nvermere¯s - Columbia Valley Pioneer

August 31, 2007
2 • Columbia Valley Homes
Cranbrook Agencies Real Estate
911 Baker Street, Cranbrook, BC V1C 1A4
admin@cranbrookagencies.com
250) 426-3355
Phone: (
3 VALLEY
RECREATION PARK
RIVERFRONT
RECREATION LOTS
IN YAHK – Starting At…
$
34,900
Only 15 river fronts available. Lot size 40x100. Off river,
60x100. Cabin lots, 60x100. Fully serviced. Call Crystal Billey or
Susan Nilsson.
Located in
Beautiful Wasa
374,500
$
This home has an EXCEPTIONAL VIEW OF THE ROCKY
MOUNTAINS and also WASA LAKE. Very large fenced yard.
2 minutes from the lake when you are walking. Wired 200 amp, with
240 in the 24 x 16 garage. Call Crystal Billey K163649
CONDOS TOWER OVER TOWN OFFICE - The Purcell Point condominium project is located directly behind the District of Invermere town office. Trees were removed and massive retaining walls built on the hillside
to allow the project, owned by Cardel Resorts of Calgary, to proceed.
)NVERMERE¯S0REMIER2ESIDENTIAL%STATE#OMMUNITY
• Home Packages starting in the $400K’s
• Treed Lots Starting in the $100K’s
• Premium 1/4 Acre Lake View Lots
• Fractional Ownership Coming Soon
Ph: 1-888-341-LAKE or 250-341-6212 • www.castlerockinvermere.com
2 ~ Play ’n’ Stay • The Columbia Valley Pioneer
MAIN STREET INVERMERE
(250) 342-6151
Village Arts features the
handcrafted work of over 50 artisans.
Best selection of Canadian Fine Craft in the Region
Open year round Monday to Saturday 10 am to 5:30 pm
Summer Sundays 11 am - 4 pm
www.villagearts.ca
Featuring these artisans
and more…
beads
Sandra Arnold-Beingessner
Glass Bead Artist-Designer
Collectable, Wearable Art
Shop Online
www.blissbeads.ca
Consultation & Showroom
814 – 13th St. Invermere, BC
250.342.6507
Brian Hoffos Wood Designs
Brian & Jenny
Hoffos
Unique mirrors,
lamps and
hand-turned
wooden items.
250-342-3819
August 31, 2007
Historic Toby Theatre
still delighting patrons
By Elinor Florence
Pioneer Staff
The Toby Theatre on Invermere’s main street is
still in business and won’t close its doors as long as the
summer visitors keep coming, says Ron Peters, who
has owned the business with his wife Elizabeth since
1971.
A retro sign surrounded by flashing lights on the
exterior of the building draws patrons into the lobby,
itself a work of art with fake fireplace, aquarium and
fresh popcorn dished out by the owners themselves.
The theatre provides a trip down memory lane,
with star shapes cut out of red shag rug attached to the
walls, old-fashioned double loveseats, and Ron’s prized
model airplane collection hanging from the ceiling.
“We get people dropping by to look at the place
all the time,” he says.
When the theatre was rumoured to close two years
ago, the owners were overwhelmed by the support
they received, both from people in the community
and from Calgary.
“If it weren’t for the Calgary customers, we
wouldn’t survive,” Ron says simply.
An entire generation of second homeowners and
visitors has been coming to The Toby since they were
children, and are now bringing their own children to
see the show.
One couple even recreated The Toby—complete
with neon sign—in their home entertainment centre
back in Calgary.
During the winters, however, the theatre is often
mostly empty. Ron says he can’t blame locals for making the trip to Cranbrook to see movies, but it still
leaves The Toby scrambling to keep its doors open.
“With the increase in fuel costs, our cost of shipping a film and returning it to Calgary is now in excess
of $100 per movie,” says Ron.
“In the winter months when many times the attendance is only 10 to 15 people per night, as you can
see the cost is more than the income.
“In the off-season, the operation of the theatre is
strictly a public service to the community.”
Currently, the theatre runs a movie once each
night except Sunday, which has always been a day off
for the Peters. Business has been steady throughout
the summer and a few times patrons were even turned
away. This summer’s most popular movies so far were
Ratatouille and Hair Spray, Ron said.
