Ken Stef

Q The other day I heard someone say that she produced most of the gifts she gave at Christmas out of the garden. I did not get a chance to ask for details and wonder whether you might have a few suggestions for gift giving from the garden.

Q We live in an older rancher (about 40 years old). When we go away for a few weeks, there is a musty smell in the house when we return. It is similar to going into a musty, unfinished basement. The house is on slab and the forced-air heating ducts travel from the furnace either under or in the slab. I can feel the rusted or degraded pieces of duct when I put my hand down as far a possible. We have had an environmental group do tests and there is not any mould.

Three years ago when I purchased my condo, real Christmas trees were allowed. This was a huge deal for me when I was looking.

What: Canühome, a full-sized demonstration home that exhibits the latest in sustainable design principles.

Dear Condo Smarts: I made an application to my strata council in October for a hardship exemption from the strata rental bylaws. The strata council requested that I provide them with personal financial information as a condition of the application. I agreed, provided them with original documents, and requested a hearing. They have refused my hardship request -- and to make matters worse my personal financial information has leaked out to fellow owners in the building. The council admitted that they had their meeting to decide the application by e-mail, and scanned and shared my information in the e-mails. Those e-mails somehow managed to get into the hands of our resident busybody, and now everyone knows my personal business. Is there anyone who regulates the business of strata councils?