About Linda Klein

In the summer months, municipal water use doubles. This is the season when Canadians are outdoors watering lawns and gardens, filling swimming pools and washing cars. Summer peak demand places stress on municipal water systems and increases costs for taxpayers and water users. As water supplies diminish during periods of low rainfall, some municipalities must declare restrictions on lawn and garden watering. By applying some handy tips, your lawn and garden can cope with drought conditions and you can minimize water wastage.

General tips
Much of the summer peak demand is attributed to lawn and garden watering. Often, water is applied inefficiently, resulting in significant waste due to over watering, evaporation or run-off.

Here are some general watering tips to help avoid wasting water:

• Before watering, always take into account the amount of water Mother Nature has supplied to your lawn or garden in the preceding week. Leave a measuring container in the yard to help monitor the amount of rainfall (empty it once per week). Also bear in mind any watering restrictions that may apply in your municipality.
• Water in the early morning, before 9AM, to reduce evaporation and scorching of leaves from the sun. Water on calm days to prevent wind drift and evaporation.
• Set up your sprinkler or hose to avoid watering hard surfaces such as driveways and patios. If you’re not careful, it’s water and money down the drain.

Water slowly to avoid run-off and ensure the soil absorbs the water.

• Regularly check your hose or irrigation equipment for leaks or blockages.
• Collect rainwater from your roof in a rain barrel or other large container and keep it covered with an insect screen. Direct the down spout of your eavestroughs into the rain barrel.
• Choose an efficient irrigation system. A soaker hose placed at the base of plants on the ground applies water to the soil where it’s needed – rather than to the leaves – and reduces evaporation. Drip or trickle irrigation systems are highly efficient because they deliver water slowly and directly to the roots under the soil surface. This promotes deeper roots, which improve a plant’s drought resiliency. If you use a sprinkler, choose one with a timer and that sprays close to the ground.

Other outdoor activities
Lawn and garden watering is not the only outdoor activity contributing to summer peak demand. You can lower your water bill and relieve the burden on municipal water supplies by doing the following:

• Use a broom instead of water to remove debris from paved surfaces such as driveways.
• Use a bucket and sponge to wash and rinse your car, instead of a hose.
• Cover swimming pools when they’re not in use to reduce evaporation.

Looking for your favourite food truck? Here is a guide to where you can find your favourite food truck downtown till the end of the 2014 season.

SAMIDGES Food Truck was located. Despite, some impressive menu items including their signature Samidge made up of thinly sliced roast beast, lettuce, tomatoe, sautéed mushrooms, onions, cheddar and mayo on a toasted hoagie while looking and tasting like a cross between a beef dip and a sub.

 BELLRINGER Espresso is perhaps the biggest of the bunch in terms of physical size, neatly housed in a converted school bus. Despite room to move inside that also includes a few chairs and tables in the back in case of inclement weather, Bellringer keeps it fairly simple offering hot and iced coffee drinks, impressive organic smoothies plus signature sandwiches, special culinary plates of the day and fair trade coffee by the pound. 

PIG RIG Cat & Joe’s precisely featuring southern BBQ  succulent smelling food truck . Who could resist pulled pork tacos?  BBQ pulled pork topped with slaw and in between Tequila Habanero sauce and chipotle aioli on a “Fresh is Best” corn tortilla.

EAT AMORE specializes in homemade pastas, salads, sandwiches, and deserts. To the best of their abilities they serve S.S.O.L. Food, (seasonal, sustainable, organic and local) in all dishes. Like the Italian Delight  featuring whipped bourzin, lots of local arugula, fresh mozza, prosciutto and balsamic drizzle or the  Meatball sub featuring local grass fed beef.

SCHEDULE TILL END OF THE SEASON

                                                   2nd and Seymour      5th and Victoria      by TNRD

The Kamloopa Powwow is one of the largest celebrations of First Nations’ culture and heritage in Western Canada! The Pow Wow is a spectacular expression of the Secwepemc people’s heritage and is a vibrant display of storytelling, song, and dance in traditional regalia.

The Kamloopa Powwow represents many years of stories and events from previous years packed into three exciting days at the Secwepemc Pow Wow Grounds located 2 minutes from the city centre, alongside the South Thompson River in Kamloops.

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Fewer Canadians are paying down their mortgages

Pay down my mortgage, I’d rather take a vacation

A new CIBC poll finds there has been a significant decrease in the number of Canadians using the low interest rates to pay down their mortgages faster.  While over half of Canadians with mortgages (55 per cent) are taking one or more actions to pay their mortgages down sooner, a similar poll last year had the figure at 68 per cent. However, while the numbers increasing payment value or frequency has dropped, there is an increase in the numbers making a lump-sum repayment. The new report also says that Canadians are expecting to 58 years old before they are mortgage-free.  So, if we’re not paying down out home loans, where is any spare money going? The report has shown a large increase in spending on home renovations (up 30 per cent) and vacations (up 20 per cent). “A mortgage is the largest debt most Canadians will take on in their lifetime, and being mortgage-free is an important goal for many,” says Barry Gollom, Vice President, Secured Lending and Product Policy, CIBC.  “With current low interest rates, this may be an opportune time to make progress against your mortgage – even a few small changes can make a big difference in the length of time it takes to pay off your mortgage and the amount you pay in interest charges.”

