Conference kaosws::canada

    re .0
    
    According to my knowledge, regular homes usually have 2 phase 110V 
    and 3 phase which are located next to the stove and the washing/drying
    machines. The size of stove I think is pretty much standard, the 
    refrigerator would have different sizes. You should buy one to fit your
    own kitchen. The price of appliances is not that far away from Hong
    Kong (I assume you are from Hong Kong), some are cheaper. Welcome to
    this lovely country, strong and free.

    I was wrinting my reply when .1 entered his.  3 phase is NOT available
    in homes!  3 phase power is only for industries.  What we have is 220
    split phase, which gives 110 between one of the "phases" and neutral
    and 220 between the "phases".  110 is for lights and receptacles and
    220 is for heating, water heater, clothes driers, stoves and some of
    the larger A/C units.
    
    Jean
    

    When emigrating to Canada from Hong Kong, save yourself some expense
    and trouble and sell off your appliances.
    
    In Canada, most older homes in many communities are sold with major
    appliances such as stove, fridge, dishwasher and maybe even washer
    and dryer. When buying a new home, generally you can get the builder
    to through these things in to sweeten the deal (ie; help to sell
    you the house). If you are renting when you come to Canada, again
    most major appliances are supplied. Usually, kitchen layouts are
    such that the size of appliance required is already predetermined
    by the builder. For example, the plug for the stove will be mounted
    in the wall and the stove probably slides into a cutout in the kitchen
    counter.
    
    For microwaves, buy one here.
    
    For TV's, VCR's and stereo's, you could consider buying North American
    compatible units and bringing them with you. Warranties may not
    be honoured here though. I'd say stick with Sony, or Hitachi products
    for safest bet. VHS is pretty well the predominant VCR format here.
    Cablevision is usually not a problem, every city has cable and most
    rural areas as well. Cost for basic cable (ie; no pay TV) is usually
    $16.00/month (canadian dollars).
    
    For good ideas on what to expect house design layout wise, pick
    up a few North American magazines and scan throught the pictures.
    
    Welcome to Canada, and bring your snow shovel and snow bags.
    
    Regards, R. Tomkins

    re .0
    
    If you consider buying TV/VCR/Stereo, buy them in HK before you move/
    ship your personal belongings as they will be duty free.  Reason :-
    
    1. 21" TV with/without stereo is around $699-899/$499-699 here in
       Canada.  One of my former school-mate just migrated here, he bought
       a multi-system 21" TV (Tosihba) in HK and cost only HK$3500.
    
    2. For VCR, with/without stereo is around $699-899/$399-549 here in
       Canada.  Again, my former school-mate only paid HK$3200 for a multi-
       system stereo VCR.
    
    3. Stereo set, price difference is only around Cdn$200 in terms of buying
       them here or in HK.....but.....you can always get the latest models
       in HK, generally, I found the systems sold here are approx. 1 model
       year behind.
    
    Note : Prices quoted above are estimation and depends on which province
           you intend to live, the sales tax varies.  And after 1991, the
           Federal Sales Tax (7 or 9%), called GST, will be something
           extra.
    
    Mike

	North American power distribution to residential property
	is _single_ phase 220v with a grounded center tap.

	Because of the way A/C adds, this gives you 117v between either of
	the "hot" sides and ground.  In a house you can have 220v outlets
	installed wherever you need them (dryers, air conditioners, etc.)

---------------->
		<    On the pole			At the house
		> <---------------------------------------------------------hot
    High	< >                                            117v
		> <-----+---------------------------------+--------       220v
   Voltage	< >     |                                 |    117v
		> <-----)---------------------------------)-----------------hot
		<	|                                 |
---------------->       *Ground                           *Ground

	Thanks for all the valuable informations provided.

	I will be moving to Canada in this autumn. I don't know where is my
final destination in Canada because my job hasn't been firmed up yet. It may
be Vancouver or Ottawa or somewhere else .....

	Anyway, thank you.

								SC NG

Some 220V appliances can be set for 110VAC operation; look
closely at the individual appliance.

As for TV, be sure that you
get video devices (VCRs, camcorders, or TV's) that is NTSC
standard for canadian and US tv signal.

cal hoe

    re .8
    Thanks for your information. I haven't watch the file for a long
    time, sorry. I just bought a National 21" multi-system TV and a
    Sharp multi-system VCR. They all have automatic voltage selection.
    They costed me 8.2K $ (HK$).
    

    The above is a very good deal if they are both Stereo....
    
    p.s.  it's not easy to find a multi-systems TV or VCR in Canada and if
          you've two m.s. VCRs, you may start a business for VCR format
          conversions.
    Mike

Mike,

Multi system video systems are only good on the system that it is
receiving. System conversion of video requires a
picture-to-picture conversion and is there-fore useless in image
conversion. The NTSC is an old standard and is far inferior to
other formats so while it may be easy to convert from other
formats to NTSC, it requires a sofisticated electronics to change
format, requiring a CPU and a method of pixel storage to upward
convert. That's why it costs $$$ to convert video formats.

cal hoe

    
    Just one more piece of advice about TV and VCR.
    
    I assume most people in H.K. already have the PAL TV, some have
    PAL VCR as well. Now that you have bought the m.s. TV+VCR, you 
    may be thinking about how to dispose your PAL system.
   
    You may want to plan bringing them here in Canada. Houses in Canada in 
    general are much much larger than an average house in Hong Kong. 
    Having two sets of VCR and TV is no problem at all. It would be 
    an advantage if you have a family with kids. You can use the PAL system
    for the kids. One use is to reveiw PAL recordings you may receive
    from friends/relatives in Hong Kong. Another use is to buy a Nintendo
    player set for the PAL system. They are kids' favorite and you will
    find many memorable kids' parties end up in you house.
    
    Plan ahead and you will enjoy Canada, Lapyiu.
    (not the same HO on Polar::) 
    

    Unfortunately, they are both mono systems.
    
    I sold my old TV and VCR to one of my relative's family.
    
    New topic :
    
    	I have not firmed up my final destination yet. Most likely,
    I will go to Ottawa area. Do you think I am going to have trouble
    if I don't know French at all ?
    

    RE: Note 263.13 by HKTST1::SCNG
    
    >> Do you think I'am going to have trouble if I don't know French...?
    
    
    Why do you think you are going to have "trouble if you don't know French?"
    Have you been listening/reading too much communistic propaganda or 
    anti-French propaganda from Radio Peking ? 
    
    I can imagine the communistic propaganda and anti-French tirade from
    Radio Peking saying how if the people immigrate to Canada they are
    going to be persecuted by the French Language gendarmerie....
    And how your apprehensions about encountering trouble "for not knowing
    French" could have come about ? 
    
    They probably do this kind of anti-French propaganda so as to 
    discourage professional and middle-income residents of Hong-Kong from
    immigrating when Britain's lease on the Island of Hong-Kong expires(1990?)  
    
    Don't pay any attention to that anti-French propaganda bull-sh*t !
    
    Canada is a free country from the Atlantic to the Pacific. No one gets
    into trouble for not knowing German, English, Greek, Latin or ANYTHING!
     
    BTW: Ottawa is mostly English speaking - so relax ! Will ya ? Does it help?

    RE: 263.14
    
    	I asked that because Ottawa is so close to Quebec which is a
    French area.

< Note 263.14 by BTOVT::BOATENG_K "Gabh mo leithsceal,Muinteoir!" >
                              -< What Trouble ? >-

>>>>Why do you think you are going to have "trouble if you don't know French?"
    Have you been listening/reading too much communistic propaganda or 
    anti-French propaganda from Radio Peking ? 
    
    I can imagine the communistic propaganda and anti-French tirade from
    Radio Peking saying how if the people immigrate to Canada they are
    going to be persecuted by the French Language gendarmerie....
    And how your apprehensions about encountering trouble "for not knowing
    French" could have come about ? 
    
    They probably do this kind of anti-French propaganda so as to 
    discourage professional and middle-income residents of Hong-Kong from
    immigrating when Britain's lease on the Island of Hong-Kong expires(1990?)  
    
Mr Boateng,

Will you please keep your pro/con French language to the dialogue
on Language inequality? Your charges that the Chinese
government is spreading propaganda is unproven. The question is
based on an interested by an immigrant that wants to fit in
Ottawa society.

Cal Hoe

    RE:
    >> Ottawa is so close to Quebec >>> ?
    
    Ottawa also happens to be the CAPITAL of the entire nation of CANADA.
    
    o Ottawa is not "close to Quebec.." Rather - OTTAWA is located in the
       Province of Ontario which shares a common border with Quebec Province.
    
    The city of HULL in Quebec is close (across the O-River) to the city of
    Ottawa,Ont.  (BTW: Both cities - Hull & Ottawa have bilingual residents.)

>Relax, This is just General Geography Info.
>    
>    o Ottawa is not "close to Quebec.." Rather - OTTAWA is located in the
>       Province of Ontario which shares a common border with Quebec Province.

Whassamatter here?  Ottawa is very close to Quebec -- just across the river
from it, in fact.

/john

    Dear Mr. J. Covert,
    
             That is the reason why the polite noter stated:
              => "close to Quebec"
    
    Those of us who took geography ("O" level G.C.E) know that there are 
    two "Quebecs" - a Quebec City and a Quebec Province. 
    If someone says "Washington is near Seattle.." 
    You can expect a reply like: "You mean Washington D.C. is near Seattle?" 
    Is "New York near Albany..?" etc...
    
    If you've been reading these notes for over a year, then you should 
    remember the note in...xxx.x?  when someone from New Mexico had his
    application turned down by a Harvard Univ. Admissions officer because
    he was considered as a "foreign student.."  Yep, go ahead and tell me
    what "close to Quebec" means !

    Usual Canadian usage:
    
    	- `Quebec' is the province
    
    	- `Quebec City' is the city

re .20

Correct.  One continues to wonder why Boateng enjoys proving he knows nothing.

 >>   Usual Canadian usage:
    
 >>   	- `Quebec' is the province
    
 >>   	- `Quebec City' is the city
    
    
     Similar to...
    
    - `Kansas' is the state 
    
    - `Kansas City' is the city 
    
    - `New York' is the state 
    
    -  `New York City' is the city 
    
          Obvious right ?
    
                                
    

   Note 263.21                                        
by  COVERT::COVERT "John R. Covert"                       
re .20

>>Correct.  One continues to wonder why Boateng enjoys proving he knows nothing
    
    
    Are you being deviously hostile to satisfy a neurotic need for
    sadistic sense of humor ?  
    
    
        p/s This is only a question.

    re:  BTOVT::BOATENG_K
    
    >>Are you being deviously hostile to satisfy a neurotic need for
    >>    sadistic sense of humor ?
        
Are you being deviously hostile to satisfy a neurotic need for
        sadistic sense of humor ?
    
Scooter

Dear colleagues,

	What I meant was "Quebec Province" not "Quebec city". I am worrying
about French because I don't want to learn French while my English is still
poor. In order to survive, I must improve my English first.

	I am going to accept a job offer in KAO soon. Is any one of you
working in KAO ?

							SC NG

    
    Approx 2000 work in KAO and a fair number of the noters here also.
    
    You will enjoy Ottawa/Kanata/Nepean/Gloucester (metro Ottawa with
    a few more suburbs that I haven't mentionned).
    
    Your lack of French will not be a problem here at all. If you want
    to improve it, however, I noticed that the Ottawa Board of Education
    offers special night courses 'French for Asians' which is specifically
    aimed at new immigrants from the Orient.
    
    Don't get upset because of these yahoos (now I've let myself in
    for it) they are just having fun and trying to make you welcome.
    
    Roger

    RE : .26
    
    	Is there an 'English for Asians' night coures available ?
    

    
    Each of the school boards offers as night courses many English courses.
    
    You can attend things such as English as a Second Language, English
    Literature, Creative Writing, Grammar, etc.
    
    I know the Chinese Community Association in Ottawa also sponsors
    English courses which, I believe, are primarily designed for the
    older person who has little or no knowledge of English. They might
    also offer courses.
    
    From your correspondence I don't think you will require much in
    the way of English training; just more practice to get the idioms
    and regionalities into your everyday spoken English. 
    
    Start saying 'Eh' after every sentence or sentence fragment for
    a start.  :-)))
    
    Roger

    Also of course, French as a second language courses are offered
    as well.
    Depending upon whether or not one settles in Quecbec or Ontario
    or Ottawa, the above may prove to be very useful.
    And to get my $0.02 in first, poling on the Grand Canal as a hobby
    will be offered as an intermediate course this year. Prior to the
    actual opening of the GC, these courses will be held on the Rideau
    Canal.
    
    Best Regards and many laughs, (Canadian Humour is dry, isn't it?)
    Richard Tomkins

    RE: .28
    
    	I can read and write only because I have a dictionary. It is
    absolutely terrible when it comes to verbal conversation, I can't
    search dictionary when I am talking or listening to someone. Even
    my vocabulary is insufficient, let alone idioms. So what do you
    mean by :
    
    >> Start saying 'Eh' after every sentence or sentence fragment for
    a start.  :-))) ?    
    

    One of the most distinguishing features of the Canadian and American
    creatures is that the Canadian usually manages to insert the sound
    eh! or eh. in almost every sentence. A really good speaker (read
    sarcastic) can insert eh many times in one sentence.
    
    As a Canadian, I know I do it, it's almost automatic, and it's one
    of those things that is not conducive to good speaking.
    
    I'm suprised eh, like, you haven't heard, eh, that most every Canadian
    says, eh, eh!.
    
    Regards, R. Tomkins

    
    	Have you ever noticed how Canadians spell the name of their
    country?
    
    C eh, N eh, D eh?

    *Eastern* Canadians say `eh'. Westerners don't, unless they're trying
    to emulate Bob and Doug.
    
    ...laura

        This is very similar to 'STOVEPIPING' is various manufacturing
    facilities.....
    
    Glenny Baby

For some reason I noticed that I didn't notice the "eh" the last time I was
in Ottawa.  Was I used to it, or do Ottawans say "eh" less than Torontons?

/john

    I had always thought that Americans were making fun of Canadians
    with the "eh", especially with the MacKenzie Brothers....
    
    ...then I ate in a Chinese restaurant in Toronto and the CHINESE
    waiter kept saying "eh"!  My sister and I were rolling and the waiter
    couldn't figure it out. :-)
    
    B.

    We Canadians also say "house" and "about" differently from Americans.
    I've had people tell me I'm a Canadian by the way I say these two
    words. It's nice to be recognized as a Canadian sometimes rather
    than always being mistaken for an American.
    
    Alan
    (living in Europe)

    And the ever favourite "roof" and "roooooof"

    The pronounciation of the diphthongs in words like `loud' and `rise'
    (as opposed to `lout' and `rice') is so distinctively Canadian that
    linguists call it Canadian Raising - though other English dialects show
    this feature as well.
    
    ...laura

< Note 263.30 by HKTST1::SCNG >

Working for DEC, you have the advantage of spell-checker or
grammar-checker on line to check your written commnications. Well
at least 98% of the time. It will not catch the misuse of words.

Spoken english may seem hard at first but I do remember when I
immigrated to Canada from HongKong. Back then, there were only
English for new-Canadians; now, they have English as a second
language classes that start right off with spoken English, taught
by a Cantonese speaking teacher. I don't know if videotapes are
availiable of those classes or not. I do know that they broadcast
the classes on cable tv, PBS stations in Seattle, San Francisco
and New York.

Now, I would be REALLY interested in French as a second language,
taught by Chinese instructors.

Cal Hoe

    RE:.40
    
    Can I receive those broadcasting in Ottawa area ? Where are you
    ?
    

Hi Colleagues,

	I am going to immigrate into Canada in June. I have a job confirmed
in KAO, so I will be living in Ottawa area. I would like you to provide
informations on the following topics.

	Thank you
								SC NG

	1. In general, how large is a detached house for a family of 4
members (2 kids) ? How much does it cost for renting and buying it ? I would
like to rent one first, then look for my permanent place. Do houses rent
or sell with all the furnitures and appliances in place or just an empty
house ?

	2. How is the "quality" and discipline of schools in this area ? I
want to find a drugs free school for my kids !

	3. Is there a Hong Kong Bank or British of Columbia Bank (join
venture of Hong Kong Bank) in Ottawa area ?

	4. How is the price range of cars ?

	5. Is public transportation convenient ?

	6. How is the weather there ?

     If I may respond to the last note.
    
     A home for four children and two adults should probably be considered
    adequate for (Canadian standards) if it were to comprise at least
    1800 sq. ft.. This would typically be a two story home with basement
    and the basment sq. ft. is not included in the above measurment.
    A home of this size, single family and not semidetached would probably
    rent for approximately $1000 to $1400 dollars (Canadina) per month,
    dependant upon location. There is usually no furniture included
    in rentals or sales of homes, with the exception of a Fridge, Stove
    and maybe Dishwahser, sometimes a Washing machine and Dryer. A home
    of this size could sell for anywhere between $135,000 and $180,000
    dependant again upon location and neighborhood.
    
     Public transportation in the Ottawa area is only by Bus and if
    you work for the government, it's very good, if you live near where
    you have to travel to work it's pretty good, and if you live far
    from where you work, it's pretty bad.
    
    There are a number of cities within the Ottawa-Carleton region,
    Ottawa, Nepean, Gloucester, Vanier, Hull, Aylmer and of course Kanata
    which is where the local DEC manufacturing facility is located.
    Kanata is a good neighborhood I'm told, (I live 40 minutes from
    work by car, in Ottawa south) and there are a number of school boards
    to choose from. At last count I believe we had 5 different school
    boards in the area and they all enjoy varying degrees of public
    funding. Some are french oreintated, some english, some religous
    (Catholic) and some non-religous (Public).
    
    In North America, drugs are a concern for all of us. Drugs do not
    seem to be as big a problem here in Canada as in the U.S.. I strongly
    believe that raising one's offspring responsibly, and with
    knowledgeable parental guidance one can avoid the problem within
    their household.
    
    Car's can be had, both new and used, and although we have laws that
    govern the safety controls of cars, in terms of reselling used cars,
    these laws don't guarentee a mechanically fit car, the brakes may
    work but the engine is shot. Generally speaking used cars would
    appear to be readily available, and after all of my recent experiences
    with my new s___box, my next car will be a used one. I have a friend
    who recently purchased a 1974 that had 28,000 miles and looked showroom
    perfect. The car cost $2500 and my s___box cost $14,000.
    
    I hope some of the info. here is useful to you. There is a large
    chinese community here in Ottawa, and my wife (Vietnamese) and I
    participate within the Vietnamese community here. We generally find
    that there is little bigotry or racialism, and as a result of the
    large ethnic melting pot here in Ottawa, everyone seems to get along
    pretty good.
    
    What more can I say, but, Welcome to Canada.
    
    Regards, Richard Tomkins

    re: .42
    
    Send me your mailstop and I'll send you a copy of one of the local
    newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen) with all the relevant ads for cars
    and houses both new and not so new.
    
    I'll also include a map marked up with the location of the Kanata
    and Ottawa offices so you can get some kind of idea as to where
    you might want to live.
    
    Good luck,
    		Bob

    re.43      
    Richard you convinced me........I'll move there. Actually what you
    have written is an excellent example of what is offered in your
    area. (I love it)
    
    I spend my summers with my family, in and around Ontario and love
    the people and places. My oldest daughter goes to McGill in Montreal
    and really loves the area she is in, I myself like Ontario a slight
    bit better. Of all the younger folks that I have met in that area,
    I must say, there school systems has something good going for it.
    I'm sure our friend from the Far East will have no problem fitting
    in.                             
    
    Jim Koehler

< Note 263.42 by HKTST1::SCNG >
                            -< Some more questions >-
RE .41

You might check the cable tv listings. They have all sorts of
Catonese and Mandrine programs by special scription. I am in
Colorado Springs but my parents and sister is in Ottawa.

Cal Hoe

	1. In general, how large is a detached house for a family of 4
members (2 kids) ? How much does it cost for renting and buying it ? I would
like to rent one first, then look for my permanent place. Do houses rent
or sell with all the furnitures and appliances in place or just an empty
house ?

>>>New homes runs about 175K$ - 250K$ Cdn; my sister bought a house
a few years back at the 175K$ range.

	2. How is the "quality" and discipline of schools in this area ? I
want to find a drugs free school for my kids !

	3. Is there a Hong Kong Bank or British of Columbia Bank (join
venture of Hong Kong Bank) in Ottawa area ?

>>>The Bank of BC is only in BC. My dad used to own shares in
Bank of BC and lost lots of money.

	4. How is the price range of cars ?

	5. Is public transportation convenient ?

>>>Bus service is pretty decent. My dad goes all over on the bus
since winter time, parking is harder to come by.

	6. How is the weather there ?

>>>Snowy, wet, cold during the winter. You will not get that
though since you will start in June. When winter clothing start
showing up in the fall, check out out the size range for your
family. Small sizes are hard to find (assuming that you are the
average 5'2 Catonese).

Cal Hoe

    Thanks for all the informations gathered so far.
    
    re: .43,
    What is "Semidetached" house ? Are fridge and stove usually included
    when renting or buying a house ?
    
    re: .44,
    Thanks for your help. My mail stop is HKO. I believe there is no direct
    mail service between HKO and other mail stops. Internal mail has
    to go to BPO first and have them re-mail it to HKO.
    
    	Regards
    								SC NG
    

    Ottawa has a fairly small Chinese population (est. 25,000) compared to
    other cities in Canada, but we do have a nice and comparatively clean
    Chinatown and a reputable Chinese school of around 1000 students, my
    daughter is going to the school on every Saturday. The Chinese TV is
    on Channel 39, it starts broadcasting from 7 pm (Mon - Thur) and 8 pm
    till midnite, the news from Hong Kong is about a couple of days late,
    the news from Taiwan is a couple of weeks late. However, during the 
    Tiananmen massacre last year, the time delay was only a few hours.
    
    A semidetached house is two houses attached to each other by sharing
    a common wall. It is similar to houses in Fair View Park in Yuen Long.
    If you rent furnished apartment, fridge and stove are included. For
    buying new house, normally it is not included unless it is a kind of
    selling gimmick. When I first moved to Kanata area, I saw the
    advertisement on the home selling bill board saying the house comes
    with 7 pieces of appliances free.  

    I have acquired a publication entitled, 'Ottawa Newcomer', it's a
    magazine '...for people moving to Ottawa'.  It contains a wealth of
    information as well as some free services and gifts, if you can prove
    that you are a newcomer to Ottawa.  Some of the information that is
    included are:
    
    	1. explanation of some of the local names and phrases
    	2. the housing scene
    	3. neighbourhoods
    	4. an area map
    	5. how to mix with the locals
    	6. transportation
    	7. shopping
    	8. medical, dental and emergency information
    
    I'll send it to you today.
    
    Pat

    RE: .49
    THANK YOU VERY MUCH
    FOR SENDING THE MAGAZINE.
    SC NG
    

    re: .33
    
>VAOU02::HALLIDAY "laura halliday"                     4 lines  23-MAR-1990 14:06

>    *Eastern* Canadians say `eh'. Westerners don't, unless they're trying
>    to emulate Bob and Doug.
    
    Laura, that's *Central* Canadians, not *Eastern*.  Eastern Canadians
    live in the Atlantic Provinces, not the Ottawa Valley   :- )

    Glenn 
    (an Eastern Canadian)

    How can you tell that I live on the West Coast?

    
    
    
    Mr. Kabratis, did you receive my reply which was sent to 50557::KABRATIS
    ?
    SC NG

    As this is titled GENERAL INFORMATIONS I thought I would enter my
    question here. I have a friend who is looking for the address of
    a Canadian company. Unfortunately he doesn't know where in Canada
    it is. All he knows is that the company is called KANUCK and deals
    in climbing/camping equipment. Would someone be so kind as to look
    this company up in their respective (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver,
    Sarnia) yellow pages. Your assistance is much appreciated.
    
    Alan

    Hi Folks,
    
    	Can someone in the Ottawa region please look up and post the
    address and phone number for a company called LADTEK PRODUCTS LIMITED.
    They are located in Manotick, Ontario.
    
    	They make a product called a SKIHOOK (hanger like device to hang
    skiis on). Has anuone heard of it by any chance?
    
    Thank you in advance,
    Alan Atkinson

    Re .57
    
    I checked the Ottawa-Hull phone book and cannot find the company.
    Sorry.

	In addition to the SKIHOOK, I believe they make a wonderful
	striped paint in an arosol can (available in an assortment
	of colour combinations) and Chequer Board paint which is
	available only in the black/white and orange/black
	combinations. The latter being quite cheap as many hiway
	departments have a great need for it.

	I believe that you can also get a discount on the white/black
	striped paint if you can provide proof that you are an ice hockey
	referee.

	pUDpucky

	ps In a move to tap the tremendous need for '72 volkwagen beetle
	water pumps and thermostats, I beleive they will become the main
	supplier in North America next year.

    	<<They make a product called a SKIHOOK (hanger like device to hang
        <<skiis on). Has anuone heard of it by any chance?
    
Sorry about the delay, Alan.  I just got back from the States and noticed
your request.

I do indeed know of this company - my wife gave all of us (me, her and the
two kids) each a Skihook for Christmas.  She also met the owner of the
company at one of the local shopping malls when he was trying to drum
up business for the hooks.

I'll get the information for you over the weekend and post it here.

Pat

Ran into a bit of a snag, the Skihooks have the company name and the
place name in Ontario but no address or telephone number.  I called
directory assistance and they have no listing for the company.  Then
I called the shopping mall administration where my wife had talked to
the owner of the Skihook company - he no longer is displaying his
goods in the mall.

The last resort will be to look at the receipts that my wife kept when
she purchased the stuff.  She thinks that there was an address and
telephone number on the receipts, the hitch is that she has been out of
town on business so you'll have to wait another day or two.

Pat

Alan,

	Found some additional information and I left a message on
their answering machine to contact me with a postal address.

	Info to date:

		LADTEK PRODUCTS LTD.

		Manotick, Ontario
		K0A 2N0

	Tel: 613-692-6138  (answering machine)

	FAX: 613-224-9150

The aforementioned postal code indicates that mail is NOT delivered
to a street address but to the post office and then placed in a mail
box there.  Thus, you should be able to write to the company with
the information I gave you without the P. O. Box number as the Post
Office will know what that is.

Hope this is helpful,

Pat