Nanaimo medical pot users split on phasing out home production

By Darrell Bellaart, The Daily News
Nanaimo medical marijuana users are divided over Ottawa phasing out home-based medicinal pot production.
Health Canada is taking public input on a proposal to move require licensed commercial growers to produce and distribute all medical marijuana, cutting out home growers.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said it would reduce electrical fires that threaten the public and emergency workers, while removing a loophole allowing criminals to produce marijuana.
Marijuana would remain regulated under the Controlled Substance Act.
While expressing concerns about access to medical pot, user Gregory Twyman said criminals now use growing licences as a cover for illegal activities.
Nanaimo firefighters support changes that would reduce their risk of exposure to shock or burn hazards from grow-op fires.
"The majority of grow-ops, including those for medicinal purposes, are not up to (fire) code," said fire chief Ron Lambert.
Nanaimo RCMP and 'E' Division, the provincial headquarters, will not comment on matters of public policy.
Twyman has a Health Canada licence to grow up to 73 marijuana plants and while he seldom grows that many, it gives him access to marijuana for his severe arthritis. He makes clones from his plants at various stages of growth, producing new plants without seeds.
Twyman acknowledges the current system has problems.
"I've had guys come up to me and offer to buy my licence, and say: 'I'll give you 30 lights. I can make so much money, and I'll give you half,'" Twyman said.
Earlier this month RCMP arrested two Maple Ridge farmers licensed to grow 220 plants with more than 1,200 and considerable quantities of money alleged to be from the illegal sale of marijuana, which Twyman consides evidence change is needed. But he worries about the impact on home growers like him.
"I agree overall, but make it accessible for those of us who don't have a lot of money and depend on it," he said.
Others see the proposed changes as a step backward.
"If they take away people's licences it will just throw it back in the hands of criminals," said Richard Payne, of the Mid-Island Compassion Society.
Ottawa also proposes to remove a requirement for users to apply to Health Canada in order to possess dried marijuana. Instead, they would submit a doctor's note directly to a licensed commercial producer. The changes would take effect some time in 2012.
To learn more and comment, go to http://bit. ly/iza2ZF. Comment will be accepted up until July 31.
dbellaart@nanaimodailynews.com

Inexpensive upgrades

by Roxie Dinstel

 

FAIRBANKS — It is the season for home improvements. Many of us are taking advantage of the warmer weather to upgrade our homes. If you are considering making major improvements to your home, realize you might not recover the cost of the work when you sell your property. Some improvements add value to ypur home, others do not. Some changes can even make it harder to sell the home.

Unless money is no object, most experts recommend the amount you spend shouldn’t exceed 30 percent of your home’s value. It is easy to go overboard on remodeling costs, but that may not translate into a greater value for your home. Comparable sales of homes in your area will have more to do with the final value of the home than any improvements you make to it.
It doesn’t mean that upgrading your home wouldn’t make sense. An improved kitchen or an extra room could pay off in usage, enjoyment or a greater sense of pride in your home. These things should be your primary consideration, the effect on the value of the home should be secondary.
There is no way of knowing for sure how much of your investment you will get back. That depends on the kind of project, the quality of the work, whether it is financed or paid for in cash, whether you do the work yourself, the area you live in and the housing market when you decide to sell.
Figures listed in Remodeling magazine give an idea of what you might recover from your remodeling project. These numbers are for Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and California.
Project Cost recouped:
Minor kitchen remodel    84.1 percent
Major kitchen remodel (upscale)    66 percent
Master suite addition (upscale)    56.8 percent
Window replacement (wood)    83.3 percent
Garage addition   
60.3 percent
Bathroom addition   
63.2 percent
Sunroom addition   
53.3 percent
I’ve chosen some popular remodeling projects for our area, but more are listed at www.remodeling.hw.net/2010/costvsvalue.
What surprised me about these figures is that some of the simplest and least expensive projects have the greatest payback. Replace your entry door with a steel door and you might recoup as much as 112 percent of the investment. Replace your garage door and recoup 96.4 percent of the investment. 
So what can we do inexpensively to update our homes? Here are the top five remodeling projects that can be done on a budget.
1. Paint — A little paint or varnish can go a long way toward improving your home’s value. One fresh coat (along with a little sanding and caulking) covers scuffs, chips, cracks and other damage that convey wear and tear. Make your first priority the front door.
2. Basic maintenance — Aim to complete a few small maintenance projects each year like fixing a creaky floorboard or replacing a cracked switch plate.
At my house, the summer project is the front porch and back deck. Some paint and a few screws will improve the appearance of my home.
3. Energy-efficiency upgrades — Not only will these improvements cut your energy bills, but they also will be attractive should you decide to sell your home. With energy prices high, it can make a difference.
Federal tax incentives are available for insulation, windows, heating systems and energy efficient refrigerators, washering machines and dishwashers.
4. Install new fixtures — Giving a room a more modern look requires little more than a screwdriver and some new fixtures. Replace faucets or light fixtures. New drawer handles or knobs can cost as little as $2 each. What about replacing doorknobs? All these can make your house look new at a bargain price.
5. Landscaping — A good first impression is crucial. Savings can be had as well, as long as you plant wisely. Drought-resistant shrubs require less water and perennials don’t require replanting. Leafy deciduous trees shade your home from the summer sun, and allow the winter sun in.
The bottom line is you should go into any home improvement project with the mindset that you’re doing this for enjoyment, not as a way to make money.
Roxie Rodgers Dinstel is a professor of extension on the Tanana District Extension Faculty. Questions or column requests can be emailed to her at rrdinstel@alaska.edu or by calling 474-2426. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

