About Linda Klein

KAMLOOPS – This Saturday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m McDonald Park will play host to a celebration honoring everything that makes the North Shore special, from the people and parks to the businesses and services.

Business improvement association executive director Steven Puhallo says this year Overlander Days will once again feature the Tastes of the North Shore but will include several new additions with proceeds from food sales going towards the Meals On Wheels program.

Several new attractions will also be set up for kids, including a dunk tank — proceeds to People in Motion, henna art and local firefighters with a firetruck. There’ll also be face painting, free access to the pool and splash pad, games, inflatable bouncers, princesses and super heroes.

A special seniors area will once again be set up. Live entertainment featuring local performers and demonstrations — including martial arts, yoga and fitness — is scheduled with Paisley Groove headlining in the afternoon. Information booths and businesses will also be on hand and for those cycling to the park, a bicycle valet will be available.

The event takes place Saturday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McDonald Park.

Currently Environment Canada is calling for cloudy with a chance of rain and a high of 25 Celsius on Saturday.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/future+highrises+Wood+naturally/10112748/story.html#ixzz3ANhsbcxF

Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary remain the wealthiest cities in the country but the gap between them in average household net worth is narrowing, according to data released Monday by Environics Analytics, a marketing services and data analytics company.

WealthScapes 2014, a database on the assets, liabilities and wealth of Canadians to December 2013, found that the average household net worth in Vancouver was $710,095 followed by Toronto at $693,652 and Calgary at $680,377.

“But the difference in affluence is getting smaller as the net worth in Vancouver, Toronto and Calgary grew by 6.5 per cent, 8.8 per cent, and 10.8 per cent, respectively, compared to 2012,” it said. “While increases in liquid asset and debt were similar among the three cities, the key differentiator was real estate values — up a modest 2.8 per cent in Vancouver, a strong 6.6 per cent in Toronto and roaring 9.1 per cent in Calgary.

“Vancouver continues to reign as Canada’s wealthiest city because of its pricey real estate — averaging $579,250 per household compared to $535,002 in Toronto and $485,364 in Calgary. Canada’s most populous city, Toronto, benefitted from a 6.1 per cent rise in savings — nearly triple the national average — and a 3.7 percent decline in consumer debt — which is a significant drop given that nationwide consumer debt remained essentially unchanged. And in addition to its healthy real estate performance, Calgary benefitted from a 2.9 per cent decline in consumer debt; those two indicators ranked among the best for large cities.”

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.

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.”

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