But the owner warns that all good things must
come to an end. The Hollywood movie industry is
converting all its movies to digital, and The Toby will
be unable to afford the $200,000-plus to change its
technology to accommodate the digital movies. Currently, The Toby still uses a reel-to-reel projector and
35-millimetre film.
Visitors are often surprised to find that there is an
intermission in the middle of each movie—that’s so
Ron can change reels.
“The change to digital movies will affect small theatres all over North America, all over the whole world,
really,” he says. But he’s hoping the transition won’t
take place for another five to seven years.
The Toby Theatre first opened its doors here in
1952 after being built by Billy Morgan and Morley
Hogan, modelled after The Yoho Theatre in Golden.
They sold it in 1967 to Steve and Ray Kapowski
of Radium, who operated it until 1971, when it was
purchased by the Peters.
Since then, the Peters have run the theatre through
good times and bad, and raised their two daughters,
Tammy and Nicole.
A few years ago Ron brought The Toby into the
internet age by creating its own website, and viewers
can check out movie times at www.tobytheatre.com.
This week, The Simpsons Movie is showing on
August 31 and September 1 at 8 p.m., followed by
The Bourne Ultimatum, nightly from September 4 to
8 at 7:30 p.m.
The following week, the theatre will be closed from
September 9th to 15th so the Peters can enjoy the festivites surrounding daughter Tammy’s wedding.
Columbia Valley Vacations
Specials/Packages and Savings!
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Open year-round seven days a week
814 - 13th Street, Invermere
Kapristo Mountain Woodcraft
Dean Spence & Cathie Green
Distinctive rustic
furniture and
household
accessories
www.kmw.ca
(250) 344-6734
Book Now with your Valley Planner, Sherry
We supply part
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FOR ALL MAKES of:
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• motorcycles
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• Custom Stay and Play Packages
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Hassle Free Reservations and Bookings
Go To: www.ColumbiaValleyVacations.com
Email: sherry@columbiavalleyvacations.com
1-888-488-4FUN(386)
250-347-9111
Located at the Prestige Inn, Radium
Columbia Valley Homes • 3
August 31, 2007
When should you buy a water softener?
• What is hard water?
Hard water contains large amounts of calcium
and magnesium–two minerals that cause the soapy
scum on glasses and lime residue on bathroom fixtures. While suitable for drinking and gardening,
hard water can cause mineral build-up in water
pipes, reducing its flow. Soap and shampoo’s ability
to lather is reduced.
• When should you buy a water softener?
Above 121 mg/litre, you may want to consider
a water softener. Generally speaking, groundwater
(well water taken from aquifers in the ground) is
hard. Some municipalities in Canada use groundwater to supply water to residents. Residents, in small
or rural communities, may not have municipal water service and get water from private or communal
wells. The most crucial step in deciding whether
your home should have a water softener is to find
out if your water is hard. If you have municipal water, call your water department or utility. If you have
a well, contact a water-softening company that can
conduct a test and classify its hardness.
• How does a water softener work?
A water softener uses a medium that serves to
exchange “ions” of calcium and magnesium with
sodium and potassium.
HOMES
In-Town Lots from
Paul
Glassford
341-1395
p.glassford@telus.net
and laundry. Skin feels cleaner and clothing softer.
Pipes, fixtures and appliances have less scale buildup. With less build-up, appliances can operate efficiently. Mineral-derived odours may be reduced;
and, there are fewer stains on bathroom fixtures.
• Where can you buy a water softener?
Water softeners are sold by water equipment
dealers, department and hardware stores. Units
should be certified to the appropriate standards as
outlined in the Certification section.
• What does a softener look like?
There are two basic types of water softeners.
There is a single upright cabinet style and an upright twin-tank style. Both are approximately 1.5 m
in height and about 0.5 m in width.
• Where can I get more information?
You can consult Health Canada’s website which
describes activities related to Canadian drinking water quality. The Canadian Water Quality Association
is an industry source of information for drinking
water treatment units, and can be found at www.
cwqa.com.
You can talk to various retailers and dealers to
discuss different approaches to softening. Your local
municipal water department or utility may also be
of assistance.
