2011/2012 Homeowners
BUSINESS DIRECTORY
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Historical Society
Directory Coaching, Life and Health New Way Life and Health Coaching 250-324-1638 www.valeriechilds.com New way coaching focuses on personal balance for happier, healthier living. see ad on p15
Mid-Island Granite 1030 Oyster Bay Drive (in front of Home Hardware) Ladysmith 250-924-2228 www.mid-island-granite.ca Specializing in custom kitchen and vanity countertops. see ad on p9
Excavating Concrete
Residential and commercial projects. Engineered quality concrete, interlocking blocks. see ad on p12
David Stalker Excavating Ltd. 10940 Chemainus Road Ladysmith 250-245-7157 250-739-9020 (cell) For all your residential and civil excavation needs, various size excavators and Bobcat Skidsteers available. see ad on p2
Confectionery/Sweets
Heavy Truck Repairs
Mr. Popper’s Sweet Shoppe 1-32 High Street Ladysmith 250-924-8486 Locally made fudge, British candy and groceries, Dutch licorice, cotton candy. see ad on p15
Van Isle Truck Tech Ltd. 1280 Rocky Creek Road Ladysmith 250-245-3092 RV, Pick-up, and Heavy Truck Repairs by certified technicians. Commercial Vehicle Inspection Facility. see ad on p13
Sure Span Ready Mix Ltd 3721 Drinkwater Road Duncan 250-701-0045 www.surespanreadymix.com
Countertops Mega Counter Strike Countertops 3A 1160 Rocky Creek Road Ladysmith 250-245-7860 www.megacountertops.com Offering a full range of laminate countertops, including several patterns in stock for fast service. see ad on p13
Florist Ladysmith Flowers & Gifts 320 First Ave. Ladysmith 250-245-2131 www.ladysmithflowers.com Flowers and gifts for all occasions. see ad on p8
Ladysmith & District Historical Society Unit B - 1115 First Ave. (Behind Tim Horton’s) 250-245-0100 www.ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca
Inexpensive books by local authors, historical cookbooks. see ad on p15
Home Decor/Designs Nikki Designs 250-245-4238 www.sewingbynikki.com Custom crafted home decor. Draperies, blinds, slipcovers and more. see ad on p9
Insurance
immigration, corporate & commercial law, wills and estates, Wrongful dismissal, real estate & mortgages see ad on p6
Marina Ladysmith Marina Oak Bay Marine Group 12335 Rocky Creek Road Ladysmith 250-245-4521 www.ladysmithmarina.com
Boat moorage and storage see ad on p9
Modular Homes Vancouver Island Modular Homes 9534 Trans Canada Highway Chemainus 250-324-2288
Ladysmith Credit Union Insurance Agencies Ltd. 330 First Ave., Ladysmith 250-245-2268 ICBC, private auto, house, business, marine and travel insurance. ICBC approved agent for driver’s licensing. see ad on p6
www.vimodularhomes.com
Landscape & Masonry
Walkabout Canine Consulting 250-245-1347
Van Isle Slate 3420 Smiley Road Chemainus 250-246-4773 www.vanisleslate.com Featuring flagstone, tumbled stepping stones, masonry thinstone, wallstone, patio slabs & steps, landscape stone. see ad on p8
Lawyers Bastion Law Group 250-753-5372 Divorce & family law, criminal law, civil litigation
The better stick-built home. Custom modular homes, single-wide homes, largest inventory of park models on Vancouver Island see ad on p16
Pet Care
www.walkaboutcanine.com
Training, grooming, teethcleaning by appointment. Home calls available. see ad on p13
Pools Aquafun Family Pools & Spas 5265 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan 250-748-2611 (1-800-496-2611) Your Valley pool, hot tub and sauna store. Hot tub sales, service and repairs. see ad on p12
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Printers & Publishers
Storage
Black Press Ladysmith 940 Oyster Bay Drive Ladysmith 250-245-0350 www.ladysmithpress.com Quality web printers, flyers, magazines, newspapers and more see ad on p13
Junction Mini Storage 13136 Thomas Road Ladysmith 250-245-2760
49th Parallel Printers 940 - First Ave. Ladysmith 250-245-1200 Full Xerox digital copy centre for all your printing needs see ad on p6
Recycling Junction Bottle Depot 149 Oyster Bay Drive Ladysmith 250-245-7376 Accepting drink, beer, wine and spirit containers, computers, monitors, printers and TVs and household paint and milk containers see ad on p15
Scooters
www.junctionministorage.com
RV & boat storage, residential/ business storage, boxes, packing supplies, electronic gate. see ad on p6
Vacuums Affordable Vacuums 530 - First Ave. Ladysmith 250-245-0591 Store for all your vacuum needs and repairs, bags, builtin vacuums. Now carrying scooters & e-bikes! see ad on p12
Blinds/Screens Tidal Blinds 250-416-0097 250-715-7733 tidalblinds@telus.net Featuring blinds made in B.C. Free in-home quotes, consultations, deliveries. see ad on p8
Affordable Vacuums 530 - First Ave. Ladysmith 250-245-0591 New in stock: mobility and 2-wheel electric scooters, sales, repairs and parts. see ad on p12
