Uxbridge, Ontario Information and Real Estate Online

Dress For The Ditch

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:40:38 -0600

Dress For The Ditch

Winter road trips often offer unique challenges to the most experienced driver. Heavy winds combined with blowing snow, freezing rain, or ice are just some of the more severe weather conditions you may encounter.

Country driving requires a different mindset than urban driving. In town if you happen to have an accident help is always close by. In the country that is not always so, in the event of an accident you may not be able to get out of your car, or reach your cell phone, and you may not be visible to other vehicles passing by.

Living in the country as a teenager my mother used to insist that we "dressed" for the ditch.

With the first early warning signs of the upcoming winter season behind us now is the time to be sure you and your vehicle are "dressed for the ditch"

Make sure you are dressed warmly - you never know how long you may have to wait for help to arrive
Make sure your emergency kit is properly stocked:
- blanket
- booster cables
- candle, matches and small tin can
- extra clothing and footwear
- flashlight
- fire extinguisher
- first aid kit
- gas line antifreeze
- ice scrapper / snow brush
- road flares or warning lights
- non perishable energy foods chocolate, granola bars, juice, soup, bottled water
- sand or other traction aid
- shovel
- small tool kit
- tow rope or chain

Some Helpful Links

You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- My Prescription Provided Pain Relief

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:05:12 -0600

Via Barrie Clulow (My Time Is My Own):

You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- My Prescription Provided Pain Relief

By now you should have paid your final tax bill for the year and it likely hurt because it was up substantially from last year.

The question is - did you pay more than your fair share or less?

I felt I was going to be paying more than my fair share. The big red flag for me was that my assessment jumped 34.33%, more than double the average increase, while the average home's assessed value went up just over 14% .

While it is unlikely anyone who felt their home was under assessed would appeal their assessments many who felt they were over assessed took the time to do a little research and fought for some fairness in their assessment and the resulting tax bill.

For me it was a matter of going to the assessment open house to see if my Assessment Was Fair and Equitable. I was not surprised to find that there was no information available and that it really was only an opportunity to talk with an assessor to explain why I thought my assessed value was incorrect.

Luckily I went prepared and the assessor was willing to listen. She took my information as presented and told me she would review my assessment back in the office to verify my points.

Including several phone calls over the next little while I spent about 3 hours of my time before I agreed to the new assessment that she offered by way of minutes of settlement, this avoided the necessity of filing and going through the time consuming process of an appeal.

THE BOTTOM LINE

My total assessment was reduced by $38,000

My Savings the first year $129.34

My savings over the four years $1,293.37

My time was worth over $400.00 an hour.

My savings in this example over the four years is based on the four year phase in of our new assessments assuming the mill rate does not go up.

Wait For It - It Gets Better

If we assume a mill rate increase of 3.5% annually that savings gets better.

My Savings the first year $129.34

My savings over the four years $1,386.31

My time was now worth over $462.00 an hour.

My savings in this example over the four years is based on the four year phase in of our new assessments assuming the mill rate goes up 3.5% a year.

The Real Bottom Line

I won't really know for another three years until all the mill rates are set.

Stay Tuned --- .

It will be interesting to watch what happens to

"Your" Property Tax Bill

With the phasing in of the province wide
re-assessment affecting your 2010 property tax bill.

Demographics - Our Aging Population

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:34:47 -0600

Demographics - Our Aging Population

Demographics play a major role in the housing market

Changes in new housing styles and size over the years have been driven by many factors. Currently the major driving force is our aging population. As our population ages the need for new nursing homes and seniors residences continue to grow, but what about the empty nesters who are not ready for that yet.

Today's young seniors are being draw to senior communities, with homes built for their active lifestyle. some are built around golf courses while others are built in areas that had traditionally been cottage country being located on or near our numerous lakes. Often these homes are bungalow in design but unlike the older smaller utilitarian style bungalows of the past they are much larger and more open concept. They are built for a generation that grew up in smaller homes, got married, had families of their own and moved into larger homes. Homes that had 4 and five bedrooms, family rooms, eat in kitchens or great rooms. Homes that had fireplaces, double or triple car garages, multiple bathrooms and much more.

