“I really like people who really like their animals, and so doing the radio was an extension of just helping people make the best medical decisions for their pets.”

For the last two years, Dr. Clayton Greenway has been offering GTA residents one hour of free veterinary advice every week on his newstalk 101 radio program Animal House. In early April, he took some time out of his rather full schedule (which includes three young children and work at Scarborough’s West Hill Animal Clinic) to give me some tips on making your home as pet-friendly as possible.

First of all, what do we have to bear in mind when moving with pets?

“Well, certainly going into new environments is a bit scary for them.” Greenway told me. In fact, even moving preparations such as packing may upset some cats.

“It’s just when you start to change the environment” he explained, ” when the boxes come out and you start putting your stuff away, or packing up stuff in the hall. I see this happen all the time. The cats get quite stressed out because that’s their whole world; that’s their environment and all of a sudden it’s changed. And your routine’s often off when you’re doing that…, you’re not coming home and settling down on the couch, you’re packing all this stuff up. It kind of freaks the cat out.”

This means that any big change to its landscape can upset an anxious cat. Renovating is another biggie, and in case you’re wondering about how to spot signs of feline anxiety, Greenway said that they include “urinating and defecating around the house”, as well over-grooming to the point of hair loss.

Fortunately for those with moving vans (or renovator’s trucks) in their driveways already, there are ways of lessening such environmental stresses.

Your routine’s often off when you’re moving. You’re not coming home and settling down on the couch, you’re packing all this stuff up. It kind of freaks the cat out.

“There’s basically anti-anxiety treatment that you can do for pets.” Greenway told me.

“There are natural products to decrease anxiety, and then there’s medication as well. There’s even hormone products that you plug in the wall and they emit a hormone into the air. It’s called a pheromone, and it will really calm animals down, and that will make a big difference. So I recommend that when people are moving, or when they’re introducing a new baby to the house. Because it really upsets the pet’s life.”

While dogs aren’t usually as bothered by moving as cats are, they have other problems. In fact, according to Dr. Greenway, the biggest cause of canine stress isn’t moving, it’s not moving enough.

“I see a lot of anxiety issues in dogs, and behaviour problems when they don’t have that outlet for energy.” He told me.

The biggest cause of canine stress isn’t moving, it’s not moving enough.

Of course, not all dogs need the same amount of exercise. Big working breeds are probably a bad idea in Toronto – especially if you don’t live near a convenient open green space. For city dwellers, Greenway recommends medium-sized dogs, especially West Highland Terriers and Schnauzers, whose exercise requirements are modest. And if you do settle on a large dog, then keep their needs in mind when choosing an abode.

“If you’ve got a large breed of dog, you might not want a tall, thin house because of all the stairs. They’ll really give them a lot of trouble. And I see a lot of dogs having a lot of trouble with hardwood [floors] when they get a little older. A lot of people put runners in their home, and stuff like that so they have traction.”

If you’ve got a large breed of dog, you might not want a tall, thin house because of all the stairs. They’ll really give them a lot of trouble.

In fact, a dog who does lose traction and slip may blame their fall on their surroundings, and develop an anxiety about that part of the house (I am not making this up. I listened to Animal House before I talked to Dr. Greenway, and this very phenomenon came up). Old, overweight, or arthritic dogs are particularly in danger of falling, so keeping their nails short and covering up slippery floors are good ideas. When it comes to pet safety in an outdoor environment, Greenway gave the usual warnings about cats fighting over territory and falling out of trees, but then went on to discuss accidental poisoning.

“There are of course toxins or poisons that they can get into, like car antifreeze, or any sort of mouse poison or things like that that might be around.”

I tend to think of dogs as being the creatures who stick their noses (and tongues) into dangerous substances, but apparently cats can get in trouble this way as well.

“Something like antifreeze actually tastes quite sweet, and a lot of animals will be quite attracted to it. So if there’s a spill in the garage or outside, that’s a bit of an issue.”

Although it has nothing to do with animal-proofing a home, I had to ask Dr. Greenway about some of his more exotic patients. As I suspected, he’s had a few.

“Before I graduated I worked at the zoo, where I neutered a kangaroo… I removed a tumour from a fish… I did some volunteer work in Thailand and treated elephants. As a veterinarian, you never know where the training will take you. And what you end up seeing is really pretty spectacular sometimes.”

For Canadians, French as a second language can be commonplace. But that’s changing. Last year, CCTV America reported a huge growth of people learning Mandarin, including former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg and President Barack Obama’s daughter Malia.

