Jasmine Henczel 'Agent Jazz'

Hello all,

WHAT: Sikh Community Street Parade
WHEN: Saturday June 25 - 10:00AM till 2:00PM
WHERE: Downtown Squamish

An amazing event is taking place on Saturday June 25 in downtown Squamish. The Squamish Sikh Society would like to invite people to join them at this colourful event where they will be commemorating the martyrdom of the Fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjun Dev Ji.  There will be a Guru Ka Langar (free food for everybody on the parade route) plus a short reading & verbal presentations at the pavilion in downtown Squamish. This is definitely one of my favourite events in Squamish and I look forward to seeing you all there!

Squamish Fire Fighter Association Annual Charity Car Wash

Who: Squamish Fire Fighter Association

What: Annual Charity Car Wash

When: Saturday April 16 from 12Noon to 4pm

Where:  Squamish Station Squamish (Nester's)

Why: Fundraising for the Squamish Hospice Society

The Squamish Firefighters Association is holding it annual charity car wash Saturday April 16 rain or shine at Squamish Station Square (Right By Nester’s) between the hours of 12 to 4pm. All proceeds are being donated to assist the Squamish Hospice Society - a truly fantastic group that does such amazing work in our community.

So after you’ve dropped off your recyclables at the 1st Annual Re-Use It Fair at the Adventure Centre c’mon by the Squamish Station Square and have a fire fighter wash your vehicle for a good cause!

For more information about the Squamish Hospice Society please visit www.squamishhospice.com

See you there!

Jasmine

Hello Everyone,

Starting at sea level in Vancouver, riders will head over the Lions Gate Bridge in a dedicated lane on their way up to Whistler. Once over the bridge, riders will travel up Taylor Way to get onto the upper levels Trans Canada Hwy with a right of way at all intersections. The journey then begins.

The Journey

Riders will travel the rest of the route in a dedicated lane all the way up to Whistler. You'll be distracted from the 2,400 meters in climbing by the spectacular views of Howe Sound as you ride to Squamish - the half way mark and rest stop. You may be surprised to realize you'll also enjoy 1,750 meters of descent as you roll through the Coast Mountain Range for a net gain of 650 meters elevation to arrive at the finish line in the heart of Whistler Village.

The Route

The newly upgraded Sea to Sky Highway was designed to accommodate traffic for the 2010 Winter Olympics… but it's been waiting for you. You won't believe your eyes as you travel this spectacular route.

The Finish

Riders will finish in Whistler Village with a celebration worthy of this epic ride including live music, a beer garden, massage tents, a rider expo in the plaza and all your friends and family. Your personal luggage from the start will be available for pick up plus a complimentary bike check as you enjoy the festivities.

About

Gran Fondo's are mass participation cycling events that have enjoyed incredible popularity in Europe for decades, and are beginning to gain momentum in North America. The RBC GranFondo Whistler will be the first world-class Gran Fondo in Canada in 2010 (but followed by more in 2011).

Loosely translated from Italian, GranFondo means "big ride." Rides are often 100 km or more for a large number of cyclists at a variety of skill levels - everyone from the competitive cyclist to the amateur wanting to challenge themselves over distance and time enjoy these events. While these are not races, top finishers are often recognized.

Gran Fondo's are judged by the challenges they offer steep climbs, long distances and a combination of the two. The RBC GranFondo Whistler will not disappoint with 2,400 meters of climbing over the entire route. And if that isn't enough, the RBC GranFondo Whistler will also offer primes (or mini timed races) along the way at particularly challenging sections to give riders that extra motivational boost. This will be a challenge worth bragging about and you'll be rewarded with a Founding Riders Finisher's Medal. 

All Abilities Are Welcome

The Gran Fondo is the full distance of the ride designed to challenge endurance. Many Gran Fondo events offer a "mini" or "medium" version called the "Medio".  This is appropriate for those not quite ready for the full distance but who still want to participate in the challenge. The Medio in the RBC GranFondo Whistler will start in Squamish to cover a distance of 60 km, but will still be a challenge by including the steepest of the climbs up to Whistler. A "Giro" is a common cycling term for race. The Giro division in the RBC GranFondo Whistler will be the race component. Open to licensed riders in Categories 1 through 3, the Giro will be an all out race to the top of Whistler at an anticipated average speed of over 30 km/hour.