Now it is time to down size, they no longer need four and five bedrooms and all the other features that came with their 2,000 plus square foot homes. Unwilling to give up many of the other features that came with that home they start looking for a newer bigger version of the home they grew up in "The Bungalow".

The bungalow is making comeback, it is the same in name only. Today's bungalows have all the features of those large family homes, but they are 2 to 3 times the size of the bungalows the past generation enjoyed. Open concept is the new norm with spacious principal rooms and light airy interiors, featuring large windows with mulitple walkouts outs to bring the outside in. Luxury appointments with hardwood throughout, gourmet kitchens and the latest in bathrooms give these new bungalows a luxury resort feel.

A Visual Demonstration of our Changing Demographics

You often read about our changing demographics and how our population is getting older but have you ever been able to visualize the change.

David Foot of Footworks Consulting has an animated pyramid that visually demonstrates how the makeup of our population has changed over the years and will continue to change in the future.

David K. Foot is a professor of economics at the University of Toronto, and co-author of the Boom, Bust and Echo books.

For those who like to see the hard numbers:

Canadian figures you can visit Statistics Canada's Population Projections for Canada, Provinces and Territories
United States figures visit US Census Population Projections

For Seniors Friendly Housing
In The Communities of
Uxbridge,Port Perry/Scugog
Whitchurch Stouffville, Balantrae,
Georgina and Brock.

Just Give Me A Call

Check Out The Listings
On My Listing Web Site
Let Me Find You A Home
To learn more about what housing options Uxbridge
has to offer; be it condominium or detached homes,
in town or rural communities,
country homes, estates or farms just give me a call or

THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME

I will respond ASAP
However I do not answer when driving
or when with Clients

Uxbridge Remembers Those Who Gave All

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:45:57 -0600

Uxbridge Remembers Those Who Gave All ...

... with a Remembrance Day parade November 11th starting at 10.40 and Service at the Cenotaph afterward. This is but one way of paying tribute the more than 100,000 men and women who have given their all.

Our local papers paid tribute and remembrance to those who served with articles about why it is important that we do remember and the part Canada and Canadians played in the wars. In one article the author Roger Varley tells a story about Cyril Allison, who later became a resident of Uxbridge, being the first person to have read the poem "In Flanders fields" right after it was written by John McCrae.

Local Author and Journalist Ted Barris,provided further insights utilizing excerpts from his new book "Breaking the Silence". He talks about Local resident Steve Bell's escape from a German POW camp only to be thrown into a forced march as a "prisoner" of the Russians and his ultimate escape. Barris also related a part of an interview he had in Uxbridge with one of the survivors , Cpl. Brian Decaire, of the "friendly fire incident" in Afghanistan.

"To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high."

from the poem
In Flanders fields.
- Lt.-Col. John McCrae -

Canadian Students are picking up the torch

Canadian students have had an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of those who went before, with a number of tours over the years They have been given an opportunity to see the places where the events actually took place, to hear the stories. ... To walk through history, to learn an appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price and to remember; today, tomorrow, even years from now so that they will to be able to pass it on to the next generation.

Students at Uxbridge Secondary School are preparing for a history lesson like no other. An educational field trip in May that is tied in with the 65th anniversary commemorating"Victory in Europe".

Students Raising Funds For The Tour At The Uxbridge Fall Fair

The National student tour coordinator is Dave Robinson, a recently retired teacher who taught at Port Perry High School, he has organized several educational tours over the last few years. In 2004 he coordinated a group of 150 teachers and students who attended the D-Day anniversary at Juno Beach. Other tours included France in April of 2007 for the 90th anniversary of the battle of Vimey Ridge; Hong Kong to commemorate the Canadian Soldiers who gave it all in 1941; and a walk in the footsteps of Canadian Soldiers through the streets of Ortona and the Liri Valley.

For some of the students the tour will be following in the footsteps of their grandfathers and great grandfathers who participated in the liberation of the Netherlands. They will remember.

Matthew House - A Place At The End Of The Refugee Highway

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:13:40 -0600

Matthew House - A Place At The End Of The Refugee Highway

Come and enjoy stories, photos, and music that captures the heartbeat of Matthew House including former resident Josiane Aboungono 2008 and 2009 Canada Running Series Champion.

