"Commited to Plagarism"

No not me, although that would probably result in more frequent blog posting... Select, copy, paste... wait, maybe this guy is onto something??

Who am I talking about you ask? Well, Adamson Roofing Ltd. See, I have a 1 1/2 storey house, and while adorable and cottage-y looking it end up leaking every damn year due to ice dams (damn, dam - get it??). I've been considering replacing my roof with a metal roof for a few years now; it costs a couple hundred dollars to get the snow shovelled off and considering that I'm likely to need that a couple times a year, the long term extra costs of a metal roof could soon pay for themselves. So off to the internet I went, seeking helpful information about "Winnipeg metal roof" (or something along those lines).

Behold! I found this blog post from January of 2011 by local roofer Adamson Roofing Ltd., who is "Committed to Excellence" as per their website. Well written it seems to go right to the heart of my concerns, including the poor aesthetic that I feel metal roofing possesses.

"For the majority of people they associate metal roofing with the typical corrugated, straight-lined metal roofing seen on rural homes, barns and commercial buildings. Because of the industrial look of this material, many homeowners shy away from its use. Fortunately, now there are now several manufacturers that have created more textured and appealing types of metal roofing that possesses all of the benefits of metal roofing without the commercial appearance. Some of these metal roofing options mimic slate or cedar shingles and may be more attractive than many types of asphalt shingles. Various colours are also available, not just the typical galvanized or green styles we are familiar with on rural homes."

This guy is a genius! He totally gets me! Okay, add him to the short list. What else does Google have for me - if everyone is this on the ball I'm golden!

What's this?? An article as first seen in the Winnipeg Free Press back in 2009 - "Ask the Inspector" by Ari Marantz. Wait this looks familiar.... Actually, it seems to be EXACTLY THE SAME. Checks Adamson Roofing post for credit to the original author. Nope, can't find it anywhere. Amusingly his blog post does have over 200 comments, seemingly ALL from spambots. Good times. (Please excuse me if I don't keep up with deleting the spam that this post will generate, I've discovered the word roof has been a magnet for spam in the past).

So, call me crazy, but I no longer feel as though I can trust Adamson Roofing on the subject of metal roofing, I'm not sure they even truly know what it is since they couldn't even write about it themselves. Heck, I would have even accepted a "we couldn't put it any better ourselves" disclaimer and proper accreditation at the beginning of the post!

I'm still left looking for suggestions for a roofing contractor that specializes in metal roofing, more specifically one who specializes in "pretty" metal ones.

Call your councillor, but only if you like free money

Well, it appears the City is trying to take away a program that is designed to help homeowners in (predominantly) the poorer parts of town (based on property values).

As I wrote back in July 2012, the Home Renovation Tax Assistance program allows homeowners to get a credit of 15-25% of the value of the work completed on their home (up to $2250, split over 3 years) back on their property tax. Please see this post if you are unfamiliar with the HRTA program.

Although this program was not truly "free" money, because, hey, nothing is, it was a great incentive for folks to go about their major home renovations the right way by applying for all the proper permits. This of course in turn, means that the quality of work going into the housing stock should be a little higher, and more importantly, a little safer. I often summarize the program as being a very nice way to trick people into doing something (taking out permits) that they are generally supposed to do anyway.

I can attest from personal experience that property values are not automatically increased as a result of successfully going through this program; I had new energy efficient windows installed for a 25% property tax credit and my property value only went up the same percentage as that of my next door neighbour. Now, obviously, if you were finishing a basement or something like that under the program, you could expect that they would increase the assessed value of your home accordingly. Which is where this program was particularly awesome - people needing to do even boring renovations like re-shingling the roof, often at a cost of $5,000+ could at least appreciate a small amount back off their taxes ($750 in the example of a $5,000 roof - not too shabby!)

So, I find it interesting that a mere 2 1/2 years ago, demand for this program was apparently so high that they wanted to take funding from other much needed programs and now there "just isn't any interest in the program". That could be because in 2013 the HRTA program did not even end up announcing its funding and quietly disappeared off of the City website. So, what they're saying folks, is that no one took part in a program that didn't actually even exist. Weird. Part of the problem, that I touched on in my post in July of last year is that every year they were waiting longer and longer to announce the funding. With a construction season that often has major tie-ins to the weather, announcing a program in mid summer, when most people have already lined up their construction work for the year, you are not going to generate a lot of interest.

Winnipeggers are known for their cheapness frugality practicality, and I think that if this program was advertised anywhere besides my blog, you can bet that many more people would be taking the City up on it. With the Manitoba Hydro Home Insulation Program, there isn't a contractor in town who doesn't write the well publicized rebate available to the customer down on their estimate. Heck, years ago when there were also grants/rebates available from the Federal EcoEnergy program a person insulating their attic and installing a new furnace could have quite likely walked away with both those things costing almost nothing between the HRTA, MB Hyrdo and EcoEnergy money.

