Continue reading »]]> Sam’s Blog

It’s the last day at Bamfield and we’re all pretty pooped – but there’s still plenty of interesting things happening. After breakfast we went down to the lab to conduct our own experiments, based on some of the aspects of marine life and our hypotheses on them. My group looked at the reaction time of scallops to their main predator – the Sunflower Sea Star. They looked like dentures flying away in the water as they recoiled from their enemy. It was really funny. A lot of groups looked at things like temperature changes and how different sea stars react to their enemies.

After that it was finally time to look at the plankton we had caught the other day. After looking at them underneath a microscope though I don’t think I’ll ever be able to open my mouth in the ocean again! Underneath there you could see all sorts of weird looking creatures, a lot of them looking like little shapes connected together and floating around. They were the zooplankton and phytoplankton we had caught.  After recovering from the shock of what they looked like we categorized what we saw under the microscope and wrote in on the boards. It turned out a lot of those weird looking things were actually the offspring of larger things like anemones and octopi.

Once we were done in the lab and had lunch it was time to get back on the bus to go home. Thinking back on our trip to Bamfield, it was a very busy time, more so than I would have thought it would be. We learned a lot of interesting things though and I think that I want to continue learning about marine biology. Overall, I had an amazing time and I think the rest of the class did too.

Wishes and fishes!

-Sam

Sam is a grade 11 student at City School at King George Secondary in Vancouver’s West End. She and three of her school mates were able to take part in an exciting adventure to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on the west coast of Vancouver Island, due to the support of the Hollyburn Helps fund. This is her fourth and final blog entry from her trip and Hollyburn Properties would like to thank her and her teacher, Jay Hildebrand for giving us the opportunity to help and giving us insight into their experiences this week.

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Today was amazing! Action packed and very busy. After breakfast we all met at the docks where we were split into groups and loaded onto two boats that took us to look at marine wildlife. My group started at the lake near the head of the island, which is actually where bodies of fresh and salt water mix. We took temperatures of the water and measured the salinity to see how it changes along the length of the lake. We also took some samples of plankton – we’ll be using them in the lab tomorrow!

From there we went on a fun cruise on the outside of the island to look at some sea lions. They were adorable and some of the class decided they looked like sea sausages as they flopped around on the rocks. They appeared fairly tame but they made a lot of noise when we called out to them!

That was only the first half of the day: after lunch we took a walk on the beach of north Bamfield. There were sea creatures in little tide pools everywhere and since it was nearly low tide we actually got to see all of them in their natural habitat. We also got to look at the “blow hole” of the island, which is the point where the ocean waves hit a cliff and comes shooting up like a whale’s blow hole. It was a really rocky journey to get there but looking down into the area that all the water was funneled into and spewed up was really fun.

Overall I think my legs got a really good workout today with all the walking – it was worth it though! It’ll be really interesting to see what we find in the plankton samples.

-          Sam

Sam is a grade 11 student at City School at King George Secondary in Vancouver’s West End. She and three of her schoolmates are able to take part in an exciting adventure to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on the west coast of Vancouver Island due to the support of the Hollyburn Helps fund. This is her third blog entry from the trip.

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Hi – my name is Samantha and I just arrived in Bamfield! Today was very, very busy. It was about a five hour trip to this town on the west coast of Vancouver Island – first we took a ferry to the Island and then we were on a really bumpy ride on a small bus. It was very interesting though, watching the scenery. The Research Centre is situated at the end of a logging road at the end of a peninsula of the Island so I got to see a lot!

Once we arrived we toured the facilities – it’s huge! – and got to look at some cute sea critters and classify their phylums etc., then it was dinner time, which included chocolate covered strawberries. We watched a documentary on where we are and the type of biome we’re in. Then we separated into groups for tomorrow’s sea expedition. It’s going to be really exciting!

-          Sam

Sam is a grade 11 student in City School at King George Secondary in Vancouver’s West End. She is able to take part in an exciting adventure to Vancouver Island due to the support of the Hollyburn Helps fund and will be blogging through-out the three day trip.

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Every second spring, a group of students from Vancouver pile into a bus for a chance of a lifetime trip to the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Their destination – the Bamfield Marine Research Station, where marine biologists study nature and pass on their knowledge to other scientists, graduate students and in this case, high school students, some of whom have never been to such a remote part of BC.

The teens are grade eleven and twelve students at City School at King George Secondary, in Vancouver’s West End. City School is an alternative enrichment program that attracts students from all over the city and although the trip is subsidized, there is still a fairly hefty cost for each student. Usually, not everyone who wants to go can afford it.

