UXPERIENCE 2008 Last Night I took a night off from real estate and went out with my husband to see some very talented local people perform in Uxperience. This years version is the hilariously funny Paint the Town, featuring song, dance, comedy, an aerialist and a band performing and showing a satirical look at some of the events and issues that are affecting our town and in some cases will affect it for years to come.Preparations for the event started way back last summer and included hundreds of volunteers who did everything from counting out dance steps and mastering choreography to building sets and assembling costumes. There were skits to write and songs to purchase, the planning and co-ordination of the actual show, equipment and sets to be set up and run and of course a show to pu... 05/02/2008

Your Invitation to once again enjoy the popular Fridays at the Foster as it returns for the 08 season. The season starts Friday May the 2nd with the Bach to Blues Company 7:30 - 8:30 pm. The Thomas Foster Memorial is a striking contrast to the surrounding rolling farm lands. Inspired by the Taj Mahal in India and Christian Byzantine churches it was built as a resting place for Fosters wife and daughter. The Foster Memorial itself is worthy of the visit even with out the music. This wonderfull unique treasure of byzantyne design is located approx 4 km north of Uxbridge on Durham 1. The solid copper roof has leaded stained glass windows. The doors are constructed of solid brass again with stained glass windows. The floor and ceiling are covered with marble mosaics with inlaid symbols The... 04/30/2008

Every morning now for several days I have been awakened by a furtive tap on the bathroom window. When I go to look there is no one there. Who ever it was had flown the coop and disappeared into the woods. No sooner do I crawl back into bed, when the tapping begins again. Time after time I go to the window only to find no one there. I go outside and quietly sneak all the way around to the back of the house where I can get a bird's eye view of the window, to no avail no one is there. I mean there is no one to be seen anywhere not in our yard or our neighbours yard, the ladder is still laying along side the wall on the ground just where it was put last fall. I no sooner get back in the house and the tapping begins again. More determined than ever I rush around the front (the short way) but... 04/24/2008

As Summer draws nearer the number of Listings in our area is beginning to increase creating a more stable marketplace. Now is not the time to be "testing the market" if you are serious about selling your home. In reviewing the market activity so far this year in the RE/MAX Affordability Report. Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President and Regional Director, RE/MAX Ontario - Atlantic Canada says "Doom and gloom reports from south of the border have yet to hinder overall momentum" There appears to be a higher degree of frustration in the marketplace than in previous years as "Rising housing values and lack of inventory challenge first time buyers". The report indicates that entry level purchasers across Canada are adjusting there expectations by sacrificing size, location, and even long... 04/24/2008

Ah the days of our youth,  the days of building a raft and floating it on the pond in the field, pretending to be Huckleberry Finn. Pretending to take the raft down the Mississippi River in the hope of finding freedom. The days of our carefree youth, filled with memories to be shared with your children. Bring your youngsters out to Elgin pond on Sat. April 26th in Uxbridge and reminisce about those days. Teach your kids the fine art of fishing as you join in theUxbridge Youth Fishing Event. Don't miss the Huck Finn Parade.Dress up in your best Huck Finn outfit decorate your bike or wagon and join the parade, starting at Elgin park (9:30am) and traveling down Mill St to Water St.   Fish from 10 am to 1 pm with plenty of fish to be caught.   No Fishing Gear No Problem There is free fishin... 04/12/2008

  Is the rainy/damp weather putting a damper on your spring gardening activities. With damp drizzling weather blanketing most of Southern Ontario this weekend is an ideal time to make the best of it. Take a short trip to Peterborough to visit the"For the Love of Gardening Show" put on by "The Peterborough Horticultural Society, the Peterborough and Area Master Gardeners, and the Northumberland Master Gardeners". Now is the time to be thinking about curb appeal if you are contemplating the sale of your home.  For the Love of Gardening Show. Show hours, location and admission Friday, April 11 (6 - 9 p.m.), Saturday, April 12 (10 a.m. - 6 p.m.), Sunday, April 13 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.) Evinrude Centre, 911 Monaghan Road, Peterborough $5 admission, children free coat check What's that you say!!... 04/12/2008

Uxbridge has Two OpportunitiestoPay it Forwardby Supporting the Fight against Breast Cancer The Uxbridge Half Marathon Run For The Diamond The Uxbridge Cottage Hospital Auxiliary is presenting a Half marathon and a five kilometre walk/run on Sunday, April 27th. Those who register by April 25th will have their names put in a draw for a $5,000 diamond ring donated by Rutledge Jewellers Uxbridge Township is the Trails Capital of Canada! The Half Marathon & 5km walk/run will take you along scenic trails down quiet roadways, through majestic trees, beautiful vistas & fresh country air. The proceeds from this race will be used to purchase digital breast cancer screening equipment for the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital. Uxbridge, located just a short ½ hour drive from Aurora, Newmarket, Whitby, Os... 04/05/2008

