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If you are a resident of Moncton, New Brunswick, you obviously already know why the city of Moncton is the best place on earth. If, however, you’re considering visiting this beautiful “hub of the Maritimes” – as Steve Clerke from Gifts Galore so accurately describes Moncton in the video below – or are even thinking about moving to Moncton, here are just a few reasons why the city of Moncton, NB rocks!

Check it out:

If you’re interested in any of the local businesses mentioned in this video, you can visit their website by clicking on their name below. Company information has been copied from their website:

L’Hôtel St. James

Email: info@hotelstjames.ca

L’Hotel St. James is situated in the heart of downtown Moncton, only minutes from the city’s major commercial, shopping, and entertainment centres.

L’Hotel St. James caters to the needs of vacationers and business travellers alike, by providing unique accommodations, modern amenities, and on-site access to St. James’ Gate restaurant and bar. Featuring live music and award-winning cuisine in an inviting atmosphere.

Pump House Brewery

Email: pumphousebrewery@rogers.com

The Pump House Brewery today is a group of beer brewing and bar/catering business, it was opened as a brewpub in downtown Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada in 1999 by the co-owners Shaun Fraser, a local fire department chief, and his wife Lilia, both have since won outstanding entrepreneurships for their remarkable success. They debuted in style on New Year’s Eve with the first new beer of the Millenium. The Brewpub grew so popular that expansion was necessary. In July 2002, a brewing/bottling plant was built outside the city centre and production began in the same year. A gausthaus/restaurant was also established later on the plant site, called the Barn Yard BBQ.

Moncton Tourism Information

Email: tourism@moncton.ca

Welcome to Moncton, Canada’s most polite and honest city (Readers Digest, 2008). We can’t wait for you to discover Moncton’s beautiful downtown core, our greatest attractions and help you plan your vacation! Whether you’re interested in flying high through the trees at TreeGo, an aerial obstacle course, taking in part of the thriving cultural scene, or prefer to keep your feet on the ground walking the beautiful trails in one of our many parks, Moncton will not fail to impress.

Gifts Galore

Phone: 506-857-9179

Gifts Galore is Greater Moncton’s Premiere gift idea headquarters. With close to 20 years experience and a reputation of providing their clients with not just great customer service but the ability to give their clientele the best customer experience, we’ll ensure that you leave with a smile on your face.

… and of course, we can’t forget who made the video …

Canada.travel

Want to know the best months for skiing in British Columbia, golfing in Saskatchewan or harvesting maple syrup in Québec? When it comes to what the seasonal weather will be like when you visit, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also find information on current passport and visa requirements, Canadian public holidays, banking hours, currency matters, travel insurance tips, where to book accommodations online and more.

Start planning your visit to Canada today. Here you’ll find all the practical resources, tools, information and tips you’ll need.

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Why do you love the city of Moncton?

If you live in Moncton, what are your favourite things to do or see here? What would you recommend to tourists who are thinking about visiting?

If you’ve visited Moncton in the past, what makes you want to come back again?

Leave a comment to share your favourite things about Moncton, NB.

Oh, and here are a few of our other blog posts on local coolness that you should definitely take a look at; just more reasons why Moncton, New Brunswick totally rocks!

Top 7 Beaches to Visit in New Brunswick

Interesting Facts about New Brunswick

Must-See Photographs of Moncton, New Brunswick

Top 5 Things a Patio Needs for Moncton Summers

5 Talented Moncton Artists to Keep an Eye On

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On July.10^th we hosted our very first “tweet up”. If you aren’t up on the current social networking lingo, a “tweet up” is a real-life social event where Twitter users get together. Some tweet ups take place in coffee shops, others in local parks. We hosted ours at the Martell cottage in Point du Chene.

We dubbed our gathering MarTwixer. Why? Our super brilliance allowed us to come up with the name by blending a bunch of relevant words together: Martell (Mar) with Twitter + mixer (Twixer). Tada! MarTwixer is born!

So, as other tweet ups inevitably happened around the world where people probably drank too-strong, over-priced coffees and nibbled on stale baked goods while politely dabbing their lips with a napkin, we mingled outside and cooked meat over an open flame. Oh yeah! We had some good laughs and are thinking we definitely need to do this again.

