Big White 411 for December 16th 2010     Lots going on this week! The T-bar opened as well as the Powder Chair and the nordic trails. Also we go talk to Vincent from Sante Bar and Grill . Pre-qualify for your Big White vacation home with Lew MacDonald,  Mortgage Broker at Verico Tailor Made Mortgages in Kelowna BC at www.MortgageBrokersOkanagan.com Lew MacDonald Okanagan broker / owner Verico Tailor Made Mortgages 250-862-6101 Email: Lewis@VTMM.ca Online Application   www.MortgageBrokersKelowna.com       Financing Available for BC: CMHC Mortgages Conventional Mortgages Fixed Rate Mortgages Equity Take Out Mortgages Private Mortgages from 6.95% in BC First Time Home Buyer Loans available Move Up Buyers looking to advance their real estate holdings Vacation Homes for the up and comers 2n... 12/18/2010

Gold Star Sunday! This morning I rose early to prepare coffee for a new friend and amazing artist who was dropping in at 9AM to pick up some Flyer's I had created for the 2011 Okanagan Arts Awards - Call for Nominations. Julia Tropps is a multi-talented, muti-disciplinary visual artist with abundant energy and enthusiasm for her profession. It wss Julia's who invited me to join the Arts Awards Committee where I am now filling the Marketing Chair role. Next on the agenda was a Book Launch and Reading, by a new author Stan Chung. Global Citizen is Stan's first book, and I was excited to follow his FB and Tweets as he journaled on his trek home yesterday- from the Ferry in Victoria  (2nd last car on!!)  to the road condition crossing Meritt (clear but slippery)  to his entry and subsequent... 12/12/2010

HELP WANTED. I have been a loyal and appreciative MyRealPages.com customer for a number of years. I love the user friendly interface and the ease of using the Private Office backbone tools, including the integration arrangement with the Winnipeg Real Estate Association that seamlessly migrates MLS listings, Open Houses, Solds ext. onto the Agent web page. The problem is, MyRealPages.com does not have a similar arrangement in Kelowna. That combined with the fact that I have no listings makes the monthly charge a bit excessive - for a website with limited functionality. I asked if it was possible to get a reduced rate, since they were unable to provide full services to me, in this marketplace. The answer, is NO - 1 price fits all. My question is: Should I stay with MyRealPages.com anyways... 12/08/2010

Day Three Woke early, checked FB, emails, and ActiveRain - not necessarily in that order. Received 2 LinkedIn requests for connections, responded affirmatively. Added a comment to 5 or 6 FB friends, entered an ongoing dialog on the gift of receiving. Title Line was: Disillusioned by a Christmas card that states... it is better to give than receive..... and a whole tirade of comments followed. Most of us concurred... it's like peanut butter and jam, or if you were born in the 60's Love and Marriage... you can't have one without the other....(HINT: popular sitcom theme song for those born in the 80's) Arrived at office meeting for 8 AM - discussed market, handed off closed deal, networked. Home, to accept lunch offer from new LinkedIn buddy ... unfortunately the offer came from Winnipeg..... 12/07/2010

Today being the 6th day of the month, I feel the need to rename this my 25 days of December. Reading the rules, I note the criteria - MUST blog or DO something to promote your business 5 days of the week. To up the ante back to 31 days, I would just need to flow through into the first 2 weekends and/or  no days off. With a CANDO attitude, I click join .... and it's off to the races! Yesterday being Sunday I did not blog, however I did go to Ex Nihilo winery, sampled the product, while enjoying an 'Open House' art show. Julia Trops had a fabulous display of her art work. I nibbled sugary green coconut tree while chatting with her about the upcoming Arts Awards, and the required changes to the Flyer I was preparing. A shortbread cookie beckoned and I was off to the jewelery display and mo... 12/06/2010

Kelowna Property sales drop in November There were fewer property sales in November compared to a year ago. Overall sales declined from 128 in 2009 to 101 last month, a 21.09 per cent decrease. Total residential sales dropped by 19.64 per cent over last November to 90 from 112. Year to date, residential sales are only off by 7.57 per cent from last year at this time (to 1,257 from 1,360). “Home sales bottomed out in July and activity has trended upwards since then with current figures reflective of 2001 levels,” said Darcy Griffiths, with the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board. “We remain cautiously optimistic going into winter. We’re anticipating that overall demand will improve along with steady economic recovery and ongoing employment growth.” While motivation continues to be affec... 12/05/2010

