#Jobs!Jobs!Jobs! Canadian businesses are ready to hire!

Canada is experiencing the highest level of “hiring hopefulness” since 1998, according to a survey by the Bank of Canada.  Despite continuing financial challenges in the US and the eurozone, Canadian businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months. 

 

In more than half of the companies surveyed, 57% are expecting to hire new workers over the next year, 25% of them are facing difficulties finding workers and 49% of the firms expect sales to grow over the next 12 months. 

 

As a result, more companies are planning to invest in the expansion of their businesses like machinery and equipment and most importantly – workers.  A pickup in this type of business investment is crucial at this stage, economists say.  It is the third leg of the stool needed for a healthy economy.  In Canada’s case, the othe two legs, the public sector and consumer spending, have been going strong since the recovery officially began two years, as reported in an article in the business section  of the Toronto Star.

 

#Jobs!Jobs!Jobs! Canadian businesses are ready to hire!

Canada is expeiriencing the highest level of “hiring hopefullness” since 1998, according to a survey by the Bank of Canada.  Despite continuing financial challenges in the US and the eurozone, Canadian businesses are optimistic about the next 12 months. 

 

in more than half of the companies surveyed, 57% are expecting to hire new workers over the next year, 25% of them are facing difficulties in finding workers and 49% of the firms expect sales to grow over the next 12 months. 

 

As a result, more companies are planning to invest in the expansion of their businesses like machinery and equipment and most importantly – workers.  A pickup in this type of business investment is crucial at this stage, economists say.  It is the third leg of the stool needed for a healthy economy.  In Canada’s case, the othe two legs, the public sector and consumer spending, have been going strong since the recovery officially began two years, as reported in an article in the business section  of the Toronto Star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#Free Summer Cinema under the stars in Toronto!

Why pay good money to sit inside a dark movie theatre on a warm summer night?   Join a Toronto summer tradition:  when the sun sets, open air movie theatres pop up all over town and here are some of them:

 

DANCING IN THE DARK:  see Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) seduce Baby with his mambo moves in Dirty Dancing and other movies like Mad Hot Ballroom, Hairspray and Paris is Burning.  Yonge-Dundas Square every Tuesdays, June 28-Aug.30.  Rain or Shine. FREE.

 

LONGO’S FREE FLICKS:   The festival kicks off with a tour of Toronto in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World  and explore the rest the world like Tokyo (Lost in Translation), New Delhi (Amal) and Paris (Paris je t’aime).  Westjet Stage at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Tuesdays, July 5 – Aug. 9.  Rain or Shine.  FREE.

 

TIFF IN THE PARK:  Sing along with your fave musical like The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz.  A special screening of a 1956 classic Jagte Raho – about an Indian peasant’s misadventures in the city when he stumbles into a luxury apartment building in search of a glass of water.  Screening may be cancelled in case of rain.  FREE.

 

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS:  Family-friendly movies like the Rapunzel-inspired Disney film Tangled, Justin Beiber’s Never Say Never, 90′s basketball classic Space Jam that pairs Bugs Bunny with Michael Jordan, just to name a few.  Main entrance of Downsview Park.  Back-up indoor location in case of rain.  FREE.

 

***info from Toronto Star:  Chloe Fedio

@Free (mostly) SUMMER CINEMA UNDER THE STARS IN TORONTO

Why pay good money to sit inside a dark movie theatre on a warm summer night?   Join a Toronto summer tradition:  when the sun sets, open air movie theatres pop up all over town and here are some of them:

 

DANCING IN THE DARK:  see Johnny Castle (Patrick Swayze) seduce Baby with his mambo moves in Dirty Dancing and other movies like Mad Hot Ballroom, Hairspray and Paris is Burning.  Yonge-Dundas Square every Tuesdays, June 28-Aug.30.  Rain or Shine. FREE.

 

LONGO’S FREE FLICKS:   The festival kicks off with a tour of Toronto in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World  and explore the rest the world like Tokyo (Lost in Translation), New Delhi (Amal) and Paris (Paris je t’aime).  Westjet Stage at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W, Tuesdays, July 5 – Aug. 9.  Rain or Shine.  FREE.

 

TIFF IN THE PARK:  Sing along with your fave musical like The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz.  A special screening of a 1956 classic Jagte Raho – about an Indian peasant’s misadventures in the city when he stumbles into a luxury apartment building in search of a glass of water.  Screening may be cancelled in case of rain.  FREE.

 

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS:  Family-friendly movies like the Rapunzel-inspired Disney film Tangled, Justin Beiber’s Never Say Never, 90′s basketball classic Space Jam that pairs Bugs Bunny with Michael Jordan, just to name a few.  Main entrance of Downsview Park.  Back-up indoor location in case of rain.  FREE.

 

***info from Toronto Star:  Chloe Fedio

Toronto’s First Truck Rally July 2 at The Distillery District

Food writer Suresh Doss spearheaded the first ever Ontario food truck rally at The Distillery District on July 2, 11 am to 3 pm.  Five truckers have confirmed attendance and we look forward to enjoying $5 treats of tacos, cupcakes,   poutine, porchetta sandwiches, kettle corn and many more. 

 

Apparently there are 5 – 8 gourmet trucks in Ontario but we don’t see them around that often because of parking problems in the downtown.  These food trucks are like food buskers, says Matthew Rosenblatt of The Distillery District.

