Habitat for Humanity partners with Gold Seal Homes

It’s official, Gold Seal Master Builder will be starting two semi-detached bungalows in Carstairs for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.  After a few years of talks, it was announced yesterday that Habitat SA is pleased with the offer Gold Seal has made to build two affordable, safe and energy efficient homes in the Havenfields community.

The close proximity to Hugh Sutherland School, the Memorial Arena and the fact that Gold Seal is a Built Green builder all were contributing factors.  Gold Seal will be building these two homes at a reduced cost and offering up over $60,000 donation of product and services.

Many of Gold Seal’s suppliers have already stepped up to the table with donations.  All Weather Windows, whom we have a 23 year relationship with have already constructed all of the energy efficient windows and doors necessary for the project.  Uponor (our plumbing pipe manufacturer) has committed to supplying all plumbing materials necessary for potable water services and the fire sprinkler system.

It is interesting to note that this will be the first Habitat home to feature a fire suppression system. Click here to see what Murray has to say about Uponor.

Contributing to Habitat Southern Alberta not only helps support a new home, but also a brighter future for so many deserving families. With each new home, Habitat comes one step closer to its goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.  Building with donated time, funds, materials, and professional services is what keeps the cost of Habitat homes within reach for families in need, helping Habitat SA continue to offer a ‘hand-up’ to parents wishing to break the cycle of poverty for their children.  Habitat homes help families avoid making impossible choices between rent and other basic necessities by providing them with a mortgage they can afford. An affordable mortgage allows our partner families to ensure their needs are met – including childcare, transportation, groceries, education, school supplies, medical and dental expenses, clothing, furniture, and more.

Did you know today is Administrative Professionals’ Day?

Administrative Professionals’ Day (also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day) is an unofficial secular holiday observed in several countries to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals. In North America, it is celebrated on the Wednesday of the last full week of April (April 25 in 2012).

Housing starts up more than expected in March

Postmedia News

OTTAWA — Housing starts were up more than expected in March, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. said Wednesday.  The federal agency said the annual rate of new construction on housing units was 215,600 last month, up 10,300, or five per cent, from the month before.  That beat the median estimate of 200,000 from economists polled by Bloomberg.

“The upward movement in March was largely due to an increase in multiple starts, particularly in Ontario and the Prairies,” CMHC deputy chief economist Mathieu Laberge said in a statement. “This was partly offset by a decrease in multiple starts in British Columbia and Quebec, while single-detached starts decreased marginally countrywide.”

In urban areas, housing starts were up 4.2 per cent to a rate of 192,100. That included a decline of 2.4 per cent in the category of single-family homes, but a gain of 8.3 per cent for multiple-housing units.  In rural areas, housing starts were estimated at an annual rate of 23,500, up 11.9 per cent from February.  “Although we expect starts to soften in due course, the latest figures suggests that, for time being, the housing sector still has a considerable amount of energy, aided by low financing costs,” said Peter Buchanan, economist with CIBC World Markets.

Aggie Days

Need something fun to do with the family this weekend?

FAMILY FUN DAYS

Saturday, April 21 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday, April 22 – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Admission: FREE; this is a wheelchair chair accessible event.

Location: Stampede Park, BMO Center

Enjoy interactive agriculture activities including cow milking, sheep shearing, farm animals, book corner, corn maze, and much more!

For more information please call 403-261-0162.

First-time homebuyers to drive housing market

Mario Toneguzzi, Calgary Herald

First-time homebuyers are being described as the “engine” that is driving  the housing market in Canada.

A national survey conducted by Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada  in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Credit Counselling Services shows that 43 per cent of first-time homebuyers believe they are in good or great financial shape.  The annual poll asked 1,533 Canadians questions about their financial well-being and revealed that almost one-third of first-time buyers who purchased a home in the past two years, or future intenders, believe now is a good time to buy, up 25 per cent from last year. Also, 64 per cent say they enjoy planning their financial future and 59 per cent say they managed to save for their down payment within two years or less.  “First-time homebuyers are the engine that will drive the housing market in the next few years,” says Brian Hurley, chairman and chief executive of Genworth Canada.

Other survey results for first-time buyers are: 94 per cent say even though it means more work and effort, they’d rather own a home than rent; 94 per cent say owning their own home provides a greater sense of emotional well-being and security; 60 per cent say they have a long-term financial plan for retirement they are working towards; 58 per cent say their goal is to pay off their mortgage as fast as possible, even if it means scrimping and saving and foregoing a lifestyle and activities that their peers enjoy; 36 per cent say they were able to pay off all their bills and save money in the past year; 72 per cent say they expect their financial situation to improve in the next year, whereas only 54 per cent of Canadians who do not own a home say they are expecting any improvement in their financial fitness in the next 12 months.

Norwex “clean without chemicals”

Norwex is committed to radically reducing the use of chemicals in personal care and cleaning to promote health. More than ever we feel the need to emphasize the positive environmental impact of reducing chemical use.

During the past several hundred years, human activity has significantly altered our global environment, and the negative effects of this are becoming alarmingly clear. No longer can we ignore the warning signs from nature. This trend can be changed if we all work together and take honest responsibility for our planet. It is a fact; household pollutants have a profound impact on our environment.

A radical reduction in the use of chemicals is an important step to improve the health of our planet and our quality of life.

Why Norwex microfiber?

Norwex microfiber is a blend of polyester and polyamide. This fiber is 1/100th the size of a strand of human hair. When this high-quality microfiber is combined with the right knitting process, it creates an extremely effective cleaning material. This material can hold up to seven times its weight in matter.

