The Maple trees, obviously affected by the unusually warm winter we have experienced this year have started to run...  The tapping of Maple trees in Ontario started last week, earlier than the usual mid-march. 1,000,000 litres of maple syrup will be produced in Ontario this year, and you will start to hear about local festivities soon. If you haven't experienced the tapping of Maple trees and the production of Maple syrup, perhaps you can take advantage of the mild weather this year and join in the fun at a local festival in Ontario. It has been a few years since we have seen sap being collected from trees and boiling down in a large cauldron, producing maple syrup. Having someone ladle some syrup onto a bed of snow, creating an instant maple sugar treat is a right of Spring. Perhaps Wi... 02/27/2012

YOKOHAMA's new GREEN tire is ORANGE!!! Yokohama has just introduced the World's first mass-produced tire using Orange Oil technology. Infusing the natural and synthetic rubbers with orange oil, which is extracted from orange peels, Yokohama says the resultant tire attains longer tread life, better road handling and better fuel consumption.  Apparently Orange Oil extends the life and wear of the rubber allowing Yokohama to offer unlimited mileage warranties for four years (for V-rated tires), five years (for H-rated tires), or six years (for T-rated tires). Better fuel consumption is achieved through the reduction of friction (which reduces rolling resistance). This technology achieves these gains while reducing its carbon footprint and has achieved the prestigious BluEarth designation a... 02/22/2012

Wal-Mart Canada to spend $750 Million to expand and update facilities in Canada. Wal-Mart Canada, which currently operates 333 stores across the country, is planning on 73 new projects to expand/update, relocate or create new centres, more than half of them supercentres with full service foodmarts. These projects will add 4.6 million square feet to Wall-Mart's operations in the next year.  These moves should create 14,000 new jobs over the next year. With Target scheduled to open 24 stores in Ontario by April of 2013 and other U.S. retail giants like Kohl's and Nordstrom eyeing expansion into Canada, this looks like a move to cement Wal-Mart's standing in Canada. 02/07/2012

If you were, or are issued a parking ticket in New Tecumseth from November 24th to December 8th, Here is your chance to turn your misfortune into a Good Deed! The Town of New Tecumseth is continuing its giving tradition this week by allowing you to "skip the fine" by donating a Toy or Gift Certificate of at least equal value to the parking ticket. All toys and Gift Certificates collected will be donated to local children through the local Lion's Clubs' Christmas Hamper programs. Toys can be brought to the Town of New Tecumseth Administration Building, 10 Wellington Street East, Alliston from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  This drive ends December 9th! It almost makes me want to park illegally in front of my office ;-) 12/06/2011

If you live in South Simcoe, you remember "Snowmageddon" (a term I "borrowed" from my friend, Anya Emond who described the snow that was falling last December 6th and 7th in Tottenham). Yesterday it rained heavy, all day... and as much as no one liked the weather, we were grateful the precipitation was not falling as snow or worse, freezing rain. Well, the temperature dropped overnight and we have an accumulation of the "white stuff".  Now I like a little of the white stuff, a dusting makes me feel all "Christmassy".  But I would really prefer not to have a repeat of last December's Snowmageddon. 11/30/2011

Send a message to Santa! Two very cool websites by BELL are up and running for Christmas 2011. You can use them to have Santa send your friends, family, co-workers or ??? a message. My wife, Helen, found Portable North Pole for me two years ago just before Christmas and I had a lot of fun with it since. I have been on a lookout for it this year and I noticed today that the website is live again. Bell seems to have a similar site, Magic Santa set-up this year. Want to send a greeting from Santa himself? Both sites are easy to use and have greetings for toddlers, children and grown-ups, whether they have been NICE =) ... or NAUGHTY ;-) A Big thank you to Bell Canada for these fun interactive websites. Portable North Pole Magic Santa Link to my original Post about PNP 11/29/2011

Winter is well on its way.  If we haven't yet tackled these household maintenance chores, consider doing so soon.  Steve Gladstone, of Stonehollow Home Inspections in Stamford, CT, advises the following tasks as part of your fall/winter home maintenance: Key maintenance tasks to perform • Clean your gutters. Leaving debris in your gutters is an invitation for trouble. Not only can it freeze and damage the gutters themselves, but it also can force freezing water up under your shingles and damage the roof. Gladstone says that many homes in the Northeast now have covered gutter systems, which fools many homeowners into thinking gutter cleaning is unnecessary. “Gutter covers keep leaves out,” he says, “but not fine organic material or grit from the roof.” It’s important to remove the covers... 11/04/2011