This is your rare chance. Desirable home with stunning views in the prime lower Sahali location. Downtown, hospital, Riverside park, schools, TRU, shopping all a short walk away. This 2 owner home has been kept in immaculate shape. Main floor features birch hardwood, spacious renovated kitchen with nook, dining area with french doors to massive front deck, 3 bedrooms, master with bay window, 2nd bedroom with sliders to private back deck. Lower level features huge family room, bedroom and den, 3 piece bath with walk in shower, as well as a very spacious laundry off garage with sink as well as built in cabinets and work bench. Great spot for storage as well as work area. Backyard is your own private oasis amongst the many trees and perennials. This home should be on the top of your list. RV parking available. Roof, furnace, C/Air all less then 10 years old.

MUSIC IN THE PARK SCHEDULE FOR REST OF JULY

July 20      Young Running Canadian      Roots      youngrunning.bandcamp.com
July 21      Class Action      Ska      classactionska.ca
July 22      Headwater      Roots      Rock headwater.ca
July 23      Paul Filek      Pop      paulfilek.com
July 24      The Sturgeons      Folk      facebook.com/TheSturgeons
Scarlett Jane Roots      Rock      scarlettjane.com
July 25      Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce      Swing Blues      sabrinaweeks.com
July 26      Zoo Lion      Rock      zoolionmusic.com
July 27      Mike MacKenzie      Blues      Rock mikemackenzie.com
July 28      Whiskey Jane Country      Rock      whiskeyjane.com
July 29      Spencer’s Dirty Matadors      Rasta Cowpunk Blues
July 30      BCLC Midsummer Music Jam starring:
Robyn & Ryleigh      Country Pop      Sisters robynandryleigh.com
Champagne Republic      Funky R&B      champagnerepublic.com
July 31      Glorious Sons      Rock      theglorioussons.com
Performances take place at the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell each evening, 7:00-8:30 pm, weather permitting

Situated in the beautiful gated community of West Pines Villas adjacent to the Dunes Golf Course this immaculate 2 bdrm level entry rancher was professionally painted. Features vaulted 9’ceilings, wide hallways,3 patios, bright kitchen with eating area. Storage/pantry with sink & 2nd fridge. Spacious master bedroom,ensuite with sep tub & shower,excel closet organizers in walk in closet. Built in computer desk,cabinets & closet organizers in 2nd bedroom. Gas fireplace in living room. Main private patio features sun setter awning,gas BBQ hook up. Large 2 car garage with work bench & storage room. Near new HE furnace with accuclean filter. New A/C. This complex is beautifully maintained. You can walk to the 1st tee box & clubhouse of the Golf Course. Transportation is right outside the gate & shopping close by. If you are looking for a great place to retire or that lock & leave lifestyle this property is the one. Nothing to do but move in & enjoy.

After increasing 13 per cent to 2,370 units last year, MLS®residential sales in the Kamloops area are forecast to
remain relatively unchanged this year. Tepid economic and employment growth in 2013 is expected to limit
consumer demand over the first half of the year. In addition, poor weather conditions in the region also
impacted home sales over the first quarter, with total sales down 8 per cent compared to the previous year.
However, more robust growth in the global economy both this year and particularly in 2015 is expected to bolster
demand for BC exports and push up employment levels.In addition, after nearly two years of weak consumer
spending activity, retail sales now appear to be returning to a more typical growth pattern, a signal that rising
demand for big ticket items may be on the horizon. Next year, MLS® residential sales are forecast to increase
5.5 per cent to 2,480 units.Despite slower sales activity during the first quarter,
the inventory of homes for sale has steadily declined over the past year, and was down nearly 10 per cent during
the first quarter. Market conditions are now trending into balanced territory, where home prices typically exhibit
stability. The average MLS® residential price is forecast to edge up 0.5 per cent to $314,000 this year, and a further 1.1 per cent to $317,300 in 2015.New home construction in the Kamloops CA remained
relatively unchanged in 2013, with a total of 479 housing starts recorded. However, multiple starts climbed 31 per cent,while single-detached starts declined 23 per cent. A stronger provincial economy and improving consumer demand in the local housing market are forecast to push housing starts about 6 per cent higher in each of the next two years, with single detached starts gaining traction in the market.
MLS® Sales Avg Price Housing Starts
Total Detached Attached Apartment Total Detached Attached Apartment Total Single Multiple
2013 2,370 1,617 291 227 312,460 356,369 273,190 191,715 479 219 260
13% 9.9% 2.5% 28.2% -0.1% 1.1% -0.3% 0.5% -0.4% 22.6% 31.3%
2014 2,350 1,630 300 200 314,000 355,000 275,000 196,000 510 240 270
-0.8% 0.8% 3.1% -11.9% 0.5% -0.4% 0.7% 2.2% 6.5% 9.6% 3.8%
2015 2,480 1,700 325 225 317,300 359,000 278,100 197,500 540 260 280
5.5% 4.3% 8.3% 12.5% 1.1% 1.1% 1.1% 0.8% 5.9% 8.3% 3.7%
Kamloops CA Sources: CMHC, BCREA Forecast