FOCUS ON LOCAL ISSUES! Subscribe to
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Before you get building ❱ Do you need a permit? Thinking about an addition to your home? Maybe a new deck? Picture window? Roof? Tom Skarvig, Ladysmith building inspector, said repairs don’t often need a
building permit, but anything new to the structure needs to be cleared. “If people are doing repairs to their house ... they don’t need a permit. “But the moment they’re building a new deck, addition, new set of stairs, finishing off a basement, they do need a permit.” So, if you are looking at replacing a few floorboards on your sundeck, you don’t need a permit. Planning on putting in some new
stairs? You need to get a building permit. Skarvig recommends giving him a call before tackling a project as he can help people walk through the different steps and procedures people will be faced with during a renovation. When doing a renovation, one thing people must consider if there will be electrical work needed. An electrical permit can be attained through the B.C. Safety Authority or a qualified electrician. If there is any plumbing involved, a permit for that can be purchased through Skarvig. When he is checking a project, Skarvig is making sure it adheres to the B.C. Building Code and the town’s zoning bylaws. A copy of the B.C. Building Code can be viewed online at the local library. If you have purchased a vacant lot in Ladysmith and are planning to build, your first stop should also be Skarvig or the town’s planning department, who can advise people on zoning setbacks. “That will give them the parameters on how big the house can be, how high.” Most contractors and developers, Skarvig said, are already aware of the building restrictions. Town bylaws are available online at www. ladysmith.ca and Skarvig said he can walk people through navigation on the site.
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Will planning Your Local Print Specialists • Graphic Design • Digital Printing • Colour Copies • Business Cards • Laser Cheques
• Custom Forms • Stamps • Laminating • Fax Service • Scanning
• Wedding Invitations • Stationery • Locally Owned
250-245-1200 940 1st Avenue, Ladysmith, BC
250-245-2760 • Clean, Dry Storage torage • Boxes B &P Packing Supplies • Electronic G Gate • Video Surveillance S • Fully Secured • Access 7am-9pm
7 days a week email junction1@shaw.ca 13136 Thomas Road, Ladysmith Junction of Trans Canada Hwy Hwy. & South Cedar Road
How you benefit from having professional help to plan your will: Deciding what to do with your estate can be daunting. Should you divide your assets equally between your children or other relatives? Should you leave anything to charity? How much would that cost, after taxes? With probate application fees as high as 1.4 per cent of an estate’s value, legal advice on minimizing them is helpful. A will must mean what you think it means, and be properly signed and witnessed strictly within rules. Your lawyer can prepare a will that is legally enforceable leaving little to question. A professionally prepared will helps minimize the risk of a court challenge and will follow your preference as to how you want your estate divided. Your lawyer can testify about conversations with you to avoid any confusion as to your wishes. Seeking the help of a professional will reduce problems and assure that your wishes are carried out.
• Divorce & Family Law • Criminal Law • Civil Litigation • Immigration • Corporate & Commercial • Wills & Estates • Wrongful Dismissal • Real Estate & Mortgages
BASTION LAW GROUP Lawyers & Notaries
Ronald E. Peters Stephen T. Littley Laura E. Allen Krystal C. Tan Debby A. Baker, Paralegal Kara M.C. Duncan, Articled Student Izabella P. Filip, Articled Student
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250-753-5372 Fax 250-753-5368 405-235 Bastion St., Nanaimo 410A First Ave., Ladysmith
Understanding asbestos ❱ Know what you are dealing with If your home was built before 1990, there is a possibility it may contain some kind of asbestos. Tom Skarvig stressed that it is a possibility and noted the substance is safe unless it is disturbed during a home renovation. In B.C., contractors doing work on the house must have a HAZMAT study on the portion of the house they are doing the work on. This is to ensure there is no
asbestos, lead paint, or other hazardous materials that will be disturbed during the project. Do-it-yourselfers do not have to complete a HAZMAT study on the renovated areas, and in those cases, Skarvig said he must wear a face mask and special boots before entering the site. WorkSafe BC has recently launched a website, www. hiddenkilller.ca, to make sure people are informed about asbestos.