R2000 Envirohome Properties
119,900 + GST
$
This occurs in four steps:
1. To do the ion replacement, the water in the
house runs through a resin bed of small plastic beads
or zeolite. The beads are covered with sodium or potassium ions. As the water flows past the ions, they
swap places with the calcium and magnesium ions.
Eventually, the beads contain nothing but calcium
and magnesium, and softening stops. It is then time
to regenerate the beads or zeolite.
2. To regenerate, the beads regain their sodium
or potassium ions by being flooded with a salty,
brine solution that is rich in sodium or potassium.
3. Once completed, the calcium and magnesium, dirt and sediments are flushed from the beads
and into the drain in a process called backwash.
4. The final phase rinses the mineral tank with
fresh water and loads the brine tank so it’s ready for
the next cycle. Automatic water softeners are usually
programmed to recharge at specific times that will
not disrupt the occupants. It is more water-efficient
to have a metered model that will regenerate only
when required.
• What are the benefits of a water softener?
A water softener reduces water hardness, making it easier to shower and clean fabrics and dishes.
With softened water, less soap is needed for bathing
One-Floor Living from
$339,000 + GST
Townhomes from
$459,000 + GST
Invermere
Independently Owned and Operated
250-341-6505
Bernie
Raven
342-7415
braven@cybelink.bc.ca
4 • Columbia Valley Homes
August 31, 2007
Columbia Valley Homes • 5
August 31, 2007
Confessions of a TV home show addict
By Elinor Florence
Pioneer Publisher
At the risk of sounding shallow, one of my
favourite occupations
after a long day at work
is to sink into the couch
and turn on a television
program about home
decorating, renovating
or flipping.
I’m not sure why,
but it tends to restore
my sense of order in the world to see an ugly home
being transformed into a thing of beauty - not to mention that people make unbelievable amounts of money
while they are at it.
My home show addiction started about 30 years
ago when I became fascinated with This Old House,
with Bob Vila.
Back then it was the only home show on the air;
now there are so many of them - including Canadian,
British and American - you can find something to
watch at any hour of the day.
And the personalities of the hosts also play a significant role.
Here are my current favourites:
• Real Estate Pros: The original Trademark Properties team with Richard and Ginger from Charleston,
South Carolina who have now moved on from Flip
This House to another show called Real Estate Pros.
Their goal is to make as much money as they can
in the shortest possible time, and they somehow manage to do it without seeming like the shameless greedy
gits that they no doubt are.
The availability of cheap Mexican labour in the
southern states, which we don’t have here in Canada,
makes it all possible.
• Sarah’s House, with Sarah Richardson: Canadian, tasteful, elegant, understated. All these things go
together.
• Canadian House and Home: Not bad, but I
like the magazine better. Both are owned by host Lynda Reeves, and in the past both the show and the magazine used to focus on Toronto; now I see a lot more
articles and advertising from Alberta. Last year the
magazine even profiled a house on Lake Windermere.
• How Not to Decorate: Scottish hosts Colin and
Justin are way O. T. T. (over the top), but they have a
witty turn of phrase, if you can decipher their accent.
This is one of the few home shows that carries a Coarse
Language warning. The jolly pair is coming to Canada
in October to shoot a new show called Home Heist.
• HGTV’s Design Challenge: The season has
just finished, but this survivor-type show had designers compete with each other to decorate rooms. The
results were either stunning or just plain awful, but
fascinating to watch.
• Million Dollar Listing: This show follows the
obscenely-rich with their botoxed faces flipping gorgeous homes in the Los Angeles area; the ocean views
and gardens would make you want to move to southern California immediately if it weren’t for the people
who are already there.
• Restaurant Makeover: This adds another dimension with the makeover of the menus as well as
the interiors of failing restaurants; it’s especially good
for people who love both eating and decorating. And
it’s Canadian.
• Designer Guys: This WAS my all-time favourite
design show, with Canadian hosts Stephen and Chris.
Somehow I can’t warm up to the new guys.
The worst design show on the air, now thankfully
no longer to be found on any channel, was While You
Were Out.
The end product was always makeshift and sloppy.
The hosts slapped paint onto walls, turned amateurs
loose on a sewing machine to produce the worst seams
ever, and their “crafts” looked like something my kids
brought home from primary school.