So what's the benefit to the City to keep this funding in place when we have crumbling roads, cost overruns on everything, police shortages blah blah blah? Well to the best of my knowledge* there isn't data available as to the exact dollar amounts of work completed under the program, or the combined value of the increases to property values, but I feel reasonably confident that with up $500,000 invested in the HRTA program they are getting all that money back and then some. Add in that as one person starts to do work, and then another and then another that the property values in the entire neighbourhood increase, which mean property taxes go up (and boy oh boy, under Sam "no property tax increase" Katz do our property taxes ever go up).

I obviously can't argue that the current, non-advertised, HRTA program creates incentive for people to do work, since supposedly no one is/was using it. However, keep in mind that if this program gets maxed out, then based on the 2012 program that is 2-3.3 MILLION DOLLARS (minimum) that went into the local economy. If the program doesn't get used, that money doesn't just disappear, the City gets it back; it can always go to the inevitable shortage in the snow clearing budget.

My realistic suggestion on how they City could be sure to see the full value of their investment into the HRTA program? Create a tiered approach to the program - instead of limiting the assessed value of the home to $218,000 (as per 2012 program) offer it to homes with higher values but perhaps offer smaller tax credits. It's not just people in poorer neighbourhoods that renovate without permits.

So, if you would like your chance at free money next time you renovate, call your City Councillor and tell them you would like to see the HRTA program reinstated.

*My knowledge on this is loosely defined as a quick google search, a frustrating word search on the City webpage and the realization that the information is likely out there but that I do not possess the ability to find it without losing this post to my draft folder, never to see the light of day.

Horrible blogger returns... with Pancakes!

That's right, I am a dreadful blogger as of late. I have a head full of posts however getting them here is my downfall. However, I would be remiss to not mention the annual Wild Blueberry Pancake Breakfast being held next week (Friday November 22, 2013) at the Indian and Metis Family Centre (soon to be renamed the Indigenous Family Centre I believe) on Robinson at Dufferin from 7-10am.

 

This is always a great event, and I enjoy the focus they always have placed on being environmentally responsible with a big focus on composting and recycling. I dare say it is one of the best events I attend annually (and maybe one day I'll win one of those great prizes!)

Here is a schedule of events:

And the performer bios:

Alexander McCowan:  Alexander McCowan is a singer/songwriter from Winnipeg, MB. Musically, Alexander borrows from numerous genres to achieve an over-all deep, laid back, country/folk groove which he has brought to audiences across Canada.  His current album “Present Times” was released in 2012 and is now available for purchase.
Dustin Harder: Dustin Harder is a singer/songwriter from Winnipeg, MB. Best known for his work with The Dusty Roads Band, Dustin has performed on several stages across Canada and built a following through grassroots promotion and hard work ethic. In 2009, Dustin released his album, “Searching for a River” that went on to sell over 1700 copies independently and was nominated for a 2009 Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award.
Al Simmons: Al is a man dedicated to the all but lost art of combining comedy with song, dance, magic, and sight-gags. The end result is a one-man multi-prop, music-filled, off the wall variety show which has elevated audiences world-wide to collective giggles and all-out guffaws.
The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers: The Norman Chief Memorial Dancers were founded in 2004 in memory of the late Norman Chief, a Metis musician, singer, and entertainer. The Norman Chief Dancers’ primary purpose is to promote and develop community spirit through traditional style Metis music and dance. The team dances at fundraising events in Aboriginal communities throughout Manitoba to further promote Metis culture and heritage.
The Treble: Since 2010, The Treble has carved out a reputation for crafting impressively bold and unique folk-infused pop music that has enough of the integral rock vibe to appeal to a phenomenal cross-section of music lovers. The band’s recently released second EP “Northern Lights” is now their main focus as they criss-cross the country, charming music lovers from coast to coast.

Hope to see you there!

It's been a while...

I have turned into a horrible blogger. I blame my lack of home computer/laptop. I have very good intentions of getting a new one however I am still struggling with the Mac/PC debate. Mac has way more votes from my friends/family however still on the PC side is the ~$1000 savings and the fact that I have never used a Mac and suck with technology (you will notice that my little blog is still blogspot and never really changes...)

Anywhoooo...

I was sent a very nice email by someone asking if I would plug their event and still high on the free swag from when IKEA thought that I was popular enough to invite to their media event, I thought I should do my blogger duty of promoting Winnipeg things, lest I never be on another invite list.

The Dance Downtown event also seems to be free and we all know I'm a touch cheap frugal. So this Sunday if you're looking for something to do, why not check it out?

Hoping to blog more soon,
Winnipeg Girl

ENOUGH!!!!!!

Okay, that's it, I'm outing the restaurant from my post the other day. Why, because since that post, I have received FOUR FIVE* (*edit) MORE EMAILS (with these subject lines):

(Time Sensitive) Did You SEE This Yet?‏

 I Need Your Help (email about different promotion)

 Broken Link fixed! Get Your BOGO card Now‏

 Only 2 Days Left....‏

Fude, I love your food (and your cocktails) but you send an absurd amount of emails. I'm guessing you don't end up having the response you anticipate for many of your promotions? Maybe you just need to try something new (the $49 vip card really just being a ramped up version of other promos you run).

******

You have to be kidding me. I wrote this post this morning but didn't publish it.

I literally JUST got another email from them!

This was the subject:

Are You as Frustrated as I am About....‏

Yes. Yes I am frustrated.

For the love of all things good in this world, please learn how to format your emails, send them out once and presume that people got them (this was the second email referencing how their links didn't work and they were really sorry, here try again). I think the links probably did work but they wanted an excuse to send out the email again, but I didn't click the links, so maybe this is legit, but how unprofessional - they are meant to be a finer dining restaurant and this just seems so Mickey Mouse.

How much is too much?

I am one of "those" people. I like Groupons and the like - what Winnipegger isn't out for a good deal? It does get me to try new places (helllllo Modern Taco! Yummy!) and saves me some dough at the same time. But how much promotion is too much?

One of my favourite restaurants here in the city (which shall remain nameless) first got me in the door years ago because of the amazing things I heard about their food. In fact I dare say, it became my favourite restaurant. Sadly though, it was out of my budget save but special splurges. Then a great thing happened! They had a promotion - one of those "sell us your soul (ok, provide email address) and we will send you special invites and deals sorts of things. Great! Now I can perhaps afford to go there a little more often I thought.

The problem has become that now, after years of "free" appetizer emails, countless BOGHO (seriously, HALF off, c'mon now) and signing up for their THIRD v.i.p. program (what ever happened to my "points" from the first two anyway? Why can't they ever find me in the computer?) it no longer seems all that special. Add to that that I swear their prices have crept up more than inflation to help cover all these "free" things.

I just got yet another email today encouraging me to buy their extra special v.i.p card for $49 - it would allow me all sorts of bonuses up to $1400 value it proclaimed! The problem is, to me, they have already devalued their product long ago and the idea of paying full price there seems about as ridiculous as buying a full price mattress at The Brick or Leon's - just wait a minute and they will be on "sale". Of course almost all of these deals come with some sort of fine print that at least in part limits how you can use them. This same restaurant also did various Groupon-y type things offering two appetizers for $15 - up to $32 value! (or something like that) of course, if you didn't pick the most expensive one and get two of them the value was much less; this isn't wrong of course, this sort of promotion happens a lot, it's just a little misleading.

With all these constant basically fake promotions I am now actually incredibly hesitant to even make plans to go there - they seem to me like an establishment on the verge of closing down and doing whatever they can to get people in the door, or in the case of buying this $49 card - trying to raise some $$.  I think perhaps what adds to my disappointment is that the promotional emails are often poorly formatted/designed and that I get cheezy "in case you missed out on the first email we sent" follow up emails. It's just turned into noise.

Am I wrong here? Is there no such thing as too much promotion? Are they really rewarding loyalty or just begging for people to come in?

I can't help it

Yup, I'm feeling a little under appreciated today, clearly the first time ever that a blogger has felt this way. Last Friday, I wrote a blog post about some of the things I've seen lately here in the North End. Part of what finally brought me out of my blogging drought was spotting signs around Burrows and Charles that had been put up by a local resident clearly trying to deter johns from looking for "dates" near his or her house. I knew this was a good North End piece of news to bring to my readership masses (it's my blog, I can define masses however I want!)
Apparently I had no idea how juicy this story really was.

Yesterday at least 4 local media outlets ran with their version of the story (CBC, CTV, Sun, Freep). Now, I know that reporters from all 4 of these outlets read my blog because over the years I have been writing I have been contacted by most of them and am also followed on twitter by their staff. To be fair, they did track down the creator of those signs and I did not - but y'know THEY'RE PAID TO ADD THAT KIND OF DEPTH TO A STORY. And besides other than adding his name they didn't really add much more than my post (*at first, they did seem to expand on their stories later in the day) - I on the other hand provided my readers with a first hand account of hugging a street worker and being approached by johns.

Now, I'm not a total idiot, I know they aren't going to mention in their story how they came to be writing about it, but an email or a DM on Twitter to say, "hey, we're going to look into what the deal is with those signs, thanks for the heads up" would have been nice. As a positive side note, since although my readership is international, it doesn't cast quite as wide of a net as those 4 big players so at least the topic is getting more attention.

As a thank you for providing the topic I ask of the traditional media (especially you CBC) to go back and read my posts about neighbourhood boundaries, since now I know for sure you read the blog.