Silent Auction -Fundraiser
Novotel Hotel - Gibson Ballroom
7:00 pm - November 26th 2009

Space is limited so please register today to attend

Phone 416.364.8287

Matthew House is a small shelter in central Toronto that welcomes and assists newly arrived refugee claimants who have come to the end of a long journey on the refugee highway. Matthew House believes that God's call to "welcome the stranger" includes refugee claimants from all nations, irrespective of ethnicity.

Since opening as a permanent home in August 1998, Matthew House has provided shelter and assistance for hundreds of newly arrived refugees who would otherwise have been homeless in Toronto. They have come from more than 75 different countries including: Albania, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Angola, Burundi, Colombia, Congo, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Liberia, North Korea, Rwanda, Somalia, Turkey and Zimbabwe.

Without ever advertising its existence, Matthew House continually must turn away more than four times the number of refugees it welcomes due to lack of space. As a result, one of Matthew House's vision is that of encouraging, inspiring and assisting other groups in establishing their own shelters and ministries to refugees. To date, shelters in Fr. Erie, Windsor, Hamilton, Cambridge and Vancouver have been opened based on the Matthew House model. Currently other groups in places such as Ottawa and Montreal are also exploring the prospect of opening shelters for refugees.

As the vision is spreading, and the need for appropriate shelter continues, Matthew House Toronto has recently opened a second more long term, "transitional home" nearby and hopes to expand its current space even more to effectively carry out its programs.

Please Remember
Space is limited so please register today to attend

Phone 416.364.8287

Just 10 Days Away - The Annual Uxbridge Christmas Home Tour

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:12:03 -0600

Just 10 Days Away - The Annual Uxbridge Christmas Home Tour

The Annual Christmas Home Tour on Saturday November 14th 2009

Once again this year the recipient of the monies raised is Precious Minds a local organization that provides support to families of children with learning barriers.

Tickets can be purchased in Uxbridge at Canadian Tire, Blue Heron Books, Presents Presents, Perry Ann's in Port Perry and Inside Out in Stouffville. Tickets purchased prior to Nov 09th are eligible for an "Early Bird Draw" with the wining tickets posted at each home the day of the tour.

Tickets are $20.00 and include coupons from local merchants. Come out and enjoy an opportunity to support a local worthy cause and pick up some nice ideas for getting your home ready for the holidays.

Also remember to drop off your Zehrs tapes at Precious Minds

Lest we Forget - I Minute of Your time - The Eleventh Hour Of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:43:28 -0600

The Eleventh Hour Of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

This Remembrance Day is the 91st anniversary of the end of the First World War. It was at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 that the guns of the First World War went silent.

In remembrance of all who put themselves in Harms way so that we could,
and continue too, be able to enjoy the freedoms we enjoy today.

In Flanders fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae

View Rememberance Day Posters over the years - produced by Veterans Affairs Canada

DAY IS DONE

Photo - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Confederation Square in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Since its installation, it has become traditional to place poppies on the Tomb after the formal ceremony has concluded. - Mikkel Paulson - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario ... Christmas Sale ... " Step In Thyme" ...

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:58:56 -0600

" Step In Thyme" ... Christmas Sale

The Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario is holding a Christmas gift sale to supprt the work of the LMMSO Society.This is your opportunity to visit the manse while enjoying a drive in the country. Help support this worthwile project by purchasing; quality one of a kind home made gifts with a personal touch, decorations for your home, home baking or preserves.

This Friday or Saturday take a short trip to Leaskdale and visit the Leaskdale Manse, Home of the famous Canadian Author "Lucy Maud Montgomery" and her husband Rev. Ewan Macdonald a Presbyterian minister from 1911 to 1926, It was during her residence here that she wrote 11 of her 22 best selling novels.

Friday November 6th 1 pm to 7 pm
Saturday November 7th 10 am to 4 pm
Cash or Cheques Only

The Manse is located on Durham 1 in Leaskdale just a few minutes north of Uxbridge

Designated as a Provincial Historical site in 1965 and a National Historic site in 1997 the home along with St. Paul's Presbyterian Church are quickly becoming a significant part of the venues that attract tourists to Uxbridge.

