I came across a great company that provides clothing, toys, linens, books, movies, music, footwear, personal and household items FREE to those in need.

In these tough economic times, there are many people who find themselves in need that may or may not have ever been in this position before. There aren't many solutions to help and even less that are FREE like this. In a post I read it makes perfect sense how Clothes2u would be beneficial. If money is tight people have to prioritize their needs and usually shelter and food rank 1st. Leaving behind all the other essential items because even thrift shops can cost people more than their budget will allow.

We missed Clothes2u in Cloverdale this past weekend, but they will be holding an event to accept donations and help provide clothing to those in need. 

Saturday Oct.20 Sp0oktacular in North Delta @ North Delta Evangelical Church, 11300 – 84 Ave. 10 AM to 12:30 PM.

Check out their website for more details.
Clothes2u

Surrey's new ReThink Waste program does not have a solution for dog owners, but "Doggie detail" does. In fact most municipalities prohibit the disposal of pet waste in with regular garbage and always have. The cities don't seem to offer any real suggestions on how to effectively dispose of dog feces. Other than to suggest we could simply flush it down the toilet...I don't know about you, but it's bad enough I have to pick it up let alone cart it through my house and into the toilet. 

Which is why our family will be signing up for Doggie detail to safely dispose of our dog's waste every week. Doggie detail offers pet owners a solution and they offer residents an affordable dog waste removal service with rates starting as low as $5.00/week.  

If you sign up for their curbside bucket removal service before October 31, new customers will receive 2 weeks of free bucket service. For more details and to sign up visit their website at the following link:

http://doggiedetail.com/dog-waste-removal-surrey-bc/

I am writing today's blog in honour of a very dear friend who is 7 years cancer free.

It's hard to find someone who hasn't been affected by some form of cancer. Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian women. I personally know a number of women whether related, friend or acquaintance that have suffered from this wicked disease.

As a woman and mother of 2 teenage girls, breast cancer awareness is very important. All we can do is hope that we will somehow escape this terror. There is no rhyme or reason it attacks one of us over another. Thankfully our dear friend caught her lump early enough that it had barely even formed, just enough for her to question that there was something wrong with her breast.

It is important for all women to check their breasts monthly. Any irregular or change in breast tissue should be assessed by your doctor. If you get in to a routine of checking them once a month, you will have a better chance of finding something that isn't right if it happens. This is important for men and women to do, as men can get breast cancer as well...it's just not as common.

http://www.cbcf.org/bc/AboutUsMain/MediaCenter/Pages/default.aspx

October 19 is National Mammography Day. All provinces will sceen for breast cancer if you are between 50-69, but each province has different guidelines for screening from age 40-49. For screening locations in BC click on the following link:http://www.smpbc.ca/Program/Locations+and+Mobile+Services.htm

It's that time of year again, summer is over and now that fall is here the weather is starting to change. It won't be long before the days are cool enough to need to start up the furnace for the 1st time in months. Which makes it a perfect time to be sure that it will actually start up by getting it cleaned. While you are getting your furnace cleaned it might be a good idea to have your gutters and roof cleaned too before the rain begins. 

The CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) website offers great real estate tips and the following link offers tips on regular home maintenance:

http://www.cmhc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_003.cfm

Surrey residents don't forget to start using your new garbage cans and pay attention to your waste collection schedule. Garbage and recycling will only be picked up every other week and your green waste will be picked up every week.

Surrey's goal is to divert 70% of the city's waste by 2015 with this new program. In order to do this the pilot program they held last year was tested and is now being implememented across the city as of next Monday October 1, 2012.  

For more details on the new program and which bins to put out next week, visit Surrey's ReThink Waste website:

http://www.surrey.ca/rethinkwaste/

I have read some articles this week and had some discussion around the office and everyone's concern is about the garbage attracting rodents and being a nasty mess.... The green garbage will be picked up every week, just as it has been in the past. The smell and concern of rodents shouldn't be any more than it was before. As for your actual garbage, if residents follow the guidelines then the little garbage each home has should be clean (so to be speak) garbage, as all your food waste garbage will be in the green waste bin.

The new bins aren't the only change the city is making to help our environment. Our garbage will now be collected with new state of the art Compressed Natural Gas Trucks that emit less carbon and air particles compared to the diesel trucks. One of these trucks alone will be like taking 475 cars off the road each year.

This is a huge step in the right direction and it is about time that we start planning for our children's future and their children's future. If we don't start taking steps now to reduce our waste and carbon footprint, I cannot imagine what our community will be like in 10 - 25 years... 

As much as the garbage bins are unsightly, so is the garbage that gets torn apart and strewn all over the place when people don't use bins.

At the end of the day, what is more important to you? Doing something to help improve our environment and ultimately the beauty of the province we live in. Or, letting our community and thus environment go by continuing to dispose of waste in landfill sites. Change is good! Let's embrace it!

When working with Buyers it is our job to help them every step of the way. One of the most important pieces of advice we can give are the following 8 tips to keep in mind between getting your mortgaged approved and completion when your mortgage is funded.

https://www.balancerealestategroup.com/Thingstorememberwhenconsideringthepurchaseofanewhome.ubr

Insurance

Smoke and Co2 detectors should be one on each floor and if possible one in each bedroom check batteries 2 year at daylight savings time

Turn off and unplug small appliances

Do not overload outlets check appliances cord for fraying or exposed wires

Have a fire extinguisher

Plan and practice fire escape

As of October 1, 2011 Surrey started to participate but there are various locations throughout BC  to recylce old carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
http://www.productcare.org/Smoke-and-CO-Alarm-Depots 

Surrey campaign
http://www.canada.com/Fire+chiefs+hail+smoke+alarm+initiative/6364233/story.html

We have blogged before about the importance of not only getting a home inspection done but ensuring you have hired a good quality inspector. One of the most important reasons for having a home inspection is to ensure there aren`t any water issues in the home. From a leaking roof to a leaky faucet, water issues when discovered can prove to be costly.

Asking the right questions is important. The following article discusses some of the things you should be looking for.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1242615--good-home-inspections-find-water-problems

When looking to buy your next Home, give us a call and we will be sure to recommend good quality Home Inspectors that have served our clients well in the past.