In Toronto, there are several options for children to add Mandarin to their language repertoire. Here’s the breakdown:

Panda Mandarin

Address: 2nd-3216 Yonge St.
Toronto, ON M4N 2L2
Phone: 416-970-8887
Email:
Website: pandamandarin.ca

With five locations across Toronto, Panda Mandarin offers classes for both children and adults, as well as online options. It was started by a mom looking for a fun and engaging way to teach her daughter Mandarin in mid-town Toronto.

According to their website, “Panda Mandarin is committed to making learning Mandarin fun and relevant for all students, no matter what age. Students reach their goals because we deliver language programs that consistently engage, motivate and stimulate curious minds as they grow.”

 

Getting ready for our Panda Mandarin 动物园 (zoo) trip next weekend by learning about 熊猫 (pandas, of course), 老虎 (tigers), 大象 (elephants), and other animals!

A photo posted by Panda Mandarin (@panda.mandarin) on Nov 8, 2015 at 8:28pm PST

Children’s programs take place Fridays or weekends, with camps available during March break and in the summer as well. Friday and weekend classes take in children from toddler to grade six and utilize music, games, storytelling and more to enhance the learning experience. Adult classes are evening and weekends, with private instruction also available and there are two options for online learning.

“My son is going into his second year of attending Panda Mandarin at John Fisher,” says one parent, Naomi. “He absolutely loves it and we never have to remind him to practise his Mandarin. He does so constantly as a result of the fabulous classes and teachers.”

Class prices range from $87 to $277 per month, with camps ranging around the $330 mark.

Pros:

• Several locations.
• Free trial class for students.
• Experienced staff.
• Field trips.
• Offers weekday classes at several locations.

Toronto Mandarin School

Address: 200 Consumers Rd, Suite 410
Toronto, Ontario, M2J 4R4
Phone: 416-304-0260
Email:
Website: torontomandarinschool.com

With six locations in Toronto and area, the Toronto Mandarin School has several options for children’s classes including weekend, after school, Mandarin/English bilingual preschool, early years learning, parent and tot, summer day camp, March break camp and Mandarin for teens.

The school was founded in 2001 by a group of teachers from China. Programs are designed to teach standard Mandarin, known as Putonghua, the modern Chinese phonetic system, Hanyu pinyin and Chinese characters of mainland China.

Study Session

“Toronto Mandarin School’s goal is to promote the Chinese language and culture and to encourage a multicultural understanding in a global society,” states the school website. “By offering the most effective programs to anyone who is interested in learning Mandarin and Chinese culture.”

The school’s children’s programs have maximum class sizes of 16 students, are “adapted to a western context” and have a staff experienced working with a variety of children. Age groups start at 24 to 36 months with parent and tot classes for two to five year olds at the JINGBAO Bilingual Children’s Centre and up.

“The teachers were so professional, attentive, loving and patient with the children,” said parents Joseph and Racquel Tramulo. “We felt completely relaxed and comfortable each day that we left our little daughter in their care. You can truly see how much they enjoy working and caring for the children.”

Pros:

• Several locations.
• Small class sizes.
• Jingbao preschool subsidy classes for toddlers.
• After school programs.

Cons:

• Registration information currently not available on website.

First Class Mandarin

Address: (Main location) Thornhill/North York,
2900 Steeles Ave. East, Suite 203,
Thornhill, Ontario, L3T 4X1
Phone: 416-270-2161
Email:
Website: firstclassmandarin.com

Apart from their main location in Thornhill, Ontario, First Class Mandarin has two locations for children’s education: one in Midtown Toronto and another in Mississauga.

Children’s classes for after school and weekends range from ages three to 13 and an early years program is offered as well for children aged two to three. First Class Mandarin restricts class sizes to 10 students to maximize learning.

Director and main instructor of the school, Ranran Hao, suggested the school’s website as a helpful asset.

“First Class Mandarin is a school focused on teaching Mandarin to students of all levels. Whether you are new to Mandarin or you already have some knowledge of Chinese language, we can provide you with the right program to develop your skills. Our programs are designed to maximize your learning in a short period of time.”

March Break classes are also offered and range in price from $40 to $270.

“The textbook was really helpful and our teacher was great at giving me extra words,” says student Deviann David. “She actually recorded her own voice and we practiced using her recordings in class. Very helpful!”

Pros:

• Assurance 80 per cent of class time is spent speaking.
• Small class sizes.
• Cooperate with and offer classes in local schools.