Participation in RBC GranFondo Whistler this year is limited to 4,000 riders.

For More Information

For more information please visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com

The 16^th Annual Brackendale Fall Fair is back on Saturday September 11 from 10AM to 5PM! There will be over 50 vendors, food and live music. Plus games for all ages, mini golf, hay rides, zucchini races and, of course, farm animals!

The Brackendale Fall Fair will be held at the Brackendale Farmers Institute (BFI) Park.  This is the forested area south of Brackendale Elementary School, west of Ross Road, east of the railway tracks and north of the Ross property on Depot Rd.

District of Squamish Council Town Hall Meeting

Eagle Eye Theatre at Howe Sound Secondary School.

To see for the first time the detailed conceptual designs for the Oceanfront lands.

The Open House takes place at the Sea to Sky Hotel Ballroom at 40330 Tantalus Way from 6:30 – 9 p.m. with multi-media presentations beginning at 7 p.m.

“This is what the community has been waiting for,” said Mayor Gardner.“A chance for residents to view the designs and hear from the Create the Oceanfront team about the vision and the future for the Oceanfront lands”.

All residents are encouraged to attend the open house to see the new drawings and hear about the future of the oceanfront from the oceanfront landowners, and become up-to-date on the planning process. There is also an opportunity to ask questions and to provide feedback

regarding the conceptual designs to date.

The District, The Squamish Oceanfront Development Corporation, Mamquam Ocean Developments Ltd. (Westmana), and BC Rail Properties have all developed detailed plans in response to the ongoing community consultation. This meeting will present the work done to date.

Hope to see everyone there!

Great news for animal lovers in Squamish!

In an effort to help raise much needed funds for needy animals in our community the Squamish Needy Animal Foundation (SNAF) has started a weekly dog walk/fundraiser every Friday @ 1:00pm (rain or shine) starting on the dyke behind the Squamish Dog Pound.

Simply bring a Toonie, your dog, a poo bag, and a leash (leashes are mandatory). Plus, there will be weekly donated prizes given away at the end of each walk. This is not only a wonderful way to help out an important cause but it is also a great way to meet other local pet owners and socialize your pet!

SNAF is a registered charity that helps needy animals receive the necessary veterinary care. SNAF also helps homeless animals, and pets in low income families when they are ill or injured.

To Learn More About...

• The weekly SNAF walks
• SNAF and what it is doing in our community
• What you can do to help out - there are many options to donate including contributing the money from your old bottles directly to SNAF at the bottle depot!

Contact SNAF

Email: needyanimal@hotmail.com

Phone: 604.892.7861

Facebook: Squamish Needy Animal Foundation

PS. On Saturday October 31^st The Howe Sound Brew Pub is hosting a fundraiser for SNAF featuring THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW on the big screen at 9pm. Admission is by cash donation to SNAF at the door. There will be prizes for best costumes and house specials!! Have a fabulous night and support SNAF at the same time!

Do You Know Your Credit Score?

Have you ever noticed when you buy a car, apply for a credit card, line of credit or mortgage or sometimes even when you rent an apartment, someone often ‘pulls your credit report’? What exactly are they doing and why should this matter to you? In today’s economic times, it is increasingly important to monitor your credit history to ensure your worthiness with various lenders. You should be aware of what is on your report not only to make sure you are not a victim of credit fraud, but also to give you some leveraging power when it comes to interest rates and loan amounts.

Your credit report is a financial summary of your past borrowing and repayment reputation. A strong credit history can help you reach financial goals quickly. A poor credit history can limit your financial opportunities. You can obtain a copy of your credit report by contacting the credit bureaus in Canada which are Equifax www.equifax.ca and Trans Union www.transunion.ca .