According to www.hiddenkiller.ca some of the most common places vermiculite is found are: Spray applied fireproofing — Found as fire protection on structural supports, walls and ceilings. Asbestos containing and non-asbestos containing forms of spray applied fireproofing may be found. Mechanical insulation — Mechanical insulation can be found on mechanical systems, including: boilers, vessels, tanks and
pipes. These materials often have a high asbestos content. Linoleum — In older homes, the paper backing on some linoleum (sheet flooring) may contain high concentrations of asbestos. The paper backing tears easily and can result in high fibre levels if disturbed and appropriate procedures are not used. For more information, please visit www.hiddenkiller.ca.
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where you receive
Good Old Fashioned Service
• 2” Faux Wood Horizontals • 2” Ultra Wood Horizontals als • 3.5” Faux Wood Verticals • Custom Valances • Roller Shades featuring “Sun Block Fabrics”
• Pleated Sha Shades • Roman Shades • Roller Shades • Vertical Blinds • Cellular Blinds • Venetian Blinds • Wood Blinds • Motorization
Locally Owned and Operated! Featuring Blinds made in BC
Permits issued Here is a breakdown of the permits issued so far (January to August 2011) in the Town of Ladysmith: Commercial permits: 5 - Value of $292,260 Institutional permits: 2 — Value of $20,000 (New) Residential permits: 36 —Value of $4,761,299 Residential (renos, additions, other): 58 — Value of $604,494 Year-to-date value: $5,683,053
Landscape & Masonry Stone Chemainus Industrial Park 250-246-4773 www.vanisleslate.com
VAN ISLE SLATE Have you discovered
Ladysmith Flowers & Gifts on First Avenue next to the Credit Union
Call us for a free in home quote: 250-715-7733 250-416-0097 tidalblinds@telus.net 8
• Fresh Flowers • Professional Designers • Gift Baskets • Same Day Delivery 320 - First Ave Ladysmith, 250-245-2131 shop@ladysmithflowers.com www.ladysmithflowers.com
Funding renos Maintenance is an inevitable part of home ownership. Beyond routine fixes, many homeowners aspire toward larger projects such as room expansion or a new roof or siding. Funding for these projects may require a loan from the bank. A home equity loan or line of credit are common ways to pay for home renovations. A home equity loan can be used for a number of things, including paying education expenses or buying luxury items. Oftentimes, a homeowner chooses to borrow against the equity in the homes to make improvements that will increase the value of the property. A home equity loan is also known as a second mortgage. Homeowners borrow money by leveraging the equity in their homes. Equity is the amount of ownership value a homeowner has in a property. It is calculated by subtracting the unpaid mortgage balance and other debts on the home from the property’s fair market value. It’s important to note that some home values decrease during times of economic downturn. Therefore, homeowners should do their homework prior to starting any improvements to determine if a home equity loan is a good idea. There are two main types of home equity loans: A fixed-rate loan or a home equity line of credit.
The Finishing Touches... Draperies, Blinds, Slipcovers, and More! Nikki MacCallum 250-245-4238 C U S T O M C R A F T E D H O M E D E C O R www.sewingbynikki.com
Mid Island Granite
SSpecializing pecializing iin nC Custom ustom C Countertops ountertops & V Vanities anities Granite starts at
$69
per square foot
We specialize in custom Kitchen and vanity countertops We Fabricate and install Absolute best quality And make our customers ecstatic with the results Our team is highly experienced in the industry ranging up to 15 years experience. Call today to arrange for free quotes, or stop by and meet our team.
Mid Island Granite 1030 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith (in front of Home Hardware) Phone 250-924-2228
Fax 250-924-2229
www.mid-island-granite.ca OPEN: 8:30–5 M-F and 9–1 Saturday Or call for an appointment after hours 7 days a week
12335 Rocky Creek Rd, Ladysmith, BC 250-245-4521 | fax 250-245-4538
Oak Bay Marine Group www.ladysmithmarina.com | ladysmith.obmg.com
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Are you ready to $ell?
❱ Sprucing up the exterior
Whether you are trying to sell your house or are just in the mood to clean, there are a number of things you can do to freshen up your space. Guy Bezeau, president elect for the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and owner/broker of Ocean Pointe Real Estate, said it all starts with painting
your front door. He said there are several helpful suggestions people can follow to improve the look, and appeal, of their house. Bezeau said simple repairs in the kitchen can be a game changer for your house’s value, while adding a pool may not have you swimming in
dough at the end of the sale. Realtors, he said, can provide the expertise and opinions you may want to hear about how that big project such as an addition will affect your bottom line. Here are some tips from ReMax Ocean Point Realty on getting your house in show condition.