Mmmm ... meat

If you aren’t following us on Twitter yet, please do! Here’s a link to our Twitter profile, as well as everyone who attended the MarTwixer:

@martellhomes

@alliemutch

@KevinTibbo

@joshnet

@gordonwilliams

@KristiColleen

@darlenes

@BrunoMHB

@jennamacneil

@notromxela

@KevinMacKenzie

@marcmawhinney

@AndrewCBaskin

@MarcGrandmaison

@kzwicker

@rhondacallow (okay, she wasn’t at the MarTwixer, but that’s not her fault. She’s the one writing this blog post, but is stuck on the Pacific Coast of Canada, on Vancouver Island. Don’t hold it against her! She really wanted to be there!)

For those of you who were at the MarTwixer, leave a comment letting us know what you thought the best part of the tweet up was. For those who didn’t or couldn’t attend, let us know if you’d be interested in attending one in the future. To see more photos from the MarTwixer, we’ve got a few posted on our Facebook page, and Marc Grandmaison has a bunch here (which is where all the great images posted here came from).

Fact: In 2010, an estimated 5,300 women in Canada will die from breast cancer.

Fact: In 2010, an estimated 180 men in Canada will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Fact: One in nine (11%) Canadian women are expected to develop breast cancer during her lifetime.

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The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure is Canada’s largest single day, volunteer-led fundraising event dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer research, education and awareness programs.

Martell Home Builders is joining forces with tens of thousands of other Canadians to help raise awareness and fight breast cancer. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation does more than just cancer research; they also help pay for treatment, offer education and after care support, fit women with wigs and prosthesis, and more. This organization saves lives and Martell Home Builders support them 100%.

From now until race time in October, our trucks will be driving around Moncton with a big pink moustache on them to celebrate and raise awareness for all those who are fighting, be sure to stop us and say hi, or share your story.

Our goal is to raise $5000. Please help us by making a donation.

Has breast cancer had an impact on your life? Please feel free to share your story in the comments below.

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Summer is finally here! And with summer comes morning coffees on the deck, relaxing afternoons in the backyard, BBQs with friends and family, and quiet evenings spent trying to cool off as the sun goes down. Needless to say, a lot of your time is probably spent on and around your patio deck, which means you should pimp it out as much as possible to enjoy it to the max! So, what does a patio deck need to have in order to make it through a Moncton summer? Here’s a list of what you might want to consider:

1. Mosquito netting! Don’t let those little bastards get drunk off your blood (and no, having them drink your blood will not reduce your blood alcohol level, regardless of what your buddy was trying to tell you!). Mosquito netting doesn’t need to look tacky either, in fact, there are plenty of options that actually look good and can complement the look of your patio!

2. Sprinklers. Whether it’s your kids who are complaining it’s too hot outside, your dog needing relief from the heat, or you’re suffering from menopausal hot flashes, having some sort of water within reach of your patio is a must – especially if you don’t have a backyard pool. The most obvious and cost-effective alternative to a pool is some sort of sprinkler system. There are tons of different types of sprinkler options: built-in sprinklers, those ones that lazily go back and forth, the sprinklers that were the inspiration for that stupid dance … you know the dance I’m talking about, don’t pretend you don’t!

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In any case, a sprinkler is a must to make it through a Moncton summer; which type you pick is entirely up to you.

3. Toys for the kids. If you’ve got kids, or friends who have kids, no Moncton summer is complete without some awesome patio deck toys. Try to avoid things with wheels, unless you enjoy watching your guests break their backs (get your mother-in-law out of your head … sicko). Better yet, invest in some sort of gating/fencing to create a designated play area. The fencing doesn’t need to be your standard jail-like baby gates either. Using some wooden planters to outline an area can look quite nice, as long as the purpose of the fencing is to simply serve as a visual reminder to the kids on where the toys are allowed, and not if you’re depending on the gate to keep the kids in.

4. BBQ and accessories. In addition to a sweet-looking stainless steel BBQ, don’t forget to invest in a decent BBQ cover and some accessories the guys will be jealous of, like a BBQ rib rack, wing rack, or smoker box.   