Cons:

• Just two locations.
• Children’s classes limited to Fridays, weekends, Spring Break and camp.

The Dalton School

Address: 1585 Yonge Street,
Toronto, ON M4T 1Z9
Phone: 416-432-3475
Email:
Website: thedaltonschool.ca

Toronto’s Dalton School is a dual-language school focusing on English and Mandarin.

The school works on a full-day schedule, split between the two languages from 8:30 to 3:45, working with kids aged four to 12.

“Our classrooms encourage interaction between children that builds cooperation, collaboration and leadership skills,” states the school’s website. “Small class sizes, caring staff, a stimulating multicultural environment and plenty of time to explore and discover give each child the opportunity to learn and shine.”

 

A photo posted by The Dalton School (@thedaltonschooltoronto) on Feb 16, 2016 at 7:47am PST

The Dalton School offers tours for parents who are interested in enrolling their children. With an average class size of 15 to 20 students, the school has a tuition of $15,000 a year.

Our Kids, a website dedicated to sharing information on local schools, names Dalton’s highlights as strong academic foundation, balanced curriculum, integrated technology and small class sizes to name a few.

Parents seem happy with their Mandarin program. Tina Davies is a mom of one of the students and she says her son was thrilled to attend Mandarin classes at The Dalton School:

“The teachers are so passionate and attentive-this has made all the difference in my child’s self esteem, interest in learning, and overall development. Besides that, his Mandarin has improved by leaps and bounds. He can’t wait to go to school each day!”

Pros:

• Full-time dual language school.
• Latest technology including Mac computers.
• After school programs.
• School tours available.

Cons:

• Just one location.

Unique Chinese School

Address: 4271 Sheppard Ave E.,
Scarborough, ON M1S 2B7
Phone: 416-400-3889
Email:
Website: chinesenumber1.com

Unique Chinese School offers bilingual day care, a weekend program, after school program, summer camp and Chinese as a second language classes.

Last year’s summer camp welcomed ages one-and-a-half and up and included learning opportunities utilizing drawing, singing, swimming and other sports. Camp sessions are $30/student or $40/family. There’s also a small fee for meals and materials.

Exercising is a big part of learning

“The best decision I made this summer was to take a chance and learn Chinese, my biggest fear and most challenging goal,” says student Zhuangwai. “I never would’ve imagined where I’d be now with 1,120 characters under my belt.”

Teachers at Unique Chinese School are all from China and Canada, including Larry Liu, who has more than 30 years experience teaching Mandarin.

Pros:

• Three locations.
• Bus service.
• Daycare centre.

Cons:

• Dated website.

All Easier

Address: 365 Mayfield Ave,
Toronto, ON M6S 3L3
Phone: 647-993-0889
Email:
Website: alleasier.com 

Started in 2004, All Easier Corporation has three divisions, one of which is the All Easier Mandarin School.

The school is run by Cynthia Xu, who was originally a medical doctor in mainland China. All Easier has Mandarin group lessons for pre-school to college age broken down into classes of 11 to 13, seven to 11, six to eight, three-plus and four-plus.

Better Chinese Presentation

I have been learning Mandarin from Cynthia for about five years,” said student Miriam Hanson. “We learned Mandarin by reading books, playing games, singing songs, working in our Mandarin workbooks, practicing writing characters and just having a conversation in Mandarin.

“Now I’m continuing to learn Mandarin over the Internet. I have made many new friends throughout the years learning Mandarin. I have very much enjoyed the time spent and am still spending with Cynthia and all the other girls in the group. I hope to continue improving my Mandarin skills for a few more years to come.”

All Easier has a $20 registration fee and tuition can be paid in three instalments throughout the year.

The school also has a location in East York.

Pros:

• Mandarin summer camp opportunity in China.
• Online and private classes available.
• Experienced staff.

Cons:

• Dated website.
• In-class Mandarin for kids Saturdays only.

Title photo by: Bridget Coila 

KH00ML

Made from Arabica and Robusta beans, espresso is usually a dark roast ground up finely, although lighter roasts are used according to taste. About 40 coffee beans are used to make this sensuous black liquid, and because of its diminutive size (1.5 ounces), it contains about a third of the amount of caffeine as regular coffee. An Italian inventor, Luigi Bezzera, came up with the very first espresso machine by the start of the 20th Century. Many innovations have been made during the ensuing decades, but espresso is almost always made using a blend of coffee beans the Italians call miscela.