Except this year. Hollyburn Properties has stepped up and is helping four City School youths go along through its “Hollyburn Helps” fund. Already assisting students with bus passes, school supplies and in attending events, the Hollyburn Helps fund is enabling the four to go who otherwise would be left behind. A total of 17 students are leaving for Bamfield Monday morning and no one was turned away.

“Bamfield is a wonderful educational experience,” says City School head teacher Jay Hildebrand. “It is hands on learning at a world class facility. Students get to go out to sea, dredge the ocean bottom, go on guided beach walks, explore tidal pools, perform lab work and see, hear and touch all kinds of marine life. It’s an experience they will never forget.”

“We would like to thank Hollyburn Properties for its generous support of City School,” says Hildebrand.

Continue reading »]]> Sam’s Blog

Hi – my name is Samantha and I’m off to Bamfield today! I’m in grade 11 and I’m hoping to learn more about eco-diversity and more on marine life. I’m looking forward to seeing what a Marine Biology Centre is actually like.

I’ve been packing sweaters, sweaters and more sweaters. I hear it’s going to be sunny though so hopefully I won’t need all of them? I’m stoked and have gotten everything packed so I’m ready to travel. Here’s to hoping it’ll be a good trip.

Wish me luck!

-Sam

Sam is able to set off on her exciting adventure to Vancouver Island due to the support of the Hollyburn Helps fund and will be blogging through-out the three day trip.

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Every second spring, a group of students from Vancouver pile into a bus for a chance of a lifetime trip to the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. Their destination – the Bamfield Marine Research Station, where marine biologists study nature and pass on their knowledge to other scientists, graduate students and in this case, high school students, some of whom have never been to such a remote part of BC.

The teens are grade eleven and twelve students at City School at King George Secondary, in Vancouver’s West End. City School is an alternative enrichment program that attracts students from all over the city and although the trip is subsidized, there is still a fairly hefty cost for each student. Usually, not everyone who wants to go can afford it.

Except this year. Hollyburn Properties has stepped up and is helping four City School youths go along through its “Hollyburn Helps” fund. Already assisting students with bus passes, school supplies and in attending events, the Hollyburn Helps fund is enabling the four to go who otherwise would be left behind. A total of 17 students are leaving for Bamfield Monday morning and no one was turned away.

“Bamfield is a wonderful educational experience,” says City School head teacher Jay Hildebrand. “It is hands on learning at a world class facility. Students get to go out to sea, dredge the ocean bottom, go on guided beach walks, explore tidal pools, perform lab work and see, hear and touch all kinds of marine life. It’s an experience they will never forget.”

“We would like to thank Hollyburn Properties for its generous support of City School,” says Hildebrand.

Watch this space for photos and firsthand accounts from the students in Bamfield over the next few days.

Continue reading »]]> Canada’s largest door to door food bank drive just keeps getting bigger. With Hollyburn Properties and its growing portfolio of buildings in Toronto adding to the total, over 135,000 pounds of food were collected in that city on a single evening in late April. All told in Ontario, an incredible 400,000 pounds were donated by generous residents living in apartment buildings across the province. Some residents chose to donate cash as well, which was gratefully accepted.

“Year after year, the Toronto Apartment Association proves how committed they are to helping fight hunger,” said Gail Nyberg, Executive Director of the Daily Food Bank Food Drive. “I am always impressed by the generosity of the people who donate.”

Across Ontario, over 240 property management companies are involved in the event, which reaches over 160,000 apartments.

“Hollyburn Properties encourages our staff and residents to get involved in their local communities,” said Hollyburn’s Director of Communication Peter Louwe. “Now, with our growing presence in Toronto, we’re thankful that we have the opportunity to help out in that city and the donations will really assist the region’s food banks in helping their growing numbers of clients,” he said.

Along with its 13 Toronto rental apartment buildings, Hollyburn Properties owns and operates 47 properties in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver’s Westside and the West End. Food and shelter are the focus of much of the company’s charitable works. Its partnership with Covenant House sees Hollyburn provide free housing for three street youth as part of its Hollyburn Bursary Program. The company also has created vegetable gardens at some of its Vancouver buildings with produce going to the Vancouver Food Bank and RainCity Housing’s Downtown Eastside Community Kitchens. It also partners with Raincity and its Healthy Living Program to provide funding to projects that teach life skills by growing food for those in need.

