I just learned that the Town of Oakville offers a Memorial Tree Program that allows you to buy or adopt a tree to honour the life of a lost loved one, or just to dedicate to a friend or family member. We all know that trees can provide a lasting tribute for someone special and they also enhance our natural environment.  Oakville has a list of parks and cemetery locations where the trees can be planted or adopted.    A cast bronze plaque will be set in concrete and placed at the base of the tree plus a certificate of acknowledgement will  be issued.  The cost of the tree is $2100. plus tax which includes the purchase, planting and  a five year maintenance contract.  A further five year contract costs $500. The trees are planted each spring and the application deadline for spring 2011 mem... 05/05/2010

Canadian students 19 and Under are invited to celebrate biodiversity in Oakville and across the globe by entering a contest!Canadian artist Robert Bateman started a program called 'Get to Know' to help promote environmental awareness amongst young people. The theme for this year's 'Get to Know' program is 'Celebrate Biodiversity' and at no time more than the present is this theme more important with thousands of plant and animal species becoming endangered or extinct on a daily basis.If you know a student who is 19 years or under, encourage them to enter this year's 'Get to Know' contest. Not only will they have the opportunity to learn more about the beautiful planet we live on and display their creative talents, they will also have the opportunity to win some great prizes and perhaps ... 05/05/2010

Spring has arrived in full force here in Oakville, Ontario. Fruit trees are in bloom across the city with white and the most beautiful shades of crimson and pink blossoms I've ever seen. The fact that I think the same thoughts every spring, has no bearing on it. Every spring seems like the most beautiful spring I've ever experienced. Along with the blossoms come new generations of life, curious and fresh and happy just to be here. Spring fever has caught up with the birds and the bees as creatures everywhere find a warm place in the sun to relax and relish in the return of another season filled with hope and renewal. 05/02/2010

Oakville and Halton Region Free Compost Days Are Here Again!Sitting under our sink is a small beige plastic pail with a lid. This is not just any plastic container. It's a container for treasure that is destined to become black gold. Green waste is comprised of the following: fruit and vegetable peelings left over dinner items stale bread and food items paper towels bones meat shells from seafood and nuts plant clippings and more Once picked up by Halton Waste Management, the green waste is turned into rich, dark compost at a central composting facility in Hamilton, Ontario.Leaves, brush and yard waste are picked up at the curb by Halton Waste Management and are subsequently turned into compost at the Halton Waste Management Site 5400 Regional Road 25 in Milton In 2009, over 30,000 ton... 04/30/2010

Oakville Taste 2010 - A Culinary Delight Enjoy a fine dining experience?   Appleby College in Oakville is the place to be on Sunday, May 30th when some of the region's finest caterers, restaurateurs and bakers will be serving up a culinary extravaganza at Oakville Taste 2010 in support of Oakville's Kerr Street Ministries food bank.From  2-6pm, patrons will enjoy a wide sampling of signature foods from particpating chefs. Local producers of beer and wine will join the restaurateurs, bakers and caterers in offering a fine selection of their best to pair with the delectable assortment of food styles.Patrons will also be able to place their bids in a silent auction with proceeds going towards the Kerr Street Ministries food bank. The following Restaurateurs, Bakers and Caterers will be pro... 04/28/2010

I watched a great special on HGTV called the  25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes.  All of these items are important to note on a day to day basis but some really stood out to me as extremely important when you are putting your house on the market to sell.  I've highlighted the items that I feel are imperative to remember when preparing your home for sale. I've added my own comments in parenthesis. 25. Contour toilet rugs - ( or toilet lid covers)   24. Too many photos displayed ( depersonalize, keep the buyer focussed on the big stuff) 23. Ignoring your entry way/foyer (first impressions are important) 22. Exposed cables-of the media variety 21. Out of place, themed rooms (a Bali bedroom in Alaska would be a no-no) 20. Outdated hardware and accessories 19. Lop-sided furniture arrangements 1... 04/27/2010

Free Comic Book Day and Workshop at Oakville Public LibraryBoys and Girls between the ages of 12 and 18 are invited to celebrate Free Comic Book Day this coming Saturday, May 1st from 12-4pm.To take part in this fun event, register with Elise, the Teen Services Librarian at the Oakville Public Library by email at ecole@oakville.ca or by phone at 905-815-2042 Ext 5037 .On Saturday, May 1st, stop by the Comic Connection at 146 Kerr Street in Oakville and pick up your free comic. Comic Conection opens at 11 am on Saturdays. The Free Comic Workshop will be held at the Oakville Public Library Central Branch Auditorium. Artist Bruce Outridge will be teaching the workshop. This event is sponsored by the Oakville Public Library, Comic Connection and Friends of the Oakville Public Library. If yo... 04/27/2010

Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District Designated in 1981, the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District is a unique, living historical account of what the original village of Oakville, first surveyed in 1833, was like.Extending along the Lake Ontario lakeshore from Allan Street in the East to Sixteen Mile Creek in the west and Robinson Street to the north, the Old Oakville Heritage Conservation District retains much of it's original charm with many of Oakville's original early homes having been preserved.The original homes of Oakville are commemorated with a white plaque near their doorstep. The plaque, erected by the Oakville Historical Society, indicates the year the structure was built and who the original owner was. The original survey of Oakville, completed in 1833, consist... 04/26/2010

What You Can Do to Help Slow Bee Decline - Natural OakvilleAround the globe a crisis of monumental proportions is taking place. Bees are disappearing at an unprecedented rate and with them go up to one third of the world's food supply. There are many factors that scientists say are contributing to the alarming disappearance of the bees. Amongst those being studied are: 1. Radio waves 2. Pesticide and Herbicide usage3. Parasites and Disease that seem to be more successful now due to bee's weakening immune systems 4. Mono-culture of plant species over thousands of acres 5. Air pollution 6. Global warming All of these factors combined are escalating and compounding the rate of demise that all species of bees are experiencing.Bees are the most valuable pollinator for plant species on our pl... 04/25/2010

Bronte Outer Harbour Marina - Boat Launch Day for RoninThe most commonly heard expression amongst boaters this time of year is ' Have you got your launch day yet?' Today was launch day for Ronin at Bronte Outer Harbour Marina. After a long winter sitting on dry land, she's afloat on her water home once more. Ronin on dry land at Bronte Outer Harbour MarinaHere comes the Travelift at Bronte Outer Harbour Marina. The Travelift will pick Ronin up and transport her to the water.The Travelift carefully backs up while Ronin waits patiently.Strapping Ronin in to the Travelift at Bronte Outer Harbour Marina.Ronin gets lifted off her cradle at Bronte Outer Harbour.The Travelift carries Ronin to the water on launch day.Almost home again at Bronte Outer Harbour.Travelift has lowered Ronin back int... 04/24/2010

Spring is in the air in Oakville.  It is also in the forests, on the trails and gracing Oakville's streets and  yards.  Everywhere you go you see and smell sweet blossoms, fresh new leaves, and spring flowers such as tulips, daffodils and trilliums. There is no better time than now to get out and enjoy these early spring blossoms before they are gone.  The magnolia trees are in full bloom and for such a sweet short time.  This is April.  Aren't we supposed to be getting the April showers before we get the May flowers? No rain to speak of this month but definitely the May flowers have arrived early.  Oakville is fortunate to have two distinct harbour areas.  Oakville harbour is a must visit when shopping in downtown Oakville or after enjoying a great meal at one of Oakville's popular Lak... 04/23/2010

Bungalows in Oakville are in great demand.  As our population ages, many Oakville homeowners are looking to sell their  two storey and split level homes to eliminate extra stairs and trade for a one storey floor plan. The choice of bungalows (and bungalofts) is somewhat limiting in Oakville.  There is a large selection of older bungalows built in the 1950's and 1960's but many are dated and need renovating.  Most have limited closet space, no ensuite and no garage or just a carport. The older bungalows do offer larger, mature treed lots though.   There is a selection of bungalows built in the 1970's in the Ford Drive and Devon Road area in east Oakville.  In the west end, bungalows of the same era are located in the Bridge Road area between Third Line and Bronte Road. Falgarwood and Col... 04/20/2010

Old Oakville - Oakville Harbour - Lake Ontario Marinas Oakville Harbour had it's beginnings when Colonel William Chisholm purchased 1000 acres of Crown land at the mouth of Sixteen Mile Creek in 1827. As a man of determination and vision, Chisholm  had a dream of building the first privately owned harbour for Upper Canada. In 1834 Oakville was declared a Port of Entry into Canada and Chisholm's dream came true. Old growth forests still covered much of Ontario in the early 1800s and a major export from Upper Canada, via the Oakville Harbour, was pine timbers and oak staves. As the lumber industry grew, staples such as wheat were required to feed the growing population. Storage grainaries began to flourish as wheat production increased along the rich farmlands that bordered Lake Ontario. ... 04/20/2010