VN Web Group Attends SES Toronto

VN Web Group, a Vancouver based web-design company, is proud to announce their attendance at this year’s SES conference in Toronto. SES Toronto: The Leading Search & Social Marketing Event celebrated its 8th conference this year as the leading authority on Search Engine Marketing (SEM). In an effort to improve their customers’ return on investment, the VN Web Group attended the conference where they learned new skills in managing ad word campaigns, competitive analysis, display network ads, keyword research, social media marketing, Google analytics, and mobile marketing.
In today’s technologically advanced climate, the importance of web design should never be underestimated. Without an attractive, compelling, and well organized website, many companies large and small are overlooked in the marketplace. To this end, VN Web Group provides a variety of web based services to their clients including website design, website development, ecommerce website design, internet marketing, and search engine optimization services.
At the SES Conference in Toronto, the VN Web Group was given an unprecedented opportunity to learn and develop skills in search and social marketing. During the three day conference, professionals at VN Web Group attended a variety of sessions which provided valuable information including how to optimize search engine rankings, methods for link building and branding, skills to increase traffic through organic listings while avoiding spam penalties, optimizing rank through pay-per-click campaigns, and tracking performance to maximize ROI with free and paid analytics software. Sessions at the SES Toronto Conference covered topics as wide ranging as PPC management, keyword research, SEO, social media, mobile design, link building, duplicate content, video optimization, usability, and more.
The VN Web Group had one clear goal in attending the SES Conference in Toronto: increasing ROI for their clients by implementing new strategies. The conference provided a comprehensive review of web design and internet marketing strategies that can be used to draw more traffic to client sites, to increase visibility in specific markets, and ultimately to convert website visitors to customers. By attending this renowned conference, the VN Web Group was not only able to learn new skills, but they were given an opportunity to develop strategies to enhance their current skill set.
In short, by joining the SES Conference in Toronto, the VN Web Group has proven their dedication to providing their customers with the very best services in web design and internet marketing.
Source http://www.prweb.com/

Frenchman at home on the English grass

By Steve Tongue at Wimbledon

For a child prodigy from a tennis family, Richard Gasquet has made a lucrative career out of the sport – amassing some $5 million (£3m) in prize money – without quite reaching the height of heights.

Pictured on the front of France Tennis magazine at the age of nine, he was junior boys' world champion seven years later and ranked only just outside the top 150 men while still 16. He peaked at No 7 during his best season four years ago before a dramatic decline amid the 2009 controversy in which he was initially banned for two months after testing positive for cocaine, which he explained as a result of kissing a woman who had been taking it.

English grass has provided some of the highs of his career, bringing his first ATP tournament wins, at Nottingham in 2005 and 2006, and his only appearance in a Grand Slam semi-final: at Wimbledon the following year he reached the last four by beating Andy Roddick, then lost to Roger Federer.

