Here in Canada, we’re blessed to be surrounded by all kinds of natural beauty: raging rivers, vast forests, sparkling lakes and towering mountains.
Ah, mountains. It’s fitting that Fernie, a town in the shadow of the majestic Rockies, would play host to the 7th annual Fernie Mountain Film Festival, taking place February 21 to 23. The three-day event is “dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments, and the passion and perseverance of global explorers.” That’s good news for movie goers, who can expect some of the world’s top outdoor cinematography on display at the Fernie Community Centre.
The festival kicks off Thursday with a local talent night, featuring submissions by local filmmakers.
Friday features the headline film Congo: The Grand Inga Project. Follow a group of adventure junkies as they battle to be the first to descend Congo’s Inga Rapids, the tallest rapids in the world.
Saturday is a double-header. The mountain biking documentary Where the Trail Ends is followed by a special lecture by Leo Grillmair. A pioneer of mountaineering in British Columbia, Grillmair will be regaling audiences with stories and images of B.C’s beautiful Bugaboo Provincial Park.
There’s lots more excitement in store, so lace up your hiking boots and head over to the Fernie Mountain Festival! ($25 for all-access pass, tickets available at ferniefilmfestival.com)
The Grillbot is a single-button-operated, automated grill cleaner that takes the ick out of scrubbing your gas or charcoal BBQ. (Photo courtesy grillbots.com)
I know, it’s hard to imagine right now. But some day soon, all that snow will disappear, leaving you with a backyard’s worth of cleaning jobs.
Luckily, technology can step in to fill the enthusiasm gap. Add these five outdoor cleaning products to your arsenal, and you’ll be ready for your first backyard patio party in no time.
The Grillbot (photo above): The brainchild of former real estate agent Ethan Woods, the Grillbot is a single-button-operated, automated grill cleaner that takes the ick out of scrubbing your gas or charcoal BBQ. The Grillbot’s three motorized scouring brushes are powered by rechargeable battery pack, and its “smart CPU” brain allows it to navigate grills with ease. Now if only we could teach it to cook the perfect steak… (US$69,95 basic model, US$99.95 premium model, available starting June 2013, grillbots.com)
Quickie Bulldozer Super Stiff Broom: Appearances can be deceiving; the Quickie Bulldozer is designed to look like indoor kitchen broom, but its industrial grade steel handle and super-stiff polypropylene fiber bristles can sweep up crushed brick, block, rebar, landscape stones and other punishing objects with ease. ($8.88, available at Home Depot)
CLR Outdoor Furniture Cleaner: CLR’s non-abrasive, biodegradable formula is perfect for cleaning your patio furniture after a long winter break. But don’t stop there; CLR is safe to use on a variety of surfaces, from wrought iron to plastic to canvas, so go nuts. ($6.99 for 26 oz., available at Canadian Tire)
Craftsman/mD 22″, 190cc B&S 725 Platinum Series Rear Wheel Drive Lawn Mower: Adjustable self-propelled drive system? Check. Easy push-button start? Check. Simplified bag removal system with full bag indicator? Check. This gas-powered mover by Craftsman is the total lawn care package. ($549.88, available at Sears)Jackson Clog-Free Rake: When is a rake more than a rake? When it’s designed to prevent debris from getting stuck between the tines, that’s when. The Jackson Clog-Free Rake comes with a lifetime warranty – because you know the leaves will never stop falling. ($24.99, available at Canadian Tire)
Whether you’re on vacation at a tropical resort or away on business, your hotel room is supposed to be your home-away-from-home. Unfortunately, that “home” was used by hundreds of strangers before you arrived – and they may have left more than just a pair of dirty socks behind.
A recent investigation by CBC’s Marketplace found alarming levels of bacterial contamination on “high-touch” spots in hotel rooms across the country. The tests, conducted by University of Guelph microbiologist Keith Warriner in 54 rooms at six hotel chains, found that many commonly used surfaces and items failed to meet basic sanitation standards, and in some cases contained dangerously high levels of bacteria.
And if you think you can avoid the problem by opting for a luxury suite, think again; Warriner’s test found that rooms at high-end hotels like Fairmont and Sheraton were no cleaner, on average, than rooms at budget hotels like Super 8 and EconoLodge.
