Tackling Canada's skills shortage proves challenging

I had the pleasure of attending a Skills Manitoba event on April 10 and came away feeling good about the quality of young people being trained to lead the next generation of skilled labour in this province. However, after reading some . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

ASK THE NSPECTOR: Calming a noisy furnace

QUESTION: My question is regarding my loud furnace. We built a 1, 700-square-foot typical rectangular bungalow around 20 years ago. To me, the furnace has always been loud to the point that you have to turn up the volume on . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

RENOVATIONS: Orient expression

Gimli business specializes in Far East flair

A trip to the Far East by a mother to visit her daughter blossomed into a family business that will unveil unique handmade products from Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries to Manitoba beginning in May. Designers and members of the . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

CONNIE OLIVER: How to not go insane choosing paint colour

When it comes to decorating, painting is an easier task than choosing a colour. That's the finding of a survey of Canadians' painting habits conducted by CIL paint. Forty-four per cent of respondents pointed to colour selection as the biggest challenge . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

SOLUTIONS: Vinegar will get rid of gunk from kettle

QUESTION: The water-level indicator in my electric kettle is edged with brown gunk. What is it and how do I get rid of it? Lorie (Winnipeg) ANSWER: Depending on your water source it may be minerals, rust or calcium. All . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

MIKE HOLMES: Home inspections benefit buyers and sellers

Springtime is home buying (and selling) season. By now most people know why you need a home inspection before you buy a house. If you don't, let me give you a reminder: You can end up buying a can of . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

Cooking up a unique style for your kitchen

Of all the rooms in a home, the kitchen reigns as the most used space. And as such, updating the kitchen is one of the big priorities when thoughts of renovating come to mind. There is no shortage of information . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

Sold & offered: Apr. 19-14

SOLD Sun Valley Park Address: 175 Alberhill Cr. Asking Price: $319, 900 Sold Price: $314, 900 Taxes: $4, 374.39 Square Footage: 1, 456 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Lot Size: 45 x 102 Listing & Selling Agent: Apee Panchhi, Re/max Executives Realty, 204-771-5500 Fort Rouge Address: 515 Kylemore Ave. Asking Price: $224, 900 Sold Price: . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

Design gamble

Home offers a unique segmented lower level

When builders go outside convention with an aspect of a home's design, it's a calculated risk. In the case of the Hutchinson, a 2, 017-square-foot bungalow found at 167 Lake Bend Rd. in Bridgwater Lakes, the design gamble -- a segmented . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19

Cavernous condo

Well-suited for everything downsizers need and want

Empty-nesters looking to downsize to a condominium usually have three priorities. First, their new abode needs to offer decent square footage. If you're moving into an apartment-style condominium from a 2, 000-square-foot (or larger) home, an 850-square-foot unit just won't suffice. . . .

Posted: 2014-04-19