Everything Christmas - Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxillary -

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:59:03 -0600

The Everything Christmas Store brought to you by the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxillary

The Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxillary is offering an opportunity to double up on your spending, by buying items from their "Tis The Season Christmas Store" you will get some great items and support a great cause.

Don't Forget!

You can purchase your holiday decorations, hostess gifts, Christmas candy, holiday jewelery, teachers gifts and more from the Christmas Store.

Benifits to Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxiliary

With all proceeds going to the Auxiliary this is a win win for our community. You can give back to the community through this worthwhile effort by the auxiliary and save on fuel (reduce your carbon footprint) by shopping locally.

The store is located at 20 Bascom Street across from the fire hall and they are open five days a week Tuesday - Saturday 9am - 5pm ... till December 23rd

Halloween Safety Tips

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:09:28 -0500

Halloween Safety Tips

Uxbridge is having a Halloween Parade Saturday October 31st on Brock St starting at 8:00pm

There will be Candy, Bands and Floats
A 60 ft hay maze and haunted house sponsored by Cadbury and Unicef
will be in the parking lot west of the CIBC on Brock St from 5:30

Help Keep Our Kids Safe

Watch Out For The Children On The Roads

FULL SIZED IMAGE

Halloween Safety Tips

Warn children to not eat any of their treats before they get home.
Examine all treats carefully before allowing children to eat them.
use flame resistant costumes, masks, beards, and wigs.
Avoid flimsy materials and outfits with big, baggy sleeves or billowing skirts to minimize the risk of contact with candles or other sources of ignition.
Make or buy costumes that are light and bright enough to be clearly visible to motorists.
Carry flashlights to see, and be seen, more easily.
Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling.
Hats and scarfs should be tied securely to prevent them from slipping over children's eyes.
Apply a natural mask of cosmetics rather than have a child wear a loose fitting mask.
Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be of soft or flexible material.
Smaller children should always be accompanied by an older responsible child or an adult.
Children should be cautioned against running out from between parked cars, or across lawns and yards where ornaments, furniture, or clothes-lines present dangers.
Do not enter homes or apartments unless accompanied by an adult.

For Information About The Communities of
Uxbridge,Port Perry/Scugog
Whitchurch Stouffville, Balantrae,
Georgina and Brock.

Check Out
myuxbridge.info
or
My Uxbridge Information Blog

To learn more about what housing options Uxbridge
has to offer; be it condominium or detached homes,
in town or rural communities,
country homes, estates or farms just give me a call

THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME

I will respond ASAP
However I do not answer when driving
or when with Clients

H1N1 Vaccinations

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:29:21 -0500

H1N1 Vaccinations

With clinics across the country opening up for the H1N1 flu shot Durham Region Health Department has opened 5 locations across the region where you can go to receive the H1N1 Vaccine.

Be prepared to wait

This is what the lineup was like at about 5:30 pm today (it was much longer around 2:30pm) in Uxbridge.

The Uxbridge Clinic is Located at 2 Douglas Rd., Uxbridge
(formerly Williamson's)

With the vaccine shipments being delivered over time a priority list is being followed for those wishing to recieve the shots.

People with chronic medical conditions
Pregnant women with chronic medical conditions or who are over 20 weeks
Healthy children ages 6 months to 5 years
Persons living in remote or isolated communities
Health care workers, and houshold contacts or care providers of persons of high risk who cannot be immunized.
After the targeted groups have been immunized the clinics will be open to all Durham residents

Clinic hours are Oct 28th to November 28th Monday to Friday from 2 pm to 8 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm.

The following clinics are wheelchair accessible and are open for walk-ins as appointments are not necessary.

2849 Hwy. 2 Bowmanville
(formerly Veridian Connections Inc.)
850 King St. W, Unit 26, Oshawa
(King and Thornton-lower entrance at back)
(formerly social services)
3050 Garden St. Whitby
(Garden and Rossland) (formerly TruestarFitness)
Pickering Town Centre, Unit 14, 1355 Kingston Rd. Pickering
(formerly Fabricland)
2 Douglas Rd., Uxbridge
(Toronto and Douglas) (formerly Williamson's Auto)

You are asked to to bring your OHIP card or drivers licence for identification purposes.