So, if you’re planning a special getaway this February, follow these simple tips to keep your hotel stay as sanitary as possible.
Disinfect “high-touch” spots. The Marketplace investigation found that bathroom faucets and TV remotes were among the dirtiest items in most hotel rooms. Use an alcohol-based sanitizing wipe to clean these “high-touch” items, as well as the phone, door knobs, toilet handle and ice bucket.
Set aside the comforter. It’s the dirty secrets of most hotels – they don’t clean the comforter for every new guest. It’s no wonder it was one of the filthiest areas uncoverd by Marketplace‘s investigation. If you’re concerned about clean bedding, call and ask your hotel how often they launder their comforters, or just bring your own blanket.
Give your glassware a quick cleaning. Most hotels require cleaning staff to wash all glasses in a dishwasher between stays – but the staff may have other ideas. Marketplace used hidden cameras to record housekeepers skirting the rules of basic cleanliness, including one cleaner at a high-end Toronto hotel who washed glasses with a touch of hand soap. To be safe, run all glassware (including your coffee pot) under hot water for at least minute before using.
Stay away from the bathroom counter. Personal hygene products and bathroom germs don’t mix. Keep your toothbrush, razor and dental floss in travel containers and off the bathroom counter, where bacteria is likely to propagate.
Don’t let the bed bugs bite. Bed bug infestations have risen sharply across North America in the past decade, according to Health Canada. Hotels are a prime breeding ground for the tiny blood suckers, who can then travel home with you and make your life very, very uncomfortable.
To inspect for bed bugs, lift the mattress and look for reddish-brown spots on the mattress or other parts of the bed (that’s bed bug excrement). Don’t expect to see any live insects; though visible to the naked eye, bed bugs are adept at hiding in small cracks and crevasses. You should also check for bed bug poop between couch cushions and in the space between the carpet and the wall.
Bed bugs feed at night, leaving behind itchy red bumps on the skin, similar to mosquito bites. If you discover any signs of a bed bug infestation, inform the front desk immediately and request a new room.
Never leave luggage, clothes or purses on the bed or floor of your hotel room, where bed bugs can easily climb aboard. Instead, put these items in the bath tub or on the luggage rack.
If you’re anything like me, your cleaning regiment is probably very structured: clean the tops of things. Clean underneath those same things. Repeat as necessary.
But many homeowners neglect the most frequently-used items in their homes – their electronics, and in particular their computers. These ubiquitous (and expensive) devices can become clogged with dust and grime after years of continuous use, which can shorten their lifespan and expose you and your family to harmful bacteria (just think of how many people touch your keyboard in an average week.)
Fortunately, cleaning your PC is as easy as 1-2-3.
What you’ll need:
A Screwdriver
Can of compressed air (available from computer dealers or office-supply stores)
Cotton swabs (do not use a cotton ball)
Rubbing alcohol
Soft, lint-free cloths, paper towels, or anti-static cloths
Water
(Note: ALWAYS turn off electronic devices and unplug them before performing any cleaning or maintenance).
Step 1: Cleaning your tower
Computer towers require ventilation to avoid overheating. But the fan and vents also allow dust to get inside, which can make the ventilation systems less efficient.
To clean inside your tower, you must first open the case. Computers vary in the kinds of fastening mechanisms that hold the tower together – some use knobs or slots that can be removed by hand, while others are held together by screws. If in doubt, consult your computer’s owner’s manual. (Note, it some cases opening your computer case will void the warranty. If in doubt, consult your computer’s owner’s manual.)
Once the case is open, you’ll want to avoid touching the interior as much as possible. Remove large pieces of dust or lint with a cloth or a pair of tweezers. Angle the computer downward, then use the compressed air to remove dust from hard-to-reach corners. Use the compressed air to clean the tower vents, fan, disk drive and CD-ROM drive.
Finally, close the case, and wipe down the exterior of the tower with a cotton swab and some rubbing alcohol.
Step 2: Cleaning your monitor
Take care when choosing what materials to use when cleaning your monitor. Do not use paper towels, which can scratch the monitor surface – use a soft, lint-free cloth instead. Also, never spray cleaning materials directly onto a monitor screen – spray onto the cloth.
