Category: Guest Columnists

  • On Second Thought……The Future of Weather

    On Second Thought……The Future of Weather

      By Jonathan Pollard “The trouble with weather forecasting is that it’s right too often for us to ignore it and wrong too often for us to rely on it.” – Patrick Young, American author Folks, a ‘cold front’ isn’t just a between-the-sheets phenomenon, and thermocline isn’t just another fun word to spell with Alphagetti.…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Wrapping Up the Holidays

      By Reena Nerbas Removing oil from clothing Hi Reena, I’m wondering if you can help me! My daughter was stirring/mixing some organic peanut butter the other day and a big “glop” of oil landed on the front of her favorite university sweatshirt. I’ve tried soaking it in OxiClean and water for several hours and then washing…

  • Solutions and Substitutions by Reena: Heating Your Home

    By Reena Nerbas Sewer in Laundry Room ear Reena, I am hoping that you can offer a solution for my daughter. She recently had her dirty laundry sorted on the floor of her laundry area in the basement of her home. Unfortunately her sewer line backed up and the basement sewer drain is right in front of…

  • Making sure your asset allocation fits

    By Kim Inglis According to a recent survey done by Franklin Templeton, Canadians are generally quite optimistic about their future, with 92% looking forward to retirement.  On the whole, Canadians are planning on traveling, spending time with friends and family, and pursuing hobbies.  Despite the optimism, 82% are concerned about paying expenses in retirement.  Specifically,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Grandma’s Secrets Revealed

      By Reena Nerbas Frozen Car Doors Dear Reena, I become very frustrated in the winter when I wash my car. After it sits for a while in freezing temperatures, the doors are stuck and seem impossible to open. Any advice? Lorne Dear Lorne, After the car is clean and dry, spray non-stick cooking spray…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Dealing with Persistant Odours

      By Reena Nerbas Reviving Cutlery Dear Reena, Is it possible to renew the look of my cutlery? Either the dishwasher, or our water which has a high rust content, or both, have it looking pretty bad. Donna Dear Donna, In commercial settings; it is very common to toss cutlery into a sink of plain old white…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Holiday Snack Recipe

      By Reena Nerbas Candle Wax on Carpet Dear Reena, Purple candle wax dripped onto my beige synthetic fiber carpet which has a low nap. What should I do? I have scraped off as much of the wax as I can and await your suggestion as to further treatment. Thank you, Irene Dear Irene, What…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Healthy Snack

      By Reena Nerbas Cactus Fertilizer Dear Reena, Can you please send me an old remedy to fertilize a cactus? Betty Dear Betty, Cacti are hardy plants that require low nutrient care. ‘Homemade Cacti Fertilizer’ is as easy as combining 1 tbsp. Epsom salt and one gallon water. Misting plants with a spray bottle rather…

  • Making the Most of your Charitable Giving

      By Kim Inglis Canadians are a philanthropic bunch.  According to the 2015 BMO Charitable Giving Survey, 80 per cent of Canadians plan to make a charitable donation in the next 12 months, averaging an annual total of $694.  While the percentage of people planning to donate is down ten percentage points from last year,…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Pizza

    Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Pizza

      By Reena Nerbas Squirrels Under the Hood Dear Reena, I have squirrels in my carport that are eating the car’s wiring. Can you suggest a remedy (that’s safe for the squirrels)? The one suggestion I’ve gotten is to spray the motor with diluted hot sauce. Monica Dear Monica, Many people have spent thousands of dollars on…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: A Question of Mold

      By Reena Nerbas Mold in Guest House Dear Reena, I own an insulated, waterproof, free standing building and use it as a guest room. It has an electric fireplace and an air conditioner. We did not use it this year, and recently I noticed green mold on everything even metal items. Last fall I put a wicker table and…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Tending to Your Sore Nose

      By Reena Nerbas Body Odour in Clothing Dear Reena, I have an Under Armour athletic garment that has bad body odor smell in the armpits. I wash it after every use; however, I cannot get the foul smell out. Any suggestions? Chloe Dear Chloe, Soak Under Armour in 50/50 white vinegar and water for…

  • Strategies for the Tax Loss Season

      By Kim Inglis   It’s been a rocky year for investors but that doesn’t mean things need to get worse as we near tax loss selling season.  Some prudent planning done now can reap dividends later. Generally speaking, most retail investors conduct tax loss selling during the latter part of November and the first…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Drywall Dust

      By Reena Nerbas Cake Mistake Dear Reena, I made a chocolate rolled cake that cracked when I unrolled it to add the filling. Is there a way to prevent the cake from falling apart? Thanks, Danielle Dear Danielle, Here are a few tips: Avoid overbaking the cake. Roll the cake with parchment paper (or…

  • Solutions & Substitutions by Reena: Dusty and Musty Surfaces

      By Reena Nerbas Dusty Computer/TV Screens Dear Reena, I am wondering if you have a homemade solution static/dust cleaner for computers and TV screens. No matter how often we clean them, dust quickly reappears. Any suggestions? Thank you. Carol Dear Carol, The easiest solution for repelling dust on screens requires two steps. Step 1:…