More than 75 New Tecumseth Businesses will be participating in a fun family event Saturday October 29th, from Noon to 4 p.m.Passport to Halloween in New Tecumseth is free family fun!Want to enter your carved Pumpkin in our Halloween Contest?Enter your Pumpkin in either the Scary, Funny, or Stenciled Category for a chance to win a prize! Drop off your Pumpkin by Noon in Alliston at R&P Farms, in Beeton outside Barb's Hava Java or in Tottenham at the Northwest corner of Queen and Mill Streets.Pick up your passports at any of the participating businesses in Alliston, Beeton or Tottenham and enjoy the many Family Fun Events.Want to enjoy The Ghost of Beeton Creek - Haunted Hallowe'en Adventure?A few tickets can still be purchased by clicking on this South Simcoe Railway linkHere are some p... 10/28/2011

An old High School Friend had "liked" a UNICEF Canada link on Facebook, and I saw a picture of a UNICEF box that I carried around on Halloween when I was in elementary school many moons ago... It struck a chord in me, and I clicked on the link and saw that the old UNICEF boxes have been replaced by their "new", to me, Virtual Campaign. National UNICEF Day from UNICEF Canada on Vimeo. I clicked on the link to the UNICEF Canada Home Page, investigated a little, and thought this would be a venture worthy of my support. There are ideas on how to help make a difference by spreading the word, involving children, or by giving some great fundraising ideas in these links. I am trying to Pay it Forward by Spreading the word and by holding a Halloween Lunch Break at the Office.  Are you "IN"? If y... 10/24/2011

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2011from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m102 Tecumseth Pines Dr., New Tecumseth offered for $219,000. 97 Tecumseth Pines Dr, New Tecumseth offered for $232,500.These well laid out and well appointed two bedroom, two bathroom detached bungalows sit well on their lot amid the rolling hills of South Simcoe, immediately north of Caledon and King Townships. Click on the virtual tour to see more including a layout of these homes.  102 Tecumseth Pines Dr is the desired Sycamore model and 97 Tecumseth Pines Dr has a full finished basement. Detached Bungalow Overview Maps Photos Neighborhood Open House $219,000 Single Family Home Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 102 Tecumseth Pines Dr.New Tecumseth, ON L0G 1W0Canada To get updates on open home dates and other prop... 10/23/2011

This charming Two Bedroom, Two Bathroom Detached Bungalow has been lovingly maintained and is full of quality updates sure to please the most discerning of buyers. Is your home to big now that the children have left?  Do you want to have the freedom to travel worry-free? Perhaps 102 Tecumseth Pines, New Tecumseth will be perfect for you.  Offered @ $219,000. Some of the many feature of this home are the updated Garage Door, Front Entrance, Windows, laminate flooring, Gas fireplace, wrap-a-round deck (partially covered). See Panoramic views, layout and many more pictures in the Virtual Tour. Detached Bungalow Overview Maps Photos Neighborhood Open House $219,000 Single Family Home Main Features 2 Bedrooms2 Bathrooms Location 102 Tecumseth Pines Dr.New Tecumseth, ON L0G 1W0Canada To get u... 10/18/2011

This week is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and replace any batteries that need replacing. But more than this, why not make up and/or review your Fire Evacuation Plan. It was news to me when I read that thirty years ago, Canadian families were told that on average, they needed 17 minutes to evacuate a burning home and to plan an exit strategy based on that. Today, Fire Prevention Canada is reporting that we have about three minutes to get out of their homes before potential toxic gases can reach fatal levels. Synthetic materials such as siding, flooring, furniture are much more affordable, but also burn faster and are chemically "dirtier" than previously used natural counterparts. Draw up a floor plan and make sure everyone in your home, toddlers a... 10/14/2011

HBO has another hit with Boardwalk Empire.  This series,acclaimed for its visual style and historical accuracy takes place in a prohibition era Atlantic City (circa 1920's), and focuses on the life of a very complex Enoch "Ducky" Thompson, a city treasurer/criminal kingpin who, because of the way he curries favour, is the most powerful man in Atlantic City.  His interaction with the people of Atlantic City and notable crime figures from New York and Chicago are at the heart of this series. This is, by far, the biggest role for Steve Buscemi. Some of the other main characters are: James "Jimmy Darmondy, Nucky's protege back in Atlantic City after fighting in World War 1. Margeret Schroeder, a young Irish widow whose life is intertwined with Nucky's. Nelson Van Alden, a twisted Federal P... 09/27/2011