“Hollyburn Properties is grateful for the opportunity to help others in the communities in which we live and work,” said Louwe.

Continue reading »]]> Just a half block from the bustle of the retail shops and restaurants of Davie Street, The Marquis is an oasis in the urban lifestyle found in the West End of Vancouver. Within walking distance of the city’s central business district, residents at 1355 Pendrell Street can also easily enjoy the area’s lazy side streets or bask in the sights and sounds of English Bay beaches or Stanley Park.

At The Marquis, a state of the art fitness centre inspires residents to stay active without paying for a gym membership. Studio, one bedroom and luxury two bedroom apartments for rent offer spectacular views of the ocean, mountains and downtown Vancouver, while 24-hour laundry, gated underground parking, free wi-fi in common areas and professional on-site resident managers make living at The Marquis easy and comfortable.

Vancouver’s West End is an exciting, vibrant place to live. With a multitude of transportation options easily accessed, from cycling to city buses, everything the city has to offer is just around the corner.

Click here for more on The Marquis and Hollyburn Properties Limited.

Continue reading »]]> Hollyburn Properties Limited has added four new exciting rental apartment properties in Toronto, all in that city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

That brings to 13 the total number of buildings the company owns and manages in Toronto and adds another 291 apartment units to the Hollyburn portfolio.

The Vancouver, B.C. based company has been branching out in recent months as the deals come on the heels of the recent purchase of two more residential apartment properties in Calgary.  Hollyburn Properties now owns and manages 65 residential properties in Metro Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto.

The new Toronto buildings are:

411 Eglinton Avenue East

411 Eglinton Avenue East – a 12 storey, 57 suite apartment property built in 1964, located near Mount Pleasant Road. Its mix of one and two bedroom units offers residents easy access to major transportation links and all the amenities of the affluent surrounding neighbourhood, including the Yonge Eglinton shopping centre. The area is rich with nightlife, close to a number of city parks and highly ranked public schools.

445 Eglinton Avenue East

445 Eglinton Avenue East – a nine storey, 59 suite residential apartment building located on the south side of Eglinton, just west of Banff Street. Like its neighbour at 411 Eglinton, these rental apartments offer residents hardwood flooring and modern upgrades. With a good mix of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom apartments, 445 Eglinton has the variety of apartment sizes that attract all kinds of tenants with discerning tastes.

48 Isabella

48 Isabella Street – a 10 storey, 84 suite apartment building located west of Church Street, in the Yong-Bloor neighbourhood. It’s a desirable location increasing in popularity with young adults. The Don Valley Parkway, the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Boulevard are all easily accessed, as are a number of transit options, including two major subway lines in one terminal within walking distance. The surrounding area has excellent shopping, dining and entertainment options and the lively Church Street is just steps to the east, offering entertainment and small retail shops galore.

224 St. George

224 St. George Street – a nine storey, 91 suite residential apartment building sits just north of Bloor Street West, in the Annex district of Toronto. Like all Hollyburn Properties apartments, transit is within easy reach and Highway 401 and the Gardiner Expressway are just around the corner. The Annex is a vibrant and colourful downtown neighbourhood, with much of its character derived from the nearby University of Toronto.

Hollyburn Properties Limited is a Canadian owned and operated provider of rental apartment homes, based in beautiful British Columbia. It has an established reputation as an elite property management firm thanks to its company-wide dedication to professionalism, service, quality and commitment, both to superior tenant service and to providing the highest quality residential accommodation.

The company’s four new Toronto acquisitions fit into Hollyburn’s business model perfectly: buying the best properties in the best neighbourhoods being run by a top notch team of professionals.

For more about Hollyburn Properties, go to www.rentersguide.com

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In the heart of Vancouver’s West End, Hendry House, at 1265 Burnaby Street has just about everything a person looking for a rental apartment desires. Steps from the buzz of Davie Street, it offers premier one and two bedroom suites with balconies showing off magnificent views of the city and scenic English Bay. Residents have easy access to the downtown business district, Stanley Park, trendy Robson Street and the beaches at English Bay.

With an outdoor swimming pool, a fully equipped fitness centre, a bicycle room, underground gated parking and a front entrance camera, life in Hendry House is comfortable and secure. And while the building offers the best in Vancouver apartment living, including dishwashers and modern finishes, it’s the views that help make living at 1265 Burnaby Street a true treasure of Vancouver’s West End.

Click here to learn more about Hendry House and Hollyburn Properties Limited.

