Summer is such a great time in the South Okanagan – the weather is fabulous and there’s TONS to do! Whether you’re into soaking up the heat at the beach, enjoying a leisurely lunch on a patio with friends, or checking out all the amazing wineries, this is just a great place to be. And if you’re looking for more, check out these coming events:
July 30-31: Tinhorn Creek presents The Shakespeare Company in: Love’s Labour’s Lost
And don’t forget, every Saturday until October from 8:30am-12:30pm, at the North End of the Lion’s Park on Hwy 97, you’ll find Oliver’s Country Market A-Fair for all your local baking, arts & crafts, and fruits & veggies!
PLUS Thursday nights at 6:30 meet up at the Lion’s Park for Music in the Park, presented by the Oliver Community Arts Council:
August 5: Singer/Songwriter Deborah Lee with Guitarist Glen Koide, accompanied by guests Ken Hayes and Kenn Dramon ~ popular and original songs
August 12: Chenoa MacKenzie ~ classical to contemporary music
August 19: Ingrid Schellenberg ~ celtic, classical and popular harp music
August 26: Jazz Out West with Jim Wyse, Iris and Bob Larratt, and Bob Park ~ light jazz and old standards
Personally, I’m looking forward to the August 5th performance for Music in the Park – I love to go listen to my dad play!! Anything that interests you?
Heads up, folks! Canada Post is increasing the cost of postage, again. The new rates will take effect as of Monday, January 11.
The proposed new rates, according to CIBC Mellon, are:
Domestic Lettermail (up to 30 grams) : $0.57 (up from $0.54) U.S. Lettermail (up to 30 grams) : $1.00 (up from $0.98) International Lettermail (up to 30 grams): $1.70 (up from $1.65)
Thinking of buying? Take a look at this…Royal LePage explains how your REALTOR® can help you assess your needs and wants so you can purchase the right home at the right price.
To sum it all up…
Key points to assess what’s right for you:
Make a list of features you want
Separate the list into ‘must have’ and ‘would like to have’
Ask your Royal LePage agent to use these criteria to search for properties suited to you
Don’t “fall” into the season without preparing your home for the cooler weather.
Proper maintenance of your home and garden will help preserve your investment. And best of all, keeping your house in tip-top shape this fall will prevent any unnecessary chores in the spring.
Outdoor Projects
- Complete exterior painting before cooler weather arrives
- Check and repair exterior lighting before daylight fades
- Store lawn ornaments and patio furniture in a shed or basement. If space is limited, weather-resistant covers can protect outdoor furnishings
- Cover air conditioner and barbecue to prevent winter damage
- Close your pool before leaves start to fall, and nighttime temperatures begin to drop. Sooner than that and you risk an algae bloom
- Store kids toys indoors or in an outdoor shed to prevent rusting and fading
Lawn & Garden
- Till and prepare planting beds when the soil is relatively dry. By adding soil and mulch to your beds, you’ll be a step ahead for spring planting
- Plant spring blooming bulbs and perennials
- Protect roses, saplings and small trees by sheltering them with a burlap screen
- Pull weeds to reduce the number of seedlings next spring
- Mow grass short for the final cut of the year by reducing the cutting height gradually to 3.5 cm (from 7.4 cm) until the grass stops growing
Indoor Preparation
- Bring container plants indoors, making sure they are free of pests. Doing so may enable plants to survive the season and bloom again in spring
- Check and clean your humidifier. Empty the tank, dry the inside surfaces and refill with clean water. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Eco-smart gardening makes a lot of sense. It can help reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote environmental sustainability, and even save you a little money. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
De-fuel. According to Statistics Canada, using a standard gas mower for one hour causes the same amount of pollution as driving a new car 550 kms. For a greener alternative, try using push reel or electric mowers and cordless trimmers. These non-gasoline powered solutions help eliminate harmful emissions, are quieter, and can save you anywhere between $55-550 in annual fuel costs.*
Cut high. Set your lawn mower so it cuts high (approximately 7-8 cm from the ground) to encourage the growth of deep roots. Taller blades and deeper roots make grass more naturally resistant to insects, help control crabgrass, and conserve moisture better by shading the soil.
Grow up, not out. For condo dwellers and those who lack landscape space, growing vertical plants or herbs on the side of your building is a great alternative to a traditional garden. Vertical plants require minimal care, help cut down on noise, and will improve air quality around your living space.
Waste not, want not. 50 per cent of water used for gardening in Canada is wasted as a result of overwatering.** To prevent water waste, use the soaker instead of the mist setting on your hose. This delivers water directly to the base of the plant and reduces water loss due to evaporation. If using a sprinkler, keep the water low to the grass and make sure it doesn’t fall on nearby sidewalks or driveways.