5. Lighting. Often overlooked, lighting can be a wonderful addition to a patio deck. There are so many options, from solar powered lamps to twinkling butterflies, adding lighting to a patio can not only be practical, but also create an almost whimsical environment, perfect for winding down after a long hot day.

Where to shop?

So, where the heck can you buy all this stuff in or around Moncton? Here are a few recommendations:

Kent Home Improvement Warehouse: Located at 55 Trinity Drive in Moncton. Phone number: (506) 862-3400.

The Home Depot: Located at 235 Mapleton Road in Moncton. Phone number: (506) 853-8150.

Serre Barachois Greenhouse: Located at 1146 Barachois, New Brunswick. Phone number: (506) 532-2788

Macarthur’s Nurseries Inc.: Located at 232 McLaughlin Drive in Moncton. Phone number: (506) 859-2727.

Toys “R” Us: Located at Champlain Place (477 Paul Street) in Moncton. Phone number: (506) 859-8697.

What’s on your wish list?

What does your dream deck consist of? How do you make it through Moncton summers? Let us know by leaving a comment below. And hey, if you’re a local business who offers patio deck supplies, make sure to tell us about your company!

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Finally, summer is here at last! If you find that winter and spring did a number on the look of your home – inside and outside – and want to give it a facelift without spending a bunch of money, you’ve come to the right place. Whether it’s for your own personal happiness, because you’re thinking of putting your house on the market, or because you just want to get your nagging mother-in-law off your back, here are the top 33 cheap home improvement projects that will enhance the look of your home for under $100.

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Before you do anything mentioned on this list, there are some common-sense home improvement tips you should tackle first. For example, just because you love your empty beer can collection, or the rusty P.O.S hunk of junk sitting on your front lawn – which you refer to as a “classic” – doesn’t mean everyone else loves it. Trust me when I tell you, if you get rid of the crap, you will improve the look of your home. Furthermore, if you’re looking for cheap home improvement projects, why not take back some precious space by ditching that freeloading loser of a boyfriend you’ve got? Seriously. You’d be amazed at how much better your home will look when that scumbag is gone … better even than hauling away the so-called classic on your front lawn! So now, without further ado, here are the top 33 home improvement tips you can do for free or for less than $100:

1. Paint the interior. Choose the rooms that need it the most. For example, the front entrance will probably have more wear and tear than the walls in the den.
2. Wash the walls! If you can’t paint, the next best thing is to give your walls a good washing, removing fingerprints and scuff marks.
3. Paint window trims outside.
4. Decorate your home with some local art.
5. Buy some pretty hanging baskets to hang outside your front door.
6. Pull the weeds and mow the lawn!
7. Wash the windows (inside and out!).
8. Don’t kill your garden or lawn, make sure you water it.
9. Rent a pressure washer to clean your home’s siding, as well as the deck and driveway.
10. Light up garden walkways and paths with some solar powered garden lamps.
11. Declutter by having a garage sale!
12. With the money you earned from the above tip, hit yard sales for new (to you) pieces of furniture or vintage artwork.
13. Include some cool wall decorations to add some interestingness.
14. Swap out the existing photos you have in frames for new ones (but don’t throw away the old ones, you can exchange them again when you are in need of a new look).
15. Buy new hardware. You might not have the budget to replace all your kitchen cupboards or buy a new front door, but you can improve the looks of these by purchasing new handles or doorknobs.
16. Get rid of or replace torn window and door screens.
17. Paint or replace your home’s address numbers.
18. Rent a carpet cleaner and clean that shag!
19. Improve the look of your bedroom by following these tips.
20. Replace your worn out door mats.
21. Remove the moss from your roof (be careful!).
22. Add mirrors to make rooms look larger and brighter.
23. Follow the advice and tips from Martha Stewart.
24. Paint the storage shed.
25. Paint the fence.
26. Plant flowers to add some colour to your garden.
27. Trim that overgrown hedge!
28. Seed bald areas of lawn.
29. Fill and repaint chipped walls.
30. Rearrange furniture and create a focal point in the room.
31. Buy some inside plants and flowers.
32. Learn some cheap DIY projects to improve the look of your home – recover old chairs or make some custom curtains, for example.
33. Look for discontinued flooring for an inexpensive facelift on a small room like the front entrance or small bathroom. If you’re lucky, you can find good expensive tiles for a fraction of the price.

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If you’re trying to improve the look of your home because you’re planning on moving, make sure you check out 10 Moving Tips to Cram More Crap in Your Car.

What home improvement tips can you add this this list? Do you know some cheap home improvement projects that cost less than $100? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Looking for spacing saving ideas? Check out this YouTube video which illustrates some amazing space saving desks, very awesomely designed space saver beds, tables, and more. If you want to make the most out of your tight living quarters, this space saving furniture by Resource Furniture is definitely for you!

I think what I love the most about this furniture, besides the obvious coolness factor and great looks, is that everything looks incredibly easy to transform. You don’t need to clear all the kids’ toys or knickknacks off shelves in order to convert a wall shelf or computer desk into space saver beds.

Want more? Here’s a link to Resource Furniture’s website.

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If you haven’t done so already, watch the video and let us know which space saving furniture is your favourite. Do you have other great space saving ideas worth sharing? Leave a comment to let us know!

Looking for additional ways to enhance your living space? Check out the following posts:

Impressive Ways to Enhance Your Bedroom

5 Talented Moncton Artists to Keep an Eye On

20 Cool Wall Decorations to Impress Your Friends

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Taking photos at a concert can be tricky. The lighting is horrible for photographic purposes, the crowds make it impossible to set up a tripod or steady your camera, and if you didn’t manage to get good seats, you could be far, far away from the action. So, when you come across awesome concert pics, you can’t help but admire them.

From rock concert photos to concert crowd pics, here are some of the best New Brunswick concert photos, as well as a few pointers on how to capture your own concert pics successfully.

Get creative with exposure to add interestingness to your concert pics:

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If people are in your way, use that to your advantage by using them to frame your subject:

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Use the lighting to your advantage:

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Capture the performer’s personality when possible, as well as when they’re in the middle of singing:

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Follow the rule of thirds when composing your shot:

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Think outside the box. In addition to the standard concert photos that show the performers on stage, consider capturing other elements from different angles:

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Photograph the crowd to help illustrate the excitement:

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Do you have some concert photos to share? Got some tips on how to capture the best concert pics? Let us know by leaving a comment below!

Looking for more outstanding local photos? Check out these must-see photographs of Moncton, New Brunswick.

Whether you’re a local who wants to see some beautiful Moncton photographs for your own amusement or to brag to out-of-town family and friends, or you live somewhere else but would like to see what Moncton has to offer, here are some amazing must-see photographs of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Ahhh, what a beautiful place indeed!

Clicking on an image will open a new window bringing you to the photographer’s website or Flickr profile.

Do you have some interesting Moncton photos you’re proud of? Feel free to leave a comment with a link to where we can see them! Oh, and be sure to check out these other blog posts about our beautiful province:

Top 7 Beaches to Visit in New Brunswick

Interesting Facts about New Brunswick

5 Talented Moncton Artists to Keep an Eye On

New Brunswick is home to over 750,000 people. But what is the economy like?  Wikipedia sums up New Brunswick’s economy quite well:

New Brunswick’s urban areas have modern, service-based economies dominated by the health care, educational, retail, finance, and insurance sectors. These sectors are reasonably equitably distributed in all three principal urban centres. In addition, heavy industry and port facilities are found in Saint John; Fredericton is dominated by government services, universities, and the military; and Moncton has developed as a commercial, retail, transportation, and distribution centre with important rail and air terminal facilities.

The rural primary economy is best known for forestry, mining, mixed farming, and fishing.

Forestry is important in all areas of the province, but especially in the heavily forested central regions. There are many sawmills in the smaller towns and several large pulp and paper mills located in Saint John, Miramichi, Nackawic, and Edmundston.

Heavy metals, including lead and zinc, are mined in the north around Bathurst. One of the world’s largest potash deposits is located in Sussex; a second potash mine, costing over a billion dollars, is in development in the Sussex region. Oil and natural gas deposits are also being developed in the Sussex region.

Farming is concentrated in the upper Saint John River valley (in the northwest portion of the province), where the most valuable crop is potatoes. Mixed and dairy farms are found elsewhere, but especially in the southeast, concentrated in the Kennebecasis and Petitcodiac river valleys.

The most valuable fish catches are lobster, scallops and king crab. The farming of Atlantic salmon in the Passamaquoddy Bay region is an important local industry.

The largest employers in the province are the Irving group of companies, several large multinational forest companies, the government of New Brunswick, and the McCain group of companies.

Okay, so in addition to working for the government, forestry sector, Irving and McCain, what other New Brunswick companies create jobs? Here is a list of a few (including a few already mentioned):

1. Irving
2. McCain
3. New Brunswick Public Service
4. Horizon Health Network
5. NB Power
6. Department of Education
7. University of New Brunswick
8. CFB Gagetown
9. Maple Leaf Foods
10. Ganong 

Something else you might be interested in reading is the 2010 winners for the Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers. If you’re an Atlantic Canadian company who would like to be considered for future competitions, you can get more details and an application form from the link just provided.

Do you know a New Brunswick company that is great to work for (no brown-nosing your boss here!) or one that helps create local jobs? Let us know by commenting below!

Whether you’re looking for a place to sneak off to so you can take a breather from your hectic day or noisy kids,  or you want a way cool love nest to make an impression on the ladies, here are some impressive ways to enhance your bedroom.

Wall Decorations – Personalise your bedroom with some DNA art, as shown in 20 Cool Wall Decorations to Impress Your Friends.

Local Art -  Enhance your bedroom with awesomeness created by local artists. Need inspiration? Check out 5 Talented Moncton Artists to Keep an Eye On for suggestion on some … well … talented Moncton artists. 

Photographs – If you own a digital camera (which I’m sure you do), there is no reason why you can’t produce some amazing photos worthy of being hung on your bedroom wall or displayed on a nightstand. Touch up on your photography skills, do a little photo editing to enhance your images, and then print them yourself or have them professionally done. There is an abundance of free information online that will teach you how to capture spectacular photos and, if you’re on a budget, there is also plenty of free photo editing software programs you can use.

Add Some Colour – If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to enhance your bedroom, consider painting the walls or existing furniture. That awful dresser cabinet you’re ready to chop up and use as firewood could look brand new and amazing with a couple coats of fresh paint.

Be Bold In The Right Places – Another way to enhance your bedroom while staying on a budget is to use neutral colours on the walls and large furniture, and then use bold colours in your bed linen or throw pillows. It’s a lot more affordable – and convenient – to purchase several different coloured or themed sheets and pillows which you can swap out for different ones when you want a new look than it is to change the colour of paint every month or buy new furniture when you feel like something new.

This is especially good for kids’ bedrooms – rather than going full out on a Twilight theme or a room full of horses, Hot Wheels, or Pokémon, using neutral tones and themed sheets, comforters, and pillows is a lot more cost effective when you know your child will be trading in their love for vampires for the latest trend before the paint even sets.

Unique Headboards – Get creative and consider making your own headboard, like the one shown in Home Decorating Tips by Martha Stewart.

Follow Martha’s Advice – Speaking of the decorating queen, Martha Stewart has some fantastic ideas when it comes to enhancing and decorating bedrooms. From how to make your own custom curtains to tips on using colour and ideas on how to display photos, Martha’s got your back.

Mirrors – Mirrors are not only useful, they can also be quite decorative and provide an easy way to enhance a bedroom. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes and can also help make a small room feel larger than it really is.

Lighting – Enhance your bedroom with various different types of lighting. A bedroom should have practical lighting for reading and other activities which require a decent amount of light but also some softer lighting ideal for relaxing. Recessed lighting, ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, bedside table lamps, and even candles are all options worth looking into.

Are You Proud of Your Nest?

When people come to visit, do you quickly run to shut your bedroom door, or are you happy for guests to see your bedroom? What bedroom enhancements or decorating tips do you have? Let us know by leaving a comment below!