David Stevens

Here are the July 2008 BC statistics from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation:

July MLS Statistics:

Multiple Listing Service® residential units sold in BC totalled 6,541 for July, a decline of 37% versus the same month last year. The dollar volume of residential sales fell to $2.9 billion, a 38% drop against July 2007. July's average residential home price of $444,358 represented a 0.5% decline compared to the July 2007 average ($446,481), and a 4% decline versus the June 2008 average ($463,458).

Greater Vancouver: Residential units sold totalled 2,215, a 44% decline compared to the same month last year, while dollar volumes decreased 45% to $1.3 billion. The average residential home price softened to $575,256, a decrease of 1% against July of last year.

Fraser Valley: Units sold totalled 1,216, a 37% drop against the same month last year, while dollar volumes fell 35% to $526 million. The average residential home price was $432,686, a 1.7% increase over July 2007.

Chilliwack: July sales declined 41% as measured by both units and dollar volumes, with 180 units clearing for a total of $54 million. The average residential home price retreated 0.7% against July of last year, settling at $301,923.

Victoria: Units sold totalled 592, a 32% decline compared to July 2007, while dollar volumes decreased 29% to $289 million. The average residential home price climbed to $487,864, an increase of 5% against July of last year.

Vancouver Island: Units sold totalled 709, a decline of 30% versus the same month last year. Compared to July 2007, dollar volumes dropped 27% to $238 million, while the average residential home price rose 4% to $336,204.

Okanagan (including South Okanagan): The Okanagan and South Okanagan markets recorded 646 units sold in July, a 40% decrease compared to July of last year, while dollar volumes declined 37% to $260 million.

Kamloops: Units sold totalled 232, a 30% decline against the same month last year, while dollar volumes declined 20% to $74 million. However, average residential home price climbed to $321,030, a level 13.5% higher than the area's July 2007 average price.

BC Northern: Residential sales continued to drop in July, with 450 units sold representing a 15% decline in unit sales against July 2007. Dollar volumes fell 5% to $101 million, while average residential home prices rose 12% to $223,449 against the year-ago period.

Kootenay: Residential units sold totalled 252, a 29% decline compared to the same month last year, while dollar volumes fell 19% to $78 million. The average residential home price grew to $310,493, an increase of 13% against July 2007.

Come out and watch the convoy of classic cars and European models in Victoria today (Sunday August 24th) for a good cause.

The European and classic car picnic raises money for the Queen Alexandra Foundation for Children. The funds go to build a sensory regulation room for young patients at Ledger House, a children's mental health hospital.

Starting at Clover Point at 8:30 a.m., the cars will make their way to Queen Alexandra, 2400 Arbutus Rd., by 10 a.m.

As well as the car show, there will be magic shows, face painting, tattoos, a silent auction, crafts and a barbecue.

Join us this Weekend! BC’s 150th Birthday is being celebrated with a Festival in Victoria from August 1-4, 2008.

Festival 150 is taking place around our beautiful Inner Harbour this weekend. Bring your family and enjoy the fun.

The Annual Symphony Splash takes place in the Inner Harbour, The Victoria International Six-A-Side Cricket Festival takes place at Beacon Hill Park in Victoria and Windsor Park in Oak Bay from August 1st to 9th; there is an Inner Harbour Festival Market with Artisans spread throughout the inner harbour & Ship’s Point pier, from 10:00 am to 10:30 pm.

Other great community events include a special Fire Bells & Fanfare. There will also be a multi-day Best of BC Stage, a children’s activity zone, a showcase of the province’s food producers.

On the holiday Monday August 4th, the main stage concert finale featuring internationally-acclaimed BC stars such as Sarah McLachlan, Burton Cummings and Colin James, amongst others, will be performing.

Festival 150 will offer Victoria residents and visitors an unforgettable opportunity to celebrate British Columbia as the “Best Place on Earth”. What better place to celebrate the province’s 150th birthday than in the province’s Capital!

Come and visit our Capital City of British Columbia this weekend. For more information see the Festival 150 website: http://www.bcfestival150.ca./event_info/, presented by the Provincial Capital Commission.

Saturday, June 21st, 2008 - Sunday, June 22nd, 2008

Photo from Harbour Living

The African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island (AHAVI) are holding the sixth annual free cultural event featuring music, food and fashions from a variety of African and Caribbean countries.

Carnival Day is a Free Family Event with Live Music, Dancing, a Marketplace with clothes, jewellery, art and food vendors from various regions. There will also be lots of Children's activities.

This celebration is presented by the African Heritage Association of Vancouver Island.

I came from an Island (Britain), and have lived on an Island (Vancouver Island, BC) since I was 9 years old, but the Island I like to visit is a tiny one here in British Columbia ... Portland Island. Access is only by boat or kayak and it's located between Salt Spring Island and Sidney on Vancouver Island. There are 10 kilometres of walking trails around Portland Island and it really is a wonderful place to visit.

Although now uninhabited it was the site of a First Nations' village, and Hawaiian immigrants who settled there in the 1880's. Consequently, there are fruit trees, roses and garden plants and shell midden beaches throughout the island. I was even told that there was once a horse race track through the middle of the island.

In 1958 the island was given to Princess Margaret to commemorate her visit to BC. Princess Margaret returned the island to the people of British Columbia in 1967 and it became a park. There are two small coves for anchorage, called Princess Bay and Royal Cove. Today it is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

Photo Gulf Islands Guide