Let it rain. Rainwater, not chemically-treated tap water, is the best source of nutrients for growing your plants and collecting it is always a good idea. Creating your own rainwater collection system can be as easy as setting up jars, bowls, or barrels to collect and store water for drier periods. You can also take advantage of rainwater by positioning downspouts so that water flows directly onto planted beds, lawn areas, or directly into your rainwater collection system. Either way, you can watch your plants grow up, and your water and utility bills go down.
* Analysis based on data from Environment Canada.
** Natural Resources Canada.
Ann and I just listed a great home in Oliver with a view over the valley, tucked into a private cul-de-sac!
New listing in a private location.
For more photos and details on this home, click here!! Have friends or family thinking of moving to the area?? Tell them about it and have them call us!!
Check out what’s happening in and around Oliver in the next few months!
February 13: South Okanagan Concert Society presents ‘Opera with a Twist’
8 Pm at the Frank Venables Auditorium
Single Tickets: $20 (purchased at the door)
Flex Pass(4 tickets): $55 (Purchased ahead of time at Periwinkles in Oliver, or Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos)
Free for children and students 17 and under
February 14th: 1st Annual Kings and Queens Ball, hosted by SOFPHAT (South Okanagan Foundation Promoting Healthy Attitude in youTh)
5 Pm at the Cadets Hangar for Dinner, Dance and Auction!!
Early Bird Tickets: $70 each or $125 per couple (purchased before Jan 24th)
Regular Prices: $80 each or $150 per couple (purchased after Jan 24th)
Table of 10: $600
February 20-22nd: Celebrate Passion! A Wine Country Retreat for Loving Couples
Hosted by Life Coach Beth Garrish and Sommelier Jay Drysdale
2 Day retreat at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and Spa, Osoyoos BC
Cost: $1195 per person / $2390 per couple
Registration Deadline: January 30th 2009
For more details visit life-uncorked.com or contact Beth Garrish at coach@BethGarrish.com
February 21: Working Women’s 17th Annual Trade Show
10 Am – 4 Pm at the Oliver Community Centre
March 7: 11th Annual Rotary Auction
March 7th at the Oliver Community Centre
Doors open at 5 Pm
Cost: TBA
Tickets will be available from your friendly neighbourhood Rotarian, or from the Royal LePage Office in the Mall.
March 13: South Okanagan Concert Society presents ‘Opera Trio Verlaine’
8 Pm at the Frank Venables Auditorium
Single Tickets: $20 (purchased at the door)
Flex Pass(4 tickets): $55 (Purchased ahead of time at Periwinkles in Oliver, or Imperial Office Pro in Osoyoos)
Free for children and students 17 and under
By now, many of you will have received your 2009 Property Assessments in the mail, and you may notice that there are TWO assessed values included in the statement. Why is that? Because it’s one of the steps outlined by Premier Gordon Campbell, to help B.C. Homeowners, seniors and rural residents during these turbulent economic times.
“Our government will act to provide new stability for homeowners who are worried about fluctuating property values, and give new options to property taxpayers who are facing economic hardship,” Premier Campbell said.
“We know that property values have fluctuated widely since assessments were conducted last July,” said Premier Campbell. “To avoid confusion, anxiety and unnecessary assessment appeals prompted by higher-assessed property values that do not reflect current market conditions, we will lock-in B.C.’s assessment rolls at 2007 assessed levels.”
BC Assessment issued a press release on Monday Jan 5, which can be found on their website www.bcassessment.ca to explain the ‘09 assessment notices:
About 94 per cent of property owners in British Columbia will see identical or lower assessed values on their 2009 property assessment notices compared to last year, announced Connie Fair, President and CEO of BC Assessment.
More than 65,000 property owners in the Penticton Office area can expect to receive their 2009 assessment notice in the mail in early January.
“This year, property owners will see some changes in the way BC Assessment has prepared their property assessment notices,” said Fair.“Notices will show the market value of their property as of both July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008.The lower of these two values is the official 2009 property assessment. For most properties, this means there will be no change between the 2008 and 2009 assessment.The lower value is the basis upon which 2009 property taxes will be calculated.”
If you have questions or concerns about your assessment, or if you feel your assessment does not reflect the lower market value, you should contact the BC Assessment office as soon as possible.
The Penticton Assessment Office is located at:Suite 201-3115 Skaha Lake Rd. in Penticton. You can reach them by phone at 250-763-8300.
During the month of January, office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Want to compare your assessed value to similar properties in the neighbourhood? Use the convenient online ‘e-valueBC‘ service at www.bcassessment.ca.