The Information Included In Your Report Includes the Following:

Identifying Information – your name, any known aliases, current and previous addresses, social insurance number, date of birth and past employers

Recent Inquiries – names of those who have pulled your credit report in the past

Public Record Information – such as bankruptcies and collections

Credit Information – accounts you have with financial institutions, retailers, credit card companies and other lenders. Your credit limit, outstanding balances, recent payments and the date you opened the account are all listed as well.

So What Exactly Is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a mathematical formula based on the information in your credit report. Scores range from 300 to 900. The higher the score, the more favorable you are to lenders.

Credit Bureaus Assign a Numerical Value to Your Credit History Based on the Following:

35% Payment History – account payment information, bankruptcies, late payments, past due accounts, severity of delinquency, etc

30% Amounts Owed - proportion of outstanding balances to credit limits

15% Length of Credit History – time since accounts opened, time since recent account activity

10% New Credit – number of recently opened accounts, recent credit inquiries, re-establishment of positive credit history following past payment problems

10% Types of Credit – number of various types of credit (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, etc)

How Can You Improve Your Credit Score?

1. Order a copy of your credit report (free by mail but if you order it online it will cost you), review it carefully and correct any errors by contacting Equifax and Trans Union

2. Pay all bills on time. If you cannot pay off the entire balance, always ensure you make at least the minimum payment required.

3. Do not go over the limit on your credit cards or lines of credit. Try to keep your balances well below the limit.

4. Reduce the number of credit applications you make. The more inquiries you have on your credit report can have a negative effect on your score as it shows lenders that you may be desperate for credit.

5. Having a credit card or installment loan can actually help boost a credit score, as long as the balance is not too high and regular payments are made

Please See Today’s Best Rates

(Monday October 26, 2009)

Variable            2.15%

1 yr     fixed        2.25%

2 yr     fixed        3.05%

3 yr     fixed        3.44%

4 yr     fixed        3.85%

5 yr     fixed        3.85%

7 yr     fixed        5.10%

10 yr   fixed        5.20%

*OAC some conditions apply

Note From Agent Jazz:

In an effort to keep all my clients up-to-date on what is happening the world of interest rates and mortgage information I have arranged for a local mortgage specialist, Melissa Sheridan, to update my clients weekly on my blog.

As a Mortgage Broker, Melissa Sheridan (www.littlemissmortgage.ca) has daily access to several different lenders and mortgage products with attractive and competitive terms. Since Melissa is independent from the lenders, she is completely unbiased when recommending a mortgage and therefore she can work together to find you the best possible solution for your mortgage financing.

Melissa Sheridan

www.littlemissmortgage.ca

The NOVA TEAM @ Verico

Cell:  604.892.4321

Office:  604.898.9511  x 212

Toll Free: 888.988.6682 x 212

Toll Free Fax: 888.844.3706

In an effort to keep all my clients up-to-date on what is happening the world of interest rates and mortgage information I have arranged for a local mortgage specialist, Melissa Sheridan, to update my clients weekly on my blog.

As a mortgage broker, Melissa Sheridan (www.littlemissmortgage.ca) has daily access to several different lenders and mortgage products with attractive and competitive terms. Since Melissa is independent from the lenders, she is completely unbiased when recommending a mortgage and therefore she can work together to find you the best possible solution for your mortgage financing.

Please Note: The interest rates posted here apply only to a sample of mortgage products available in the market place, are subject to change without notice and are available O.A.C.

Please see today’s best rates

(Monday October 19, 2009)

Variable              2.15%

1 yr     fixed        2.25%

2 yr     fixed        3.10%

3 yr     fixed        3.44%

4 yr     fixed        3.89%

5 yr     fixed        3.99%

7 yr     fixed        5.10%

10 yr   fixed        5.20%

*OAC some conditions apply

 Melissa Sheridan

www.littlemissmortgage.ca

The NOVA TEAM @ Verico

Cell:  604.892.4321

Office:  604.898.9511  x 212

Toll Free: 888.988.6682 x 212

Familiarize yourself with Squamish

Part 5: Dentville

Dentville is considered by most a very much up and coming area due to its prime location and small, quaint neighborhood feeling.  Known for its spacious building lots, sunny location and walking distance to downtown Squamish, Dentville is home to many character and heritage style homes as it was one of the first areas to be built in Squamish.

