Dear bird talk, I really enjoy reading issues of CSANews and get quite a bit of valuable information at the same time. I particularly like the bird talk section, where some members ask interesting questions that affect all winter travellers from canada.In the winter 2011 issue, however, a writer took hostile issue with Michael Coren […]

Dear Bird Talk, Re: Selling our Florida home We have owned a villa in Florida for 15 years (and we’re Medipac users for as long). There has been some appreciation in value of the unit since we bought it. We now find that we are in a position to have to sell. Could you please […]

Dear Bird talk, As a Canadian, can you make maintenance and repair in and around your own house in Arizona? Barbara Bogusz Port Moody, BC Response: Ed: Yes, and you can help your neighbour, too. But you cannot charge any money for your work.

Dear Bird Talk, Re: Substantial presence test Does anyone know whether day trips to the USA to buy gas, shop or play a round of golf are used in calculating the substantial presence test? Eric Zukowsky Delta, BC Response: Ed: Yes, they are counted. Any day, or part of a day, is counted as one […]

Dear Bird Talk: Re: Using Credit Cards at Gas Pumps At one time, I heard that if you are using your credit card at the pump and it asks for a zip code, you know of a solution. I heard it was the three numbers in the postal code followed by two zeros. Just wondering […]

Dear Bird Talk; As we prepare for our travels to the sunny south, I usually make all of the calls in preparation; i.e. calls to phone, electric, newspaper, etc. I have not encountered any problems other than long waits, pressing numbers one to six, four or five times until I reach a person. I was […]

Dear Bird Talk, With regards to your story in the summer issue Re: Chris & Liz Butler, I think that you meant the rental fee was AU$600-700 per week not per month. I have checked this out with Meridian Towers. Agnes Ronald Kincardine, ON Response: Ed: You are absolutely correct! Per week, not per month; […]

Dear Bird Talk, Last January, I purchased a Park Model Trailer in Arizona, where I plan to spend my winters. I own a 4000 psi pressure washer and I thoroughly cleaned my driveway; next, I painted the driveway with epoxy paint and sealer. It turned out great. I have several people who want to hire […]

Dear Bird Talk, Before we call out the Panic Police regarding this issue, I’d like to pass on some information. Every year before we leave for our winter vacation, I check the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol website for prohibited food items, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture website regarding which pet food ingredients are […]

The Snowbird Alert information on page 6 of issue 73 is not accurate. The “renewal” of a Florida driver’s license is straightforward. Canadians who already have a license are grandfathered and with the exception that it is now $48/year; can renew yearly. The new rules referred to in the article are applicable to new applicants […]