To make espresso, pressurized hot water is forced through the beans to make what many consider to be one of the finest coffee extraction methods. The pressure is nine bar, or nine times the atmospheric pressure at sea level, and the water is heated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, espresso should have subdued acidity, and be heavy bodied but sweet enough to balance out the bitter and acidic elements, although there is a little latitude in the blending process. With the invention of more compact and inexpensive models in the late 1970s, home-based espresso making proliferated and became more popular.

If you prefer the café experience however, Toronto has a variety of fantastic espresso bars to its credit. We’ve chosen five we feel are the very best across the city.

CAPITAL ESPRESSO (1349 Queen St. W.)

Facebook page: facebook.com/Capital-Espresso-and-Pastries

Celebrating its fifth year in business, this Parkdale staple is a welcome café getaway from the travails of life. The La Marzocco espresso machine that lies beyond the all glass façade of the old Vice magazine office on Queen St. W. dispenses espresso made from beans from the Origins Coffee Co., a roaster based out of Granville Island on the west coast. The co-owner, Damien Zielinski, won the 2014 Brewers’ Cup Competition, so you know you’re in good hands with him and his knowledgeable staff.

The exposed brick, ample harvest tables and hardwood floors add to its appeal, while the white walls and hanging pot lights make it bright and airy. Like a good wee dram of Scotch, we like drinking our espresso neat, with no additives or fillers. The espresso here is quite excellent, and well worth the $2.25. Aside from showcasing the work of local artists, there is also a zine vending machine, selling local art. They’re open from 7am to 8pm weekdays, 8am to 8pm on Saturday, and 8am to 6pm on Sundays. Sharon E. from Toronto raves: “Really good cappuccinos—their espresso blend is strong and balanced.” Sean Shapcott, also from Hogtown, echoes her sentiments. “Best latte and carrot muffin in Toronto.”

EARLY BIRD ESPRESSO AND BREW BAR (613 Queen W.)

Website: early-bird.ca

Shiori M. from Toronto is effusive in her praise for the espresso at Early Bird Espresso and Brew Bar. “Amazing! One of the best cortados [a blend of espresso and steamed milk, popular in Spain] I’ve had in the city. Perfect balance of coffee and milk, no bitter or sourness here, just straight up goodness. The cappuccinos were also quite lovely…..”

Open from 7am to 7pm daily (8am on weekends), this lively Queen St. W. location, owned by Bani Taghaboni and Farshid Sahami, is the perfect spot to “work from home” or to start that book you’ve been putting off reading. There is also an outdoor patio upstairs, great for the nice weather. An enormous chalk board, exposed brick walls and roughhewn wood comprise the bar area, with several metal stools to sit at the bar. Across from it, a plain white wall offsets the relative dark hues of the bar area. Local art and a neon sign that spells out “early bird” with a large exclamation point punctuates this plainness. A good half dozen or so tables and chairs stretch out to the front picture window, which opens right up in the warmer weather. Not a good idea this time of year, even with a hot espresso…..brrrrrrrrrrrrr! Overall, Rachel Grierson from Toronto was impressed with the Early Bird. “Great little spot, cappuccino was perfect, Wi-Fi worked, enough seating for everyone….can’t ask for anything else.”

JIMMY’S COFFEE (107 Portland St.)

Website: jimmyscoffee.ca

The chalkboard sign outside Jimmy’s with a chalk figure drawn in winter gear and the byline “toque weather” says it all about this time of year in Canada. What better way to get warm than with an espresso from their imposing looking Nuovo Simonelli machine? Just off King St. and a few strides north on Portland, the tasteful wooden sign with gold lettering beckons you in from the cold into this converted Victorian era townhome. Since 2009, it has been a popular café, and owner Phil Morrison and his staff can take great pride in their accomplishment. It is open from 7am to 8pm through the week and Sunday, and 7am to 6pm on Saturday. There are two other locations at Kensington Market and on Gerrard St. W.

The ample pictures of various Jimmys (Hoffa, Stewart, Hendrix, etc.) adorn the walls, and the thick planked wooden floors provide a rustic feel. Despite a long line-up, the staff was engaging and friendly. One of the baristas, Sarah, went out of her way to take orders from people in line so the wait didn’t feel all that long. What great service! A gigantic wall painting of Jimmy Hoffa in the back room is colourful and quite well done. It provides an interesting view while drinking your espresso, made from beans from Vaughn’s Classic Gourmet Coffee. Miam M. from Toronto likes how Jimmy’s executes everything from the espresso drinks to the baked goods, and proclaims “the best Americano [a blend of espresso and hot water] I’ve had is from Jimmy’s.”