Which Room are You?  Do you have a favorite room in your house?  What that choice reveals about your personality!    LIVING ROOM:  You're are a sociable person who likes to entertain: you take pride in your family and yourself.  Your active in clubs and organizations when you have a chance DINING ROOM: You are a traditional who puts family first and believes in old fashioned values.  You are fair minded, cool, calm in a crisis and a careful disciplinarian BATHROOM: You pay close attention to your physical health and appearance.  You have a positive outlook on life and are always neat, clean and well groomed. KITCHEN: You're casual, down to earth and love to nurture others.  You're also kindhearted, a good listener and can easily put yourself in someone else's shoes.  People fell relaxed... 12/03/2010

Last week at the OMREB AGM the Realtors in attendance were treated to a lively and inspirational presentation by Robert Fine the Manager of Economic Development for the Central Okanagan. Some of the opportunities and successes shared with the audience were: In the Okanagan there are 10,000 more people employed than in the 2008 stats. Tourism is up 2.3% over 2009 A new resort is planned for West Kelowna with an additional 1200 slips New development planned for Peachland $1Billion investment University of British Columbia Okanagan soon to have over 7,000 students The Medical School Hospital Expansion ongoing Airport numbers up - 2nd Direct route to US soon to be announced Business Licenses are up 2% Resident construction is returning to pre 2008 levels Lumber prices re-bounding By 2010 - ... 12/02/2010

There are two types of people in this world, those who believe in two types of people and those who do not. In this poignant TED Talk Sir Ken Robinson makes the case for individualized learning - a revolution - not an evolution - of learning and school systems. In my last Blog I re-blogged a schedule for free ActiveRain University classes on social Networking, blogging etc. Today, I went to sign up for Monday's class and realized the University courses  are not webinars, or tele-conference classes - but rather part of a RainCamp week, where seats are in seats. WOW! What an illumination. I was content with my virtual friendships and knowledge gained via my internet connection - and then THUD - I was bounced back into the dirt world. Sir Ken Robinson discusses educational challenges and c... 11/28/2010

Thinking of relocating to Kelowna, BC? I have just celebrated my 1st year Anniversary as a full time resident in the Okanagan, and am ready, willing and able to assist others in their relocation to our sanctuary! A stay at the Delta Grand Hotel is the perfect way to start your relocation journey. As a Relocation Professional I will meet you at the Hotel, escort you and your family to private viewings of pre-selected properties, guide you on area tours, and when in season we will visit a few of the Award winning Wineries. Kelowna - Ripe with Surprises! Don't come to Kelowna without visiting the Delta Grand!   11/27/2010

The Wild Woman, Wise Woman Foundation has a goal of bringing Oprah for a visit to Kelowna. Together with the help of two multi talented media personalities, a whole bunch of Okanagan businesses and the entire community of Kelowna we ask: " Oprah, will you come to Kelowna?"  Not sure if the wigs will help, or if Lisa and Lori are on the mark with their well, Marketing - but the sentiments from all of us in the community remain strong - Oprah, we want you to come visit the Okanagan!!     11/24/2010

Kelowna Argentine Tango Community Christmas Milonga  Argentine Tango, Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Your Requests Welcome! Tangokelowna.com and Tangobarok.com join again, after the huge success of their first joint Milonga Nov.13/10, to present a festive community gathering.  December 13, 2010 Doors Open 6:30 pm * Dance 7 - 11 pm   Potluck Dessert and Appy - bring your favorite Appetizer or Dessert Performances * Door Prizes    Tango Dancers' Feet, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico Photographic Print Rotenberg, Nancy Buy Tango Photographic and Art Prints     DANCE ART http://www.living-spaces-design.com/dance_art.html  DANCE ART http://www.living-spaces-design.com/the_last_dance_art_print.html   ARGENTINE TANGO Prints, Great Selection of Frames, Gicle, Photographic and Canvas Mount 11/18/2010

There are currently 104 active foreclosures (as of November 14,2010) amongst the entire listing inventory for the Central Okanagan.  There are 4,307 current active listings reporting at this time including the 104 foreclosure properties. Foreclosure Inventory breakdown: 8 Lots and Acreages (Ranging in value from $95,000 to $1.75 Million) 3 Manufactured Home (Ranging in value from $69,800 to $125,000) 36 Strata Properties (Ranging in value from $139,000 to $2.99 Million) 57 Single Family Residential (Ranging in value from $189,900 to $3.69 Million) There were a total of 8 foreclosure sales in October 2010.  Of the eight sales three were residential homes that sold between $215,000 and $422,500.  There were three condos sold between $152,500 and $248,000, one townhome sold for $179,000 an... 11/14/2010