Surrendering a two-set lead against Andy Murray in 2008 might be expected to weigh heavily on him going into tomorrow's game, but he insists: "It was a good memory really, even if I lost. I played very well. I remember the crowd were very impressive. We are told all the time Wimbledon is quiet, but it was incredible. In the third, fourth and fifth set it was very difficult for me to play – a lot of noise."

Despite suffering the same outcome at last year's French Open, he denies that Murray has any sort of psychological hold over him, claiming "I always played well against him," and joking that he will not make the mistake of winning the first two sets this time. "He's playing faster than before," Gasquet says. "He's aggressive, he's powerful, he has a big serve and big forehand. He's also a very clever player, knows how to win points."

Noisy home support is a bonus, he believes, more than compensating for the pressure on Murray to win Wimbledon: "I think he's used to [the pressure]. He did some semi-finals here and now he's more mature. He's 24 years old, so for him it's now. He has to win this year, next year. That's the time for him to play his best."

Of his own form, the elegant Frenchman says: "I'm playing good. I'm 13 in the world so I'm improving my level every week. I played well in Roland Garros and it's good for me to play in the second week."

Yet to drop a set in three matches, he was a comfortable enough winner on Friday over the Italian qualifier Simone Bolelli, who has also played Murray and offers this assessment: "It's a good surface for Gasquet. I think he's playing better than two years ago, more consistent. He serves not so fast but with good angle and it's tough here on the grass, not easy to return.

"Maybe Murray serves faster, Gasquet more with the angle. They both run well, good defence and attack, good volleys. I think it's 50-50."

Home owner still waiting for compensation from builder

BUILDER Rob Purvis was full of promises after a wall came tumbling down. He promised this, and he promised that, but he didn't deliver on his promises.
Rob was paid £7,000 to construct a patio and wall for customers Jim and Helen Shevills.
But the wall collapsed and Rob repeatedly agreed to pay £3,000 compensation.
The promise was first made in April and, at the time of writing, he has still not coughed up.
Jim, of Low Fell, Gateshead, said the wall simply fell down.
He told me: “The mortar fell out and the wall collapsed shortly after it was built. Rob verbally agreed compensation but has never come up with the money.
“He always says he needs another few weeks and, when those few weeks have passed, he says he still needs more time.
“I know I will probably not see the money now but I gave him every opportunity to pay.”
Jim had asked Rob’s business Hometrade to do the work on his property after getting a card through the door.
Some of the work, including the wall, was contracted out to other tradesmen. Surveyors for Jim claimed the wall fell down because of poor cement content in the concrete mixture.
Surveyors also claimed there were no “weep holes” which allow water to escape.
Another report claimed the paving stones for the patio collapsed because of poor quality materials.
I first spoke to Rob way back in April when he confirmed he had agreed to pay compensation to Jim. He said: “It’s our fault. The job just didn’t go to plan and I take full responsibility for it.
“I have been down a few times to discuss an agreement, he said three grand, we shook on it, and that was it.
“It will take three or four weeks to get the money because we’re not trading any more. I have no qualms about refunding the money but he is just going to have to wait. Tell him he’s going to get the money, and I guarantee he’s going to get the money, there’s no doubt about it. Even if I didn’t have it, I would find it, that’s the kind of person I am.
“I don’t want to rip anybody off, I just wouldn’t do it, and at the end of the day it was my mistake and I will make sure it is put right.”
1.2
Source http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/

Ex-marijuana smuggler living in Estero cashed in, paid price

Tim McBride's first night of smuggling pot in 1980 netted him $5,000 in cash.
"Rookie pay," he said.
He picked up another five grand the next night.
"This is outrageous, man," McBride said, sitting in his Estero home recently, recalling his introduction to smuggling. "Hand me a little paper bag with cash in it. It was the greatest thing in the world. Here I am just 21 years old, I got 10 grand in my pocket."