TANGO PALACE COFFEE CO. (1156 Queen St. E.)

Facebook page: facebook.com/pages/Tango-Palace

This Leslieville staple has been around for over 20 years, and this establishment, owned by Jeff Marsh, never fails to impress. Ensconced in the art district beside Leslie Grove Park, the outside is evocative of a general store from yesteryear, with its awning and large picture windows. In the nice weather, there’s a patio out back and several Muskoka chairs out front to relax and enjoy your espresso.

Inside, this cafe’s exposed brick, hardwood floors and dark copper ceiling make it a little dark, but the lighting and the varied work by local artists counteracts this and gives off the feeling of home. The bar with the brass railing and the mirror behind it is reminiscent of an old-time pub, but instead of spirits, espresso and other coffee drinks are on tap when you saunter up to the counter. It is certainly a nice touch. Hale Roasters, a local micro-roaster, provides them with the beans for their espresso, and it is incomparable in its freshness and complexity. Isabel M. from Toronto calls it the best café in Toronto; “They do the best espresso/Americano I have ever had outside of Tuscany!!!”

THOR ESPRESSO BAR (35 Bathurst St.)

Website: thorespressobar.com

You don’t need to be hit over the head with a … well, you know … to realize Thor Espresso Bar has some excellent espresso, and espresso based beverages. Located on the SW edge of the King West/Fashion District at Bathurst and Niagara, it is known locally as NoLa (north of Lakeshore on Bathurst). Their high quality beans come from a partnership with local roaster, Pilot Coffee Roasters. It lays claim to having Toronto’s only Slayer Espresso Machine, a beautifully unique $16,000 creation. The espresso is of the finest quality and really quite delicious.

Thor Espresso Bar is open from 7am to 6pm through the week, 8am to 6pm on Saturday, and 9am to 5pm Sundays. This small space, located at street level in the ZED LOFT building, delivers an exceptional café experience for your senses as well as your palette. Paula Desjardins, the chief concierge at the Thompson Hotel, calls their cappuccinos “divine,” while Jeff L. from Toronto is even more adamant in his praise: “One of the best coffee joints in Toronto. Grab an Americano—you won’t be disappointed.”

SPECIAL MENTION:

Jet Fuel Cafe

Website: http://jetfuelcoffee.com

Of course, if you want to find me almost every morning, and you relish abuse with some fun, and a great community vibe, drop in to the Jet-Fuel Cafe’ at 519 Parliament Street. There is always lots of bikers, (the non-motorized kind) and walls filled with Art. It is a staple in my life and an acquired habit that is hard to break.

This good old-fashioned artsy cafe is a true Cabbagetown heritage. It’s been opened in 1992 and serving great coffee with a side of rock’n’roll since then. It might seem a bit chaotic at first sight, but it’s a true place for regulars. It’s like Cheers, a place where everybody knows your name!

MR00SK

Who could imagine that mere foam insulation in houses could cost whopping a $13 million? Well that is what happened in the courtroom of Windsor, Ontario (August 12, 2015) in a class action lawsuit against RetroFoam of Canada Inc. by 771 property owners from Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and the surrounding areas. The reason behind this six-and-a-half-year costly ordeal is urea formaldehyde foam insulation (UFFI) that was injected into their homes between June 2007 and January 2009 through the EcoEnergy program. But the problem cropped up as RetroFoam, manufactured by Polymaster Inc. in Tennessee, which is classified as urea formaldehyde insulation and is banned in Canada.

UFFI insulation by dunktanktechnician

During the energy crisis in 1970, approximately 100,000 to 280,000 homes in Canada were insulated with UFFI to cut their heating bills. The idea was to increase the insulation levels in homes by pumping UFFI into hard to cover places like electrical outlets and switch plates, attics, around plumbing and under plumbing fixtures, duct work and every other semi-enclosed space. The government too, through its C.H.I.P program, gave subsidy to many home owners who used UFFI.

Formaldehyde, a binding agent used in water solution as a disinfectant and preservative, is a colourless and pungent gas with a very strong odour. Found in forests, and also a necessary metabolite in our body cells, it is present in cosmetics, paints, exhaust from automobiles, gas appliances, fireplaces, wood stoves, no-iron fabrics, dry cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke, pillow cases, paper products, diapers plywood, etc.

