. At Dominion Lending Centres, we work on your behalf to find the mortgage that suits your needs. Best of all - our service is "free".* It's the selected lender that pays us and YOU get the best rate. *(O.A.C., E.&O.E.) • Our Best Rates • Explore Mortgage Scenarios with Helpful Calculators on dominionlending.ca Terms Posted Rates Our Rates       1 YEAR 4.20% 3.00% 2 YEARS 4.70% 3.69% 3 YEARS 4.90% 3.80% 4 YEARS 5.14% 3.90% 5 YEARS 5.45% 3.89% 7 YEARS 6.30% 5.15% 10 YEARS 6.70% 5.25% Rates are subject to change without notice. *OAC E&OE Prime Rate is 2.50%. Variable rate mortgages from as low as Prime  + .75... 04/14/2009

I had the fortune of spending some time on the water yesterday up to Pitt Lake.  Upon the return we took a little detour before heading back to the marina to check out how the work progression looked on the Pitt River bridge construction from the water. The new high level Pitt River bridge, due to open this Fall 2009, will connect Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows with Port Coquitlam and the rest of the Tri-Cities. Soon, gone will be the days of counterflow  lanes, traffic jams that seem to last almost all day and, of late, the construction delays.  The new Pitt River Bridge will replace the exisiting 4 lanes on two separate swing bridges which necessitate a lane switchover over counterflow during the morning and evening rush periods. A beautiful looking structure from the water, the close u... 04/12/2009

OPEN HOUSE-10125 242B St, Maple Ridge, BC-Sunday, April 5 2-5PM $464,900 "Castlebrook" 2 storey + full unfinished daylight basement. Features 4 Bdrms up and den on main floor, metal spindle stair case, laminate floors, maple kitchen +  island + nook + walk-in pantry, gas fireplace in family room, ensuite jacuzzi  tub and separate shower, tile bathroom floors, high efficiency furnace and hot water tank. Energy efficient lighting. Energy star ventilation fans. Dual flush toilets. Gas BBQ box on sundeck. Front & back turfed. Close to Albion Elementary school and Samuel Robertson Technical (high school). 10 year warranty. Price doesn't include GST. Listing is a courtesy of RE/MAX ridge-meadows realty. 04/01/2009

OPEN HOUSE-24318 102 Ave, Maple Ridge, BC-Sunday, April 5 2-5PM $474,900 Castle Brook 2 storey and full finished daylight walkout basement. Features 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, maple kitchen & granite top island, solid wood floors, gas fireplace, heritage doors, baseboards & crown moldings, ensuite soaker tub & separate shower, over range microwave,  2" blinds, front landscaping, plants in rear yard, rough in security, built in vacuum with accessories, garage door opener with 2 remotes & double garage, 10 year warranty. e access, landscaped front and rear yards. Close to Albion Elementary school and Samuel Robertson Technical (high school). 10 year warranty. Price doesn't include GST. Listing is a courtesy of RE/MAX ridge-meadows realty. 04/01/2009

Burnaby, BC. 04-01-2009 In a budget balancing move the Board of Directors of Translink announced a $5.00 per trip toll on the new Pitt river Bridge to coincide with the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge which will also be tolled. During the announcement of the toll, Translink Chairman Malcom Brodie rationalized the new toll by saying that there was an optional non-toll route via Mission and the Trans Canada route to Vancouver.  Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin was outraged but resigned to the tolls creation.   "What can we do now, it's a done deal" Daykin said after the Translink meeting.  Pitt Meadows council also outraged, lodged a formal complaint with the Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon. Maple Ridge Councillor Craig Spears suggested that Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge succeed fr... 03/31/2009

Here are the highlights of the CMHC report released today on the building starts and completions in Maple Ridge, BC for the month of February.  These are for Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows only.  Housing Starts -------- 2008   -      55,     2009  -  5    ---  All single family dwellings Under Construction --- 2008   -   1085,    2009  -  623 -- Mixed, Single, Townhomes and Condo's Completed -----------  2008   -     191,    2009  -    25 --  08, mixed - 09 All single family    Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver Area - February Single Family Sales-               2008 - 1000            2009 - 589 Single Family Listings-            2008 - 4468            2009 - 6118 Single Family Avg Price Sale    2008 - $920,643      2009 - $792,551   Subscribe to my blog for more updates.  There is a tren... 03/31/2009

You lie on them, your kids play on them, but floors are one of your home's dirtiest surfaces. These three green ideas are the ones experts say work best (without harsh chemicals) - so you can save on cleaning products and save the planet. CarpetsJust have your family kick off their shoes at the door. This simple switch immediately eliminates almost all of the dirt, mold, germs and pesticides that get tracked into your house. Since this outdoor grime accounts for 80% of the dirt that settles into carpets, you'll need to vacuum and shampoo much less frequently, saving time and money. Wood and laminate floors.A damp cloth is just as effective on wood floors as a more expensive type of cleaner and safer for the envionment too. For laminates simply mix 1 cup white vinegar into 1 gallon warm... 03/26/2009

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to plumbing. Here are a few common questions with some simple steps to follow for a better flowing plumbing system. Can you pour fats and oils down the drain?Many don't realize that when grease cools and solidifies, it sticks to the inside of pipes. Overtime, it will build up and block the entire pipe. Rather than dumping grease into your plumbing system, pour it into a heat resistant container, let it solidify and then dispose of it in the garbage. What are some tips for keeping drains from becoming clogged?To keep your drains in top working order, pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar down the drains on a monthly basis. Using baking soda and vinegar is a natural way to keep your drains clear and free of ha... 03/26/2009

After a long winter with the windows shut tight, things like pet dander, pollen, dust mites and smoke can linger in the air and inside your house - leaving you and your family vulnerable to scratchy throats, itchy eyes and more. Read on for some simple ways to improve your indoor air quality. Vacuum these.Your drapes and upholstery. A quick going-over will remove accumulated allergens. Then crack open a few windows everyday and enjoy the fresh air. TIP: Now is also a great time to snap new filters into AC units in preparation for summer. Clear vents.Don't block heating and air conditioning vents with things like books, plants or furniture. When this happens, air can't flow normally. This reduces the supply of fresh air and circulation. Prevent mold and dampness.Since moisture promotes ... 03/26/2009

In this hyper-connected information age people often point to the ready availability of content and information via the media (e.g., internet, TV, radio, etc.) as a key source of stress. When you feel confident about what you know and are capable of there is usually no overload even in the face of a massive amount of information, because you are comfortable in your ability to filter and focus, make decisions, take action, and deal with the consequences. On the other hand, it is easy to see how a lack of confidence can push you into overload. Without confidence, you endlessly seek more and more input and it can be difficult to filter and disregard some information to focus on what is important for you to take action. How Can I Avoid Becoming Overwhelmed?There are two key antidotes to th... 03/26/2009