Click here to learn more about Hendry House and Hollyburn Properties Limited.

Continue reading »]]> Regardless how long you plan to live in an apartment, it will be your new home so you want to get one that fits your needs as well as possible. There are always a lot of details that can pull you off the track so it’s good to keep in mind what’s really important. Some things are important for all renters while others may only be relevant to you. A good place to start is the following checklist.

Location
Just like if you are buying a home, the location of your new apartment may be the most important factor of all. In fact, renters have far greater flexibility than homebuyers since they may be able to afford an apartment in an area they could not afford to buy in. Things to look at include:
• Public transportation
• Distance to work or school
• Distance to leisure activities you enjoy
• Amenities available within walking distance
• Views

Safety
How safe and secure you are in your new home is related to its location. You’ll want to ask the following questions:
• Is it a safe neighbourhood to walk around in?
• What are the neighbours like?
• What security measures are in place, like front entrance camera and a secure parking lot?
• What are the tenants like in the building? Are you comfortable around them?
• Is there a Resident Manager on site or nearby who you can rely on?

Size
You want to be sure your new apartment matches your lifestyle and needs. If you are in a relationship or have a child or roommate you will want enough room to all be comfortable – nothing is worse than having someone cramp your style in your own home. Similarly, if you like to entertain you’ll want a unit with a decent dining area and room to hang out. If you are single and are busy away from home most of your waking hours a smaller studio may be just what you need. Naturally the size of your apartment is related to the following consideration:

Price
If an apartment is really cheap, the odds are good that it doesn’t meet the other important criteria. It might not have the location, safe neighbourhood or size that you would like. It’s like the old saying – you get what you pay for. But assuming the apartment meets your needs and is reasonably priced you need to consider the following:
• Utilities – are they included in the rental agreement or extra?
• If you pay for electricity, ask if the unit has Energy Star appliances – they’ll save you money. Also, ask the building manager what you can expect to pay for utilities
• Parking, laundry, storage and lockers – if they are extra, remember to add that to your monthly budget

Building Amenities
Swimming pools, fitness centers, meeting rooms, recreation areas and manicured gardens can really help make your apartment home inviting at the end of each day. Of course, they come at a price so you should think about what is important to you and your lifestyle. If working out at the gym is something you want to do regularly, having a fitness centre in your building may actually save you money as you won’t have to pay monthly gym fees or drive and park your car to get to your work-out location. A swimming pool might look nice but if you never use it you’ll end up paying more for your new apartment than necessary.

Be Realistic
People looking for an apartment, especially first time renters, often want to get it all – a great building with a gym and pool in a nice neighbourhood close to work and every amenity – but not expect to pay a premium for all the added features. New renters may think the first place they look at is overpriced, then after looking around at what else is available discover that the original apartment was priced fairly.

What are other tenants saying about the apartment building? Check the property management company’s website for testimonials and comments from residents past and present. It’s the best way to get to know what it’s really like living in the building.

Hollyburn Properties is a Canadian owned and managed provider of fine apartments for rent, based in beautiful British Columbia. With 47 premier properties in Metro Vancouver, five in Calgary and 13 in Toronto, Hollyburn’s rental apartment buildings are all located in the most desirable neighbourhoods. It has an established reputation as a top property management firm, thanks to its unwavering company-wide dedication to professionalism, service, quality and commitment.

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Hollyburn Properties Limited offers a variety of exciting rental apartments in Vancouver’s West Side and Hollyburn Court is one of the company’s gems. Conveniently located at 550 West 12th Avenue, near Cambie Street and the Canada Line, Hollyburn Court is just steps away from Vancouver City Hall and Vancouver General Hospital, with City Square Mall right across the street.

Residents at the 12-storey Hollyburn Court find that getting around is fast and efficient and a huge selection of restaurants, stores and other amenities are close at hand. All the bright and spacious studio and one bedroom residential apartments for rent feature balconies, many with amazing views. Residents enjoy free wi-fi in common areas, a fitness centre, 24-hour laundry facilities and heat and hot water are included.

An outdoor swimming pool awaits you when you return home and underground parking and a front entrance security camera helps give peace of mind. Professional on-site resident managers help make living at Hollyburn Court easy and convenient while living in Fairview in West Side Vancouver ensures you are close to downtown yet with the peacefulness of a picturesque neighbourhood.

Click here to learn more about Hollyburn Court, West Side Vancouver and Hollyburn’s other fabulous apartments for rent in the West End, the North Shore as well as in Calgary and Toronto!