UFFI, through polymerisation, is turned into solid from liquid and a shaving-cream-like foam is produced when non-transparent thermosetting resin or plastic, made from urea and formaldehyde, is mixed with other foaming agents. Huge pumps and long hoses were used to inject UFFI into the houses’ walls and commercial buildings and were later sealed.

Soon there were complaints from several home owners of respiratory problems, eye irritation, runny noses, nosebleeds, headaches and fatigue and all those were blamed on UFFI.

According to Health Canada, “The use of a urea formaldehyde-based resin in the manufacture of UFFI can lead to the release of formaldehyde gas during the curing process and afterwards. Health Canada has concerns about the health of people exposed to formaldehyde”.

Though no directly related risk to health through UFFI has been found, Canada banned its use in 1980 followed by the United States where it was also declared a prohibited item. However, in Europe it is still prevalent and is considered as one of the better ‘retrofit’ insulations.

“UFFI is a serious problem and once found it has been used to insulate the walls of the house, it can result in lowering the price of the property immensely,”

says Richard Silver, salesperson and Vice President of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada .

“It gets even harder as mortgage companies refuse to finance such properties.”

Selling a home with UFFI

Silver was personally involved in selling off properties with UFFI inside:

“Though in Ontario every residential real estate sales agreement has a clause concerning UFFFI, we too informed the prospective buyers beforehand. They were assured that the owner will take care of it before selling the property.”

But taking care of it means gutting the entire area where UFFI was used, and in this case it was the basement.

Not only it is a huge undertaking to make the place UFFI free but also it comes with a heavy price tag. At that time, I am talking about late 80s and early 90s, depending upon the amount of work involved the removal cost was between $20,000 to $30,000. These days, it will cost you double or even more.”

And Silver is right; the present cost to take it out is between $65,000 to $90,000.

Silver warns, the whole process of owning the property where UFFI was used can be strenuous. However, smart buyers can use it to their advantage as a bargaining chip.

“They can also ask for reduction in the cost and we too, when advertising the property, make sure to separately highlight the removal cost. This gives a clear idea to the prospective buyers about the room to negotiate,” he informed.

According to Silver it is not that houses in Canada are totally free from UFFI. It can be found today in many homes in some amount.

“As a binding agent, it is used in carpets and hardwood floors and is still very much present around us”.

According to a report by the Toronto-based home inspectors and consulting engineers Carson Dunlop, there has been no building product as of today as widely and thoroughly investigated as UFFI. However no health risk has been associated with it.

The report stated that formaldehyde levels in the houses are .03 to .04 parts per million (ppm), whereas in the smoking section of cafeterias the levels of these gases are about.0.16 ppm. Houses that have new carpeting will also show similar levels.

As per the study, the rate at which the formaldehyde gases are released from the material is directly proportional to the temperature and humidity.

Citing an example of a court case in Quebec where plaintiffs accused the federal government of installing dangerous material in houses, the report states that the government’s threshold level for formaldehyde gas was 0.5 ppm or 1.0 ppm. However, during testing the claimants’ accusation, it was found that none of the UFFI insulated houses had formaldehyde gas levels above 0.1 ppm. It was therefore concluded that once the foam is installed, the levels of formaldehyde rapidly decrease and within a few weeks the formaldehyde level is at ambient house levels.

To buy a house with UFFI or not?

Whether to buy a house which once had UFFI installed in it is an individual’s personal decision. It is like choosing facts over perceptions.

However, UFFI myth needs to be destroyed. It is not nearly as dangerous as it was presented in the 1980’s. Homeowners shouldn’t have to carry the “UFFI stigma” when there is no good reason for it. Bob Aaron said it in 2007 and here we are at the end of 2015 and still, nothing has changed. But until it’s removed, it needs to be respected, just as any other law out there.

Title photo by Alex D Stewart

“What’s not to love about fine jewellery pieces?”

Pamela Lauz said, when I asked her what appealed to her in the trade.

“They are miniature sculptures crafted of precious metals and beautiful gems that people wear and enjoy everyday. They are also treasures passed on to the next generation. ”

As one of Toronto’s notable jewellery designers, creating something covet-worthy is all in a day’s work for Lauz, but she may also leave you coveting her job—apparently, she wanted to be a jewellery designer all of her life.

