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actionpowermarcandre · 3 years

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What You Need to Know about Real Estate in Orleans

The Action Power Team is here to answer all your questions about buying and selling real estate in Orleans.

What’s the difference between a condo townhouse and freehold townhouse in the Orleans area?

A freehold townhouse gives you exclusive ownership of both the interior and exterior of the land and the home, much like a single-family home. A condo township means that you own everything inside of the unit, but the exterior is maintained by a condo corporation. Each type of ownership has benefits and disadvantages. Discuss your goals with your real estate agent in Orleans to decide what is right for you.

Are there easements when buying a townhouse in Orleans?

An easement gives another person or entity permission to access your property for a limited or specific purpose. A common type of easement is for utility companies. Easements are common for townhouses. When a property in Orleans is changing hands, the title company will search for easements on the property, but you could also have a real estate lawyer conduct a search and explain any easements for you.

What are the types of townhouses in Orleans?

A townhouse is a housing unit with two or three homes that share walls. In the Orleans area, you can find:

Condo w/o garage – a traditional townhouse without a garage. The homeowner owns the interior, while the exterior is managed by a condo corporation.

Condo w/garage—similar to a traditional townhouse but with a garage.

Freehold w/garage – a traditional townhouse with a garage. The homeowner owns the interior and exterior and is responsible for all property maintenance.

Two-storey – a two story townhouse that maximizes the space in a home.

Three-storey – three-storey townhouses are built with three levels, but typically won’t have a basement.

Bungalow townhouse – a bungalow townhouse is a one-storey home, but it may utilize loft space to increase square footage.

What is a terrace home? What’s the difference between the lower and upper units?

A terrace home is similar to a townhouse, but the levels may be divided into individual apartments. The lower units are usually easier to access than upper units, but the upper units have better views, less noise and traffic, and are more secure. Realtors in Orleans can help you find a terrace home that suits your needs.

What are the main neighbourhoods in Orleans, Ontario?

Orleans South includes Chapel Hill, Mer Bleue, Convent Glen South, and Queenswood Heights. The oldest house in this area was built in 1914, but most of the houses were built in the 1960s.

Orleans North includes Convent Glen, Hiawatha Park, and Chatelaine Village. The oldest home in these parts was built in 1950, but most homes were built from 1965 to 1985.

Orleans East includes Avalon, Gardenway, Ridgemont, and Fallingbrook. Although the oldest homes were built in the mid-1940s, most of the homes in this area are much newer as building construction boomed in the 1980s.

Which neighbourhoods in Orleans are older/newer?

Avalon, south of Innes Road, is one of the newer neighbourhoods, as it began in the 1990s. Orleans Village, located along St-Joseph Blvd between Orléans Blvd and Duford Dr., is the oldest neighbourhood in Orleans. Hiawatha Park, located on the river north of Convent Glen, is another older neighbourhood. Fallingbrook, know for Princess Louise Falls, began in the late 1980s, so it’s not too old. Let your real estate agent in Orleans help you find the perfect house in the right community for you.

Why buy in an older neighbourhood in Orleans?

Buying an older home has its advantages and disadvantages. Older neighbourhoods often have larger yards with mature trees that provide canopies. Preservation of the neighbourhood is often a priority. Older residential communities tend to be more centrally located around city centres, because residents needed to walk to stores and businesses. Although homes may not be modern and will need repairs, they’re typically built well and have stood the test of time.

Why should we buy a house in Orleans?

Orleans has a lot of character as a suburb of Ottawa. It’s a slower paced atmosphere, without a lot of street noise or nightlife, but there are plenty of amenities close enough for people who want entertainment, sports, and education opportunities. An important fact is that Orleans is a safe community. Almost 90% of the population owns their home, which speaks to the stability of Orleans. It’s more affordable than some other parts of Ottawa, and it’s very family-friendly. Orleans is also known for its French-speaking population. Many people in Orleans are bilingual.

How is the traffic from Orleans to downtown?

Orleans is just 16 km from Ottawa’s downtown core. When traffic is good, it can take only 10 minutes to get downtown. It does take longer during morning and afternoon rush hours. While there is an extensive bus service to get around the rest of the city, most Orleans residents own a car to get around Orleans. Orleans does have a good infrastructure for biking. It is possible to commute on your cycle.

What amenities are in Orleans?

The Orleans community features many opportunities for shopping, recreation, and healthcare. You’ll find museums, gardens, theatres, live performances and more in Orleans. Place d’Orleans is the local mall with more than 175 stores. There’s no shortage of restaurants, from fine dining to fast food, both local specialties and nationwide chains. You are also close to downtown Ottawa, which lets you take advantage of those amenities.

What religion centres, schools, parks are in Orleans?

Orleans is a diverse centre, with many Christian churches and Jewish synagogues in the community. In Ottawa, you’ll find even more religious centres, for Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, and more. Orleans features public, Catholic, and private schools in both French and English for school-age children. The city has several nature trails and parks in the community, as well as multiple recreational and sports complexes. The greater Ottawa area has even more opportunities, if you’re willing to drive.

Is Orleans a safe neighbourhood?

Information from Rentals.ca lists Orleans as being one of the top 10 safest neighbourhoods in Ottawa. Crimes against the person were listed as 32.1/10,000 in 2018. Areavibes reports crime rates in Orleans are 9% lower than the national average, with Orleans being safer than 26% of the other cities in Ontario. Most residents are homeowners, which translates into safe communities, because they want to invest in the area.

Is there public transit readily accessible in Orleans?

Driving is the preferred method to get around in Orleans, although many people do commute by bicycle, too. Ottawa has a fairly extensive public transit system, OC Transpo, to get around the city. There are around 30 bus lines that pass through Orleans, and you’re never very far from a bus stop, but it’s difficult to use public transportation to get around Orleans itself. Over the next few years, the Stage 2 expansion of the city’s light-rail transit system will see LRT stations going as far east as Trim Road, making a commute to downtown even faster and easier. The cycling infrastructure in Orleans is well-built. If you can’t drive, a bicycle is a good option.

Will my home increase in value if I buy in Orleans?

Housing prices in Canada have been on the rise over the past year. Ottawa recorded a house price increase of almost 20% in 2020. Traditionally, homes increase in value over time, even if the market has a slight dip occasionally. Home values tend to fluctuate based on supply and demand, the economy, and location. Orleans is a prime location in the greater Ottawa area, so you should expect your home value to appreciate.

Original Source: https://marcandre-perrier.c21.ca/2021/08/12/what-you-need-to-know-about-real-estate-in-orleans

#Real Estate in Orleans

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kingofthenorth49 · 4 years

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Can someone check the GFCI?

When a circuit breaker snaps, it’s because the circuit was beginning to heat beyond design capacity and it’s shutting down to prevent something worse from happening, like fire or damage to a sensitive circuit or device.

It’s a safety device, and we all know how much I love safety devices, but at the end of the day if you don’t take action when a safety device activates, generally the damage can be much worse than what the device was actually protecting.

Folks, our owners have decided that it’s going to be much easier to control the world if they only have to do it from one government, and if you still think this is a conspiracy theory, you need to turn off CNN and step outside your basement. Even the dimwit in Ottawa can no longer keep the secret of where those in lofty chambers have decided we are going, although I sincerely doubt he understands the repercussions, just like 98% of the population. It’s not their fault, they are wired in such a way they can’t see the truth, either by design or programming.

Doesn’t matter which it is (blue dress/brown dress), the damage to our population has started and we don’t have the collective will to stop it, because we’ve been conditioned to be victims. Correction. Most have been conditioned over the past two decades to be victims, to be at the mercy of big government and those who know better than you do.

I’ve a friend who explains it perfectly. He says that most people cannot see past the end of any given month. It’s not a derogatory thing, it’s just who they are. These are the people who live paycheck to paycheck, who don’t plan for the future because they are just trying to stay alive. They work hard to keep up, but are consumed by just trying to cope with what life throws at them. These are the majority of people on this planet. Not a bad thing, but these are the type of people easily controlled by fear.

The next group are the people who can see 6 to 12 months, and they understand cause and effect better than the first group. They understand that payday loans are bad and that you should control your destiny through planning. These are the type of people who run our governments and provide services. They see the benefits to organized approaches to problems and find safety in numbers of like minded people.

The last group, the smallest one are those who can see 3 to 5 years down the road. These are the visionaries, people like Edison and Orwell, Tesla and Rand. These are the Elon Musks and Bill Gates of the world. They drive humanity through aspiration and ambition.

Unfortunately they aren’t always right, for example I would consider Karl Marx to one of the latter.

So why am I talking about Karl Marx and circuit breakers you ask?

Well it’s because my tin foil hat is on too tight, or because I’m not quite right in the head I guess, or any other of the labels those who can’t see past the end of the month would paste to someone like me who likes to think a bit more long term than the end of the next season of the Kardasians.

Shutting down the world for a bad flu wasn’t a decision based in science. It’s not even a decision based in safety, and believe me I know a thing or two about that. The whole “nobody moves, nobody gets hurt” thing really doesn’t work for long. Sure, nobody gets hurt, but no body eats either. This is what your average person isn’t thinking about when they scream “stay the blazes home”.

Yes, you can stay the blazes home. Yes, you can cower under your bed until the bad thing passes, but at the end of the day the Magic Pantry was just a kids TV show.

Dude’s gotta eat, right?

I’m currently living inside the “Atlantic Bubble”, or whatever is left of it after those anointed in oil decided to take their toys and go home, but in reality we’ve created an interesting paradigm here on the east coast of Canada that’s unlike anywhere else in the world.

We’ve created the perfect culture of fear.

Now for those living outside the bubble, we’ve shut the door, turned off the lights and posted a big “FUCK OFF” sign on the front lawn. We’ve turned our back to the virus like it’s a Trump supporter. This is our plan. We’ve posted guards, created intricate rules around who can go where and why, and basically made it impossible to move anywhere without government permission. All over a bad flu with a survivalbility rate of over 99.4%, with 70%+ of the mortality coming from those 70 years of age and older. You are more likely to die from an automobile accident today than COVID.

Don’t get me wrong, COVID is no cake walk, it’s a nasty disease, but it’s not Ebola. I’ve been battling this virus now for 11 months, I’ve seen how it works, it’s veracity is substantial, and if you have co-morbidities such as diabetes or heart disease, it can take a toll on you, and yes, more people are dying from it than the seasonal flu, but at the end of the day it’s not going to wipe out the human race. The majority of the people who test positive don’t even know they have it.