For LCD screens (used in flat screen and laptop monitors), wipe down the screen using a small amount of water on a soft, lint-free cloth. For glass screens (used in “TV-style” monitors), you can use glass cleaner, again with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Step 3: Cleaning your Mouse and Keyboard
Unplug the mouse and keyboard, if they’re connected to your computer, or turn them off, if they’re wireless.
To clean your keyboard, first turn it upside down over a sink or waste basket and shake out any loose debris. Then, use compressed air to clean between the keys. Finally, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to wipe off any stains. In some cases, you may need to remove “sticky” keys and clean them separately.
To clean your mouse, use a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol to wipe off the top of the mouse. If your mouse uses an electronic sensor, rather than the traditional roller-ball, make sure to wipe off any dust or debris from the sensor. If your mouse has a roller ball, open the underside of the mouse and remove the roller ball. Soak the roller ball in water and let it air dry. Then, wipe the interior of the mouse with rubbing alcohol and a soft, lint-free cloth, then spray the interior with compressed air. Return the roller ball and to the mouse and close it.
Last week, more than 150,000 tech-hungry shoppers flocked to Las Vegas for the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. The annual event draws some of the world’s biggest tech companies, as well as start-ups hoping to wow consumers (and generate buzz) with their innovative new products.
Along with new smartphone technology and super high-definition televisions, many of the headline-grabbing devices were designed with everyday living in mind. From smart fridges to forks that help you lose weight, here are 10 gadgets destined to bring your household into the 21st century. (Note, some items are not yet commercially available).
8. HAPIfork: Usually, utensils are supposed to aid in the consumption of food. The HAPIfork by Hapilabs does this only to a point. In addition to tracking your “fork servings” and how fast you eat, the HAPIfork vibrates and lights up when you eat food too quickly. The HAPIfork also comes equipped with a USB drive and software to track your eating habits. (hapilabs.com)
7. WeMo Switch: For the cautious, careless (or simply neurotic) traveler, Belkin’s WeMo Switch allows you to monitor and control electronic devices from your iPhone and other electronic devices. Combine with the WeMo Motion to automatically turn on devices whenever you enter a room. As an added bonus, you can freak out the person who waters your plants by having your blender go off, Poltergeist-style, when he stops by. ($49.99 WeMo Switch, $99.99 WeMo Switch and Motion, belkin.com)
6. Moxie showerhead: Singing in the bathtub has never been easier thanks to Kohler’s Bluetooth-enabled shower head with waterproof speaker and “60 angled nozzles for a full water spray.” Not recommended for people who already spend too much time in the bathroom. ($199, us.kohler.com)
5.iPotty: Yes, this is a real thing. CTA Digital, maker of iPad and Kindle accessories, has developed a training potty complete with iPad holster, allowing your tot to play games or watch cartoons while using the bathroom. How did we ever potty train without it? ($40, ctadigital.com)
4. Flower Power plant monitor: Until the day we genetically engineer talking plants, you’ll have to rely on French electronic company Parrot’s new gadget to tell you what your azaleas are thinking. The Y-shaped Flower Power sensor monitors moisture, sunlight, humidity, temperature and fertilizer conditions via your smartphone. It also comes with an electronic database of best care tips for more than 6,000 plant species. (parrot.com)
3. Compact4All Appliances: Like LEGO blocks for the kitchen, these four cube-shaped home appliances by Princess (kettle, toaster, coffee maker and juicer) can be stacked and plugged into a single electrical outlet. ($52 each, princess.nl)2. Famibot: It’s a Roomba… I mean, a home service robot, that patrols your home, purifying the air, guarding against intruders and communicating with family members. So really, there’s no reason for you to come home anymore. (ecovacs.com)
1. T9000 Refrigerator: Not to be mistaken with the T-1000 android from Terminator, the T9000 is part of a new line of “smart” appliances conceived by Samsung. The stainless-steel, 32-cubic-foot combination fridge/freeszr comes equipped with a 10-inch display screen and plenty of culinary-themed apps, like Epicurious, which provides recipe ideas based on the items you have in your fridge. ($4,000, samsung.com)
Early birds rejoice: there’s plenty of excitement to be found before the sun rises.
On Wednesday, January 23, CTV’s Canada AM will be filming live from Fernie Alpine Resort (5339 Fernie Ski Hill Road) starting at 4 a.m.