“I truly enjoy all stages of jewellery creation, from collaborating with our clients to create a design that encapsulates their visual dreams, to crafting a miniature sculpture that will be worn comfortably and fit seamlessly into their lifestyle. I also take great pleasure and pride in personally sourcing that special gem that will add extra meaning to the creation.”

That’s two uses of the phrase ‘miniature sculpture’ so far. But instead of a solitary sculptor, sitting in her studio struggling alone to craft a masterpiece, much of Lauz’s work revolves around other people. She will take a client’s old treasure and rework it to their specifications, or create something utterly new for them from scratch.

“Each custom piece is the result of a collaboration that realizes a client’s creative dream.”

“The creation of our custom designs involve several revisions where details are thoughtfully considered until we arrive at a design that exceeds our client’s expectations,” explains Lauz.

So how exactly does one go about creating a ‘miniature sculpture’ in metal and precious stones?

“The creation of each jewellery design follows a different process. Some begin to take form as wax carvings while others are created by forging metal. Once a wax carving is cast in metal, it may require additional fabrication and assembly. Gemstones are then carefully secured in place.”

You can’t make great jewellery without knowing a thing or two about goldsmithing and gemology and she has studied both: at San Francisco’s Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts and at the Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad. She complemented this glittering education with a few years of apprenticeship work in various jewellery studios before hanging out her own (polished, elegant) shingle in 2008. Before that, she worked as an engineer in the software industry—a career which she says helped prepare her for the business side of her work.

“As a designer, I build on my knowledge and expertise of both goldsmithing and gemology to create the ideal design for our clients. I hold our clients’ aesthetic preferences and functional requirements in high regard while helping them select the most suitable metal and gemstones to incorporate into jewellery that will be enjoyed for years to come,” she explains.

Business aside, this is art we’re talking about, so it seems only reasonable to take a look at Lauz’s inspirations, the most obvious of which is architecture, something she says is “in many ways, the ultimate design manifestation.”

“To me, a well designed building is an amazingly complex sculpture whose form enhances its surrounding landscape, while facilitating the lives of those who inhabit it.

“I am inspired by the many aesthetic and functional feats accomplished through these grandest of creations,” she says.

“I love to travel and explore great buildings, both ancient and modern. I also enjoy attending lectures on architecture that teach me the history of a given building including the challenges overcome during its development.”

While I work in a much, much smaller scale, successful architecture drives me to create jewellery that is visually stunning and very comfortable, whose design and solid structure will stand the test of time.”

Looking at her various shining creations, it’s fairly safe to assume that Lauz doesn’t draw much of her inspiration from Gothic architecture. Her pieces are all very sleek and modern looking, and the two influential buildings she mentioned to me were Bilboa’s Guggenheim Museum and the Michael Lee Chin Crystal portion addition of the Royal Ontario Museum. According to Lauz, the curvy silver Spanish museum inspired her ‘Solstice’ cocktail ring, while the ROM eventually led to her stackable ‘Facets & Iris’ rings.

Of course, the client who commissions a custom piece cannot help but act as inspiration, but there are also other ways of being immortalized in metal and stone.

“I’m inspired by many people around me and both our signature and custom designs are created to complement and enhance the lives of our clients,”

she says.

“Our latest signature collection, Blossom, welcomes the arrival of my two baby nieces, born two weeks apart this past August. After adoring my four wonderful nephews, I finally get a chance to create an entire line especially for baby girls. It is my dream that these tiny and whimsical pieces become the first jewellery a little girl receives and cherishes for many years to come.”

So why not visit Pamela’s store and find something for yourself or your loved ones to cherish for the rest of their lives? You can find the store on 233 Carlaw Avenue and also make sure you visit Pamela’s website and indulge in even more shiny wearable art sculptures and follow her blog to find about new and upcoming collections.

Holding a decent open house may be one of the most important things any real estate agent will do. It’s a chance, obviously, to sell a house, but it’s also an opportunity to make connections and plant seeds that could bear fruit months or even years down the road. A good open house will help build your reputation as well as your client base. 25 to 55 per cent of sales are generated at these viewings, so make sure you do a good job. Here are a few things I try to keep in mind when putting together a viewing:

Think about the people who are coming to your open house. In many cases they’ll have been to a number of viewings already. You don’t want the home you’re selling to be just another in a sea of living rooms and lighting fixtures.

It’s good to make the open house an event so that people can come and take a look at the house, but it’s also a way to meet people. To either sell them the property that we’re sitting in or sell them another property.