The Lawn
The House
❱ Keep the lawn trimmed and edged ❱Weed and cultivate flower gardens. ❱ Trim shrubs and eliminate dead trees or branches. ❱Pick up any debris, toys and lawn equipment
❱ Repair any fences and gates and give them a fresh coat of paint. ❱ Have exterior clean and attractive, roof and gutters in good repair. ❱ Replace damaged windows/screens ❱ Make entrance clean and inviting ❱ Make sure doorbell works ❱ Have exterior professionally washed
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❱ Immaculate interior ❱ Make sure walls are clean of smudges, fingerprints and dents — consider fresh paint. ❱ Inspect woodwork and wallpaper. ❱ Arrange furniture to make rooms more spacious ❱ If furniture is badly worn, store out of sight. ❱ Tighten loose banisters ❱ Replace discoloured or cracked switch, outlet plates. ❱ Be sure clothes are hung neatly and shoes and other objects neatly arranged. ❱ Bathrooms should be sparkling clean with no stains or mildew. ❱ Wash windows and sills until sparkling. ❱ Launder curtains and drapes. ❱ Shampoo carpets. ❱ Wax floors. ❱ Replace loose doorknobs, sticking doors and windows and warped kitchen drawers and cabinet doors. ❱ Fix leaky faucets and eliminate stains on sinks and counters.
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READY-MIX
Winter-ready
LTD.
SERVING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL PROJECTS • Engineered Quality Concrete • Interlocking Blocks • Dependable Service • Computerized Batch Plant OPEN MOST SATURDAYS 3721 Drinkwater Road, Duncan www.surespanreadymix.com
Warm-weather days will soon be a thing of the past and that means prepping the home and landscape for the arrival of winter weather. Even though it may be blanketed first by leaves and (occasionally) snow, lawns need treatment now to be sure they overwinter successfully. In fact, lawn experts say there is significant root growth that takes place during the winter — growth homeowners won’t necessarily see. People should continue to water their lawns throughout the autumn if there isn’t significant rain and aerate it as well. Applying a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen can help foster strong root growth. Also, keep up on removing leaves that have fallen. Not only will they stifle the lawn, but they may cause excessive moisture and mold to grow while inhibiting sunlight from reaching the grass as well. Before winter arrives, take the time to sow some grass seeds into the bald patches, if any. By late fall the lawn will stop taking up nutrients in preparation for winter.
250-701-0045
“ENJOY THE WATER!”
HOT TUB SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS
Vacuum
Parts, Sales & Service
530 - 1st Avenue (Main Street) Ladysmith 250-245-0591
N EW We Now Stock
• Mobility Scooters • E-Bikes • 2 Wheel Electric Scooters
Sales, Repairs & Parts
NG SWIMMI GN & I S POOL DEUCTION R T CONS
SAUNATEC FAR-INFRARED SAUNAS
AQUAFUN
FAMILY POOLS & SPAS 5265 TRANS CANADA HWY., DUNCAN 250-748-2611 (1-800-496-2611)
YOUR VALLEY POOL, HOT TUB & SAUNA STORE
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No Insurance, Gas or License
COME CHECK THEM OUT! Cut this ad out and bring in for a $50.00 discount off the purchase of one of the 3 scooters!
Save
$50_ 13
Paying for pros Many homeowners or renters wrestle with the question of whether to tackle a project as a do-it-yourself venture to save some money or simply leave it to a professional. Each situation is unique, but there are certain factors that must be considered regardless of a homeowner’s particular situation. On the surface, a DIY task can seem a very good way to save some money. After all, a large percentage, sometimes as much as 50 percent, of the cost of hiring a contractor goes toward labour. For a DIY job with no such costs, the final financial tally can be substantially less. Although labour can be expensive, that cost is often justified. People who hire carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and the like are paying for the workers’ experience. They’re also paying with the expectation that the job will be done correctly. With jobs that require a building permit or must be done to specific code, the contractor often puts his/ her reputation on the line and will be held accountable if the work doesn’t meet requirements.
Training/Behavior Learn how to train your dog
Grooming
Full dog grooming services in a quiet setting
Teeth Cleaning
An affordable solution to your dog’s oral hygiene program
Walkabout Canine Consulting
By Appointment • House Calls Available
250-245-1347
walkaboutcanine.com walkaboutcanine@aol.com
Ladysmith • Quality web printers • Flyers, magazines • Vacation & Recreation Guides es • Newspapers • Periodicals • Free quotes
940 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith
250-245-0350
Are you looking for RV,, Pick-Up or Heavy Truck Repair? R E. Madill
Gladden Rd
Van Isle Truck Tech Rocky Creek Rd Grouhel Rd Ludlow Rd
Island Hwy #1
Home Hardware 1st Ave.