One of the country’s most popular morning talk shows, Canada AM is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary on the air – and it’s looking for bright-eyed and bushy-tailed audience members to join the fun.
This is your chance to meet the entire Canada AM team: hosts Beverly Thomson and Marci Ien, weather specialist Jeff Hutcheson plus their special guests! There will also be special activities taking place to keep everyone awake and warm during filming.
For more information, go to canadaam.ctvnews.ca.
Is 2013 the year you resolved to keep your house tidy? With planning, a bit of extra effort and these six tips to start you off, you can succeed where your 2012 diet failed.
1. Start with a clean slate. Get a leg up on your new cleaning regiment by bringing in professionals to tackle major jobs, like cleaning the stove or scrubbing floors. Once your home is spic and span, make it your resolution to keep it that way.
2. Make a cleaning plan. The best resolutions have clear, concise goals and a timeline to accomplish them. Check out the 2013 New Year’s Cleaning Grand Plan Challenge, a 14-week program by the Organized Home web blog, for a step-by-step schedule, as well as cleaning tips and tricks.
3. Invest in tools to make cleaning easier. Often, it’s the simple things that help keep a space clean: a cover for the microwave, baking soda for the fridge, automatic cleaners for toilet and shower. And let’s not forget that industrious robotic helper, the Roomba. It cleans your floors while you’re away, then recharges itself automatically.
4. Clear that clutter. The post-Christmas season is a good time to take stock of your living space. Has paperwork taken over your desk? File it away. Ages-old condiments in the fridge? Toss ’em. Invest in storage containers to put away odds and ends.
5. Tackle cleaning one chore at a time. With any New Year’s resolution, the quickest route to failure is to tackle too much at once. Resolve to set aside just fifteen minutes per day to clean your home, focusing on one room at a time.
6. Reward yourself for a job well done. Resolve to treat yourself whenever you reach a milestone on your cleaning plan. A new flat-screen TV would look great mounted of the wall of your squeaky clean living room.
Having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit? The Fernie community has a number of Yuletide activities taking place to brighten up your holidays. Here’s a daily rundown of our favourites:
Sunday, December 16: Vera Choir Christmas (Knox United Church)
Take a trip around “A World of Christmas” with the singers of the Jaffray-based Vera Choir. Enjoy traditional Christmas carols as well as popular favorites from around the world. With special guests the East Kootenay Youth Ensemble. 7 p.m. Tickets $15 Adults, $12 Seniors, $8 Students & Children.
Monday: December 17: Fernie Christmas Bird Count (Max Turyk School)
Chickadees, eagles and finches, oh my! Help the Wildsight Foundation catalogue roughly 40 different species of birds during the annual Fernie Christmas Bird Count. 8:30 a.m. Free.
Tuesday, December 18: Fernie Chamber Orchestra Christmas Concert (The Arts Station)
The Fernie Chamber Orchestra and Trinity Mountain Ensemble will be performing their favorite holiday music, both classic and contemporary. Kids and music lovers of all ages welcome! 6 p.m. Tickets are free but are limited to only 90, available at The Arts Station prior to event.
Wednesday, December 19: Think Tank Cinema Presents: Heart of Sky, Heart of Earth (The Arts Station)
The great cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar will end on December 21, 2012. How does the story end? Do the oceans collapse? Does the sky fall as the last tree is cut? Find out threes days before the end of the world, December 19 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, December 20: redGirl Holiday Performance (The Arts Station)
Local Kootenay roots band redGirl takes to the stage as part of the “What the Dickens” Holiday week. 10 p.m. Free tickets required can be obtained by The Arts Station.
Friday, December 21: Holiday Beer and Wine Tasting (The Tipple Cold Beers and Fine Wine)
Enjoy an extra special holiday tasting of the new Bailey’s “Biscotti” and Fernie Brewing “Sap Sucker” Maple Porter, along with tasty treats from Loaf Bakery! 4 p.m. Free
Saturday, December 22: International Christmas Celebration (Fernie Heritage Library)
Head to the Fernie Heritage Library from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. for their annual Christmas Celebration! This event is for all ages and includes crafts, festive songs and singing, stories and an international Christmas dessert potluck. Free.