UPDATE

Picture taken at 1:25pm today October 29th

Day 2 - And The Line Grows Longer

For Information About The Communities of
Uxbridge,Port Perry/Scugog
Whitchurch Stouffville, Balantrae,
Georgina and Brock.

Check Out
myuxbridge.info
or
My Uxbridge Information Blog

To learn more about what housing options Uxbridge
has to offer; be it condominium or detached homes,
in town or rural communities,
country homes, estates or farms just give me a call

THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME

I will respond ASAP
However I do not answer when driving
or when with Clients

Free Durham Region E-Waste - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:59:23 -0500

Durham Region E-Waste Event

Free Residential Collection

As part of National Waste Reduction Week Durham Region has set up a free E-Waste collection centre for this Saturday in Whitby.

Free of Charge For Durham Region Residents Only

Allowed Items

Satellite Systems
Computers, Monitors, Printers and accessories
Fax Machines and Photocopiers
Gamimg Systems
Televisions
Phones and PDAs
Calculators and electronic cash registers
Radios, Amplifiers, Turntables and Stereos
VCR, DVD players and Projectors
Cameras and Recorders

Free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Part of National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:40:42 -0500

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)

Free Residential Collection

As part of National Waste Reduction Week Durham Region has set up a free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection centre for this Saturday in Beverton

Saturday Oct 24th 9am to 1 pm
Township of Brock
Beverton Firehall
on Bay Street
Between Mill Street and Osborne Street

Free of Charge For Durham Region Residents Only

Allowed Items

antifreeze
batteries
brake fluid
motor oil and filters
fluorescent light bulbs and tubes
herbicides
insecticides
old prescriptions and over the counter medicines
propane tanks
pool chemicals
paints and solvents

No Commercial, institutional, agricultural or industrial waste permitted

National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Does Your Mommy Still Pack Your Lunch?

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:58:15 -0500

Waste Reduction Week October 19th to 25th 2009

Does Your Mommy Still Pack Your Lunch?

To learn more, to participate, or to enter the video contest check out www.wrwcanada.com

The site contains Links that will take you to information on waste reduction information, activities and more all across Canada.
Follow Waste Reduction Week Canada on Twitter by clicking on the "follow" button on their profile
Visit www.wrwcanada.com for suggestions on wastes reduction for your home.
Frequently asked questions section "What Should I do with?" and links to a few other informative sites such as GreenerChoices.org

Burned At The Door

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:30:59 -0500

Burned At The Door -

Your sitting at home relaxing on the couch or perhaps watching TV when the door bell rings. Your not expecting someone and your doorbell seldom rings. You get up and go to the door to see if it is one of the neighbourhood children participating in a fund raiser selling cookies, raffle tickets or some other item.

We all try to help our neighbours children if we can but not everyone at the door has a sweet deal for you

Don't Get Burned at The Door

No matter how good or how time restrictive the offer seems to be it's your door and your decision.

Ontarians have learned, often to late, that the deal contains long term commitments or hidden penalties for early termination. One recent example here in Durham was some unscrupulous operators who stung homeowners who agreed to have their driveways paved by firms they had never heard of who seemed to be offering a very good deal.

A recent email forwarded by a family member contained a warning about how some door to door salemen operate.

While the Message was informative and appeard to be one of genuine concern.
I could not help but wonder who dreamed up this viral marketing scheme,
and how effective it could be.

Here is a copy of the email

Dear friends and family,

I've never been one for sending work-related emails to my friends and family, but I've just finished working on something that you might be interested in.

As you probably know, I work for xxxxxxxxx Home Comfort, which is one of Canada's largest home comfort and rental water heating companies. Over the past few months we've been getting calls from customers about door-to-door sales people trying to get them to switch out their rental water heaters. The problem is the deceptive approach we're hearing these doorknockers are using:

- posing as the utility, the government or their own current rental water heating provider
- telling them that the replacement is mandatory
- misleading them with the promise of huge energy savings
- telling them that their current provider has gone out of business

Many of these customers don't understand that they're being switched. By the time the tank has been changed out, some of these customers are now locked in for up to 15 years, with huge penalties for early exit. And if the customers get upset about being misled and they switch back, they get charged hundreds of dollars. I even saw one bill for $1,300! The problem is that customers don't know what's going on in this industry, they're not asking many (or any) questions, they don't know their rights and they're not warning each other.