Downtown Ladysmith
Thats what we specialize in! Mention this AD and receive $15 off your invoice!
Building or Renovating? We offer a full range of laminate countertops including several popular patterns in stock for fast service. Come in and see us, Mon to Fri 8:00 to 4:30 pm “Your Laminate Countertop Specialists”
250-245-7860
1280 Rocky Creek Rd, Ladysmith, BC www.vitrucktech.com
3A 1160 Rocky Creek Rd., Ladysmith
250-245-3092 TF: 888-545-3092
www.megacountertops.com
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Local housing market stable After a few years of ups and downs, the housing market in the Cowichan Valley is stabilizing says Guy Bezeau, president-elect of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board and owner broker of Ocean Pointe Realty. “For the most part we have a very stable market,” said Bezeau. Since September 2009, the average house price in the Cowichan Valley has moved between just above $350,000 in 2009 and after slight increases in 2010 have settled at around $345,622 for single family detached house. “I don’t see a tremendous rise in the future. I see a very stable environment , Bezeau said of his predictions for the market. “If you go back to 2007 we had an incredible year. What we have now is pretty much consistency.” Even the houses on the market are staying around the same over the last 12 months said Bezeau. Units listed the last 12 months to date are 1,516. The previous 12 months were 1,564. There were 141 units listed in August 2011. GRAPHS PROVIDED COURTESY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND REAL ESTATE BOARD
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Mr Popper’s M
Reusing
Sweet Shoppe S • Locally made Fudge • British Candy & Groceries • Dutch Licorice • Homemade Cotton Candy Hockey & Football Enthusiasts, H com come in for our own KETTLE CORN H Homemade, flavoured popcorn!
Get Ready for the Holidays Ranch, Nacho, White Cheddar Ran Christmas & Tues – Fri, 11am –5pm Sat 10am 10am–4pm –4pm British Grocery Baskets
1-32 High Street 250-924-8486
Gifts for Every Occasion G at the Ladysmith Archives (below Tim Horton’s)
We have inexpensive books by local authors, historical cookbooks and Marianne Torkko Prints. Hours: 9 – 2, Mondayy through g Fridayy
Ladysmith & District Historical Society
www.ladysmithhistoricalsociety.ca
Recycle...it pays! Full refund for your drink, beer, wine, & spirit containers
ACCEPTING
Electronics (TVs, computers, etc) Small Appliance (countertop microwave, pod coffee makers, etc) Household batteries & cell phones Household paint & milk containers Ladysmith Harbour
Railway
Nanaimo
X
Oyster Bay Dr.
Ludlow Road
Ludlow Rd
Help Protect Our Planet...
Chewing gum as an art medium? Beer as a hair serum? Surprisingly, these items and many more are reused every day, playing a host of roles they were never intended for. Before items are relegated to the trash, individuals can think about ways these same items can be reused and reincarnated into several other purposes. Here are some tips: * Find out if it can be fixed. An appliance on the fritz or a toy that has lost a part might not need to be discarded. Before finding the trash can, find out if the item can be fixed. * Embrace newspapers’ versatility. There are millions of newspapers printed and used worldwide. While recycling does help cut down on newspapers, there are other ways to put old papers to good use. Line the bottom of refrigerator drawers with the paper to catch spills and eliminate odors. Use shredded paper as kitty litter or in bird cages. Wrap unripe fruit in newsprint to help it ripen faster. You can also place newspaper at the bottom of a planting bed before you cover it with soil or mulch to keep away weeds. And don’t forget the Free Store at Peerless Road Depot, 10830 Peerless Rd. You pay a small fee to drop off reusable items, but items dropped off are free to take. Don’t forget the Junction Bottle Depot in Ladysmith, which is also equipped to take everything from microwaves to drink containers and keep them out of the landfill.
★ Junction Bottle Depot
Lights Trans Canada Hwy
Duncan
First Avenue
Ladysmith
Junction Bottle
Depot
Beside Home Hardware 149 Oyster Bay Drive
Mon - Sat: 9 am - 5 pm Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
250-245-7376
What you can expect at New Way: Self-confidence and self-esteem Goal setting Reduced stress levels Improved health and fitness Better relationships Complimentary Consultation skype, phone or office
New Way Life & Health Coaching
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