What a great response to the Buffalo Sabre tickets I’m giving away this upcoming Friday. I have read some truly amazing stories. Some of them are so good that I have posted what I think are the top stories on my Blog. I will add a comment on the Blog announcing the winner before Noon on Thursday. Thanks to everyone who shared their stories.

Here are some of the best, in no particular order…

Hey Tim

My son is a huge hockey fan (plays goal) and a great kid, he’s in his first year of University working his butt off to keep the marks up and his parents off his back, he’s got Friday night open and it would be a great surprise to say we got two tickets to the game tonight! Keep us in mind and take care.

John

Tim,

It is not how much I would like to go to see a Sabres game, but I would REALLY like to win these for a gift. My Aunt is turning 50 later this month, and is a HUGE Buffalo Sabres fan. She lives in Port Colborne with her husband & three boys and can’t really afford tickets to go see any games (NHL games can be quite expensive). I would really love to see the look on her face if I were to give her two tickets to see her favourite team.

Thanks, Drew

T.

If there is 1 person who deserves these tickets over anyone else it is me. For 41 years I have been a Toronto Maple Leaf fan. If you didn’t know, the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup was 43 years ago - 1967 to be exact.

Since I started watching hockey on Saturday nights in the mid 1970’s, there haven’t been many things to cheer about. From the Darryl Sittler ripping off the captains C to the Harold Ballard 1980’s era. How about the Gretzky high stick on Doug Gilmour in the conference finals of 1994. Not to mention the fact that the team hasn’t made the playoffs since the lockout season of 2004.

To top it all off, they traded away their 1st pick in the draft the next 2 years to the Bruins and there’s a good chance they’ll finish last in the standings.

I challenge you to find a more deserving person to see a real NHL hockey game then me.

Thought you’d get a kick out of this story. I would not be able to use the tickets anyway.

Tom

Hi Tim:

Yes, would love to go to game with Ryan, our son.

Loves hockey, has passport.

Director of company I work for son (Cal Clutterbuck) plays for Minnesota and it would be wonderful opportunity to see him play.

Ryan has an autographed photo, which he received recently, and would be more than ecstatic to find out he was able to go and watch him play.

Ryan currently plays hockey for CYO Special Needs Hockey Team and would never miss a game. At his nephew’s games (3 of them) he loves to keep stats on what is going on and always, always walks around the area with clipboard in hand.

Yours in anticipation!!

Best regards,
Carol

timmy salisbury…….i submit…

for her birthday i was late.
on the couch, my bedtime fate.
with my wife, i need a date.
a sabres game to celebrate?
dinner, then to see them skate.
hope they win 10 to 8.
should i need more real estate,
I’d call on timmy - boy he’s great.

cheers my man….
john

Hi Tim

As a child I was always a Minnesota North Stars fan.

I was truly saddened when they gave up their NHL franchise.

Once restored—Minnesota Wild—I again had a team in the Western Conference to cheer for.

Today the coolest looking Jersey belongs to “The Wild.”

The Wild plays textbook hockey with very few mistakes down ice.

This Minnesota team has two Niagara natives—John Scott (St. Catharines) and Cal Clutterbuck (Welland).

GO WILD GO!!!!!

Thanks Tim for reading why I would look forward to such a game.

Tom

Hey Tim,

Would love to go to the game. Haven’t been to one in like 4 years. Justin keeps asking me if I would take him to his first hockey game and I haven’t had the time or extra money to be able to. This could be a great opportunity to do that. Thanks either way. Take care.

Marc

Hi Timothy,

I guess explaining that I am big hockey fan is hardly original, right?! I am in Canada, after all.

Instead, let me take time out of my work day to tell you my (self-serving) story…

I lived in St. Stephen, NB for most of my life and never had an opportunity to see live professional hockey until years later when, as an adult, I moved to Maine. I used to make the 7-hour trip down Hartford each year to watch Whaler games and cheer on Sean Burke and the Whalers as they got clobbered most times.

As the years passed, I moved to pursue professional opportunity in a more urban spot — I was looking for a place with reasonable unemployment rates, blue skies and a NHL hockey team. It came down to Colorado and Arizona. I moved to Phoenix in 1997 and watched many Coyotes games while enjoying the clear starry nights and beautiful sunny days.

After 9/11 and 17 years in the USA, I determined it was time to return to my native land and made my way to Vancouver (again, milder weather and… you guessed it, a NHL hockey team!). My wife (originally from Arizona) and I spent 7 years in BC, but both of us were longing for a place we could make our long term home — a place with reasonably priced real estate, a smaller city close to major urban centers (and NHL hockey!), mild winters, beautiful natural surroundings, and warm, helpful people. We spent 18 months researching ALL OVER the US and Canada for the right fit for us — a place we could call home! In our research, we discovered the Niagara wine region and St. Catharines, a city with a rich history, in the process of reinventing itself, with a vibrant new interactive media community that we could play a leadership role in!

When we researched the real estate opportunities, one guy with long flowing hair kept standing out — his website and newsletters painted the kind of place we were looking for. Right, it was you, Timothy!