Enough is enough. We've just launched a new website called burnedatthedoor.com. We've created this online community so that people can get educated, learn about their rights and about their water heaters, post their own stories about doorknocking, register for email alerts, and warn family and friends (like I'm doing with you).

If you've had these doorknockers at your door, or have heard about people who have, can I ask you to do 2 things?

First, check out the website, and if you want to, go ahead and register for alerts and see if they've been spotted in your community. And second, can you forward this email to everyone you think should know about this issue? Our company has been doing a lot the past few months to warn people, and we're now finding that people are starting to ask the right questions of these companies! This website is just one more way people can get information, because some customers are finding that ignorance can be expensive.

Hope all is well with you...drop us a line and tell us what's new!

Thanks,

Your Green Bin - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 09:12:49 -0500

Green Bin Tips

25,907 metric tonnes of compostable waste of completely compostable material was put out at the curb in Durham Region in 2008. That's the equivalent to the weight of 17,548 mid sized cars. Durham region only allows compostable bags to be used in the bin so that material was all converted to reusable compost

ensure our liner bags are compostable
store your kitchen container in an accessible location
keep your green bin out of direct sunlight ... heat from the sun will start the decomposition of the liner bags
don't help the animals gain access to the bin ... store it away from fences and deck rails
place a fibre egg carton in the bottom of the bin to prevent other material from freezing to the bottom in winter
keep odour down by placing paper towels or newsprint in the bottom of your kitchen containers
in hot weather freeze meat and fish scraps until collection day
clean your bins with baking soda vinegar or a mild detergent and warm water

Durham Region home owners are to be commended on their effortsto Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. Here are some handy tips for your Blue Box

Your Blue Box - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:42:36 -0500

Some Blue Box Reminders for Durham Residents

Remove lids from all bottles and jars before placing empty in the box
Fatten all cardboard and tie larger flattened cardboard in bundles
Use a standard sized blue box
Maximum weight is 44 lbs or 20 kilograms
Stack boxes to help prevent paper from blowing away
Put you box out before 7 am on collection day
On windy days do not put it out the night before
In winter months do not place on top of snow banks or icy patches

Things that do not go in the Box

clam shell or take out containers
plastic or styrofoam egg cartons
wodden or plastic food crates
plastic bags
styrofoam or paper coffee cups nursery plant pots or trays

National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 19:18:01 -0500

National Waste Reduction Week

October 19th to the 25th

Lets all Pitch in, Recycle, Reduce, Reuse ... no longer are these just catchy phrases Homeowners are getting the message as demonstrated by the graph below.

Durham Region home owners are to be commended on their efforts to Recycle, Reduce, Reuse

They have successfully reduced the percentage amount of garbage going into land fill by 17% since 2005 while increasing the amount of food waste that is being recycled by 11%.

In addition they have increased the percentage of waste no longer going to land fill with their blue box contributions by 3%

Uxbridge Is Having A Street Party

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:16:02 -0500

Uxbridge Is Having A Street Party

Strawberry Threads and the Tin Cup are throwing a street party as part of their grand opening. A good portion of the downtown area was the subject of "The Big Dig" this past summer with the main street closed off for a good portion of that time. Now with the Big Dig almost completed the local merchants are throwing a street party on Saturday the 17th. There will be a fashion show 3:15 a cocktail reception at 4:00 and Lukas Rossi will perform from 5:30 to 6:30.

A Lack of Common Sense

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:03:46 -0500

Lack of Common Sense = $490 Fine and 3 demerit points

Why is it we need to legislate what should be common sense. Why was it necessary to legislate that when approaching any emergency vehicle on the roadside with lights flashing, you must enter the left lane to pass. As a child drivers always drew over to the opposite lane when passing a stopped vehicle let alone an emergency vehicle. they would pull over to the curb and stop when they were approaching from behind or ahead unless on a divided highway. Out of respect you even pulled over to the side to let a funeral pass from the opposite direction and never tried to pass one going the same direction.