Estate Lots For Sale
Phase I has Sold Out
Now Accepting Reservations
for Phase II
The sunny side of the Valley’s new prestigious gated community near Windermere.
Inquiries Welcome
ELKHORN RANCH
(250) 342-0617
6 • Columbia Valley Homes
August 31, 2007
Canadians love
to renovate
their homes
This pristine new
development is located in Edgewater,
just a 7 minute drive north of Radium on Highway 95.
Come experience the views and the serenity.
For information call: (250) 341-5304
Em a i l : i n fo @ v a l l e ys e d g e re s o r t . c a or visit our web: w w w.valleysedgeresor t.ca
About 1.5 million households in 10 major Canadian centres surveyed indicated they completed
renovations in 2006, costing an average of more than
$11,000, according to the Renovation and Home Purchase Survey released by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
“More than $17.3 billion was spent on renovations last year across the 10 major centres surveyed,”
said Bob Dugan, Chief Economist.
“As well, 46 percent of homeowners in these 10
centres surveyed indicated that they intend to spend
$1,000 or more on renovations this year.”
Close to half (47 percent) of households reported
that the cost of renovations was in line with what they
had budgeted. More than one-third of households
went over their planned budget for the renovation.
Twenty-four percent of households that undertook a renovation project were do-it-yourselfers who
hired a contractor for a portion of the work. Slightly
more households contracted out the renovation work
(40 percent of respondents) as opposed to doing the
work themselves (34 percent).
The main reason given by households for renovating in 2006 was to update, add value or to prepare
to sell the residence (61 percent). Thirty percent of
respondents stated that the main reason for renovating
was that their home needed repairs.
The top three renovations completed last year
were: remodelling of rooms (34 percent), painting or
wallpapering (32 percent), and hard surface flooring
and wall-to-wall carpeting (32 percent).
As for renovation intentions in 10 major centres in
2007, they are strongest in Edmonton and Winnipeg
where 51 and 50 percent of consumers, respectively,
indicated they planned to undertake renovations costing $1,000 or more this year. The share of potential
renovators is lowest in Toronto and Vancouver with
43 percent of households intending to renovate.
On the home purchasing front, eight percent of
households across the 10 major centres surveyed intend to purchase a home in 2007 that will be used
as a primary residence. About half of the households
that stated they intend to purchase a home in 2007
are first-time buyers, compared to 40 percent in 2006.
The majority of first-time buyers are between the
ages of 25 and 34, with a household income between
$80,000 to about $100,000.
Home buying intentions are strongest in Calgary,
where 14 percent of households reported that they are
considering buying a home this year. Purchase intentions are also strong in Edmonton where 11 percent
of households plan to buy, while the share is lowest in
Montréal and Québec (6 percent).
The ten major centres surveyed were: St. John’s,
Halifax, Québec, Montréal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
Columbia Valley Homes • 7
August 31, 2007
Cathy’s Workshop: choose the right wood
By Cathy Dalrymple
Invermere
All things must come
to an end and as the days
of summer wane, hopefully so are your summer
projects.
If you are in the
home stretch and need
only to put a finish on
your project, the following chart should
help. It covers a good range of species
and if yours is not on the list you can
probably decipher from the list what
you may need to do.
Hardness: Relating to the density
of the wood and those best suited for
heavy traffic or items such as countertops.
Strength: Generally hardwoods
have greater strength, but, increased size
or thickness of softwoods can obtain the
same strength.
Cutting Quality: This refers to how
well the wood cuts without collapsing or splintering. Sharp tools are a must
when cutting wood in order to reduce tear-out or
ragged edges.
Planing Quality: An
even grained wood planes
better than a well-figured
wood or a porous wood
species.
Gluing Quality: Most woods glue
up well but oily woods and tight pore
woods don’t take glue as well.
Stain Recommended: This refers to
the best end result from the wood species used. Although experimenting with
your wood and stains is always a good
practice, do not use an oil based finish
over an oil based stain as this will cause
clouding. Use shellac or lacquer over oil
based stain.
Suitable for painting: Prepare
open pored wood with filler. All woods
should be sanded well and sealed with
sealer or primer before painting.