This community is conveniently located only a 5 to 10 minute walk to the south to downtown and is also within walking distance of  shopping, cafes, and so on, to the north. This area is very appealing to many people that prefer to have amenities and work opportunities close by but not directly in their backyard. Dentville is also within walking distance to the local high school, an elementary school and youth centre, making this an excellent area for families. There is also an extensive nature trail network which connects this community to the schools.  

Dentville has undergone many changes in recent years with a lot of of the small and run down ‘old-timer’ homes having been completely renovated or, in some cases, demolished and a new home put up in their place. Prices in this area have gone up in recent years but are still some of the most affordable in Squamish. Only time will tell if prices will stay this way in this area.

For more details on available homes in this area or anywhere in Squamish, please contact me personally. I would be happy to show you around! You can reach me at 604.815.7766 or by email at Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca

For the month of July a record was broken for the most sales ever for that period of sales. With historic low interest rates, the decline in prices from the previous year(s) and the large selection of homes to choose from Buyers came out in full force to take advantage of the situation. Only the second time in history that the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board has recorded over 4000 sales in the month of July, this years being the largest ever at 4,114.

The prices in the Greater Vancouver area show an overall trend of being back on the rise. Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index shows the *benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 9.2% to $528,821 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to July 2008 levels are still down 5%.

It is important to note that the majority of these sales occurred in the Greater Vancouver Area. The Squamish market is still very much a Buyer’s Market whereas the Vancouver Market is now a Seller’s Market with multiple offers now making a come back.

For more information about what is happening specifically in the Squamish Real Estate Market, please feel free to contact me anytime at 604.815.7766 or by email at Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca

*BENCHMARK PRICE: Estimated sale price of a benchmark property. Benchmarks represent a typical property within each market

**The stats for this article were provided by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board.

For the month of July a record was broken for the most sales ever for that period of sales. With historic low interest rates, the decline in prices from the previous year(s) and the large selection of homes to choose from Buyers came out in full force to take advantage of the situation. Only the second time in history that the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board has recorded over 4000 sales in the month of July, this years being the largest ever at 4,114.

The prices in the Greater Vancouver area show an overall trend of being back on the rise. Since the beginning of the year, the MLSLink® Housing Price Index shows the *benchmark price for all residential properties in Greater Vancouver has increased 9.2% to $528,821 from $484,211. However, home prices compared to July 2008 levels are still down 5%.

It is important to note that the majority of these sales occurred in the Greater Vancouver Area. The Squamish market is still very much a Buyer’s Market whereas the Vancouver Market is now a Seller’s Market with multiple offers now making a come back.

For more information about what is happening specifically in the Squamish Real Estate Market, please feel free to contact me anytime at 604.815.7766 or by email at Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca

*BENCHMARK PRICE: Estimated sale price of a benchmark property. Benchmarks represent a typical property within each market

**The stats for this article were provided by the Greater Vancouver Real Estate Board.

The Northyards is a remarkable area. Along with its many and varied attributes it is also an area undergoing big changes. For the purpose of this blog I am going to illustrate the Northyards as two areas: West and East Northyards which are split by highway 99.

West Northyards

The West side of Northyards is also very much known for its fishing, walking trails and eagle and wildlife viewing. With the Squamish River and Mamquam River merging in this area, the fishing can be world class during the salmon runs in the fall and spring. It is common to see 20 to 30 lb salmon being wrestled onto the shores of the rivers during these prime fishing times.

Up next! Part 5 in my series of ‘Getting to Know Squamish’ – Dentville!