When we emailed your office, one of your colleagues (Sally Dollar), got back to us right away and spent time helping to validate the move to St. Catharines, reassuring us through our concerns and making us feel that this would be the right decision for us to move our household and business to the region. Of course, you followed up with us to make sure all of our questions were answered.

Last October, we moved here and have been renting as we get to know the neighbourhoods — establishing our business and embracing everything the region has to offer. We are thrilled you helped us find our long term home — and all of our expectations have been exceeded! I even bet your office has had something to do with this beautiful mild winter we got in our first year here!

Of course, moving here means we weren’t in Vancouver for the Olympic festivities and I can’t see any Canucks games this year (and I was sad when I discovered they didn’t play in Buffalo this season). So now don’t you feel responsible for this? Wouldn’t it make you feel a bit better to give those 2 tickets to 2 huge hockey fans who don’t really even have any friends here yet (in the city that you convinced us to call our home)?

This email, is the truth, but meant in fun — both Katie and I appreciate all the help you have given us directly and through all the resources you have created in your website! Thanks, Timothy (and I am sure we will be talking about homes as we get closer to our lease ending — even if we don’t get those Sabres tickets)!

Sincerely,
Dan & Katie

I would love to be able to take my son to a Sabre’s game. He started playing hockey when he was 5 and has enjoyed it ever since but he has yet to see a professional team play.

So in the words of a 12-year-old boy…please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, can we have some tickets?

Thanks
Jim & Andrew

Hi Tim,

Terry and would love the chance to get away and see the Buffalo game Friday night… As you may or may not know, our boys are now 12 and 10-yrs-old and both play travel hockey….this means we are at the ARENA for them typically 6 or 7 days a week….all winter long!!!! There seasons are starting to wind down and we actually have NOTHING this Friday……it would be great to have date night…….(and the boys would be SO envious of mom going to the game…)

Hope to be considered for this…

Thanks
Lynne

Great contest!

I would sincerely love Buffalo Sabre tickets. I’ve only ever gone to 2 NHL hockey games…one in Montreal back in 1998, and an exhibition game here in St. Catharines about 5 or 6 years ago. I love sports playing hockey and baseball throughout my childhood for 10 years, and most recently golf, tennis, and jiu jitsu, so sports is in my blood! This prize would be especially nice because it’ll be a great treat for my “little.” I’m in Big Brothers and my “little” Ray has never gone to a hockey game and he’d be absolutely 100% totally amazed by the skill of the game and its players. I tried organizing a free ball hockey league in his government subsidized housing by passing over 200 flyers with Ray however there were only 2 responses back. I feel bad that I couldn’t create a hockey league however hopefully if I’m chosen this might be my redemption. Ray comes from a single parent low income situation with little to no sports involvement, and this would help immensely.

We both have passports!

Please pick us!

John and Ray

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Daylight Saving Time is four weeks longer since 2007 due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005. The Act extended Daylight Saving Time by four weeks from the second Sunday of March to the first Sunday of November, with the hope that it would save 10,000 barrels of oil each day through reduced use of power by businesses during daylight hours. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly difficult to determine energy savings from Daylight Saving Time and based on a variety of factors, it is possible that little or no energy is saved by Daylight Saving Time.

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Emile Montreuil

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Mike and Cheryl Shelvock

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Sara Holmes and Ian Barrett

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This St. Catharines home is priced at $159,900.00!

First Time Buyers or Investors take note!! Welcome to 196A Rykert Street in west St. Catharines. This bi-level semi offers an eat-in kitchen, 3 bedrooms upstairs, 2 bedrooms downstairs, 2 full bathrooms, and a finished above grade windowed basement with a walk out to the side yard. The yard is fully fenced with a lot depth of 293 feet which backs onto a green space. It’s very private. It is close to schools, Fourth Avenue shopping, transit to Brock University and the upcoming hospital location. Appliances are included. There is tons of potential here - make it a family home or a rental investment! Property Taxes for 2009 were $2,492.00. The net income for this property is $15,347.37, based on the numbers given to us in February 2010 by the seller for the year 2009.

Please call The Salisbury Team today should you have any other questions!

For further information on this home, you can go here or please contact Timothy 800-467-8498 or email him.

For this and other homes, please go to the listings page of St. Catharines Real Estate or the blog listings section.

For St. Catharines attractions, you can visit:

Tour St. Catharines
St. Catharines on WorldWeb
St. Catharines Website

Tags: 196A-Rykert-Street, St-Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

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This St. Catharines home is priced at $269,900.00!

This north-end Bi-level home has 3 total bedrooms [one up and 2 down] and is located on a quiet circle in the heart of St. Catharines. The updated kitchen is gorgeous with its granite countertops and built-ins. Hardwood floors have been refinished upstairs. The master bedroom has an over-sized closet and an ensuite bath that is a dream retreat. The bath measures 16′ 9 x 8′ 10 and has a beautiful ceramic jacuzzi tub and separate shower. The recently completed recreation room has built-in shelving, wine storage and a 2 sided gas fireplace with quartz surround, 2 good sized bedrooms, an updated 3 piece bath and a walkout to the backyard finish off this basement. The fully fenced backyard has a private patio and a gas line for BBQ. Property taxes for 2009 are $3204.40.  Extensive landscaping, an attached single garage, a newer double concrete drive and walkway finish off the exterior of this home. Nothing to do but move in and enjoy!

