Remembering “Smilin’ Jack”
When reporting the passing of Jack Layton, the Los Angeles Times called him a “folksy Canadian political leader,” adding the word “charismatic” later in the article.
“Folksy” somehow ...
Real Estate News
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Archive : 2011
New residential offer to purchase — three recommendations made following review by real estate lawyer
by Janet Clarkson
On August 1, a new version of the residential offer to purchase became effective. It is important to note that these changes affect only the residential offer to purchase form and not the condominium offer to purc...
Buffalo hunt — early aboriginal hunters used jumps, pounds and traps to harvest bison’s bounty
by Bruce Cherney (part 2)
The presence of buffalo was the primary reason early aboriginal hunters came to the Assiniboine and Souris river valleys of Manitoba. In the summer, vast herds of buffalo aggregated on the Northern Plains,...
Report calls for clarification of knob and tube issue by insurers
A homeowner on Oxford Street received a letter from his insurer stating that his home insurance was up for review pending an electrician’s report. Two electricians actually supplied reports stating that the home contained knob and tube ...
Trivia quiz
If you’re a trivia expert, you’ll probably know the answers to all these questions. Or, maybe not! (Answers at the end of the column.)
1. What was the name of the first U.S. manned space program?
2. In ...
Newspeak, bureaucracies or just jargon?
Some time ago, one David Tonizzo of Toronto sounded off in a Globe and Mail letter about that city’s waste and recycling receptacles or, as he termed them, “the new street furniture.”
He wrote, “I took part ...
Restoration of “royal” prefix
With announcement of Defence Minister Peter McKay that the prefix “royal” would again be added to Canada’s naval and air forces, I decided it might be appropriate to ask my father, who served in the “Royal” Canad...
Winnipeg in Bloom contest — Curb Appeal award went to entry on Masson Street
WinnipegREALTORS® director Claudette Griffin presented the WinnipegREALTORS® Curb Appeal award to Lillian Prud’homme of 134 Masson Street during a special ceremony at Rainbow Stage. Over 450 people attended the August 13...
Buffalo hunt — twice-annual hunt involved hundreds of Métis from Red River and White Horse Plains
by Bruce Cherney (part 1)
At one time, they numbered in the millions. As a herd migrated to new grazing grounds, the beasts stirred up an all-enveloping cloud of dust, and their hooves made the prairie echo with a sound similar to ...
National association revises housing forecast for 2011 and 2012
Housing markets have a tendency to change. What happens one month isn’t necessary the case the folllowing month.
In Canada, how markets in Toronto and Vancouver perform has a tendency to skew the overall results for the entir...