An open house is a lot like hosting guests. I still employ the tried and true methods like putting out a plate of cookies or a pot of fine coffee, but what’s even more important than a decent snack spread is setting a good atmosphere.

Creating a space where people can talk, feel relaxed and comfortable asking questions is the key point.

And just like any good party, an open house needs invitations. There are always the obligatory signs posted around the neighbourhood, but emails and social media remain an invaluable tool. A tool that can help build your reputation, grow your business and just help foster a warm and friendly atmosphere.

I always do Facebook and Twitter and let people know I’m going to be at a house at a certain time. People who follow you may come by to say hello. And also I’ve found that oftentimes with an open house sellers will come to look for their agents, to look and see if the person sitting the open house represents them the way they want to be represented. So that can be a big plus.

You have to know the house

Find out when the counters were put in, find out how old the lighting fixtures are and when the basement was finished. Your knowledge about the home should spring forth like liquid from the water feature in the backyard.

You have to understand things

Sometimes I’ll come in and I’ll say to people ‘Hi, welcome—and just so you know, there’s a garage in the back and it has two cars and the basement is finished and it has an apartment in it. Enjoy your walk through and let me know if you have any questions at the end.’ That seems to work quite well.

If you’re creating an event where people feel safe and comfortable enough to ask questions you have to be able to answer them when they arise, but don’t overwhelm them with your knowledge either. Remember that buying a home is a huge step in people’s lives. Let them come to you.

There’s a lot of agents who will do an open house—they’ll open, but they won’t try and engage the people who come by, they won’t answer questions, or they don’t know the answer to questions and so they’re not successful. They just end up sitting there and not doing anything and wasting a perfect opportunity to make connections.

Depending on the neighbourhood and the popularity of the area, an open house can be a very busy few hours. Just because there’s a lot of foot traffic doesn’t mean you can be inattentive.

Some neighbourhoods’ open houses are more popular than others and they do get more traffic. But if you don’t have time to talk to anybody because there’s so many people going in and out then it’s going to be a difficult open house.

Oftentimes, the nicer the house, the more people come to see it. That can make it difficult to be as attentive as you’d like. If that’s the case it may be worthwhile to bring someone else in.

If there’s a crowd and because of the crowd you can’t talk to anybody, that’s going to be a tough one. In our team, sometimes we’ll double up. There’ll be two of us at an open house if we think it’s going to be busy.

When people do approach you, remember to listen to them. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of things, but being attentive can yield positive results for everyone involved.

Ask them a question and listen to the answer. A lot of times agents don’t do that. They ask the question and then they ask another question. They don’t seem to lead properly. This can be a frustrating prospect when it becomes obvious that people aren’t necessarily interested in buying.

There are people who just want to go to the open house. They just want to see what’s going on. They’re just open house viewers. Sometimes they are quite interested but then they have good questions, but sometimes they’re just wanting to look.

Still, that’s no excuse to turn them away. You never know what brings people to your viewing.

There are some people that will come just to do open houses, but even though they’re not super interested in that house they might tell their friends.

Listening and engaging with your viewers doesn’t just show that you have good manners, it also helps build trust and new relationships. In her essay “On The Fine Art of Listening,” Brenda Ueland says the people who “really listen to us are the ones we move toward, and want to sit in their radius as though it did us good.”

This is good advice for anyone throwing an open house and leads very nicely into our next tip…

Every once in a while an agent tells me that they did the open house and there were 20 people that came through, but only two were ready to buy and they only value the two. It’s important not to discount the other 18 people.

The other people you saw may not be ready to buy now but they may be ready to buy in two years, so the value is in just making the connections. It doesn’t matter how or when or what part of the process they’re in.

Sure, there are people who will never buy a home, who just like to come for the free cookies and pleasant atmosphere but it’s dangerous to assume they’ll never be in the market for a home.

Sometimes you just make the connection and they remember you. People call me and say ‘Oh yeah, I kept your name. I remember you from the open house. You had a lot of information. I want you to do this or that or the other thing.’ So you’re basically putting yourself out there.”

I guess it’s like going to a party and hosting it. Do you find out what people are doing, do you engage them in conversation, or do you just stand in the corner?

In many ways, throwing a good open house is about being polite. Create an event for people to be excited about, but make sure they’re comfortable, engaged and unafraid to ask questions. Be there for your guests if they have questions, make sure you really listen to what they have to say and don’t be turned off by anyone who’s just coming for a gander. Being rude or dismissive to them now could cost you a connection down the road.

TT00SK