Probably the most up and coming area that Squamish has to offer! While it is going to take some time for the transformation to take place the wheels are already in motion. In a few years when the Oceanfront Development has progressed and downtown becomes ‘the place to live’ one could speculate that there could be a huge population surge in the downtown area.  At first glance, one might think that downtown Squamish is fairly quiet and sleepy. However, with community events, cultural festivals, the weekend Farmers Market, the Art Walk and much, much more, the downtown area offers a sampling of what is to come for Squamish.

Many new master planned condo and town home developments have already begun and it is just a matter of time before downtown is really bustling!  Downtown Squamish will one day be home to new marinas, plazas, shopping, ocean front board walks and so on. Go to www.createtheoceanfront.ca to learn more about the vision for this area.

Currently, detached homes in downtown Squamish are some of the most affordable homes in Squamish. Some homes have been purchased as investments while others, that see the potential of downtown, have purchased homes to renovate and are waiting it out so they can be a part of this soon-to-be incredibly vibrant area. Downtown Squamish will be transformed into something very special; it is just a matter of time.

For more details on homes available in this area or other areas of Squamish, feel free to contact me personally. I would be happy to show you around! You can reach me at 604.815.7766 or by email at Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca

Up next! Part 4 in my series of ‘Getting to Know Squamish’ – The North Yards & Finch Drive.

Interconnected with Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill is named for the location of the Hospital that you must pass to get to this quaint neighborhood. Hospital Hill offers views of both soaring mountains and of the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean. Not all of the homes here have ocean views but those that do certainly have an amazing location on the edge of the cliffs overlooking Squamish. This area is within walking distance of downtown Squamish. Hospital Hill literally offers rock climbing out your back with immediate access to the Squamish Smoke Bluff. And, a trail system which follows the hillside along the climbing areas down to the Adventure Centre where you can go for a lovely afternoon snack or coffee break on the patio which overlooks the Chief. And don’t forget about Crumpit Woods which is home to an expansive trail network. The Crumpit Woods area is a great start off point for cross-country mountain bike rides

Homes in this area tend to be in the mid to higher price range with many of the homes being in the luxury home category.

For more details on available homes in this area or other areas of Squamish, feel free to contact me personally. I would be happy to show you around!

You can reach me on my cell phone at 604.815.7766 or by email at Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca

Up next! Part 3 in my series of ‘Getting to Know Squamish’ - Downtown Squamish

Welcome back to part 2 of my discussion on the Squamish Oceanfront!

The Squamish Oceanfront area has undergone environmental studies to ensure that that it can be developed in a number of capacities; from parkland to residential homes. Outside of outdoor recreation, recent uses for the oceanfront have included television and movie filming, and the occasional waterfront festival/concert.

I have been told by members of the District of Squamish that there should be a Master Plan in place by sometime in the fall of 2009. This means that, in theory, we could begin to see infrastructure, such as roads, street lights and so on, being built and prepared in the area within the next year – though, this would be a rather optimistic outlook, as these things do take time.

I have tried to stay in touch with what is going on with the oceanfront development because it is my belief that this will severely impact the future of Squamish. The potential for this area is so immense that it is hard to wrap one’s mind around it. A quick drive down to Nexen Beach combined with a little brainstorming and you will see what I mean. The options truly are limitless! A few examples of what you may see down on the waterfront in years to come are marinas and piers, a cruise ship terminal, a passenger ferry to Vancouver, a boardwalk, parks, shops, theatres, residential homes and other amenities – though none of these have been confirmed.

For more information about the Oceanfront Development in Squamish, you can check out the following websites:

www.squamishoceanfront.com

www.createtheoceanfront.ca

www.squamish.ca

If you are interested in learning more about the Squamish Oceanfront, ask me about the ‘Oceanfront 101’ meetings that I hold occasionally. They are a great way to keep informed, meet community members and listen to guest speakers on various topics pertaining to the Oceanfront. The sessions are always laid back with a focus on group discussions.

If you are new to the area or, if you are interested in learning more about Squamish, please feel free to contact me anytime. I would be happy to show you around Squamish and answer any questions that you may have. You can contact me directly at 604.815.7766 or Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca