This easy-to-make bruschetta highlights the fresh flavors of tomatoes and basil. It's perfect for a quick appetizer or snack!

Ingredients:

4 ripe tomatoes, diced

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper to taste

1 baguette, sliced

Extra-virgin olive oil for drizzling

Prepare The Tomato Mixture:

In a bowl, combine diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and let sit for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Toast The Baguette:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place the baguette slices on a baking sheet and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Toast in the oven for 5-7 minutes until golden and crisp.

Assemble The Bruschetta:

Spoon the tomato mixture onto the toasted baguette slices. Drizzle a little more olive oil on top if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors!

This bruschetta is a simple and delicious way to savor the fresh flavors of ripe tomatoes, fragrant basil and rich olive oil, with minimal effort, making it a perfect choice for any occasion.

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Here is a way to make yourself stronger, improve your heart health, boost your mood and thinking power, and provide adventure: e-bikes.

That's right, electric bikes, or e-bikes, are pedal bikes fitted with a motor. Adult trikes also can be fitted with a motor. According to a 2019 study from the U.K., e-bikes might provide older adults with more physical and mental benefits than conventional bikes. A group of 100 older adults, ages 50 to 83, participated in the study. Half of the group rode conventional bikes; the other half rode e-bikes. Each participant rode at least three times a week for 30 minutes. The e-bike riders showed similar or greater benefits than the pedal cyclists.

Researchers concluded that the benefits come from physical activity and from engagement with the outdoor environment, such as by riding longer and going more places.

According to National Geographic, most riders use a low pedal assist power setting. Riders are pedaling, but not quite as hard––which helps them cash in on a host of benefits. Studies also show that e-riders have reduced stress, sleep better and are generally happier.

E-bike clubs provide companionship on bike paths and trails. E-bikes are available with a wide range of configurations and price points. You can buy an e- trike, such as the Liberty Trike, for about $2,000.

This small and foldable adult trike holds riders up to 300 pounds and can be used in some public places as a mobility device.

Other bikes and trikes retail from $2,000 to as much as $13,000, although lighter bikes are the more-expensive ones.

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Vancouver, BC – September, 2024. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that 5,943 residential unit sales were recorded in Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) systems in August 2024, a 10 per cent decrease from August 2023. The average MLS® residential price in BC in August 2024 was down 1.7 per cent at $938,500 compared to an average price of $955,063 in August 2023.

The total sales dollar volume was $5.6 billion, an 11.5 per cent decline from the same time the previous year. BC MLS® unit sales were 22 per cent lower than the ten-year average for August. “After some encouraging signs of recovery in early summer, sales slowed again in August,” said BCREA Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. “However, with the Bank of Canada lowering rates for a third consecutive time and with fixed mortgage rates falling, we expect market activity to pick up in the fall.”
 
Year-to-date, BC residential sales dollar volume is down 3.3 per cent to $50.8 billion, compared with the same period in 2023. Residential unit sales are down by 4.6 per cent year-over-year at 51,505 units, while the average MLS® residential price is up 1.4 per cent to $985,609.


For more information, please contact: Gino Pezzani.

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The Best Map

Here is a quick story about how to take your next step in a complex world.

In a bustling town lived Ella the mapmaker. She was known for creating the most-intricate and -detailed maps anyone had ever seen. People came from far and wide to commission her work, believing that the more complex the map, the better their journey would be. One day, Sam, a young traveler, arrived at Ella’s shop.

“I need a map to the Whispering Falls,” he said. “It’s for my first solo adventure.”

Ella began crafting an elaborate map, filling it with countless paths, landmarks and warnings. As she worked, she noticed Sam’s anxiety growing. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

“It’s just … it looks so complicated,” Sam said. “I’m not sure I can follow all this.”

Ella paused, remembering her own first journey. On impulse, she set aside the complex map and took out a fresh sheet. With a few simple strokes, she drew a clear path to the falls. “Here,” she said, “this is all you need to start. Just take the first step, then the next. The path will reveal itself.”

Sam’s relief was apparent. He took the simplified map and set out with newfound confidence.

Weeks later, Sam returned, his eyes shining with adventure. “Your map was perfect,” he said. “I discovered so much more than just the falls. I learned to trust myself and enjoy the journey.”

From that day on, Ella changed her approach. She realized that, sometimes, the best map is the one that simply shows you where to take your first step.

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A blind man sold flowers on a busy street; his vibrant stand contrasting with the gray city. Each day, people hurried past, barely taking notice of him or his blooms.

One afternoon, a young girl, enchanted by the scent and the blind man’s serene demeanor, stopped at his stand. “Why do you sell flowers you can’t see?” she asked.

He smiled and said, “I sell them not for their beauty, but for the joy they bring to others. In their fragrance, I find a vision of a world kinder and more patient. My blindness teaches me to feel beauty in ways others might miss.”

When she walked away, the bustling city around her seemed to slow, and the cacophony of traffic and chatter faded into a harmonious background hum.

Each step she took was lighter, as though the flowers had transferred some ethereal grace to her being.

The flowers seemed to whisper, revealing a hidden truth: Real beauty isn’t in what we see, but in how we choose to experience the world around us.

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Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is crucial for ensuring safety and minimizing damage during a fire emergency. To start a fire extinguisher quickly and use it properly, remember PASS:

P: Pull the pin to discharge material.

A: Aim low. Point to spray at the bottom of the blaze first.

S: Squeeze the lever above the handle to operate, and release it to stop the spray.

S: Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the flames are out.

Always ensure the fire extinguisher is fully charged and easily accessible. Regularly check expiration dates and service the extinguisher as needed.

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September 2  - Labor Day. This day celebrates the contributions of American workers and the labor movement.

September 8 - National Grandparents Day. Established in 1978, this day acknowledges the wisdom, support and love that grandparents provide to their grandchildren, and encourages family members to spend quality time together.

September 11- Patriot Day.  A day of remembrance honoring the victims and heroes of the events that occurred on September 11, 2001.

September 28 - National Good Neighbor Day. This day promotes community spirit and encourages people to be good neighbors by reaching out and connecting with those living around them.

September 30 - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

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Because most sports rely heavily on physical capabilities, you might not assume that sports could also drive innovation. In practice, however, athletes who are scientists and inventors off the field have made numerous important contributions to sports and to society.

Engineers and sports enthusiasts aren't the only ones who have been cooking up new technologies. A farmer in southern Illinois, Arthur Ehrat, invented the breakaway basketball rim to stop players from destroying backboards when they dunked the ball. The original rim relied on springs from a John Deere tractor.

Another legendary performance booster: Gatorade. Physician Robert Cade noticed that players on the University of Florida Gators football team consistently performed worse during the second half of each game. Dr. Cade theorized — and later proved — that dehydration, not just fatigue, was the problem. Gatorade, named for the legendary team, was invented to replenish salt and sugar levels and quickly rehydrate the thirsty players.

The crossover of diverse expertise from various fields into sports not only enhances athletic performance, but it also fosters significant innovations that benefit broader societal needs.

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In our digital age, taking breaks from screens is essential for maintaining mental and emotional well-being. Tech-free weekends offer a chance to disconnect from digital noise and reconnect with yourself, loved ones and nature. Here are some engaging activities to inspire your next screen-free weekend.

  • Start by immersing yourself in nature with a hike or walk in a nearby park. A study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology states that spending time in natural environments can significantly reduce stress and improve mood.

  • Gather family or friends for a fun game night with board games and puzzles. Research from the NCBI highlights that playing board games can enhance memory and thought processes. It’s a great way to bond without the distraction of screens.

  • Tap into your creative side with arts and crafts projects. A study in the American Journal of Public Health suggests that creative arts can improve mental health by reducing anxiety and enhancing emotional expression.

  • Pack a picnic and head to a local park. Enjoy the simplicity of eating outdoors, playing lawn games and soaking up the sunshine.

Unplugging for a weekend can be refreshing and beneficial for your overall health. Engage in these tech-free activities to create meaningful, offline experiences.

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September brings a sense of new beginnings. The air cools, leaves hint at autumn and it's back-to-school time. For some people, this season means sending a little one to kindergarten — the tiny backpacks, new crayons and tearful parents at the classroom door. Others face sending a teen to middle or high school,l and balancing newfound independence with parental guidance.

Then there's sending a child to college, perhaps far away. Pride, worry, excitement and sadness mix as parents help settle their child into a dorm room and reflect on the 18 years that brought them to this point. Back-to-school season is a time to celebrate achievements and anticipate what's ahead. Whether you're a parent, student or nostalgic for those days, this season is special.

Appreciate teachers, administrators and everybody who dedicates themselves to education — they shape the future, one student at a time. Whether you’re packing lunches, helping with homework or cheering from afar, embrace this wonderful time.

Sincerely,

Gino Pezzani

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