Sunday: December 23: Shortbread Showdown (The Arts Station)
See how your holiday cookies stack up in this no-holds barred culinary battle royale! Enter some cookies or swing by The Arts Station and vote by putting money in the jar in front of your favourite cookie! All money raised will go towards the fundraising efforts for the Youth Public Art Project. Cookie dropoff December 23 at 12:00 p.m. Free.
George Toressani (center) and the Goldstar Team celebrate a job well done!
Earlier this month, Goldstar Cleaning announced the winner of its Extreme Makeover: Cleaning Edition contest.
To recap: George Toressani and his wife, Rochelle Simmons, have been living apart since last summer after their eldest daughter Brooke, 17, relocated to Vancouver to undergo treatment for lung cancer.
Goldstar staff hard at work!
While Rochelle and Brooke have been living at the Ronald McDonald’s House in between treatments at the B.C. Children’s Hospital, George has had to stay behind in Fernie to work and take care of their high school-aged son Wesley.
Fortunately, Rochelle and Brooke are returning home for the holidays later this week. Goldstar made sure their house was ready for them, sending a team of nine professional cleaners to give George and Rochelle’s home an extreme makeover.
“One of the reasons we felt good about choosing this particular family is because they had been separated for so long,” explains Jill Barclay, owner of Goldstar Cleaning Services. “This way, they’ll have this time to spend together rather than worry about tedious chores.”
With their trademark attention to attention to detail, the Goldstar team left no spot untouched, judging from the before-and-after photos (see below).
Goldstar staff hard at work!
“We had set ourselves a goal of completing the whole house in two hours,” Barclay says. “If fact, we went slightly over that, but we ended up cleaning the exterior windows and steam cleaning the floors.”
In fact, it took just over three hours to finish the job, which included everything from scrubbing walls and dusting furniture to doing laundry for the home-alone bachelors.
A simple gesture like cleaning can help bring a sense of normalcy to family members whose lives have been affected by cancer. That’s why Goldstar is a supporter of Cleaning for a Reason, a charity that provides professional free cleaning services to women affected by cancer.
Thanks to everyone who entered the Extreme Makeover: Cleaning Edition contest. Stay tuned for more exciting promotions from Goldstar Cleaning Services!
Before-and-after shots of George and Rochelle’s House
Is your old skiing equipment gathering dust in your closet? Consider recycling your old gear to make some extra cash — and support young alpine skiers — at the 2012 Fernie Ski Swap.
On Friday, November 9 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., participants can drop off their gently-used skis, snowboards and accessories at the Fernie Community Centre (901 6 Ave.)
The gear will be on sale Saturday, November 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., so bring the family and shop for once-a-season deals on quality second-hand skiing and snowboarding equipment.
Admission to the Ski Swap is $2 per person, $5 per family. All proceeds benefit the Fernie Alpine Ski Team (FAST) Juvenile Racers.
Commission and handling fees apply. For more information, visit skifernie.com.
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Here in Canada, we’re blessed to be surrounded by all kinds of natural beauty: raging rivers, vast forests, sparkling lakes and towering mountains.
Ah, mountains. It’s fitting that Fernie, a town in the shadow of the majestic Rockies, would play host to the 7th annual Fernie Mountain Film Festival, taking place February 21 to 23.
The three-day event is “dedicated to filmmakers who spark awareness of mountain cultures, fragile environments, and the passion and perseverance of global explorers.” That’s good news for movie goers, who can expect some of the world’s top outdoor cinematography on display at the Fernie Community Centre.
The festival kicks off Thursday with a local talent night, featuring submissions by local filmmakers.
Friday features the headline film Congo: The Grand Inga Project. Follow a group of adventure junkies as they battle to be the first to descend Congo’s Inga Rapids, the tallest rapids in the world.
Saturday is a double-header. The mountain biking documentary Where the Trail Ends is followed by a special lecture by Leo Grillmair. A pioneer of mountaineering in British Columbia, Grillmair will be regaling audiences with stories and images of B.C’s beautiful Bugaboo Provincial Park.
There’s lots more excitement in store, so lace up your hiking boots and head over to the Fernie Mountain Festival! ($25 for all-access pass, tickets available at ferniefilmfestival.com) 
