Courtesy of Robert Bank

Robert Bank 250.756.7777 rob@robbank.ca | www.robbank.ca

#1 - 5140 Metral Drive Nanaimo, BC V9T 2K8 Of Nanaimo Each Office Independently Owned & Operated

Toll Free: 1.877.751.1223

Volume 38 Number 3

THE VERSATILITY OF LED LIGHTING

In the 21st Century, the LED bulb is quickly becoming the norm when it comes to lighting our world. But what exactly are LED lights? LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. It is a semi-conductor device that emits light when an electric current flows through it. Some of the primary advantages of LEDs over traditional incandescent light bulbs are that they last far longer, use much less electricity, come in a variety of different colours, don’t get as hot and some can even be made programmable. LED lights are used in a variety of different applications and are found in everything from holiday decorations to automotive related uses. For the homeowner, LEDs are a lighting option that are useful in several different areas of the home including: Lighting Strips: As the cost of producing LEDs continues to drop consumers can expect to find more LED strips factored into home décor. A lighting strip can add mood and coziness to any room,

in addition to added safety, especially around stairways or along steps (inside and out). Smart Lightbulbs: LED smart lightbulbs provide users a variety of different options including the ability to change or adjust the colour, brightness, tint and even the on-off schedule of the bulb – right from your smartphone. Systems of this sort are simple to set up and allow for changes to be made from anywhere – even while away on holiday. An especially important capability when it comes to security of an empty house. LEDs Outdoors: LEDs are just as effective outdoors. Some exterior applications for LED lighting include illuminating the backyard and walkways/garden paths. The ruggedness of the bulbs coupled with the low energy consumption make them the perfect cost-effective way to add exterior security to your home and yard.

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY MUSHROOMS AND SNAP PEAS

Courtesy of www.foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS: 4 chicken cutlets (about 1 1/4 pounds), patted dry Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

8 ounces mushrooms (button, cremini, shiitake or a combination), quartered 1 1/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth 3/4 cup heavy cream 2 cups sugar snap peas stemmed and halved lengthwise

All-purpose flour, for dredging 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 scallions thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS: 1.

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet. Dredge 2 chicken cutlets in flour, shake off any excess and place in the skillet. Cook until golden, about 1 1/2 minutes per side; transfer to a baking dish. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and the other 2 chicken cutlets. Cover the dish loosely with foil; place in the oven while you prepare the vegetables. 2. Add the butter to the hot skillet, then add the scallions and mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms brown, about 4 minutes. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add the cream and boil until the sauce thickens slightly, 3 to 4 more minutes. Stir in the snap peas and heat through, season with salt and pepper. Serve the chicken topped with the creamy vegetables.

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MUSIC COMES FROM AN ICICLE AS IT MELTS, TO LIVE AGAIN AS

Henry William Williamson (1895 – 1977) was an English writer who wrote novels concerned with wildlife, English social history and ruralism. He was awarded the Hawthornden Prize for literature in 1928 for his book "Tarka the Otter." He was born in London and raised in a semi-rural area where he developed a love of nature, and nature writing.

SPRING WATER. -Henry Williamson

Moving into a new home affords you the opportunity to create spaces that are aesthetically pleasing, make you and your family comfortable and provide functionality. For some, this comes easily and doesn’t require a second thought. For others, it's a struggle that warrants the hiring of a professional. But what professional do you need exactly? If your goal is to have your home look a specific way – minimalistic, country chic, contemporary, rustic – your best course of action is to consult with an Interior Decorator. These experts use décor, paint colour, flooring and furniture to make a space look put together and attractive. Ask for their portfolio with examples of past work as well as references of past clients to ensure their skillset suits your needs. On the other hand, if you want the spaces in your home to function a certain way, you will want to consult an Interior Designer. Designers take a more holistic approach, envisioning and designing the space from scratch. A designer’s focus is more involved with core elements such as architecture, structure and functionality. They often have professional certification and can use knowledge and experience to create living spaces that meet your family’s specific needs. HIRING AN INTERIOR DESIGNER OR AN INTERIOR DECORATOR