The Ontario Provincial Election is well on the way.  Now it is up to US!!! Make a difference this time!  Find out what are the different parties platforms and what your local candidates plan to do.  Make an informed choice, and as importantly, get out and VOTE! If October 6th is not convenient for you, you can cast your vote at several advanced Polling locations. The Returning Office located at 39 Victoria St. W. in Alliston will be open for advanced polls daily 10:00 a.m. -> 8:00 p.m. from now until September 30th. Another Advanced Polling station will be held at the Adjala-Tosorontio Municipal Office, located at 7855 30th Sideroad, Alliston daily 10:00 a.m. -> 8:00 p.m. from September 26th until September 30th. Advanced Polling will also be held at the Essa Recreation Centre, 8527 Mil... 09/23/2011

Improving the inefficiencies and adding efficiencies to your home's heating and cooling systems can reduce your heating and cooling costs from 15% to as much as 60% (depending on large part to the age and original condition/improvements made to your home). Here are some tips on how to achieve efficiencies in your home resulting in lower utility bills and less waste of our planet's limited resources. Install a programmable thermostat Have your heating/cooling systems tuned Reduce leakage through exhaust systems Address inefficiencies of recessed/pot lighting Adjust airflow of ducting in the winter and summer Seal heating and cooling ductwork Reduce/eliminate leakage Add insulation to exterior barriers 08/27/2011

GREEN ECONOMY CENTRE - Business Workshop (FREE) Where: Gigi's Green Beans Cafe 17 Queen St. South Tottenham When: August 30th 9:00 a.m. -> 11:00 a.m. Local Businesses and business owners who are interested in going "green" and saving money are invited to a FREE Business workshop where they can learn how the owner of a local business saved money through easy energy-efficient projects. Participants of the workshop will also learn about the latest energy savings incentives offered from Enbridge Gas Distribution and Powerstream. Space is limited, if you are interested, please call Amanda @ 1.800.509.7554 by August 29th to reserve your seat or for more information. 08/27/2011

forsalebyowner.com founder sold using 6% full service Realtor. Before you pay a "for sale by owner" company or a "do it yourself" company, you might be interested in investigating a little more. The founder of forsalebyowner.com, Colby Sambrotto paid a Realtor the standard 6% commission to sell his two-bedroom Chelsea condominium in New York City. After spending six months trying to sell his home himself online and with the use of classified advertisements. Colby hired a New York City broker who went on to list the property, secure a buyer and sell the property for $150,000 over list. People who attempt to sell their home themselves, mainly in order to try and save the five or six percent real estate commission, on average (according to numerous surveys over many years) have netted les... 08/05/2011

Helen had her new car one week, and was worried that we had made a bad decision... The day after she bought her car home, we went to Red Lobster in Barrie and I drove it there and back.  It was my first time in her car and I averaged 7.2 l/100km (just over 39 mpg).  I was trying to be economical, but I know I could do much better if I really wanted to push the envelope.  This was her initial benchmark. After years of great mileage, first in her VW Passat Stationwagon and then in my VW Golf (both diesel engined automobiles), it was a shock to drive 650 km in her first week and average 8.5l/100km (33 mpg CDN or ~29mpg US) fuel consumption with her new KIA Soul.  Helen told me she was doing her best to achieve good fuel economy. Brochures indicated EPA testing of 8.5l/100km city and 6.5l/1... 07/31/2011

If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated! And your body can only absorb water at a steady rate, between two and four ounces every fifteen minutes. It is much better for you to have a few sips constantly or a half a glass of water every fiteen minutes than to wait until you are thirsty. Try to avoid bottled water, as it is a very earth "unfriendly" way to deliver and consume water, in favour of refillable and reusable water bottles (with or without filters). At this time of the year it is very easy to forget to drink water during long trips or when playing in the water. Because we feel cool, often we forget about hydrating, but hydrating during longer trips and during water sports is equally important. 07/30/2011

Roaring Auto Sector fuels Real Estate Recovery in South Simcoe, Ontario. More than 15,000 jobs were added to Canada's Auto Sector in the first half of 2011 as manufacturers bounced back from the deep recession, industry statistics show. Vehicle and parts manufacturers have increased employment by 13.3% in the first six months of this year in response to an increasing North American demand for vehicles. With Honda in Alliston, Chrysler in Brampton and secondary manufacturers like Showa in Schomberg and F & P in Tottenham, this resurgence bodes well for the local Real Estate market in many South Simcoe communities such as Tottenham, Beeton, Alliston, Cookstown, as well as rural hamlets such as Rosemont, Everett, Colgan, Lisle and Angus. Looking to buy and/or sell a home in a South Simcoe ... 07/27/2011