Powell River Living on the Sunshine Coast, BC

Winter Living in Powell River, BC

I know I have posted before that we really don't get much winter, but if you head for the mountains, you can still get your fill!

 These shots are a family outing on Mount Washington, about 35 miles from Powell River, on Vancouver Island.

The local news magazine, Powell River Living has issued a challenge of 42 wonderful winter activities around Powell River. Click to read the current issue!

no matter where you live, get out there and JUMP INTO WINTER!

For the past couple months (it feels like longer!) our office has been under renovation. The main office was reconfigured to accomodate the Realtors from two buildings all into one.

Wow! what a wonderful job they did too. Come by and visit some time, but here are some photos for anyone too far away to come see us at 4766 Joyce Avenue, Powell River, BC.

Don't forget as well, that we still have tickets to the Coast Realty Tailgate Party & Hockey Game Night! The big winner is the United Way of Powell River.

The reception area is looking really wonderful with a total facelift from floor to ceiling.

Neil Frost is already hard at work, even though he is only partially moved in, and Joan, our admin is programing the copier for us.

Come on by for a coffee and tour. The official opening will be in the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

A Helping Hand in Powell River, BC

Liz Dick from the local radio station, 95.7 Sun FM has put out a plea for help for one of our neighbours and I am passing it on.

"Many of you have heard of the recent struggle a young member of our community is facing with a brain tumor.  Jasper Mohan, 14 years old, is currently at the Children’s Hospital undergoing chemo and has a very long, hard road ahead of him.  95.7 Sun FM is offering all businesses a unique way to help Jasper and his family. 

Sun FM will donate 2 HOURS of radio air time that you have the opportunity to bid on.  You (or a member of your staff) can fulfill your life long dream to be a Disc Jockey on the Radio!  Starting today and until January 31, the auction is on.  Two full hours are up for sale and if your business has the winning bid, you get to come on the air and co-host either the morning or afternoon show with Mark or Jason on Friday February 3.  You get to talk about your business, and more importantly you get to talk about how your business helps out the community in a big way.  Not only will you have a fun 2 hour experience, you will also be letting people know where they can donate to help Jasper’s family.  95.7 Sun FM has never offered this type of opportunity before, so don’t loose out, bid high and bid often! 

Friday February 3 is also called “Skating for Jasper”.  People will be coming to the Complex that evening to skate and donate to a trust fund set up for Jasper and his family to help with all their travelling and accommodation expenses.  You will be able to help build the excitement leading up to the event and therefore bring in more money for this fund raiser, as well as bring HUGE community awareness to your business.

Here’s the deal:  send me an email with your pledge, or go to www.957sunfm.ca and click 2 Hour Auction and enter what you want to bid.  We will contact you by phone to verify the amount of your bid.  Or faster yet, call us  at 604-485-4207.

Auction is on now and closes 4:00 PM January 31.  The highest monetary bid will be declared the winner.  95.7 Sun FM does not receive any payment for this auction, the entire winning bid will be deposited into the trust fund for Jasper’s family set up at Scotia Bank.

Opening Bid is $750.

Please forward this email out to everyone on your social network.  Powell River can rally again for a great cause!"

Why Facebook?

Why would I spend time on organizing a social media presence?

Will there be a time when I see a return on this investment of time, energy and resources?

If you have not already created a business page in Facebook, what are you waiting for? The fact is that most people spend more time on Facebook than any other site on the internet! They use it for more than just playing Farmville too.

Shopping, communication and community, researching purchases and more. If you are not advertising in Facebook on a local level, or at least maintaining a page with links to your website and a profile, you are missing a huge number of people who are frequently online.

The return on investment may be harder to track than other forms of advertising, but it is there! A social media presence gives your clients a chance to get to know another side of your character.

At the very least, the Facebook presence with quality links will strengthen your rank in the search engines.

What you post on Facebook is just as important as what you put on your blog, twitter and your own site. You need to be the local expert. But the social media aspect demands that you be approachable and friendly.

The nicest thing is that you don't need to be posting non-stop to make a good impression. In fact, the quickest way to have people stop paying attention is to be too "noisy", posting every few minutes.

Vary the posts between business, promotion, useful information and humour, and people will keep on looking!

No matter what your business, you can probably make an impression by creating your own little space on Facebook.

How are you using Facebook?

What posts have seen the most interest for you?

What do YOU think is the next big thing online?

I was reading a great blog today with some of the incredibly imaginative architecture from around the world at Village of the World and had to share my favourites!

This is a Bottle House from Boswell, BC. No trhowing stones allowed!

In Qualicum on Vancouver Island, BC you can rent these "Free Spirit" cabins!

This cob house in Vancouver, BC is in danger of being torn down to make duplexes.

Loved this Kettle House from Texas, but wouldn't it get hot? ... sorry, that was a bad joke

Caught between a rock and a .... rock? The Stone House in Guimaraes, Portugal

and this one... not actually a house. Just the house getting even! House Attack in Vienna, Austria

Do you like architecture? here is a link to the 10 best residential designs according to the American Institute of Architects

December's Season of Celebrations & Sharing - Powell River goes Caroling

Singing Christmas carols with friends is a great way to bring the season to your hearts, and to share with your neighbours. Around our neighbourhood we are getting our friends together and singing on doorsteps on the 23rd, with cookies and cocoa for afterwards.

But you don't have to be mobile, or willing to weather the weather to sign with your friends.

There is a great fund-raiser going on this Saturday, December 17th at 2pm at the Historic Patricia Theatre. Roberta Pearson, Jim Dickson and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present. Song sheets provided. For more information, interested readers can call 604.483.9345 or www.patriciatheatre.com. And you can get in for a song... or a small donation to keep this beautiful theatre open. Since 1913 · The longest running movie theatre in Canada!

Whether you sing on the doorsteps or join your favourite group indoors, get together and share the celebration of song.

Lake-side mobile home for sale - Powell River Property

 Watch the swans drifting by!

Well appointed lakeside mobile home offers ever-changing views of the lake. Nearly new, this home has everything you need! 10 x 12' workshop and fenced yard.

Beautifully landscaped plus there are raised beds and fruit trees.

Spacious three bedroom home also has 200 sq ft of covered deck and enclosed porch for year-round living. Bright open floor plan is modern and makes your living easy. Large lot even has room to park your RV.

Call now! This lake front dream won't last.

Legal lot plan, tax info, assessment, and additional photos all available on request. Just click for more photos,  multi-media show or map.

This photo taken while we were canoeing past the house last spring. You can regularly see migratory birds including swans, ducks and Canada geese on Cranberry Lake, and with the mountains as a backdrop, the view is amazing.