And don’t get me started on testing.

I can’t talk publicly about it but if you see me out and about, ask me why I think testing is a control and not a diagnostic element. Sorry, the hat’s tightening.

Let me throw one example out for you to chew on, let’s say vaccines. Now the vaccines are the panacea for the masses right? I mean we should be amazed we were able to concoct a vaccine that is 95% effective in eradicating this virus inside 8 to 10 months, hell, we should be ecstatic, right? I mean it took 30+ years to get a handle on AIDS and we beat COVID in just 240 days. We currently linbe up to get an annual flu shot to protect us from the last major Coronavirus (Remember the Spanish Flu?) that has been in development for the last 60 years and it’s still only 35-40% effective, and less than 50% of Canadians get it

We must be freaking geniuses now.

I’ll never understand the sheer amount of dumb optimism that’s out there, but I certainly appreciate it. Without that optimism we’d be more like Lemmings than we currently are.

But back to the “great reset”, shall we?

So dude’s gotta eat, right? I’m going to quote one of my modern day heros, Elon Musk when he says “If people wants stuff, they have to make it” or something along those lines. In other words, there’s no money tree. My parents very early on taught me that lesson, and that if I wanted anything in life I had to earn it or make it, that there was no such thing as a free meal. The problem is most people today have been conditioned to think there is. Trudeau has been giving away our money like a drunken sailor on shore leave to the tune of $400 BILLION dollars in 8 months. Let me put it another way, in the last 240 days Trudeau has spent $10,814.00 per Canadian citizen, or around $25K per taxpayer. That’s debt folks, that’s directly on the shoulders of every Canadian. But it’s ok they say because interest rates are so low we can afford the additional leverage.

Problem is folks is interest rates don’t stay low after a major crisis. Why? It’s called inflation. As money supply loosens, so does the value of a dollar, and when the value of a dollar decreases because there’s more supply of dollars then prices increase. When prices start increasing wages need to go up to keep pace with inflation, and when that happens there are two options. Control monetary supply, otr deal with runaway inflation.

How do you control inflation you ask? Great question. You raise interest rates to throttle spending.

How can anyone forget the late 1970’s? It was less than 50 years ago folks. Remember Trudeau’s 6 & 5? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller? JUSTIN? For fuck sakes the kid was living at 22 Sussex drive when his father created the greatest economic challenge of our lifetime.

Wait, check that. Apparently the second wave will be worse than the first.

This great reset is gong to be tragic. Already they are estimating over 100 Million people in 3rd world countries will die next year due to disease and starvation because of the lock downs. In our own western countries the most disadvantages are already our most vunerable populations. Humans aren’t meant to be caged, nor can we afford to be. We need to be free, have purpose, and contribute to a vibrant society.

You can’t govern that. You can’t rule over a captive society for long. History has shown us that time and time again that King’s aren’t benevolent rulers and those who suffer the most are at the bottom the societal ladder.

If you aren’t seeing the end goal yet, I get it, but I do. You only need look as far as the ice cream eating elite who enjoy fine dining when your cupboard is near empty and jet off to Mexico while telling you can’t bury your spouse or child. They make you endure cruel mental anguish while they spend your tax dollars on jet setting and pontificating about a communist world that they rule.

All in the name of a better world, one free of climate change and racism.

Who knows, maybe they are right, maybe they are part of the component of society that sees the future more clearly than the rest of us.

I guess that’s why they get ice cream and can go spend Thanksgiving with their moms while you can’t bury yours.

I guess that’s just our lot in life, to be ruled, to understand it’s for thee, but not for me.

This what we want? This what we deserve? Am I wrong?

I don’t think I am, I just want to be. Can someone go downstairs and check the fuse?

Jim Out

#thegreatreset

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ottawatree-blog · 7 years

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Affordable Tree Care Service Ottawa

At Ottawa Tree Surgeons we pride ourselves with our extremely professional and educated staff providing affordable tree service Ottawa.

#affordable tree service Ottawa #arborist ottawa

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esprit-de-corps-magazine · 6 years

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Death came knocking: the search for an Ottawa neighbourhood’s fallen

By Dave O’Malley

Young men and woman who are killed on active service are said to have paid the “supreme sacrifice”. I guess that is true. There's not much more you can give than that. But I posit that the greatest sacrifice of all is borne by the families of those killed in the line of duty. Aviators, soldiers and sailors who die in battle are lionized, and rightly so, but it's their mothers, fathers, wives and families who are conscripted to carry the burden of that sacrifice to the end of their days.

The neighbourhood I live in is called the Glebe. It's a funky 130-year-old urban community in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada—red brick Victorian homes, some stately, some working class, excellent schools as old as the neighbourhood, tall trees pleached over shady streets, open-minded and highly educated people, happy kids, diverse, desirable and timeless, close to everything, surrounded on three sides by the historic Rideau Canal.

People come from all over the city, the country, even the world to walk its pathways, attend its festivals and sporting events and skate the canal. You may find a more upscale neighbourhood, a trendier one, a more affordable one, but you will never find a better one.

It is a truly perfect place to raise a family, build a business and live out a life as I have done. It is safe, historic, dynamic, walkable, serene and peaceful . . . but once, it must have felt like the saddest place on earth. Its shady avenues ran with apprehension and despair, its busy serenity masked the constant high-frequency vibration of anxiety and the low pounding of sorrow. Behind every door and every drawn curtain hid anxious families. Behind many were broken parents, heartbroken wives, memories of summers past and lost, the promises of a future destroyed, children who would never know their fathers. These were the years of the Second World War, and the decades following that it took to wash it all away.

A neighbourhood affected by war

There was nothing particularly special about the Glebe that brought this plague of anguish, nothing it deserved, nothing that warranted special attention from death. Indeed, the Glebe was not singled out at all, though it may have felt like it. Every community in Canada and across the British Commonwealth took the same punishment, felt the blows to its heart, felt its life blood seeping away. During those six long years of war, every community across the land stood and took it, blow after blow after blow. Parents stood by while their sons and daughters left the family home, left the routines that gave comfort, the futures that beckoned, and began arduous journeys that would, in time, lead most to war and great risk of death.

Some would die in training, others in transit. Some would die of disease and even murder. Some would die in accidents close to home, others deep in enemy lands. Some by friendly fire, others by great malice. Many would simply disappear with no known grave, lost to the sea, a cloud-covered mountain, a blinding flash, a trackless jungle. Some would die in an instant, others in prolonged fear and pain. Most would make it home again. An extraordinarily high number would not come home in one piece.

Though it was not alone in its sorrow, the Glebe was the first community in Canada to feel a blow. The first Canadian to die in the war and, in fact, the first Allied serviceman who died in the war, came from here. Pilot Officer Ellard Alexander Cummings, a former Glebe Collegiate Institute student, was killed just a few hours after war was declared on September 3, 1939, when the Westland Wallace he was piloting crashed into a mountain in Scotland in fog.

The first Canadians to die on North American soil in the Second World War were from Ottawa, including Glebe resident Corporal David Alexander Rennie. He was lost in early September 1939, along with another Ottawa aviator, Warrant Officer Class II James Edgerton “Ted” Doan, when their Northrop Delta airplane experienced an engine failure and crashed into the New Brunswick wilderness while en route to Cape Breton to join in the search for German submarines. Corporal Rennie lived with his parents on Ella Street, just a few blocks from my home. They were the first of many, many families in the Glebe whose lives would be destroyed by the war. Their son would not be found for another 19 years. [The wreckage of the Northrop Delta was found in July 1958 by two J.D. Irving, Limited, employees who were conducting an aerial survey of the area. The company placed a plaque commemorating the two aviators at the crash site.]

Over the years, I have written or published many other stories about Canadian airmen during the Second World War; several have intersected with my neighbourhood. David Rouleau, who lived just north of my home, was lost in 1942 at Malta. Lew Burpee, who lived just a few blocks away, was killed a year later during the near-mythical Dam Busters Raid on the Ruhr River dams. In that same one-year span, two cousins who lived right across the street from me were lost on operations: Jim Wilson and Harry Healy. Several blocks north lived Keith “Skeets” Ogilvie the last man out of the tunnel during the Great Escape. He narrowly escaped being murdered by the Nazis upon his capture, survived the war, and served in the RCAF until 1963.

All these men walked the same streets that I do. I can pass their homes any day, enter their churches, visit their schools. They all went to the Mayfair, Rialto and Imperial Theatres to find out the news about the war or just to escape from it. They played hockey on the frozen canal. They used the same butcher. This immediacy, this connection is a very powerful thing. It brought home to me the loss in a very personal way.

When I wrote a story about 617 Squadron Lancaster pilot Lewis Burpee on the 75th Anniversary of the Dam Busters Raid in 2018, I pinned his and the homes of others I had written about on a map of the Glebe. Seeing these homes and their physical relationship to me and to each other had a very powerful effect on me. In fact, it obsessed me.

I began to wonder how many other stories there were in these streets and avenues. How many more had been lost? How many families were affected? What I found out left me speechless. In the age of the “infographic”, I set out to demonstrate visually what that number of fallen meant to my personal community, by mapping death's footprints.

I commenced my search by writing to all the churches in the Glebe and surrounding areas that existed in the Second World War and still exist today. Following the First and Second World Wars, many churches in Ottawa dedicated large bronze plaques to commemorate those members of their parish who died in the war. I had seen several over the years. Several churches had photos of these plaques on their websites, while others wrote back to me, attaching photos of their plaques.

There were four major public high schools in downtown Ottawa in 1939: Glebe Collegiate Institute, Lisgar Collegiate Institute, Ottawa Technical High School, and the High School of Commerce. Of these four, only Glebe and Lisgar still function today. In the lobby of Lisgar, I found a bronze plaque with the names of those former students who had died in the Second World War. On the Glebe Collegiate website, I found a list of all those Glebe students who had died. I also found an entire section of Glebe Collegiate's website where students had researched most of the names from the plaque and had compiled short histories of each of the fallen alumni.

The quest to map the Glebe

At the end of May, I began my quest to find and map the fallen in the Glebe. To do this, I would have to find the addresses of every young man listed on these plaques and in Casualty Lists published in the Ottawa daily broadsheet newspapers. In the case of the Glebe history project, many of these addresses were part of their research.

I cross-referenced every man on every plaque in every church and school with the Canadian Virtual War Memorial site in the hopes of finding their stories, addresses and photos. I also purchased a Newspapers.com membership and began cross-referencing the dates of each man's death. Though, for privacy reasons, you would never see this today, newspapers almost always included the address of the next of kin. If he was married, both the address of parents and wife could be mentioned. If both were within the boundaries of my map, I used the parental home. I did not map both addresses.

Starting with the posted date of the serviceman's death, I scoured every page of each issue of the “Ottawa Journal” moving forward until I ran into a story about each person's loss. Five months into the search, the “Ottawa Citizen” became available online and more fallen came to light. All of the men who qualified were mentioned in one of the hundreds and hundreds of official casualty lists published in both papers. I did not differentiate the manner of their deaths, though most died on active service. A small proportion died of disease, motor accidents, train wrecks and heart attacks, but if they qualified to be on an official casualty list in the local papers and on the “Canadian Virtual War Memorial”, then they qualified for this map.

If the man died in Canada in training, the story usually appeared in one to two days, but if he died overseas on active service, it could be weeks before his name appeared in a story or on an official casualty list as either missing in action or killed on active service. If a man was missing in action, then his story would appear in the paper again in one of two ways. In a few months, if he was alive, a story would appear informing readers that he was a prisoner of war. If he was dead, the wait would be a bit longer, but in six to eight months, another piece would appear in the paper stating that he was, for official purposes, presumed dead. As 1944 turned into 1945, the tone of newspaper stories took a turn for the better. With the war winding down, the airman or soldier's photo might be accompanied by short headlines such as “Safe in England”, “Liberated”, or “Returning Home”. Still, there was fighting to be done and the Glebe was not out of the woods yet. The killing continued.

In the Glebe, as in most urban neighbourhoods at the time, the Grim Reaper took the form of the telegram boy who had the duty to deliver both good and bad news. Mothers, looking out from their front porches, fathers from their parlours, wives from their washing, must have cringed to see the young man from the Canadian National Telegram and Cable Company pedal or drive down their street, and willed him to move on. In all cases, the next-of-kin was informed by telegram before the official casualty lists were published in the paper, but on a few occasions, happy stories (award of medals, a marriage, etc.) about a serviceman appeared in the paper after the next-of-kin had been notified of his death. These must have been difficult to read for the parents and families.

Search parameters

My original goal was to map only residents of the Glebe or former students at Glebe Collegiate who were killed or died while on active service. To map these men, I needed to extend the map of the Glebe beyond the recognized boundaries of the neighbourhood, as many students of the high school lived outside the neighbourhood. In the end, it seemed the full complete story could not be told unless I mapped each and every one of the fallen—aviator, soldier or sailor—whose next-of-kin resided within the edges of my map, regardless of their connection to the Glebe.

Each pin on the map represents the home of the fallen's next-of-kin. For the most part, this meant the parental home or the marital home (the residence shared with a wife), but in a few cases, where parents were deceased, this could mean the home of a grandparent, uncle or even sibling. I used only addresses that were mentioned in Casualty Lists or as reported in the daily broadsheet newspapers.

The men I was able to put on my map represent only a tiny fraction of the men and women who died in the war. But among these names I found the complete picture of the war as it affected my country. There were men who died in the opening hours of the war and men who died in the closing days. There were men who died on Valentine's Day, D-Day, Canada Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Most died on active service and in combat, but some died of disease or even murder. There were men who died in car accidents overseas and training accidents in Canada.

Virtually every major battle that Canadians were involved in is represented by someone in this group: The Battle of the Atlantic, the Battle of France, the Battle of Britain, Battle of Hong Kong, of Ortona, of Monte Cassino, of El Alamein, of Anzio, of the Scheldt Estuary, the Dieppe Raid, Dam Busters Raid, D-Day, Battle for Caen, Battle of the Falaise Pocket, the Siege of Malta, the North African Campaign, the Conquest of Sicily, the Aleutian Campaign, Bomber Command, Fighter Command, Coastal Command, Transport Command, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, Burma, Singapore and more.

Some were lost in the Mediterranean Sea, the North Sea, the Irish Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel. Some died before they could get to the war, others on their way to the war. Some died after the war but before they could get home. They are buried in Holland, Italy, Great Britain, Germany, France, Belgium, Canada, North Africa and, of course, at sea. Many have no known grave and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, the Malta Memorial, the Halifax Memorial, the Bayeux Memorial, the Groesbeek Memorial, and the Ottawa Memorial.

392 names

In the end, I found 392 names of servicemen who were included on casualty lists and for whom I found an address. I have another 50 or more names of men who I know were killed but for whom I can't find addresses. There are, I am convinced, others who I haven't yet found on casualty lists. The 392 are by no means all of the men who died and who came from the Glebe area—they are only the ones whose stories I found. I welcome any additions and omissions. I am currently working with my web developer to display this data on Google Maps, thus enabling us and you to add to the list and, perhaps one day, map all of the approximately 110,000 Canadians who died in wars since the Boer War.

This project began as a result of curiosity and then became a Remembrance Day Project that I struggled for months to complete. Sadly, I was still adding names well after the 11th of November. It is now simply an homage to a generation of parents, brothers, sisters, wives and grandparents who carried the terrible weight of sacrifice well into the 21st Century. An homage to the Silver Star Mothers, the broken fathers, the shattered families and the solitary wives. God bless them and may we never forget them.

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newstfionline · 3 years

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Sunday, July 25, 2021

Canada to relocate Afghans who assisted in war amid ‘rapidly deteriorating’ security situation (Washington Post) Canada announced plans Friday to resettle Afghans who aided the Canadian military and the country’s embassy and could face danger because of their work, as the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan nears completion and the Taliban mounts offensives to regain territory. Canada’s “path to protection” will be open to Afghans with a “significant and enduring relationship” with the Canadian government, although officials did not elaborate on how that would be defined. Those eligible, they said, could include interpreters, locally engaged embassy staff members, as well as a host of other locals who assisted the war effort such as cooks, drivers, cleaners, security guards and their families. The announcement followed weeks of pressure on Ottawa from lawmakers and advocates to resettle Afghan interpreters and other locals. Some veterans said they were so frustrated by the lack of a government plan that they were using their own money to relocate former Afghan colleagues to safer parts of Afghanistan. The governments of other NATO allies who fought alongside U.S. forces have also faced calls to do more to aid Afghan interpreters or to expedite their resettlement. In Australia, a retired army general burned his service medals in protest of what he said was a lack of government action.

The days of vaccine lotteries are waning. Here come the mandates. (USA Today) Getting a COVID-19 vaccine in summer 2021 could have given you a shot at a million dollars. Soon, not getting one could cost you your job. Health officials and politicians have tried to stay positive in recent months as vaccination rates plummet, turning to ad campaigns touting giveaways and lottery drawings. And then the ultra-contagious delta variant arrived. Now health officials say the nation’s lagging vaccine rates are creating a spiraling public health crisis as the unvaccinated rapidly get sick and the protective power of vaccines is given a “stress test.” A growing chorus of voices say people who resist vaccinations should face pressure—and consequences. Some hospital administrators agree, and healthcare workers who refused to get vaccinated have been fired or quit in New Jersey and Texas. In New York City, public health workers who refuse to get vaccinated will face weekly COVID tests. “Getting the vaccine (should be) the easy choice,” Dr. Leana Wen, a proponent of vaccine mandates, told USA TODAY. “Opting out has to be the hard choice.” Wen, an emergency physician and public professor at George Washington University, is among experts who say vaccine requirements should be seen as akin to laws against drunk driving and other reckless behavior.

Covid Explodes in Cancun, Los Cabos as New Wave Hits Mexico (Bloomberg) A third coronavirus wave fueled by the highly contagious delta variant is battering two of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations on opposite coasts, Los Cabos in the Pacific and Cancun on the Caribbean. In Cancun, cases have soared to a point where the Hard Rock hotel has set aside two floors for guests with symptoms. Some hotels say they offer discounts for those in quarantine until they’re no longer contagious. In Baja California Sur, where Los Cabos is located, authorities are again rushing to add beds to strained hospitals, which reached 75% capacity last week before improving to 62% on Thursday. Beaches in the town of La Paz were ordered closed, though local media show many ignoring the order. Since Mexico hasn’t limited who can fly during the pandemic, both domestic and international tourists have flocked to the resort areas. Like much of Latin America, Mexico has been slammed by Covid, among the worst hit in the world.

Venezuelans Enduring Day-Long Waits to Fill Gasoline Tanks (Bloomberg) Venezuela’s capital city is once again rationing gasoline after output at state-owned refineries slumped, forcing motorists to endure day-long queues to top off tanks. Shortages have returned to Caracas, prompting drivers to prowl the streets for open filling stations as lines stretch for blocks in some areas. Because of breakdowns at Petroleos de Venezuela SA fuel-making plants, gasoline output has crashed by more than 40% since the end of June, according to two sources with knowledge of the situation. Struggling with the impact of U.S. sanctions and scant foreign investment, PDVSA has been hit by failures at several of its largest plants. Just two of six refineries are currently operational, according to three people with direct knowledge who requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.

Germany: Devastating floods raise fears for future (The Week) Entire towns in western Germany were devastated last week by “the flood of the century,” said Susanne Scholz at Express, and the whole country is in shock. The images on TV news looked like they were coming from a tropical monsoon zone, not our first-world nation. Never did we think we would see our own citizens “trapped in houses on the verge of collapse, in danger of being swept away by masses of water.” Days of torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks in the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia, and in neighboring Belgium and the Netherlands. While authorities say it’s too early to put a price tag on the damage, the images of submerged homes and electrical stations, obliterated bridges, and cars crumpled by fallen trees tell a tale of vast material loss. “The German language hardly knows any words for the devastation that has been wrought,” said Chancellor Angela Merkel. She praised the thousands of volunteers who came to bail water, load sandbags, and search for survivors. “Disaster control clearly failed,” said Peter Tiede at Bild. State and local authorities responsible for evacuation warnings relied on smartphone apps that many Germans don’t have—and service was out anyway because the storms had downed the cell towers. Only old-fashioned sirens work in such emergencies, yet our few loudspeaker vans never left the depots. Public radio, meanwhile, “was playing pop music while hundreds of people were being washed away, houses collapsing, villages razed to the ground.” It’s simply inexcusable. “How bad will it get when such a flood hits a major city like Cologne or Hamburg instead of villages and small towns?”

To reach a peace deal, Taliban say Afghan president must go (AP) The Taliban say they don’t want to monopolize power, but they insist there won’t be peace in Afghanistan until there is a new negotiated government in Kabul and President Ashraf Ghani is removed. The Taliban have swiftly captured territory in recent weeks, seized strategic border crossings and are threatening a number of provincial capitals—advances that come as the last U.S. and NATO soldiers leave Afghanistan. Memories of the Taliban’s last time in power some 20 years ago, when they enforced a harsh brand of Islam that denied girls an education and barred women from work, have stoked fears of their return among many. Afghans who can afford it are applying by the thousands for visas to leave Afghanistan, fearing a violent descent into chaos. The U.S.-NATO withdrawal is more than 95% complete and due to be finished by Aug. 31.

Heavy rain in India triggers floods, landslides; at least 125 dead (Reuters) Rescue teams in India struggled through thick sludge and debris on Saturday to reach dozens of submerged homes as the death toll from landslides and accidents caused by torrential monsoon rain rose to 125. Maharashtra state is being hit by the heaviest rain in July in four decades, experts say. Downpours lasting several days have severely affected the lives of hundreds of thousands, while major rivers are in danger of bursting their banks. In Taliye, about 180 km (110 miles) southeast of the financial capital of Mumbai, the death toll rose to 42 with the recovery of four more bodies after landslides flattened most homes in the village, a senior Maharashtra government official said. Parts of India’s west coast have received up to 594 mm (23 inches) of rain, forcing authorities to move people out of vulnerable areas as they released water from dams about to overflow.

Vietnam locks down capital Hanoi for 15 days as cases rise (AP) Vietnam announced a 15-day lockdown in the capital Hanoi starting Saturday as a coronavirus surge spread from the southern Mekong Delta region. The lockdown order, issued late Friday night, bans the gathering of more than two people in public. Only government offices, hospitals and essential businesses are allowed to stay open. Earlier in the week, the city had suspended all outdoor activities and ordered non-essential businesses to close following an increase in cases.

Thousands protest lockdown in Sydney, several arrested (AP) Thousands of people took to the streets of Sydney and other Australian cities on Saturday to protest lockdown restrictions amid another surge in cases, and police made several arrests after crowds broke through barriers and threw plastic bottles and plants. There was a heavy police presence in Sydney, including mounted police and riot officers in response to what authorities said was unauthorized protest activity. Police confirmed a number of arrests had been made after objects were thrown at officers. Greater Sydney has been locked down for the past four weeks, with residents only able to leave home with a reasonable excuse. In Melbourne, thousands of protesters without masks turned out downtown chanting “freedom.” Some of them lit flares as they gathered outside Victoria state’s Parliament House. They held banners, including one that read: “This is not about a virus it’s about total government control of the people.”

Power outages cripple parts of the Middle East amid record heat waves and rising unrest (Washington Post) Record heat waves and crippling energy shortages across much of the Middle East are plunging homes and businesses from Lebanon to Iran into darkness and stirring unrest as poor families swelter while many of the rich stay cool with backup generators. Power outages have pushed hospitals to a crisis point. Family businesses are struggling to survive. In some cities, the streetlights barely work. Temperatures in several Middle Eastern countries this summer have topped 122 degrees Fahrenheit—50 degrees Celsius—including in Iran, which hit 123.8, and Iraq, which nearly matched last year’s record of 125.2. Decades of neglect and underinvestment have left power grids unable to cope. Drought has crippled hydroelectric generation. Economic crises roiling several countries mean governments are now even struggling to purchase the fuel needed to generate power.

Over 71% of Lebanon’s population risks losing access to safe water—UNICEF (Reuters) The United Nations warned on Friday that more than four million people in Lebanon, including one million refugees risked losing access to safe water as shortages of funding, fuel and supplies affect water pumping. “UNICEF estimates that most water pumping will gradually cease across the country in the next four to six weeks,” a statement by the U.N. body said. Lebanon is battling an economic meltdown that has propelled more than half of its population into poverty and seen its currency lose over 90% of its value in less than two years. The financial crisis has translated into severe shortages of basic goods such as fuel and medicine as dollars run dry. UNICEF said that should the public water supply system collapse, water costs could jump by 200% a month as water would be secured from private water suppliers.

#headlines #news

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firstmemorialottawa · 3 years

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Top 10 Reasons to Choose a Cremation Service

There are many reasons people may choose cremation for themselves or their loved ones. According to Forbes, up to 85% of funeral arrangements may involve cremation versus traditional burials in the next two decades. If you need information about cremation services in Ottawa, reach out to local funeral homes to guide you through the process.

While planning the funeral, you can also take advantage of online funeral arrangements and products. This convenient option allows you to plan your own funeral or the final disposition of a loved one from the privacy of home.

10 Advantages of Cremation Services in Ottawa

There are many good reasons people choose cremation, including affordability, memorial jewelry, and donating the body to science at a loved one’s request.

Here are ten benefits of choosing cremation services in Ottawa:

Affordability: Cremation is typically an affordable way to handle final disposition for you or a loved one. You can save more by going with a simple ceremony. If you have special wishes for your ashes, that may require additional expense.

More Environmentally Friendly: Traditional burials require embalming, a coffin or casket, and land. This uses valuable resources and introduces non-biodegradable materials into the earth. Even if you store the urn in a mausoleum or bury it, it takes up less space.

Family Members Live Far Apart: When family members live far apart, attending a funeral on short notice becomes difficult. By opting for cremation, you can plan to have a memorial service weeks or months in advance. The ashes remain intact, giving you as long as you need to make final plans.

Convenience: Choosing the convenient option isn’t disrespectful to your loved one. Many people find it easier to choose cremation and simplify plans for the final ceremony.

Memorial Tree or Reef: Many families use the ashes to plant a memorial tree. There are other projects such as a memorial reef where you can become part of an environmental solution after you die.

Burial Near Loved Ones: It’s easy to bury an urn near the burial place of a loved one. This is a good solution if you want to visit your loved one after cremation.

Multiple Scattering Sites: If you want your ashes scattered in several sites, cremation allows you to elaborate your plans to scatter your ashes in the ocean, your family home, and other special places.

Donate Body to Science: Organ donors may also want to donate their body to science for research. Cremation allows your loved ones to hold a memorial service.

Keep Loved One Close: You can keep a cremation urn on a mantle or in a memorial space. This allows you to feel close to your loved one after they pass away.

Memorial jewelry: Some people make memorial jewelry containing the deceased’s ashes to help ease the pain of loss.

Contact First Memorial Funeral Services for more information on cremation services in Ottawa.

Browse through our list of locations for a nearby funeral home offering this cost-effective memorial option.

Original Source:- https://firstmemorialfairview.com/top-10-reasons-to-choose-a-cremation-service/

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gstqaobc · 3 years

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🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦ATTENTION ALL CANADIANS🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF CANADA HAS SOME MAJOR INFORMATION AND A REQUEST!!

AMIDST YOUR BUSY LIVES, BECAUSE OF YOUR LOYALTY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CARVE OUT THAT TIME AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO READ, REFLECT ABOUT AND THEN ACT ON THE CHALLENGE! THE MESSAGE BELOW DESERVES A QUARTER HOUR OF YOUR ATTENTION. TOWARDS A MEMORABLE PLATINUM JUBILEE CELEBRATION.... PART ONE

The 2012 Canadian Diamond Jubilee Medal

PART ONE

A CALL TO ACTION FOR MONARCHIST LEAGUE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS PART ONE OF THREE: BACKGROUND The League knows that most Canadians feel an enormous respect and affection for our Queen. You don’t have to be a monarchist - capital or lower-case “m” - to admire the sense of continuity and example of dedicated service which Her Majesty has given Canada and the entire Commonwealth for over 70 years, as Princess and then Sovereign. Next year marks the 70th Anniversary of The Queen’s reign. Our Monarchy has never before seen a Platinum Jubilee! Thus the occasion calls for celebration, thanksgiving and above all, a sense of gratitude and unity. The last time this was apparent throughout Canada was our Centennial year, 1967. The question, “what is your Centennial project?” was a common-place in conversation, not a mere slogan, or an idea imposed by government. With Expo ‘67 as a centerpiece, Canadians overwhelmingly bought into the idea that there was good reason to celebrate and create - modestly but deeply-felt projects at home - and throughout the land through larger initiatives, we still can see numerous plaques identifying skate parks and community centres, seniors’ residences and tree-filled public spaces, not to mention the Flame burning on Parliament Hill, lit by our Monarch - all these bear testimony to the notion we must now seek to re-create: an anniversary can be at once fun and useful! Chairman Finch, with the helpful counsel and comments of many League members, is developing a number of ideas to share with the federal government, which is responsible for the national festivities around the Jubilee - though many initiatives can be taken, some with federal assistance, some independently, by the provinces, by communities and by national organizations. PART TWO OF THREE:

A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR A PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDAL - (its design and form of certificate of notification are ready and waiting in Ottawa, lacking only the Prime Minister’s “go” order.) The element of Jubilee Year we address today - and for which we ask your own involvement - is first in a series of proposals and concerns only because of its necessarily-fairly lengthy lead time. And it has already come to public notice: THE WIDELY-REPORTED DECISION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO FOLLOW CANADIAN TRADITION BY THE CREATION OF A PLATINUM JUBILEE MEDAL. Offering a widely-distributed Medal for those who normally would never seek nor be honoured with recognition is a great mirror of our Queen’s service. It affirms the value of volunteerism in our society. And for 2022 it would particularly give an opportunity to thank the many folk who stepped forward to help in myriad ways during the pandemic, not to mention others who have worked for reconciliation, or have led the nation in calm discourse rather than vitriolic disagreement or have helped to keep The Queen’s Peace is so many different ways. As we reminded you in our first letter... drawing this matter to your attention... The life of any nation is not determined only by the great and the good - the folk who receive major Honours such as the Order of Canada...Their distribution is, rightly, kept controlled in terms of numbers; find many extremely deserving Canadians, household words or especially eminent in their professional lives, receiving this special level of recognition. However, less nationally notable people every day make a sustained difference, in modest ways usually unsung. We think of the feeding program volunteer who every Friday toils in a church or synagogue basement to prepare, serve and clean up after meals for homeless people. The innumerable families who made welcome our new fellow Canadians who made their way here from, say, Syria. The organizer of patrols to pick up and bring to care and shelter abandoned pets. The Scout, Guide or 4-H leaders who inspire responsibility and skill among their charges. The driver who takes patients to and from chemo or dialysis - and provides an ear for them which no drug can afford. And so on it goes. These people form the fabric of a civil society. They fill in the cracks and provide the personal touch that “official” and overtaxed social services cannot always show. They do their good works down the decades, seek no recognition and at most are given a round of applause when they ‘retire.” Those knitters of the warp and woof of our nation are precisely the ones for whom receiving a Platinum Jubilee Medal would come as an amazing surprise, and a cherished reminder that they “made a difference....” Canada is a blessed country. Most of our natural wealth - be it oil or diamonds, wheat or cod - we harvest from the Earth. But we ignore at our peril the human wealth we often take for granted. A Jubilee provides a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight, however briefly, on many thousands of those good Canadians who, as our Sovereign urged us all to do, “represent all that is best and most admired in the Canadian ideal.” PART THREE OF THREE: “WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?” “THIS MUST NOT BECOME A PARTISAN ISSUE” - Chairman Finch Alas, in this time of hyper-partisanship, our preferred route is likely not to occur as it might have even a generation back. In this scenario, as one Privy Councillor speaking confidentially to another, militant monarchist Opposition Leader O’Toole would have had a quiet word with the Prime Minister (whose record of respect for The Queen is laudable) to say ”please make this happen - and you can take all the credit for it - you’ll get nothing but support from me." We’d be delighted to be proven wrong in our doubts, so we can focus on other plans! So here’s where you come in - we need EVERY - and we mean ALL LEAGUE MEMBERS - to contact their MP and the Prime Minister’s Office - to make your own brief, but heartfelt, and above all, positive case for a Jubilee Medal to be issued. Use your own words - feel free to take our ideas, and think of others too; but form letters do not impress our representatives, whereas a pithy phrase, sincerity of thought and two minutes on the phone can make a difference! Remember our Chairman’s warning: this must not become a partisan issue. It is not the time for threats, attacks, venom - but for conciliation, suggestions, calm and reason! Nothing could injure the Monarchy more than having Party A portrayed as FOR the Crown/Medal and Party B AGAINST. With the exception of Mr Singh, all major parties - Grits, Tories, Greens - support the Crown - and a republican resolution got nowhere at the NDP policy conference a few weeks ago! While Parliament, if sitting, is very limited in terms of “physical” attendance, you will find most MP s are more often in their home constituencies. So by all means, supplement your letter or email with a call to the constituency office, and ask for a return call from the MP - make it clear you want to speak to the MP and not be fobbed off on an assistant, no matter how pleasant most of them are! EVERY MP is listed at https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/ - if you press the CONTACT button once you hit your MP’s page, you will find complete information - phone, address, email for Ottawa and the constituency office. TO CONTACT THE PRIME MINISTER - You may write or fax his office at: Office of the Prime Minister 80 Wellington Street Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2. Fax: 613-941-6900. You may also use the form available at https://pm.gc.ca/en/connect/contact CHAIRMAN FINCH concludes: I am counting on you to help in this campaign, and to circulate this EComm with its practical suggestions as widely as you can. We have various other means of communicating our views, which will be keep me busy, as well - most are better left unreported! And we will be using media and social media, too. But nothing is as important as your words and your sensible communications to our elected representatives. For the young in age or in spirit, how about getting onto your favorite social media platforms, and post, tweet - whatever - pithy and good-humoured questions/observations about this to provoke others to join in positive action with their MP and the PM? Such a fighting spirit involving considerable effort by members was characteristic of the League from its early days, when it grew, as one member put it, “because you clearly stand for something.” One cause, one voice, one determination - and one abundant loyalty to Crown and nation. We stand on guard! Please help us today to make the Platinum Jubilee an unforgettable occasion! And never fear, this is but Part One of a number of ideas and projects related to the Jubilee.

GSTQAOBC 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇺🇳🇿

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hedgekingca-blog · 5 years

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Get Tree Removal Service in Ottawa by the professionals of Hedge King

Looking for tree-related services in Ottawa? Hedge King Ottawa provides all types of hedge services whether it's trimming, removal or cutting of the trees. Get Tree Removal Service in Ottawa at affordable rates.

#Tree Removal Service #Tree Removal Service in Ottawa

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thebestintoronto · 5 years

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Toronto - A Multicultural Treasure - Canada, February 2019

Welcome to Toronto, the most multiculturally diverse city on the planet, where more than 180 languages are spoken on a daily basis. A popular adage describes the city as "New York City run by the Swiss," and it's true—you can find world-class theater, underground tunnels, shopping and restaurants, the sidewalks are clean and the people are friendly. It's estimated that over half of Toronto's residents were born outside Canada and despite its complex makeup, Torontonians generally get along extremely well. When the weather is fine, Toronto is a blast: a vibrant, big-time city abuzz with activity. Some of the world's finest restaurants are found here, alongside happening bars and clubs and eclectic festivals. Yes, winter in Toronto can be a real drag, with things getting messy on the congested highways and crowded public transit system. But come here with patience, an open mind and even during frigid days and bone-chilling nights, you're bound to have a great time. There is a fresh international buzz about this city. Perhaps it's the influx of flush new residents from across the globe; or was it the Pan-Am Games that shone a spotlight on Toronto? Either way, this is a city that is waking up to its own greatness.

A little bit of history:

When Europeans first arrived at the site of present-day Toronto, the vicinity was inhabited by the Iroquois, who had displaced the Wyandot (Huron) people, occupants of the region for centuries. The name Toronto is likely derived from the Iroquoian word tkaronto, meaning "place where trees stand in the water". This refers to the northern end of what is now Lake Simcoe, where the Huron had planted tree saplings to corral fish. In the 1660s, the Iroquois established two villages within what is today Toronto. By 1701, the Mississauga had displaced the Iroquois, who abandoned the Toronto area at the end of the Beaver Wars, with most returning to their base in present-day New York. In the 17th century, the area was a crucial for travel, with the Humber and Rouge rivers providing a shortcut to the upper Great Lakes. These routes together were known as the Toronto Passage.

As a major destination for immigrants to Canada, the city grew rapidly through the remainder of the 19th century. The first significant wave of immigrants were Irish, fleeing the Great Irish Famine -the vast majority were Catholic. By 1851, the Irish-born population had become the largest single ethnic group in the city. For brief periods, Toronto was twice the capital of the united Province of Canada: first from 1849 to 1852, following unrest in Montreal, and later 1856 to 1858. After this date, Quebec was designated as the capital until 1866 (one year before Canadian Confederation). Since then, the capital of Canada has remained Ottawa, Ontario. Toronto became the capital of the province of Ontario after its official creation in 1867.

Following WWII, refugees from war-torn Europe and Chinese job-seekers arrived. Toronto's population grew to more than one million in 1951, when large-scale suburbanization began and doubled to two million by 1971. Following the elimination of racially based immigration policies by the late 1960s, Toronto became a destination for immigrants from all parts of the world. By the 1980s, Toronto had surpassed Montreal as Canada's most populous city and chief economic hub.

As is my usual practice, I’m taking up “residence” in a Hilton property – this time it’s the Doubletree on Chestnut Street in downtown. My red-eye flights via Detroit had me touching down at Pearson International by 10:30am, temperature was just 13f with a wind chill of -17f, heavy overcast skies and thick snowflakes beginning to float down to add to the existing accumulation on the runways. To say it was cold would be a vast understatement – my breath was a stream of white mist as I walked up the gangway from the plane into the terminal, shivering all the way. My arranged transfer to the hotel was via Jayride Shuttles, an excellent shuttle company I have used in the past. They are significantly cheaper than most transfer services to the city (I paid $35 USD for a one-way trip) and it can all be done online via their website. By noon I was checking into the Doubletree right in the heart of the entertainment center of Toronto – a 26-story building and my home-away-from-home for the next couple of weeks is on the 24th floor, overlooking the city center ice skating rink. A small room by my usual standards but very cozy, with a bay window affording sweeping views of the streets far below. The Wifi signal is always strong and stable and of course, numerous American/Canadian television channels to satisfy even me! After the redeye flights and having been awake for more than 39 hours, I was more than ready for a hot shower and a long afternoon nap – I can unpack and get settled in later.

My first morning in Toronto and I awoke to a fresh layer of snow blanketing the immediate area and glistening in the bright morning sunlight. Skaters are already zooming around the rink, wrapped up like Goodyear Tire Men from head to foot in thick coats, scarves, hats and gloves. Temperature was -9c with a wind chill of -13c…. that called for hot coffee and lots of it. After the standard hotel buffet breakfast (or “brekkie” as it’s known in Canada), I stopped by the front desk to collect a city street map and some sightseeing literature – now I’m ready to plan my 2-week stay. Thankfully I picked an ideal location to use as a base of operations – I’m in easy walking distance from just about everything and even though it means braving these crazy temps, I’m ready to take on the challenge of Toronto’s outdoors. I have my winter coat (only one I own), gloves, umbrella and even a scarf – only missing the requisite fur hat…..you can now refer to me as Nannoka of the North, bring on the blizzard…. LOL.

Just as I was debating whether to go out for dinner or eat in, the fire alarm went off in my room – so loud, it startled me out of a half doze. Then came an announcement that the fire department was its way to check out the problem. This lasted for almost 25 minutes with the alarm shrieking constantly, only halted temporarily when an updated announcement was made by hotel staff. Finally it was determined to be a false alarm and things seemed to return to normal – yeah right. By this time, I had made the decision to eat in so made my way to the elevators. Turns out when the alarm was triggered the elevators automatically stopped, and until a serviceman arrived to release them, they were not moving. I had a choice: either go hungry or hike down 24 flights of back service stairs……no contest, I’m headed for the lobby on the ankle express (aka hiking). If I hadn’t been hungry earlier, I had definitely worked up an appetite when I reached the ground floor. See how much fun can be had while traveling the globe…. certainly boggles the mind at times.

Hemispheres Restaurant and Bistro is the inhouse eatery on the lobby floor. Having opted to eat here this evening, I was pleasantly surprised at the menu options. I selected the pea soup puree with wasabi cream which, in spite of its name, tasted way better than it sounds. My entrée was a fantastic Bistro burger with smoked gouda cheese accompanied by sweet potato fries – a really fantastic dinner. Considering I was dining in a hotel restaurant the resulting $27 USD bill was reasonable, and the food was excellent. Thank all the gods on high the elevators had been released for service by this time, and I didn’t have to hike UP 24 flights – that was NOT on my list of things to do this evening!

In spite of my clothing preparations, my sightseeing plans went to hell in a hand basket when I opened the drapes the next morning to see light snow falling. That wouldn’t normally have stopped me, but what I heard on the local weather newscast did. The City had issued a severe cold temperature warning, along with a major storm announcement moving into the area tomorrow morning, along with a prediction for heavy snowfall, ice pellets, freezing rain and mercury readings I don’t even want to think about. Sand trucks are being readied for the upcoming blizzard, so being outside and exploring is out of the question for a day or so…. I’ll use this time to finalize upcoming trips and watch the snow drifts get higher and higher outside my windows.

I’m looking at the blizzard right now – make that a “whiteout” – swirling outside my windows….I awoke a couple of hours ago to relative calm and low temps. Promptly at 7:30am the predicted winter storm rolled into Toronto and it has been hell on wheels ever since. The order to close all city schools went out very early; except for the subway, city transportation is at a standstill; the airport has cancelled multiple flights, government employees are working from home, and yet there are people on the street walking their dogs! The winds are howling, blowing the snow in all directions building drifts against every available wall, and I have a front-row seat for all this excitement – how cool is that?

Unfortunately I missed one of the city’s most popular events by just one day…..Winterlicious, created by the city and held from January 25 to February 4. It featured delectable three-course prix fixe menus at nearly 200 participating restaurants and an eclectic culinary event series city-wide. Bad logistical planning on my part.

However I am in time and in town for another spectacular event: the Toronto Light Festival, now in its third year. Approximately 750,000 lights are used to create a magical experience that sees the area’s 50+ Victorian-era buildings surrounded by light sculptures and dazzling canopies. Here I’m on a new visual journey and imaginative cerebral adventure, designed to entertain and inspire. The Festival transforms this neighborhood into one of the largest open-air galleries in the world, lighting up the long winter nights with distinctive works from both local and international light artists. Formerly the home of Gooderham and Worts, which was once the largest distiller in the world, it is now a designed National Historic Site. A free event which runs thru March 2nd is located in the Distillery Historic District. This entire complex is a romantic, creative and pedestrian-only village, lined with cobblestone streets and endless galleries, restaurants, cafes and shopping boutiques.

Winter here offers something else for free, ice skating at the Evergreen Brick Works. The Don Valley Brick Works (aka the Evergreen Brick Works) is a former quarry and industrial site which operated for nearly 100 years, providing bricks used to construct many well-known Toronto landmarks. Since the closure of the original factory, the quarry has been converted into a city park which includes a series of naturalized ponds, while the buildings have been restored and opened as an environmentally-focused community and cultural center by Evergreen, a national charity dedicated to restoring nature in urban environments. The outdoor rink weaves thru snow-covered gardens under exposed beams of the old brick factory roof and is considered one of the most picturesque skating rinks in Toronto. Bring your own skates or rent a pair for $5 (USD $3.74). Open 10am-5pm Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from December to March, with Winter Wednesdays from 5:30 to 9:30pm thru February 20th. These hours are always weather-dependent. My days on ice are long gone – I’m thankful to stand upright and walk without assistance these days - but it will be a great photo op and an interesting evening while I’m here, not to mention a chance to hoist a couple of hot buttered-rum toddies!

The most iconic (and definitely most visible) landmark in Toronto as to be the CN Tower measuring some 1,815’ high, making it the tallest structure in the western hemisphere. Located at 290 Bremner Boulevard, it provides numerous options for scoping out city views from three observation decks, with my favorite being the glass floor elevator watching the street get further and further away as you ride higher – certainly not for the faint hearted! The Skyped Observation Platform is the place to see Niagara and New York state on a clear day and for a really special meal, book a table at 360 Restaurant. This revolving eatery dishes up signature Canadian cuisine with a seasonally changing menu. Don’t even think of coming here without your camera – it’s the ultimate photo opportunity.

Known as the Castle on the Hill, Casa Loma took three years and $3.5M ($2.6M USD) to build. It’s owner, Sir Henry Pellatt, filled Casa Loma with priceless artwork from Canada and around the world. It stood as a monument to its creator – it surpassed any private home in North America and was once the largest private residence in Canada. With soaring battlements and secret passageways, it paid homage to the castles and knights of days gone by, and to this day it remains one of the only true castles on the North American continent. This grand estate features secret tunnels and doors, as well as colorfully lush gardens and very ornate details, like the family coat of arms on the library ceiling. Case Loma is also home to a historic-themed series of theatrical escape rooms, where guests can choose from 4 different games. Located at 1 Austin Terrace, you can find times, tickets and more information at escapecasealoma.com.

For the foodies in the crowd, St. Lawrence Market should be on your “must see” list when in town. Named by National Geographic Magazine as one of the world’s top food markets, it dates back to 1845 and features more than 120 vendors selling all manner of fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and baked goods. No, you don’t have to be shopping for a rack of lamb to justify a visit: the market is also home to a variety of takeout food stalls. It is made up of three major markets: Farmer’s Market only open on Saturdays 5am to 3pm; Antiques Market only open on Sundays 5am to 5pm; and the main South Market open Tuesdays-Thursdays 8am to 6pm, Fridays 8am to 7pm, Saturdays 5am to 5pm and closed on Sundays. A big plus is the Market Gallery located on the second floor of the South Market. It’s home to rotating exhibits that chronicle Toronto’s unique history via photographs, maps, paintings and more. Located at 92-95 Front Street East, just a couple of blocks from the Distillery.

And of course you can’t visit Canada and not visit the Hockey Hall of Fame (Canadians LIVE for this game). Located at Brookfield Place, 30 Yonge Street in downtown, it’s Toronto’s tribute to the national obsession featuring memorabilia, displays and interactive games. Fans are invited to do their own play-by-play commentary on classic games in the TSN/RDS broadcast zone, tour a replica of the Canadiens dressing room, or test their skill and block shots from some of the game’s greatest shooters. Visitors can also have a photo op with the game’s ultimate hardware: the Stanley Cup. There’s a new permanent exhibit here - The Mask - which chronicles the evolution of goalie masks as a means of protection and self-expression. Currently there are 90 masks on display.

Toronto boasts some of the best museums, including The Royal Ontario, Museum of Illusions, Gardiner Museum, Gibson House, Aga Khan, Museum of Contemporary Art and others. It also has numerous shopping centers and malls, the best known being the CF Toronto Easton Centre located downtown at 20 Yonge Street. One of the busiest malls in North America, it offers more than 250 shops, services and restaurants under its roof. An elevated pedestrian bridge over Queen Street connects to the flagship Hudson’s Bay department store and Saks Fifth Avenue across the street. Not being a shopaholic in even the vaguest sense of the word, you won’t find me anywhere near a mall 99% of the time, but this place is worth a visit if only to gawp with stunned reactions, at the price tags on the haute couture at design houses such as Balmain, Dior, Givenchy, Rodarte and Jason Wu (a favorite of Michelle Obama). Do people really buy stuff with that many numbers after the dollar sign? Evidently they do – enough to give both me and my credit card heart attacks.

Just 90 miles south of Toronto across Lake Ontario is a natural wonder of the world - Niagara Falls. I have visited it previously in summer and winter seasons many years ago – I think the most dramatic of all is right now, slap in the middle of February and during one of the coldest winters we have experienced in decades. During my sightseeing planning session on day one, I found a fantastic combo deal online via City Sightseeing Tours which, for a grand total of just under $80 USD, gets me not only my favorite HOHO 2-day unlimited-use bus ticket to explore Toronto, but also a full day tour to the Falls. I’m booked for Valentine’s Day and expecting it to be a frozen winter wonderland from start to finish.

The tour coach arrived some 20 minutes late, due to rush hour traffic and the ever-present construction sites, but finally around 10am all 35 tourists were onboard, and we made our way out of the city. It’s about an hour and a half drive to reach the Falls, paralleling Lake Ontario and passing thru the towns of Mississauga and Hamilton. The weather was holding well, and the sun actually made an appearance just before we reached Niagara. Yes, it was a winter wonderland with the thundering Falls throwing mist hundreds of feet into the air, much of which falls as frozen rain on surrounding rocks and embankments. This frozen mist builds up layer upon layer on virtually any available surface, until the entire area becomes a surreal landscape of sparkling snow, blue/white ice, and when accompanied by the most brilliant turquoise green water of the rushing Niagara River…..well, this place is simply stunning. The verdant green color of the water is a byproduct of the estimated 60 tons every minute of dissolved salts and "rock flour" (very finely ground rock) generated by the erosive force of the river itself. It’s something to see in summer time, but nothing compares with being here in the dead of winter. Niagara Falls is the collective name for three waterfalls (Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls) that straddle the international border between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York, forming the southern end of the Niagara Gorge. The American Falls usually appear to be more “frozen” than the Horseshoe Falls because they only receive about 7% of the Niagara River flow. With less water cascading over these Falls, there is a greater opportunity for ice buildup. Superlatives are not in short supply here: the cumulative output of the falls is the highest of any falls in the world, with Horseshoe Falls being the most powerful on the North American continent. In the dawn of the automotive age, Niagara Falls was the top honeymoon and summer vacation destination and even though it no longer has that claim to fame, it still attracts millions of tourists every year.

There has only been one occurrence where the flow of Niagara Falls has been stopped due to a freeze-up which actually happened on March 29, 1848. After an extremely cold winter, the thick ice of Lake Erie began to break up during a duration of warm weather. Followed by a strong eastward wind, this caused the ice to form in the mouth of the Niagara River which then caused a blockage of water from flowing down towards the Horseshoe Falls. When water comes crashing down over the Falls into the rocks below, it causes it to turn solid and form what is known as “The Ice Bridge” connecting the American side to the Canadian Side. Many years ago, the Ice Bridge was a popular tourist attraction as visitors would gather on the bridge and admire the beauty that the cold winter weather had created. Both Canadian and American visitors would gather to walk on the bridge, where they could enjoy fresh food and beverages as some entrepreneurs set up concession stands during these cold times. That was all until an unfortunate disaster occurred on February 4, 1912 when the bridge broke off and caused three people to drift down the river to their death. Ever since this incident occurred, walking on the Ice Bridge is forbidden. For the majority of winters the Falls are known to partially freeze, although the Falls never entirely freeze-up on the waterfall or in the Niagara River. Notable years for the Falls displaying this icing up are 1885, 1902, 1906, 1911, 1932, 1936, 2014, and 2017. The illusion of the falls freezing completely is due to the outer part of the falls creating a buildup of ice, but underneath that outer shell, the water is continuously flowing down the Falls at a constant rate.

I had a couple of hours to explore, take photographs and grab a bowl of hot spicy chili for lunch at a nearby restaurant. It was too cold to spend a lot of time out of doors, but I had a great viewing spot from the second floor of the restaurant building and was able to take some stunning pictures. From here it’s a short drive to our next stop, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and there’s something about this town that makes you want to linger. The heritage district here is made for walking, with its boutique shops, cast-iron planters and horse-drawn carriages transporting riders to another time and place. It’s Victorian-era 19th century is charm personified, and you could easily transplant the entire town and set it down anywhere in New England, where it would blend in perfectly. Located at the point where the Niagara River flows into Lake Ontario, it is the only town in Canada with a Lord Mayor. The permanent population is about 18,000 residents.

Besides the obvious attraction of Niagara Falls, there are many other distinct historic sites in the area that educate tourists about the significance that the region served in shaping Canada to what it is today. The War of 1812 was a turning point in Niagara Falls history, when the fledgling United States army fought British Loyalists for the new lands that would become Canada. From Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake, it’s possible to visit the past, carefully restored and recreated. At Old Fort Erie, authentically dressed guides in 1812 period costume, recreate life in this former British garrison, including daily musket demonstrations and the annual Siege of Old Fort Erie Re-enactment. Fort Erie was also an entry point for freedom-seeking black slaves escaping persecution in the U.S. The point of entry into Canada from Buffalo, was known as “The Crossing” and is the start of the Freedom Trail - part of the Underground Railroad. There are innumerable stops for those interested in the history of the area, including Brock’s Monument, a tribute to the British General who lost his life at the Battle of Queenston in 1812.The Daredevil Exhibit at the IMAX theatre showcases real artifacts from daredevils that survived the plunge, and along with the all the stories to go with how each daredevil attempted the treacherous stunt of plummeting down the Falls. The Museum is where visitors can explore the history that changed a nation with real artifacts, images, videos and interactive experiences designed to deliver full exposure to historic events in the region. The Niagara Falls Gallery provides visitors with an opportunity to experience the history of the iconic Falls from the geological creation of the Falls to the daredevils that tested the ferocious capability of nature.

Our final stop before heading back to Toronto, was at the Niagara College Teaching Distillery located in the heart of Niagara’s wine country - its claim to fame is producing ice wine. It takes 4 times as many frozen grapes to produce it compared to regular wines and is sweet enough to make you gag…..not my idea of wine drinking at all, but it is an acquired taste. 40 students each year are selected for the college course and are taught everything from A to Z about making wine. Graduation from this college gives students multiple employment opportunities, especially in the hospitality industries.

During my stay in Toronto, the weather pendulum has swung from one extreme to the other. I have seen sunlight, snow blizzards, ice storms and ferocious winds, sometimes all in one day! Temperatures have rarely risen above freezing and are usually well below that but surprisingly, I have enjoyed the craziness of it all. This is a great town to explore, even if I’ve had to negotiate snow drifts on the sidewalks, handle ice pellets bouncing off my umbrella, and figure out where I am when caught in a “whiteout” …..such is life for a road warrior.

The post “ Toronto - A Multicultural Treasure - Canada, February 2019 “ was originally seen on Travel Blog

Intravenous Hydration Clinic Toronto Ontario - Dr. Amauri Wellness Centre - Dr. Amauri Caversan

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lindaseccaspina · 4 years

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The Ottawa Citizen Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 21 Nov 1936, Sat • Page 21

Peter McCallum was born in the township of Goulburn in 1859, a son of James McCallum and Esther MacKay, Scottish pioneer settlers. After serving an apprenticeship with the Brown Flour Mills of Carleton Place. He came to Almonte and the following year was married to the former Jane Moore McNeely of Appleton, a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McNeely.

Almonte in those days was a thriving textile town and as might be expected Mr. McCallum took up this work, serving for a time as foreman in the shawl factory of William Wylie and continuing for a number of years as an employee in that plant after it had been purchased by the late James Wylie and converted into a flannel mill.

The Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 16 Jul 1952, Wed • Page 8

One department over which McCallum had control over at Wylie’s Mill was the dyeing and scouring of the woollens and it was there he conceived the idea of making a soap in tablet form designed to lessen the labor of wash day. After a considerable period of service in the textile plants, Mr. McCallum felt the urge to strike out for himself in a business of his own. He had secured a formula for making a new kind of laundry soap that was particularly effective as a water softener and after working on the idea for some time and improving it in various ways, he started to market his product. In a crude way he sought to develop those ideas, evolution brought improvement and the result was the widely-used “No-Rub” products that found a market a market in all parts of Canada.

From a small beginning the business developed by leaps and bounds. Mr. McCallum’s son, John D., became associated with him and as time passed new lines of soap making were added and the requisite machinery installed. A lover of fine scenery he did much to improve the appearance of the town in various places. He was prime mover in constructing two miniature parks affording a fine view of the falls, one of which was completed only a week or so before his death.

The Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 06 Sep 1950, Wed • Page 23

November 12 1936–Almonte Gazette

Mr. McCallum Reported To Be Making Good Progress In Hospital. People of Almonte and district will be glad to learn that Mayor Peter McCallum, who underwent an operation at the Civic Hospital, Ottawa, Saturday morning, is progressing favorably. Mr. McCallum went to the Ottawa hospital about two weeks ago to undergo treatment and after he had been under observation for some time an operation was deemed necessary. In the absence of the Mayor, Reeve W. W. Watchorn returned from the November session of Lanark County Council to preside at the last regular meeting of Almonte Council, Tuesday night.

Mack’s No-Rub, Cake….5 cents each-Almonte is also the modest source of Mack’s No Rub, washday friend of many a thrifty Canadian housewife. Who’s “Mac?” He’s John D. MacCallum who could tell you some interesting facts about the town’s popular lawn bowling green. Almonte is proud of its efficient house of mercy, the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, endowed long ago by the famous miller and members of his family, the latest gift coming from Mrs. Alex Rosamond.

The Ottawa Citizen Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 21 Nov 1936, Sat • Page 10

The Ottawa Journal Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 23 Nov 1936, Mon • Page 3

youtube

Their house was built in 1916 by Peter McCallum, a local businessman and local politician, serving Almonte as Chairman of the Roads and Bridges Committee during the 1920s and as Mayor of Almonte from 1931 to 1932 and from 1934 to 1936. Peter McCallum founded a company in Almonte known as Mack’s Laundry Specialty Company in 1908 and which became famous across the country from Halifax to Vancouver for its handmade laundry flakes and bars. They were known simply as “Mack’s Non-Rub”. The products were especially well known in Western Canada and in the supermarkets of the time; Loblaws, the A&P and Dominion stores all had standing orders for their Western stores. The factory and offices stood on Edward Street on a piece of land that ran between Water and Reserve Streets. The business closed when chemical bleaches and detergents were introduced. Peter McCallum moved to a smaller house on Country Street in 1937 and died a few months later. The house remained in the McCallum family, occupied by his son, John Duncan McCallum and his wife Madeleine until 1963.

Mr. McCallum, who came from Carleton Place and his wife, Jane Moore McNeely of Appleton, acquired the property in 1916 and built on it the same year. Originally a much larger lot, successive sales and grants for other building lots have reduced the property to its current size of approximately 0.29 hectares (0.73 acres). The house sits well back from the street and contains mature evergreen and deciduous trees. The house is located towards the northeast corner of the lot, providing for lawns and garden to the south and west. On Country Street the boundary consists of an iron fence with stone gate posts and a cedar hedge. From Mississippi Mills—

Karen Hirst— Was McCallum Soap Factory—side street off of Water Street was then called Edward Street, now McCallum Street. Maybe there was another soap factory on Water Street? No, McCallum Street off of Water Street. Was Edward when the soap factory was there but now McCallum—across from Agricultural grounds

During the Dirty 30’s in Oungre Saskatchewan, my father John Kerry recalls that Grandma Kerry used a ‘ No Rub Soap,’ that when used with their prairie alkaline water was the only soap to make a suds. Needless to say it was Grandma’s soap of choice! — the soap was ‘MacCallum Soap from the McCallum Soap Factory’.

Dad of course had no inkling at the time that the McCallum Soap Factory was located on McCallum Street, just across the street from a future investment of his, in a little town called Almonte.

Barbara Joan Cook Karen Hirst I am sure you are right – I remember it being a rectangular building – black wood and it did not face onto Water – just one side of it. And oh …. the smells some days. I can remember holding my breath as I walked past it – good practice for those underwater swims.

More History on the Almonte Knitting Mills — Wylie Milling Company

Almonte in the 1950s

I will Wash Your Mouth Out with Soap!

What the Heck was Electric Soap? Chatterton House Hotel Registrar

As the World Turns in Carleton Place — Soap and Ground Beef

Who was Cody the Kid in Carleton Place? — Soap Box Memories

Peter McCallum — From Brown and Wylie Mill Employee to The King of Mack’s No Rub Laundry Soap The Ottawa Citizen Ottawa, Ontario, Canada 21 Nov 1936, Sat • Page 21 Peter McCallum was born in the township of Goulburn in 1859, a son of James McCallum and Esther MacKay, Scottish pioneer settlers.

#almonte #brown mill #Carleton-Place #death #Lanark-County #mack&039;s no run laundry soap #macks #Obituary #peter mccallum #soap factory #wylie&039;s mill

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gordonwilliamsweb · 4 years

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As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside?

Navigating Aging

Navigating Aging focuses on medical issues and advice associated with aging and end-of-life care, helping America’s 45 million seniors and their families navigate the health care system.

To contact Judith Graham with a question or comment, click here.

Join the Navigating Aging Facebook Group.

See All Columns

Families are beset by fear and anxiety as COVID-19 makes inroads at nursing homes across the country, threatening the lives of vulnerable older adults.

Alarmingly more than 10,000 residents and staff at long-term care facilities have died from COVID infections, according to an April 23 analysis of state data by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

But often facilities won’t disclose how many residents and employees are infected with the coronavirus that causes the disease, citing privacy considerations. Unable to visit, families can’t see for themselves how loved ones are doing.

Are people getting enough to eat? How are their spirits? Are they stable physically or declining? Are staff shortages developing as health aides become sick?

Perhaps most pressing, does a loved one have COVID symptoms? Is testing available? If infected, is he or she getting adequate care?

“This is the problem we’re all facing right now: If you have family in these facilities, how do you know they’re in danger or not?” Jorge Zamanillo told the Miami Herald after his 90-year-old mother, Rosa, died of COVID-19 only days after staffers said she was “fine.”

In recent weeks, amid mounting concern, states including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and New York began releasing data about cases and deaths in individual nursing homes. (The data varies by state.) And the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it would require homes to report cases to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to notify residents and families. (Previously, facilities were required to report only to states.)

Families’ worst fears have been expressed in recent headlines, including a New York Times story that described “body bags piled up” behind a New Jersey nursing home where 70 residents had perished. Another investigation called nursing homes “death pits” and reported that at least 7,000 residents across the nation had died of COVID-19 — about 20% of all deaths reported at the time, April 17.

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What can families do? I asked nearly a dozen long-term care advocates and experts for advice. They cautioned that the problems — lapses in infection control and inadequate staffing foremost among them — require a strong response from regulators and lawmakers.

“The awful truth is families have no control over what’s happening and not nearly enough is being done to keep people safe,” said Michael Dark, a staff attorney at California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform.

Still, experts had several suggestions that may help:

Stay in touch. With virtually all visitors barred from nursing homes since mid-March, frequent contact with loved ones via telephone calls or video visits has become even more important. In addition to providing much-needed emotional support, it signals to staffers that family members are vigilant.

“When a facility knows someone is watching, those residents get better care,” said Daniel Ross, senior staff attorney at Mobilization for Justice, a legal aid agency in New York City. “Obviously, the ban of visitors is a real problem, but it doesn’t make family oversight impossible.”

If a resident has difficulty initiating contact (this can be true for people who have poor fine motor coordination, impaired eyesight or hearing, or dementia), he or she will need help from an aide. That can be problematic, though, with staff shortages and other tasks being given higher priority.

Scheduling a time for a call, a video chat or a “window visit” may make it easier, suggests Mairead Painter, Connecticut’s long-term care ombudsman.

AARP is pressing for Congress to require nursing homes to offer video visitation and to provide federal funding for the needed technologies. If you can afford to do so, buy a tablet for your loved one or organize a group of families to buy several.

Band together. More than likely, other families have similar concerns and need for information. Reach out through email chains or telephone trees, suggested Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition in New York City.

Ask your nursing home administrator to update families weekly through a conference call or Zoom video chat. Explain that families will probably call less often with repetitive questions if communication is coordinated.

Many nursing homes have family councils that advocate for residents, potentially valuable conduits for support and information. Your long-term care ombudsman or administrator can tell you if a council exists at your facility.

Working with a group can reduce the fear that complaining will provoke retaliation — a common concern among families.

“It’s one thing to hear ‘Mrs. Jones’ daughter is making a big deal of this’ and another to hear that families of ‘everyone on the second floor have noted there’s no staff there,’” Ross said.

Contact ombudsmen. Every state has a long-term care ombudsman responsible for advocating for nursing home residents, addressing complaints and trying to solve problems. While these experts currently are not allowed to visit facilities, they’re working at a distance in this time of crisis. To find your ombudsman, go to https://theconsumervoice.org/get_help.

Twice a week, Painter holds an hourlong question-and-answer session on the Connecticut Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program’s Facebook page. Among dozens of questions that people asked last week: What kind of communication can I expect when a family member is COVID-positive and in isolation? What’s the protocol for testing, and are homes out of test kits? Could families get a robocall if a resident died?

One person wondered whether installing cameras in residents’ rooms was an option. This practice is legal in eight states, but facilities may consider this elsewhere on a case-by-case basis. A fact sheet from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care lays out the pros and cons.

“Most of what we do is trying to work out better communication,” Painter said. “When there are staffing issues, as there are now, that’s the first thing that falls off.”

Lodge a complaint. Usually, Painter advises families to take concerns to a nurse or administrator rather than stew in silence. “Tell the story of what’s going on with the resident,” she said. “Identify exactly what the person’s needs are and why they need to be addressed.”

If you think a family member is being ignored, talk to the director of nurses and ask for a care plan meeting. “Whenever there’s a change in someone’s condition, there’s a requirement that a care plan meeting be convened, and that remains in effect,” said Eric Carlson, a directing attorney with Justice in Aging, a legal advocacy organization.

If that doesn’t work, go “up the facility’s chain of command” and contact the corporate office or board of directors, said Robyn Grant, director of public policy and advocacy at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.

If you’re getting nowhere, file a complaint with the agency that oversees nursing homes in your state. (You can find a list at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website.) This is a formality at the moment, since CMS has temporarily released agencies from the obligation to investigate most complaints. Still, “there may come a day when you’ll want a written record of this kind,” Dark advised.

Complaints that are getting attention from regulators involve “immediate jeopardy”: the prospect of serious harm, injury, impairment or death to a resident. “If you believe your concern rises to that level, make sure to indicate that,” the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care advises.

Also, contact local, state and national public officials and insist they provide COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment to nursing homes. “Calls, letters — the lives of your loved ones depend on it,” said Dr. Michael Wasserman, president of the California Association of Long Term Care Medicine.

Bring a relative home. Some nursing homes are asking families to take loved ones out of their facilities and bring them home. Every day, all day, Dark said, he gets calls from California families in this situation who are distraught and terrified.

Families need to think through these decisions carefully, said Dr. Joanne Lynn, a policy analyst with the Program to Improve Eldercare at Altarum, a research organization. What if their loved one becomes ill? Will they be able to provide care? If their relative has dementia or serious disabilities, can they handle the demands such conditions entail?

Researchers in Ottawa, Canada, have developed a useful decision aid for families, available at https://decisionaid.ohri.ca/docs/das/COVID-MoveFromLongTermCare.pdf. (Americans can ignore the Canada-specific information.)

At the very least, “get plans in place in case your relative has a bad [COVID-19] case. People can go from stable to serious illness within hours in many cases,” Lynn said.

This involves updating advance directives, including whether your loved one would want cardiopulmonary resuscitation, mechanical ventilation, transfer to the hospital in the event of a life-threatening health crisis or hospice care, should that be indicated.

As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside? published first on https://nootropicspowdersupplier.tumblr.com/

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dinafbrownil · 4 years

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As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside?

Navigating Aging

Navigating Aging focuses on medical issues and advice associated with aging and end-of-life care, helping America’s 45 million seniors and their families navigate the health care system.

To contact Judith Graham with a question or comment, click here.

Join the Navigating Aging Facebook Group.

See All Columns

Families are beset by fear and anxiety as COVID-19 makes inroads at nursing homes across the country, threatening the lives of vulnerable older adults.

Alarmingly more than 10,000 residents and staff at long-term care facilities have died from COVID infections, according to an April 23 analysis of state data by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Are people getting enough to eat? How are their spirits? Are they stable physically or declining? Are staff shortages developing as health aides become sick?

Perhaps most pressing, does a loved one have COVID symptoms? Is testing available? If infected, is he or she getting adequate care?

Don't Miss A Story

Subscribe to KHN’s free Weekly Edition newsletter.

Please confirm your email address below:

Still, experts had several suggestions that may help:

Scheduling a time for a call, a video chat or a “window visit” may make it easier, suggests Mairead Painter, Connecticut’s long-term care ombudsman.

Working with a group can reduce the fear that complaining will provoke retaliation — a common concern among families.

“Most of what we do is trying to work out better communication,” Painter said. “When there are staffing issues, as there are now, that’s the first thing that falls off.”

At the very least, “get plans in place in case your relative has a bad [COVID-19] case. People can go from stable to serious illness within hours in many cases,” Lynn said.

from Updates By Dina https://khn.org/news/as-covid-19-lurks-families-are-locked-out-of-nursing-homes-is-it-safe-inside/

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stephenmccull · 4 years

Text

As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside?

Navigating Aging

Navigating Aging focuses on medical issues and advice associated with aging and end-of-life care, helping America’s 45 million seniors and their families navigate the health care system.

To contact Judith Graham with a question or comment, click here.

Join the Navigating Aging Facebook Group.

See All Columns

Families are beset by fear and anxiety as COVID-19 makes inroads at nursing homes across the country, threatening the lives of vulnerable older adults.

Alarmingly more than 10,000 residents and staff at long-term care facilities have died from COVID infections, according to an April 23 analysis of state data by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Are people getting enough to eat? How are their spirits? Are they stable physically or declining? Are staff shortages developing as health aides become sick?

Perhaps most pressing, does a loved one have COVID symptoms? Is testing available? If infected, is he or she getting adequate care?

Don't Miss A Story

Subscribe to KHN’s free Weekly Edition newsletter.

Please confirm your email address below:

Still, experts had several suggestions that may help:

Scheduling a time for a call, a video chat or a “window visit” may make it easier, suggests Mairead Painter, Connecticut’s long-term care ombudsman.

Working with a group can reduce the fear that complaining will provoke retaliation — a common concern among families.

“Most of what we do is trying to work out better communication,” Painter said. “When there are staffing issues, as there are now, that’s the first thing that falls off.”

At the very least, “get plans in place in case your relative has a bad [COVID-19] case. People can go from stable to serious illness within hours in many cases,” Lynn said.

As COVID-19 Lurks, Families Are Locked Out Of Nursing Homes. Is It Safe Inside? published first on https://smartdrinkingweb.weebly.com/

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mortgagebrokerplanotx · 5 years

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Mortgage Broker Splendora Texas

Contents

Friendly road runner

Mortgage insurance. mortgage

Mortgage wholesale.mortgage broker homelley

Turn home buyers

ROCHESTER – A Buffalo mortgage broker pleaded guilty Friday and agreed to cooperate. The sale of properties in Texas led to a lawsuit in which Herbert Morgan asserts that his brother, Robert, did.

Two Illinois mortgage brokers stand accused of fraudulently operating a supposedly. He is a graduate of University of North Texas.

Splendora is a town in Montgomery County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,615 at the 2010 census. Splendora was named for the splendor of its trees.

But one type of lender is doing fine, even excelling, as others continue to eliminate hundreds of mortgage jobs – mortgage brokers. United Wholesale Mortgage. Ramírez is a journalism graduate of.

A Houston, Texas-based real estate broker has purchased the first Motto Mortgage franchise in the state, the RE/MAX Holdings, Inc. company recently announced. The franchise, purchased by Freddy.

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Mortgage brokers and correspondent lenders now have expanded options. He is a graduate of University of North Texas.

Why work with a mortgage broker? For most homebuyers, you’re the first person they connect with in the home-buying process. And while they look to you to help them find their dream home, they may also have questions about how to afford it.

In 2018, United Wholesale Mortgage closed. to partner with brokers and help them thrive in 2019 and beyond.” Alcynna Lloyd is a reporter at HousingWire. Lloyd has a degree in broadcast journalism.

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