Are You Guilt Ridden by Your Possessions? Ranka is asking in her SOS Tip #12.

“Mementos from your own life are harder to part with because your emotions are involved preventing you from making the right and sensible decision. Your prom dress that you proudly wore thirty years ago at your graduation day might not suit your daughter today but could help a young girl who can’t afford to buy a dress for her special day. Please don’t stop at the dress. Donate the shoes you don’t like or don’t fit, costume jewellery and purses.  Check out The Cinderella Project at: www.thecinderellaproject.com”

For great ideas and practical tips for getting organized check out her book “Kick the Clutter, Get Organized.”  101 Tips to organize your home or office. Now available in both print and digital PDF format, a great Christmas gift.

REMINDER ….  All  cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing Companies and  you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR  THESE CALLS.

To prevent this, call the following number from your  cell phone: 1 866-580-3625 or 888-382-1222.

It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It  will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have  blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number. Or you can do it online at www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca

There is only a few days left to enter the ROOM MAKEOVER Contest. So hurry up and enter now.

At the Annual CAZA (Canadian Association of Zoos and Aquariums) in Granby Quebec on October 2, 2008, Mountain View received 2 prestigious awards.

The first was the Conservation Award which recognized their exceptional work with the Northern Spotted Owl.

The second, was Caza’s  Outstanding Achievement award for their on-going work with the Oregon Spotted Frog.  Read the story here.

Did you hear about the Craigslist fraud? Find this story here.

In search of unique gift ideas I found in the heart of our neighbourhood business named The West Coast Bag Company. Denise, owner of the company told me: “The West Coast Bag Company isn’t going to change the world, but we are making it a better place to live.” I like the idea of an environmentally friendly daily bag so I asked Denise to tell us more.

“Plastic bags accompany us home each time we make a purchase. It takes 1000 years for ONE plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. Most times they don’t even make it into our landfills. They swirl about our oceans, they cling to our trees, they drift down our city sidewalks, they adorn metal fences and they are consumed by animals.

West Coast Bag Company can provide a stylish, award winning, European designed alternative to the plastic bag. And unlike the flimsy ugly bags that you can buy from your local grocery store, our bags can take you from the grocery store to an evening out or a weekend away. From computers to books, and groceries to beach ware, West Coast Bag Company has a bag for “Everything That You Carry”. Our bags are visually striking, very durable and extremely functional. You won’t find anything else like them.

The holidays are coming and what better gift to give than a stylish and functional bag that will last for years? Be the one to introduce your friends and family to these wonderful bags by booking a home party. Just for hosting a party with 10 or more guests, you will receive a complimentary bag of your choice, FREE! Plus, receive an extra 10% off any other bags you choose to buy on the night of your party. We carry a full line of bags and accessories and can fill orders for your guests the night of the party.”

I invite you to check out their bags and accessories at www.westcoastbagcompany.com. Please feel free to contact Denise at 604-230-8576 or by email at denise@westcoastbagcompany.com

Some time ago I was introduced to the wonderful juice made from the mangosteen fruit. Recently, makers of the Xango juice started Glimpse™ Intuitive Skin Care line. GLIMPSE can be the answer to your skin problems or a perfect gift for that special someone.

The mangosteen holds many secrets. Anti-aging is one of them. Researched for over 150 years, the mangosteen shows benefits for nearly every system in the body. These healing properties from the mangosteen are now available to anyone of any age or gender in the form of a revolutionary skin care system.

Glimpse™ Intuitive Skin Care is XanGo’s answer to unhealthy personal care products. Through a sophisticated combination of botanical phytonutrients, and green technology, Glimpse eliminates all use of destructive toxins.

The mangosteen contains highly concentrated doses of antioxidants, known as xanthones, with the power to nourish, transform your skin, and reverse the signs of aging.

If you wish to find out more about this product please contact Debbie at 604.617.3250 or email her now

PriceSmart Foods is coming soon to our neighbourhood ( Hillcrest side of the Fraser Hwy). I’m not sure how soon but I’m glad we will have another grocery store within close distance.

Many of us think about Christmas already and make plans ahead. I suggest to visit the House of Wines (184st and 64Ave) and order your wine today. A bottle of good wine is a simple but elegant gift, and at the House of Wines you can find a great selection of quality wines at a low price.

Visit Teapots and Teddybears (18408 64 Ave) for a wonderful Christmas collections. In this magical store you will find original decorations and gifts that will make you and your loved ones smile.

Photo: Teapots and Teddybears

One local family is in need of the following furniture:

Couch, TV cabinet, coffee table and end tables. If you have any of this furniture in good condition and willing to donate please contact Ranka at 604 584-3240.

Christmas is coming upon us so fast that it will soon be too late to organize anything. You will be running in circles trying to keep up with your social and family responsibilities and expectations.
One thing we know for sure …. If you are organized before the overwhelming attack, then you will be ready for anything. Or if you find the rush is already getting to you and the planning is exhausting then give Solutions Organizing a call. You will be pleasantly surprised at how little it costs to have someone like them on board to take care of big things like organizing and cleaning to decorating and putting up your Christmas Tree. If you are stressing or anticipate stressing over any of the holiday activities, then just hand it off to them.  Call Solutions at 604 584-2140.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public not to consume, distribute, or sell the Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins described below. This product is being recalled due to positive test results for melamine conducted by the CFIA.

The affected product, Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, is sold in 840g containers containing 240 pieces per container bearing UPC 0 36077 11240 7 and lot code 1928S1.

This product is sold nationally through Costco stores and may also have been sold in bulk packages or as individual pieces at various dollar and bulk stores across Canada.

There have been no reported illnesses associated with the consumption of these products.

Although the health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, the advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into milk and milk-derived products sourced in/from China that may have been distributed in Canada.

The CFIA is monitoring the effectiveness of the recall.

Melamine is a chemical compound used in a number of commercial and industrial applications.  Canada does not allow its use as a food ingredient.

Have a safe Halloween!

Tips for safe trick or treating:

Use flashlights or glow sticks in your pumpkins and other decorations, rather than candles.
An adult should accompany children when trick or treating.
Encourage children to trick or treat along one side of the street, then carefully cross over to the other side.
Stay in well lit areas and only visit homes that have their outside lights turned on. Children should never go inside homes.
Tell children to bring their treats home before eating anything and make sure you inspect all the treats before your children eat any candy. Be sure to discard any treats that are not wrapped, or are in torn or open packages.

Tips for safe driving on Halloween:
Be very careful when driving. Remember that children are excited and may forget safety rules.
When driving in areas with children, slow down and watch for them.

New twist on the letter that was being mailed - I rec’d this email - CAREFUL it is a scam even though they mention the real website in their email - the one they want you to click onto originates in the UK and is a scam (according to our Fraud Expert colleague, Jeff Burton at BC Crime Prevention Assoc…)

Alert your friends and neighbours to never reply to these emails…

Carrie Chattell
Crime Prevention Programs Coordinator
Cloverdale/Port Kells, Surrey R.C.M.P.
Telephone: (604) 502-6265
Fax:            (604) 502-6279
carrie.chattell@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

>>> “Canada Revenue Agency”  <mailer@cra-arc.gc.ca>

Canada Revenue Agency
Online Refund Form
After the last annual calculation of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of 386.00.
Please submit the tax refund and allow us 3-9 days in order to process it.

A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access the form for your tax refund, please click here>> ( http://yswexch.demon.co.uk/old/cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/myccnt/lndex.htm )