Please call The Salisbury Team today should you have any other questions!

For further information on this home, you can go here or please contact Timothy 800-467-8498 or email him.

For this and other homes, please go to the listings page of St. Catharines Real Estate or the blog listings section.

For St. Catharines attractions, you can visit:

Tour St. Catharines
St. Catharines on WorldWeb
St. Catharines Website

Tags: 12-Prince-Robert-Court, St-Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

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This St. Catharines home is priced at $134,900.00!

This West St. Catharines bungalow has 3 bedrooms, an updated 4 piece bathroom! The kitchen with ceramic floors and oak cabinets includes the fridge, stove and dishwasher. The main floor laundry includes a stacking washer and dryer. This home features eco friendly updates with a high efficiency furnace 2009, a crawl space insulated to R-50, roof replaced 5-6 years old and updated vinyl windows in 2009. The rental hot water tank was updated December. 2009.  The partially fenced backyard has a patio for relaxing, and there is a detached single garage with 220 AMP hydro for the hobbyist! Property taxes for 2009 are $1369.85.  Quick possession is possible. Nothing to do here but move in and enjoy the energy saving possibilities!

Please call The Salisbury Team today should you have any other questions!

For further information on this home, you can go here or please contact Timothy 800-467-8498 or email him.

For this and other homes, please go to the listings page of St. Catharines Real Estate or the blog listings section.

For St. Catharines attractions, you can visit:

Tour St. Catharines
St. Catharines on WorldWeb
St. Catharines Website

Tags: 14-Antwerp-Street, Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

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Very important changes in relation to getting a mortgage.

As always, any questions don’t hesitate to call or e-mail me personally or leave your comments on my Blog and discuss with others.

T.
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced a number of measured steps to support the long-term stability of Canada’s housing market and continue to encourage home ownership for Canadians.

“Canada’s housing market is healthy, stable and supported by our country’s solid economic fundamentals,” said Minister Flaherty. “However, a key lesson of the global financial crisis is that early policy action can help prevent negative trends from developing.”

The Government will therefore adjust the rules for government-backed insured mortgages as follows:

• Require that all borrowers meet the standards for a five-year fixed rate mortgage even if they choose a mortgage with a lower interest rate and shorter term. This initiative will help Canadians prepare for higher interest rates in the future.
• Lower the maximum amount Canadians can withdraw in refinancing their mortgages to 90 per cent from 95 per cent of the value of their homes. This will help ensure home ownership is a more effective way to save.
• Require a minimum down payment of 20 per cent for government-backed mortgage insurance on non-owner-occupied properties purchased for speculation.

“There’s no clear evidence of a housing bubble, but we’re taking proactive, prudent and cautious steps today to help prevent one. Our Government is acting to help prevent Canadian households from getting overextended, and acting to help prevent some lenders from facilitating it,” said Minister Flaherty. “If some lenders aren’t willing to act themselves, we will act. These measures demonstrate the Government is committed to taking action when necessary to support the long-term stability of a sector that is so vital to our economy and the financial well-being of Canadian families.”

These adjustments to the mortgage insurance guarantee framework are intended to come into force on April 19, 2010.

Tags: St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury, Niagara, Canada, Mortgage-Rates, Paul-Croteau, Mortgage-Specialist, Bank-of-Montreal

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Please use our online complimentary St. Catharines Ontario real estate search to find similar available listings.

This St. Catharines condo is priced at $174,900.00!

This sought-after, northend location is a 2 storey, 3 bedroom executive condo! Nothing to do but turn the key! Large living space of 1260 square feet. Kitchen includes appliances, updated ceramic backsplash, living room with private doors to private fenced back patio/yard backing onto private homes. There are 1 ½ bathrooms, both updated with ceramic floors and cabinetry. The large, bright finished recreation room measures 21’6 X 13’10 and is freshly painted in neutral tones with modern décor.   Updates include roof 2007, furnace 2008, flooring 2008, paint and fixtures. Central air. Property taxes in 2009 were $2234.59. Condo fees of $230.00 include building insurance, common elements, cable TV, parking and water. Parking includes one space in front of unit and additional parking is available at a monthly cost.

Please call The Salisbury Team today should you have any other questions!

For further information on this home, you can go here or please contact Timothy 800-467-8498 or email him.

For this and other homes, please go to the listings page of St. Catharines Real Estate or the blog listings section.

For St. Catharines attractions, you can visit:

Tour St. Catharines
St. Catharines on WorldWeb
St. Catharines Website

Tags: 91-77-Linwell-Road, Catharines-Listings, St.-Catharines-Homes, City-of-St.-Catharines, St.-Catharines-Attractions, St.-Catharines-Real-Estate, Tour-St.-Catharines, Timothy-Salisbury

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