Fast forward to today and the right now generation and we need legislation to enforce what should be a common courtesy.

When taking a road trip or even out for a drive about town remember the hard lesson in common courtesy the fellow below was taught.

Here is an email I received showing that going halfway is not good enough

While driving on the 427 South at Burnamthorpe in broad daylight at 2 p.m., when I came upon two police cruisers who had pulled over a third vehicle. I slowed down to be cautious, and was surprised when the second cruiser pulled out and pulled me over. Approaching on the passenger side, the officer asked if I knew why I had been pulled over.. I honestly expressed that I had no idea. He informed me that Ontario law now states that when approaching any emergency vehicle on the roadside with lights flashing, you must enter the left lane. He then proceeded to ticket me, taking three demerits and issuing a fine of, wait for it...$490! (Yes, I'm choking as I type that.) I realize I did not change lanes, but I do believe I was cautious.

My message is, be careful. He said that they are cracking down hard on this because of injured officers. I did not realize this was the law. Neither did any of my recently-licensed children. Or evidently not the 47 drivers pulled over.

Hefty fine if you don't change lanes!!!!!!! 3 demerit points on top of cash.

Well Well ... Is Your Well Water Safe

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:31:57 -0500

Is Your Well Water Safe

When Buying a rural property you will need to have the water tested, preferably with a history of good samples over a period of time but tested at least once prior to closing . Unlike properties serviced with treated city supplied water you are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep, it is up to you to ensure you continue to have a safe source of water.

"As of 2006, waterborne diseases are estimated to cause 1.8 million deaths each year while about 1.1 billion people lack proper drinking water" wikipedia

Some of the things you should look for to ensure your well is not being contaminated

any septic system is properly functioning
ensure no leaking fuel or oil storage tanks (leaks from a vehicle could also be harmful)
ensure pesticides and fertilizers are properly stored and used
livestock and other animal feces/manure is well away from your well
ensure that any run off from the above

Have It Tested Regularly

help to ensure the quality of the water you consume

a minimum of three times a year
more often if you suspect or know of potential problems
more often if your well is vulnerable to outside influnces (see above) or if your well is a dug well
after any major plumbing work

Understanding the water cycle Water for kids with activity pages

Are Mortgage Rates On The Rise?

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:41:53 -0500

Are Mortgage Rates On The Rise?

Less than a week ago I mentioned a report in which 2 TD economists felt that Mortgage rates could rise soon. Tomorrow TD is increasing some Mortgage rates. With rising rates now may well be a very good time to examine your mortgage options and the effect of Floating Rate VS Fixed Rate Mortgages on your mortgage payments. Examine the effect rising rates may have on your comfort level or your ability to pay.

According to an article put out today by Canwest News Service (October 12, 2009) they just might well be. While rates remain unchanged for some mortgages effective tomorrow Wed Oct 14th TD is raising rates on fixed mortgages with the 5 year posted rate increasing 0.29% to 5.84%.

Property Taxes - Are Yours Fair and Equitable?

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:06:05 -0500

Property Taxes - Are Yours Fair and Equitable

By now you have paid your final tax bill on your property here in Ontario for 2009.

Understanding how your assessment is calculated and the effect it has on your property tax bill begins with a very simple formula.

assessment x mill rate equal your tax bill

That is where the simplicity ends.

Due to the reassessment carried out for your 2009 tax bill yours may have gone down, but more than likely they went up even if your assessment did not go up more than the average. This was due to the increase in spending by your local city or municipal politicians and is reflected in the mill rate.

As property values fluctuate across a municipality your portion of the overall tax bite will change relative to your neighbours. Another factor that will affect your property taxes is how the assessment is calculated. Most taxpayers believe that the "Market Value" of their property is the driving force behind their tax bill but what they do not know or understand is that may not be the case.

The assessment folks use complicated formulas that are based on information that includes personal subjective opinion. This information is then massaged and manipulated by the formulas created by the assessment folks so that it resembles their version of the current value of your home. It is this current value or assessed value that is used in the calculation above.