 

Doss says he was inspired by the American food truck movement and rallies in Miami, LA and New York and this is the first of three rallies that he plans to put up in the course of the summer months. 

 

Come and enjoy and be a tourist in your own city – you don’t have to go very far to enjoy new experiences like this one.

Tips & Insights on how to eat well: 5 Things About Grocery Stores by winning blogger Maisie Vanriel

Here are excerpts from Maisie’s winning blog…

“Five Things you may not know about grocery stores:

1.  Why produce is misted. A colourful wall of misted fresh produce screams healthy.  That wholesome look has been proven to result in $5 to $8 more in sales per visit.  Next time – save the produce area for last & start by walking past the cash registers and the rows of chips, candies and treats.

 

2.  Why milk is at the back.  Most quick trips to the grocery are for bread, milk and egg, so marketers place these items at the back of the store hoping you will walk down the aisle and make an impulse buy.   Avoid the temptation – just walk around the perimeter, pick up what you need and leave.

 

3.  Always try lower shelves.  Buy healthier foods and save money by choosing foods you have to bend down or stretch up to reach.  The shelf space at eye level is aimed at the average Canadian woman who is 5-foot-5.  Since women do most of the grocery shopping, manufacturers will pay thousands to own that space.  Take the cracker aisle; the least healthy, most expensive crackers are generally on the eye level shelves.  Choose healthier and less expensive crackers by just bending down or stretching up to reach them.

 

4.  Featured specials aren’t so special.  Be wary of items that are “on special” or “featured” at the front of an aisle.  They don’t always say “on sale” because oftentimes, they are not.  A “featured” cereal may be exactly the same price as it is in the aisle, just placed in a more prominent spot to increase sales.

 

5.  Watch for “me too” items.  The front of the aisle is also a favourite spot for what is called “me too” items.  A more expensive cereal is “accidentally” placed next to the featured cereal, and only when you get to the checkout do you find out it is more expensive.”

 

Maisie continues to remind consumers that “it is often the mundane activities like grocery shopping where people are most easily parted from their money”.

 

Keep these tips in mind on your next trip to the grocery store.  Happy Shopping!!!

What is a QR Code?

 

 

What’s a QR Code? 

A QR Code is a new type of barcode that when scanned acts as a gateway to the web.  A QR code will allow a person to conveniently access information anywhere and at any time from their smartphone.  When scanned, this code will lead the consumer to a mobile optimized website showcasing details of a product or in the case in real estate,  details of a property, its features and the agent’s contact information.

 

Where do I download the QR code application?

A lot of phones come pre-loaded with scanning software.  If you do not have this software on your smartphone, simply visit www.4qr.ca from your phone’s web browser.  Once you have installed the software, open it up and point it at a QR Code to read it.

What is a QR Code?

Where do I download the QR code application?

A lot of phones come pre-loaded with scanning software.  If you do not have this software on your smartphone, simply visit www.4qr.ca from your phone’s web browser.  Once you have installed the software, open it up and point it at a QR Code to read it.

 

Where do I download the QR code application?

A lot of phones come pre-loaded with scanning software.  If you do not have this software on your smartphone, simply visit www.4qr.ca from your phone’s web browser.  Once you have installed the software, open it up and point it at a QR Code to read it.

What is a QR Code?

Where do I download the QR code application?

A lot of phones come pre-loaded with scanning software.  If you do not have this software on your smartphone, simply visit www.4qr.ca from your phone’s web browser.  Once you have installed the software, open it up and point it at a QR Code to read it.

Which Home Improvements Result in the Greatest Return?

With the real estate spring market just around the corner, one common question we get from potential sellers is which small home improvements can get us the most for our buck?

 

Here’s a list of the TOP ELEVEN  Home Improvements & Repairs  as reported by HomeGain* from data in a survey  conducted in 2009:

 

1.  Clean and De-Clutter:  872%  Return on Investment (ROI).  Spending $100-$200 can result in a home price increase of $1500-$2000. 

 

2.  Home Staging:  586%  ROI.  $300-$400 spent on hiring a Home Stager for consultation will result in a home price increase of $1500-$2000.

 

3.  Lighten & Brighten:  572% ROI.  $200-$300 will yield an increase in value by $1000-$1500

 

4.  Landscape Front/Back Yards:  473%  ROI.  Spending $300-$400 will increase the value by $1500

 

5.  Update Electrical:  309%  ROI by spending $300-$400 will increase the value of your home by $1000-$1500

 

6.  Replace or Shampoo Carpets:   295%  ROI.  With $400-$500, value will increase by $1000-$1500

 

7.  Paint Interior Walls:  250% ROI on an investment of $500-$750, increasing the value by $1500-$2000

 

8.  Repair Damaged Floors:  250% ROI.  With an average cost of $500-$750, the value will increase by $1500-$2000

 

9.  Update Kitchen:  237% ROI.  By spending $1000-$1500 on updating your kitchen, you will see an increase in price by $2000-$3000

 

10.  Paint Outside of Home:  201% ROI.  $750-$1000 will yield an increase in price by $1500-$2000

 

11.  Update Bathroom:  172% ROI.  By spending $750-$1000 to simply update the bathroom, you can expect an increase in price  by $1000-$1500.