While it may sound easy, choosing a neighbourhood to live in can be a much harder task than you first imagine. After all, if you buy a house you’re going to be in that area for a long time. Making a commitment like that deserves as much planning and research beforehand as possible. Here are some criteria you might want to consider when settling on a neighbourhood to live in. Safety? You’ll want to know that you and your family are going to be safe in your new home. Check with city hall or the local police department to determine what areas of a community have the lowest crime rates. If you narrow your search to a few select areas do a walk around on your own. Talk to local shopkeepers and others who live and work in the area to get their opinion. They're likely willing to share experiences and thoughts. Noise? You may not think about sound, but background noises can impact the enjoyment of an area. If you like a certain section of the community, but realize a busy highway, railway tracks, airport or industrial facility are nearby, that could have a very unpleasant influence on your day-to-day existence. You don’t want to move into your new home to only discover that freight trains are at their busiest at 3:00am. Transit? Not everyone owns a car. If going to school or to work requires travel, it’s important to learn beforehand where the local transit routes are. If you're a regular user, ensure you’re comfortable with the distance to connect with your ride. Streetlights? Much like background sound may not be uppermost in your mind when house-hunting, how well an area is served by lighting could be another factor you’ve not considered. Visiting a selected area during the day won’t provide much information about this overlooked feature, but a trip through the neighbourhood at night will. CHOOSING THE RIGHT NEIGHBOURHOOD FOR YOUR NEW HOME

1. What is the longest word in the dictionary? 2. Throw away the outside and cook the inside, then eat the outside and throw away the inside. What is it? 3. What has hands but cannot clap? BRAIN TEASERS Courtesy of www.goodhousekeeping.com

4. Four cars come to a four-way stop, each coming from a different direction. They can’t decide who got there first, so they all go forward at the same time. All 4 cars go, but none crash into each other. How is this possible?

Answers: 1. Smiles, because there is a mile between each ‘s’. 2. Corn on the cob. 3. A clock. 4. They all made right-hand turns.

WORD FIT A word fit is a bit like a crossword, except that instead of clues we give you the answers, and your challenge is to fit them into the spaces.

Words to fit

• • • •

Badger

• • •

Monkey Gorilla

Lion

Reindeer Elephant

Rat

Courtesy of www.freeprintablepuzzles.co.uk

Robert Bank 250.756.7777

rob@robbank.ca | www.robbank.ca

AN ‘A TO C’ LOOK AT SOME COMMON REAL ESTATE TERMS Real estate is a complicated business and like with any distinctive profession includes its own unique jargon and terminology. Here is a sampler, covering some of the more common real estate terms. But those just in the categories of A to C. Adjustable-rate mortgage: A mortgage loan of this type comes with an interest rate that can change throughout the loan’s lifetime. Buyer’s agent: An agent that works strictly with buyers to find and purchase properties. Comparative market analysis (CMA): A process used by agents to determine the approximate value of a home based on the sale prices of similar properties in the area. CMAs help sellers set a listing price. Contract: A written and legally binding agreement between a buyer and seller outlining the details of a real estate transaction. Curb appeal: The appearance and overall attractiveness of a property’s exterior.

THE BEST TYPES OF FRUIT TREES TO GROW IN CANADA Trees are amazing: they provide shade, serve as home to birds and squirrels, convert carbon dioxide into life-enabling oxygen, and can produce a vast range of delectable treats. While many different types of fruit trees can grow in Canada, the two most popular are apple and pear. Apple trees are especially popular in Canada as they require little maintenance aside from the pruning of dead wood and the removal of dropped excess fruit. Apple trees benefit from the colder climate and therefore thrive in all regions of the country. Unlike with other types of fruit or flowers, apples can grow even when there is snow on the ground or frost late into the spring. Apple trees are also suited to any size or shape of yard regardless of climate or soil. If desired, you can even plant your apple tree in a pot. Pear trees are also extremely hardy and thrive in the Canadian climate. They can even be planted in proximity to apple trees, turning any suitable space into a mini orchard. Unlike with apple trees, pear trees will bloom earlier in the season, and will continue to bear fruit earlier in the summer – providing a visual display of blooms and a tasty supply of fruit for months. Pear trees are also heat resistant and will endure weather extremes that would kill other trees. Pear trees are rugged enough to survive virtually any climactic issue including droughts, high heat and excessive humidity. Pear trees can be planted anywhere in your yard, regardless of the available sunlight. As with apple trees, pear trees can also be grown in pots, a tribute to the species' resilience and versatility.

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