Without making any changes to your home you may find that your assessment changed dramatically from what it had been relative to comparable properties in your area. Simple things like moving of a boundary line used in the calculation can have an effect. Other things that may affect it could be, environmental issues, proximity issues, wetlands, right of ways and the list goes on and on. If the assesor or the formula fails to reflect all the issues that also affect the value of your home the assessment will not be accurate and you may be paying more than your fair share.

Here are some links to a series of posts on assessment and mill rates that you may find informative.

You and "YOUR" Propertry Tax Bill -- Property Assessment Open House Sessions
You and "YOUR" Propertry Tax Bill -- Assessment Errors Can Be Costly
Understanding Residential Property Assessment in Ontario - #7 in a series on property taxes
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- Is Your Assessment Fair and Equitable
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- OUCH!!!!!
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- Your Assessment Notice Is In The Mail
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- Mill Rate Idiosyncrasy's
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- Is Current Value Assessment (CVA) A Better Way?
You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- Who Takes The Biggest Bite?

Fall Colours - Thanksgiving Colour Trips - Muskoka

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:50:16 -0500

Have A Happy Thanksgiving

Historic Port Sydney is a growing community located some 12 km south of Huntsville Just off Highway 11. This picturesque town is situated on the shores of beautiful Mary Lake and the upper North Muskoka River.

WELCOME

To Port Sydney

"Home To 800 Happy Families
and
One Old Grouch"

Have A Happy Thanksgiving

Enjoy The Fall Colours

Take A Thanksgiving Road Trip

To Muskoka

THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME

I will respond ASAP
However I do not answer when driving
or when with Clients

Fall Colours - Thanksgiving Road Trips - Muskoka

Kathy Clulow ASP® SRES® (RE/MAX Scugog Realty Ltd Brokerage) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:26:16 -0500

High Falls - Bracebridge - The Heart Of Muskoka, Ontario

High Falls Park is Unique with 5 separate waterfalls tumbling into Clear Lake. Sometimes refered to as the "Niagara of the North" the water flows over the falls at 300 cubic feet a second. It is 882 feet above sea level and has a 48-foot drop down the cliff. The Falls are located in a town owned park surrounded by old growth forests with access to the Trans Canada Trail system. The park is about 1 minute of Hyw 11

Have A Happy Thanksgiving

Fall Colours - Thanksgiving Road Trips - Muskoka

If you are out this weekend enjoying a fall colour tour
and want to check out Homes In

The Communities of
Uxbridge,Port Perry/Scugog
Whitchurch Stouffville, Balantrae,
Georgina and Brock.

Just Give Me A Call

OR
Check Out The Listings
On My Listing Web Site

THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME

I will respond ASAP
However I do not answer when driving
or when with Clients

Uxbridge, Ontario Information and Real Estate Online

Dress For The Ditch

You and "YOUR" Property Tax Bill -- My Prescription Provided Pain Relief

Demographics - Our Aging Population

Uxbridge Remembers Those Who Gave All

Matthew House - A Place At The End Of The Refugee Highway

Just 10 Days Away - The Annual Uxbridge Christmas Home Tour

Lest we Forget - I Minute of Your time - The Eleventh Hour Of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month

In Flanders fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blowBetween the crosses, row on row,That mark our place; and in the skyThe larks, still bravely singing, flyScarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days agoWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,Loved, and were loved, and now we lieIn Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:To you from failing hands we throwThe torch; be yours to hold it high.If ye break faith with us who dieWe shall not sleep, though poppies growIn Flanders fields.

— Lt.-Col. John McCrae

The Lucy Maude Montgomery Society of Ontario ... Christmas Sale ... " Step In Thyme" ...

Everything Christmas - Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxillary -

Halloween Safety Tips

H1N1 Vaccinations

Free Durham Region E-Waste - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Does Your Mommy Still Pack Your Lunch?

Burned At The Door

Your Green Bin - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Your Blue Box - National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

National Waste Reduction Week - October 19th to the 25th

Uxbridge Is Having A Street Party

A Lack of Common Sense

Well Well ... Is Your Well Water Safe

Are Mortgage Rates On The Rise?

Property Taxes - Are Yours Fair and Equitable?

Fall Colours - Thanksgiving Colour Trips - Muskoka

Fall Colours - Thanksgiving Road Trips - Muskoka

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.