I noticed a curious sight the other day driving down Bronte Road in Oakville.  A number of dump trucks were rumbling up and down the long driveway of an old home situated on Bronte Road just south of Upper Middle Road.  As I got closer I noticed the large red brick home was all boarded up.  Never a good thing to see in Oakville.  The  field behind was being levelled by a piece of heavy machinery,  There were no developers or builders signs on the property that I could see but the telltale signs are all pointing towards a new home site. The property abutts Bronte Creek Provincial Park so it is a very popular location. It will be interesting to see what happens with this house and the property.  Oakville recently lost the old Emily Biggar farmhouse on the corner of Dundas Street and Neyag... 04/19/2010

Living in Old Oakville - Spring is Making Her Appearance Old Oakville, an area that encompasses the original old village of Oakville, is situated in south-central Oakville along the shores of Lake Ontario.This time of year, Old Oakville, with it's majestic, old trees and unique early homes, comes alive with birdsong, trees and shrubs in bloom and garden beds alive with spring flowers.Erchless Estate gardens overlooking Lake Ontario come alive in spring.The white picket fences of yesteryear are a common sight in Old Oakville. Thinking of making a move to Old Oakville? To receive a complete list of homes currently available in Old Oakville, contact Jo-Anne Smith, Sales Representative with Brekland Realty Group, Brokerage, Oakville, Ontario at 905-285-0673 or 289-837-2132 To receive regula... 04/19/2010

Here on Planet Earth, we become, live and perish. We are Planet Earth; we and all of the miraculous diversity of life forms that flourish here. We celebrate Planet Earth on one day a year. Considering we live on Planet Earth every single day of the year and are totally dependent on her, it seems somewhat darkly sad that we officially celebrate our planet, the planet we are all a part of, only one day a year.On this day, which has now extended into a week in Canada, we do everything we should be doing year round, to help our one home and the giver of our lives. We clean up ditches and organize peace walks. We take new stock of our recycling efforts and attend special gala celebrations and donate money to 'green' organizations. We plant trees and hold scrap metal drives, all in an effort ... 04/18/2010

Habitat for Humanity Expands to Oakville - Building Two Homes This YearHabitat Halton, the Habitat for Humanity chapter in Halton region, will be building homes in Oakville for the first time starting in May of 2010.The homes will be built on Elmwood Road with construction set to run from May to October. The two families have already been selected and will be contributing 500 hours each of work hours during the building process.Oakville is one of the most affluent cities in Canada, however 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line.Lack of affordable housing in Oakville forces many residents to become homeless or to move in with relatives and friends. Habitat for Humanity, a volunteer organization which began 25 years ago, endeavours to help those families who live below the poverty ... 04/11/2010

Oakville Homeowners Eligible for Free 'peaksaver®' Programmable Thermostat and a $25 Gift for Enrolling !Oakville residents who are single-family homeowners are eligible for the peaksaver® Program, a program designed to help Ontarions save on energy usage and lessen the burden on electricity consumption during the peak demand times during the summer months.Residents who sign up for the program are able to decrease their electricity costs  through the installation of a programmable thermostat that allows for their central air conditioning usage to be slightly reduced during the peak demand times. An online operations centre allows program participants to adjust their usage.Peak demand times are usually on weekday afternoons on the hottest summer days. If you are an Oakville single-family... 04/11/2010

I often get asked by people thinking of moving to Oakville, which neighbourhoods are the best to live in.  That is a very difficult question to answer.  I am very proud, however to be able to say that there are NO bad neighbourhoods in Oakville. There are many unique areas in Oakville, each with different amenities, price ranges, and  home styles.  I ask potential purchasers what they are looking for in a neighbourhood and what their family makeup is and the type of lifestyle they live. If living near Lake Ontario is a priority, neighbourhoods of interest would be Old Oakville, Bronte, Southwest Oakville, Morrison or Ford.  The neighbourhoods of Old Oakville, Central Oakville and Kerr Village are all within walking distance of downtown Oakville. West and Southwest Oakville offer neighbo... 04/06/2010

The Oaks is a popular high rise  condominium in north Oakville.  This 21 storey building was built in 1973 and consists of 205 - 2 and 3 bedroom units.   Monthly condo fees are in the $500. range and include exterior maintnance and insurance, parking and water.  Annual taxes for the units are approximately $2000.  Some of the amenities include an indoor pool, exercise room and billiard room. Being an older building, individual suites are much more spacious than newly built condos and the square footage is in the 1100 to 1300 range.  Each unit boasts an outdoor balcony with some providing views of Lake Ontario.  Other units overlook a ravine.   Seventeen units sold in the Oaks over the last 12 months ranging from $198,000 to $245,000 with the average price being $223,000.   The average d... 04/05/2010