Ratio of Sales vs. Total Inventory = 6.31% Condo -- Sales = 44 Condo -- New Listings  = 134 Condo -- Current Inventory = 921 Condo -- Sell/Inv. Ratio = 4.78% Condo -- Days to Sell = 128 Average Price: $244,118 Average Median Price: $216,250   Townhouse -- Sales = 32 Townhouse -- New Listings = 79 Townhouse -- Current Inventory = 456 Townhouse -- Sell/Inv. Ratio = 7.02% Townhouse -- Days to Sell = 89 Average Price: $316,619 Average Median Price: $315,000   Lots -- Sales = 10 Lots -- New Listings = 102 Lots -- Current Inventory = 596 Lots -- Sell/Inv. Ratio = 1.68% Lots -- Days to Sell = 147 Average Price: $345,390 Average Median Price: $212,500   Residential -- Sales = 132 Residential -- New Listings = 293 Residential -- Current Inventory = 1,483 Residential -- Sell/Inv. Ratio = 8.90% Re... 11/13/2010

While on the topic of advising Faith, to keep her beliefs, and/or her child... "Keep the baby faith.  vs. Keep the Baby, Faith. " (my last blog) I found my thoughts wandering over to other punctuation and gramamar offspring. Lately I have found myself in a communication conundrum. Is it still important to maintain professional conduct, in the written world? When composing a letter, do you use Box or indented style, Is it Dear Sir,  or Madame, still, or just a simple salutation like "Hey .... " Punctuation. Grammatically correct, nouns, verbs, adjectives and commas. Has written communication downgraded to simple keystrokes - and if it has - are we still as understood, as when a simple comma could change the context and meaning of an entire sentence? Try adding a comma to this sentence: W... 11/13/2010

My best friend once told me you can say anything, with a smile. Then he proceeded to say the most profound statements, while enticing me with his charismatic grin, a full toothed smile, twinkling eyes, and a knowing nod. "You are a total &^^^%^&% idiot." He stated, while nodding his head, displaying a full mouth of sparking whites, and slapping my back. "You know you are totally useless..." he then grinned. "What a brat you are ..." "Here.. want to borrow my balls... obviously you are in need of a couple... take mine... " he laughed, extending his hand in friendship. "It's all in the way you 'play it' not say it." He sated matter of factly. It is the comma's the pauses, the punctuation. Keep the baby, faith. or Keep the Baby, Faith. It's all in the nod of the head, the glimpse of the te... 11/13/2010

The lump in my throat was threatening to choke me, as I sat on November 11, 2010, and watched the ever increasing line of names, and dates scroll down the screen. Remembrance Day in Canada, known by our Southerly neighbors as Veterans Day, is a day to Remember and Honor our heroes and soldiers who struggle valiantly for peace on a global scale. This year I thought about all of our soldiers, not only those in known war zones, but the men and woman on our streets, in our ghetto's, at religious sites, and called out to clean up after acts of terrorism. And I reflected once again on that dash, the space between the dates, that represents all they did. And I gave thanks, for their lives, dashed. All Gave Some, Some Gave All.   11/12/2010

How does the factor Scarcity influence human behavior, and why does it qualify as a Factor That Influences Behavior ? Have you ever arrived at a store to purchase an advertised sale item and found it sold out? Did you find yourself becoming irrationally upset, filled with a sense of outrage, of loss? Was it because you felt your time had been wasted, or was it a deeper emotion, a sudden strong desire to have or consume the sold out product? When our reality is based on Scarcity, we are compelled to want or desire that which we perceive to be scarce. The Sellers Market - as witnessed at the beginning of the millennium created a 'feeding frenzy' for Real Estate properties. Bidding wars were sparked and a Real Estate Bubble formed. 'Buy Now - Limited Quantities Available' marketing message... 10/31/2010

While pondering the definition of efficient, as a Factor that Causes Influence one might stumble across it's sister word - sufficient. If Efficient refers to being effective without wasting time, effort or expense; and Sufficient is fulfilling a need or requirement without being abundant - when is it efficient to be sufficient? A comparable I have often referred to is the difference between having an efficient engine that uses less gas vs. sufficient gas to travel to a destination. The two definitions are miles apart! Clarification may be obtained by exploring efficient business models and their practices: Mr. Lube; McDonald's, FedEx, Tim Horton's. Which business do you deal with on a regular basis due to their efficiencies - the experience is enjoyable - and which business would you av... 10/26/2010

Some time ago  my girlfriend moved into a new place, in an effort to help redesign her space i decided that I would bring her some inventory that I was no longer using. She needed a kitchen table and chairs and artwork.  What I brought her was an old antique set that had sat in my inventory for years.  I had used it in my own home on and off... but in deciding to clear out excess inventory I wanted this stuff to go. The colour of the chairs left a lot to be desired (rust is not her colour)... so she told me that she would recover them.  I assumed that she would take them somewhere and get them done.  Instead she did them herself! Sent me the pictures below as proof!!   I was elated to see how well they turned out...   Think I might be rubbing off on her LOL                            10/24/2010