WOODS FOR FINISHED CARPENTRY
WOOD SPECIES
Douglas Fir
Yellow Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Hemlock
Spruce
Cedar (W. Red)
Redwood
Cypress
Basswood
Elm
Mahogany
Gum
Ash
Beech
Birch
Cherry
Hard Maple
Soft maple
White oak
Red Oak
Walnut
Hickory
Teak
HARDNESS
Medium
Medium
Poor
Medium
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Good
Good
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Medium
Good
Good
STRENGTH
Medium
Good
Poor
Medium
Poor
Poor
Medium
Medium
Poor
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
CUTTING
QUALITY
Medium
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Good
Medium
Good
Medium
Medium
Good
Poor
Medium
Medium
Good
Poor
Medium
Poor
Poor
Good
Poor
Dulls tools
I have referred to this chart on many
occasions in my early days after furniture design school. It was part of my
reference material and I hope it serves as
a good aid to your future projects. Have
a wonderful fall and let’s pray for a great
ski season!
PLANING
QUALITY
Poor
Good
Good
Poor
Good
Medium
Medium
Medium
Good
Poor
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Medium
Good
Medium
Poor
Medium
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
GLUING
QUALITY
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Medium
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Poor
Medium
Poor
Medium
Poor
Medium
Medium
Medium
Good
Medium
Poor
STAIN
RECOMMENDED
Oil
Any
Any
Oil
Any
Oil
Oil
Water/oil
Water
Water
Water
Any
Any
Water
Any
Water
Any
Any
Water
Water
Water
Water
Any
Cathy Dalrymple owns Toby Creek
Custom Woodworking in Invermere.
She also writes regularly for Canadian Home Workshop magazine.
Call her at 342-3022 or e-mail
cathy_tobycreekwood@hotmail.com.
Your Local
COLUMBIA VALLEY REAL ESTATE
Professionals
INVERMERE
1022B-7th Ave.
INVERMERE
1022B-7th Ave.
Independently Owned and Operated
Paul Glassford
Representative
(250) 341-1395
pglassford@telus.net
Ofce: (250) 342-6505
Fax: (250) 342-9611
Bernie Raven
Representative
(250) 342-7415
braven@cyberlink.bc.ca
PAUL ROGGEMAN
341-5300
Fax (250) 345-4001
www.rockymtnrealty.com
paul@rockymtnrealty.com
Dedicated to all your real estate needs.
It’s the Experience!
Ofce: (250) 342-6505
Fax: (250) 342-9611
Ed English
Jan Klimek
(250) 342-1195
janklimek@telus.net
Main Street, Invermere
(250) 342-1194
edenglish@telus.net
(250) 342-6505 INVERMERE
www.ReMaxInvermere.com
Independently Owned and Operated
w w w. e d a n d j a n s l i s t i n g s. c o m
Mountain Creek Properties Ltd.
Invermere Office – 526B – 13th Street
Fairmont Office – #4, Fairmont Village Mall
Phone (250) 345-4000
Independently Owned and Operated
Strata, Rental & Commercial Property Management
For professional management of your strata corporation or rental
property, overseen by a CertiÀed Property Manager®, please contact
Bill Weissig CPM®, CPRPM, CLO, SMA, CRES.
Our property managers are licensed under the Real Estate Services Act
of B.C. For more information regarding their extensive qualications and
experience, please visit our web site at http://www.mountaincreek.ca.
Phone: 250-341-6003
Email: bweissig@mountaincreek.ca
RockiesWest Realty Ltd.
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED
230 Laurier Street
Invermere, B.C. V0A 1K0
Ron Maciborski
SALES REPRESENTATIVE
(250) 342-5704 (Cell)
(250) 342-5599 (Office)
(250) 342-5559 (Fax)
e-mail: ronmac@rockieswest.com
August 31, 2007
8 • Columbia Valley Homes
Lake W
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93
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The Village Centre
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EAGLE RANCH RESORT PHASE ONE
Eagle Summit • Estate Lots from low $200s
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Clubhouse at Eagle Ranch - Now Open
The Cabins
Patio dining at the
Traders Lounge
Private dining at the Pioneer Room
Terrifc selection of top quality brands
95
SE NO
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Eagle Ranch Trail Now Open
Showhome open Friday - Sunday 10am - 5pm
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Friendly, professional staff to
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