 t got better and then much worse. What began as a gig crabbing out of Everglades City became an endeavor that eventually netted perhaps $25 million - plus four years in a federal prison and a $4 million fine.
Those days are long gone. Now, he's a 53-year-old single dad with two teenagers. He lives in a one-story house in the woods, and Saturday he and some of his smuggling pals gathered at Fred's Food, Fun & Spirits in Naples for a reunion.
The group drew a crowd.
"It's everything I expected, really," McBride said.
The purpose wasn't celebrating the drug days but merely recalling them."We weren't saints," McBride said. "We were breaking the law."He was just one of hundreds of young men hauling pot in and around Everglades City during the '70s and '80s. Two raids in the mid-1980s led to the arrests of perhaps 80 percent of the town's men. But the lure of big and quick money was tempting, very tempting. And very big.
Steve Whitlock was one of those young men operating out of Everglades City, darting in and out of the Ten Thousand Islands, bringing in marijuana and piling up money.
"It was fun, exciting," said Whitlock, now a 52-year-old artist in Sarasota who attended the reunion. "A lot of adrenaline. Running around the middle of the night, beating the man at it. It was almost a game."
Almost.
Whitlock served 26 months in prison.
McBride became known as the Saltwater Cowboy. His estimate of making $25 million might seem outlandish to some who weren't part of that time and place.
"That's a good conservative estimate," said David Waller, then a Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent assigned to the case. He's now based in Lakeland.
Source http://www.news-press.com/

Life's little luxuries in big demand

WHEN times get tough, women surround themselves with beautiful things.
During World War II, lipstick was promoted as a product that would help satisfy women's desire for luxurious things. It was termed the "Lipstick indicator" and economists have since noted how the sale of small luxuries can increase during uncertain economic times.
This year, despite global economic concerns, women are still finding comfort in life's little luxuries.

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Brisbane-based interior designer Anna Spiro said: "My opinion is that people always find comfort in their home; home is where the heart is.
"At times like these, where everyone's eating at home instead of eating out, or staying at home instead of taking a holiday, people want to make their home their sanctuary; they want to surround themselves with beautiful things at home.

"Rather than going out, people are finding joy and value in spending a little money making their home a beautiful and happy place.
"The financial stuff aside, we're finding the demand for beautiful interior things is huge and we've got customers from all over the country and the world saying, 'Wow, Brisbane has got some beautiful stuff.'"
Ms Spiro, who owns Black & Spiro at New Farm and launched a blog, Absolutely Beautiful Things, in 2006, is a few weeks away from launching her website.
"While there's a lot of competition online for beautiful homewares and furniture, there's also a lot of competition from buyers keen to get their hands on that beautiful one-off lamp. They may be feeling down about the economy - but they have to have that beautiful lamp," Ms Spiro said.
At 18, Jess Bandiera is learning first-hand about the demand for items of beauty.
Since starting her own online homewares, furniture and home decor business JessieLauren.com.au in April, the ambitious teen has had to drop from full-time to part-time in her job at Vivien's Model Management in the central business district to cope with the demands of the site.
In two weeks she will launch her own fashion line, which she will also sell via Jessie Lauren.
With clients from places as far-flung as New York, Ms Bandiera said it was obvious tough times could not dampen the love for beautiful things.
"I think especially when people are feeling worried about the economy, they want to feel good about themselves," she said.
"They want to feel beautiful and whether that comes from a gorgeous top or a pretty vase, it makes them feel good, so they splash out." Ms Bandiera said that she was conscious of keeping to a price point with her clothes and her homewares.
"I want people of all ages to be able to afford my things. As an 18-year-old, that's something I can understand.
"At the moment, the majority of my clients are in that 35- to 45-year age bracket and they're mainly buying the home decor to make their homes beautiful."
On the Gold Coast, customers of online fabric shop owner Susie Wren are stocking up on pretty fabrics which they use to make their own cushions, curtains and artwork.
"We still want to surround ourselves with beautiful things, such as gorgeous cushions - but these things are expensive. Not everyone can afford to spend $150 on a single cushion," Ms Wren said.
"I get ladies buying small amounts of expensive designer fabrics to sew into their own cushions at a fraction of the price.
"If they have any scraps left over, they can create their own artwork out of it.
"There really has been a resurgence of women coming back to craft, sewing and the like, to try to save money, while still getting their fill of pretty things."
Ms Wren, who started her shop ijustlovethatfabric.com.au in 2008, is planning to open a shopfront - but she admits now is probably not the time. "The economy is a bit shaky to be opening a new shop I feel, although I do want to do it eventually," she said.
"At the moment, I'm doing well and am very busy just working online with my customers. The demand for beautiful things is still high but my customers want to do it in a more creative and inexpensive way."

Source http://www.smh.com.au/