Used dry the static effect created enhances the microfiber’s ability to attract dirt and dust particles. As you lightly wipe the surface, the microfiber attracts and draws up even the smallest particles of dust, trapping them in the fibers.  Used wet the microfibers work together to give an excellent cleaning effect. Wet, wring and wipe away dirt and debris from all washable surfaces.

For spot removing, spray water on the surface being cleaned. Norwex microfiber is backed with an exceptional 2 year warranty.

What are the benefits of cleaning with Norwex microfiber?

• Microfiber cloths are environmentally friendly.
• They can reduce the consumption of cleaning chemicals in your home up to 90% while at the same time reducing your exposure to toxic fumes. This can make a big difference for anyone with allergies and chemical sensitivities.Microfiber cloths are very durable and can withstand the rigors of everyday use.

Microfiber cloths can be used wet or dry

Dry: The static effect created when using the Microfiber cloths dry enhances the ability to attract dirt and dust particles. As you lightly wipe the surface, the microfiber attracts and draws up even the smallest particles of dust, trapping them in the fibers until the cloths are laundered.

Wet: The microfibers work together to give an excellent cleaning effect. Wet, wring and wipe away dirt and debris from all washable surfaces. For spot removing, spray water on the surface being cleaned.

Care Instructions:

To save the environment and reduce the use of detergents, we suggest that slightly dirty cloths and mops be washed with a little Norwex Dishwashing Liquid under warm running water and used again before laundering.

• Launder microfiber with other lint-free laundry
• Use only Norwex Ultra Power Plus or another environmentally friendly detergent without fillers and bleach to clean our products
• Do not use bleach or fabric softener on microfiber.  Bleach and fabric softeners destroy the product’s ability to clean effectively
• Do not use on anti-glare coated surfaces
• Use our Rubber Brush to remove dirt and debris from the mop pads between laundering

You can order it online here: www.brandyproulx.norwex.biz

8 out of 10 fire deaths occur in the home

Including fire sprinklers in your new home is a great idea that can save your family’s lives. But it does raise many questions. This article can answer these questions.

Home fire sprinklers can contain and may even extinquish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive on the scene.

Nationwide, more than 300 people die in fires each year. Fire sprinklers save lives, reduce property loss and can even help cut homeowner insurance premiums. Installing both smoke alarms and a fire sprinkler system reduces the risk of death in a home fire by 82%, relative to having neither.

Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. Ninety percent of fires are contained by the operation of just one sprinkler. Nationally, on average, home fire sprinkler systems add 1% to 1.5% of the total building cost in new construction.

Home fire sprinklers use only a fraction of the water used by fire department hoses. See a demonstration. Home fire sprinkler systems are at least as reliable as home plumbing systems.

Modern residential sprinklers are inconspicuous and can be mounted flush with walls or ceilings. See how they work. Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions about fire sprinklers.

Article courtesy of CASA

Happy Easter!

Easter Sunday in Canada celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection after his death, which is described in the Christian Bible. Some people observe Easter Sunday by attending church while others spend time with their families and friends or engage in Easter egg activities.

Whatever it is you do with your family, have a Happy Easter from Gold Seal Homes.

The Word Easter? Who knew?

If Easter is not found in the Bible, then where did it come from? The vast majority of ecclesiastical and secular historians agree that the name of Easter and the traditions surrounding it are deeply rooted in pagan religion.

“Since Bede the Venerable (De ratione temporum 1:5) the origin of the term for the feast of Christ’s Resurrection has been popularly considered to be from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a goddess of spring…the Old High German plural for dawn, eostarun; whence has come the German Ostern, and our English Easter” (The New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1967, Vol. 5, p. 6).

“The fact that vernal festivals were general among pagan peoples no doubt had much to do with the form assumed by the Eastern festival in the Christian churches. The English term Easter is of pagan origin” (Albert Henry Newman, D.D., LL.D., A Manual of Church History, p. 299).

“On this greatest of Christian festivals, several survivals occur of ancient heathen ceremonies. To begin with, the name itself is not Christian but pagan. Ostara was the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring” (Ethel L. Urlin, Festival, Holy Days, and Saints Days, p. 73).

“Easter—the name Easter comes to us from Ostera or Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, for whom a spring festival was held annually, as it is from this pagan festival that some of our Easter customs have come” (Hazeltine, p. 53).

The goddess Easter was no different. She was one goddess with many names—the goddess of fertility, worshipped in spring when all life was being renewed.

“In Babylonia…the goddess of spring was called Ishtar. She was identified with the planet Venus, which, because…[it] rises before the Sun…or sets after it…appears to love the light [this means Venus loves the sun-god]…In Phoenecia, she became Astarte; in Greece, Eostre [related to the Greek word Eos: “dawn”], and in Germany, Ostara [this comes from the German word Ost: “east,” which is the direction of dawn]”

Things to do while the boss is away… Or NOT to do?

Hmmm what to do?

1. Take a long lunch with an alcoholic beverage.

2. Meet up with friends for a shopping spree.

3. Read the boss’s personal emails.

4. Catch up on movie previews.

5. File and paint nails

6. Catch up on celebrity gossip

7. Throw pencils into the ceiling tiles.

8. Pay bills online

9. Play online video games (current favorite is “DrawSomething”)

10. Make long, long distance phone calls

11. Go to a hair appointment (preferably at a salon that takes more than 1 hour)

12. Email people you haven’t spoken to in years

13. Go to the bathroom and spend 30 minutes looking at the deepening wrinkles near your eyes