Keep Your Children Away From Swollen Streams and Rivers While the snow may be all but gone around Uxbridge the Streams and rivers are still very dangerous. The water level where these videos were taken rose close to 1 foot overnight last night (Wed April 02nd) and likely would have risen even more if the temperature had not dropped. Anticipated rain and just above freezing temperatures will likely keep the water levels high for the next week How MuchForce is There? The 25+ foot tree in the water was washed down river and through the dam. It is lodged on an island in the river that is now under about 1 foot of water Normal Flow is about 3 to 4 inches in depth over the dam. The Flow through the dam is about 3 feet in depth at the time of these videos Just HowDangerousis the flow? Watch fo... 04/03/2008

How Real Is the Threat To Your Home Security?   Lock Bumping is a very simple technique that involves using a key to apply pressure to the tumblers in the lock causing the pins inside the lock cylinder to jump above the shear line. This enables the lock to be opened by anyone with a lock bumping key that can be purchased over the internet for a few dollars. There are many videos and web sites on the internet that explain in detail how it works. Older house locks and post office box or mail box lock are highly susceptible to this process. Lock Bumping.org provides a brief outline of the history and some basic information. If you want more detail visit Locked, but not secure where Marc Weber Tobias provides some detail and insight into how it works.Some very good consumer information is ... 03/14/2008

I recently had the pleasure of sharing lunch with Krystaal, a multi. talented group of three brothers whose repertoire includes R&B, Pop, Gospel, Urban and African music. They were in Uxbridge to reconnect with and to perform at Uxbridge Baptist Church After a successful 2006 World Peace Tour the Lwamba's  recently shared the stage with past Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton along with Al Gore and John Grisham. Born into a family of affluence in Zaire (now the Democratic republic of Congo) the three Brothers have an incredible storey to tell. In 1989 their peaceful existence was shattered by violence. Violence that  resulted in the separation of their close knit family. Violence that resulted in the death of many close friends and relatives including their parents. Their incredi... 03/09/2008

 UXBRIDGE ONTARIO - Hidden Gems The small hamlet of Leaskdale was home to a famous Canadian Author “Lucy Maud Montgomery”, who had her first book “Anne of Green Gables”, published 100 years ago. She resided in Leaskdale from 1911 to 1926 and here, as the wife of Rev. Ewan Macdonald a Presbyterian minister, is where she would write 11 of her 22 best selling novels. 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.   In honouring the 100 anniversary of “Anne of Green Gables” Uxbridge council has officially declared 2008 as “100 Years of Anne”. The LMM Society and the Township have planned several events to help ce... 03/04/2008

Canadian Real Estate Review Canadian Real Estate Review 1997 - 2007 A Decade In Review Pent-up demand, population growth, tight inventory levels, and the longest economic expansion since World War II collectively fuelled one of the best decades on record for residential real estate in Canada, according to a report released by RE/MAX. Download Full Report The RE/MAX Decade in Review 1997 - 2007 Found that Major housing centres across the country experienced strong consecutive growth between 1997 and 2007. In 2006, homeownership rates in the country were the highest on record at 68.4 per cent. Population growth has contributed to heated market conditions – especially in Calgary (+31.4 per cent), Edmonton (+20 per cent), Toronto (+20 per cent), and Vancouver (+15 per cent) where percentag... 02/26/2008

Here is a selection of links for Teachers, Kids and Teens as well as Parents of Kids and Teens. As a parent and grandparent I feel it is important to provide a safe environment for our children on the Internet. These links are provided as a courtesy for our readers. Please be advised that ownership and content of the web sites we link to can change and that it is important that you are aware of the sites your children visit.     Kathy Clulow NRCat Home of NRCat's scratching post an excellent resource rich site from Natural Resources Canada for Kids, Teachers and Parents. Canadian Kids page is a starting point for teachers, students, parents and children exploring the web together.   Hotlist:  The Franklin Institutes educational hotlist. TVO KIDS One loved by all our grandchildren excell... 02/09/2008

Two upcoming events put on by The Arts Community in Uxbridge illustrate the commitment the community has to caring and sharing with and for others in the community.Ryleepus Productions is presenting a special performance of Neil Simons "Barefoot in the Park" on Valentines Night with the proceeds going to Precious Minds a charitable organization that provides support to families in North Durham Region with children who have barriers to learning by providing support, linking parents with resources, raising awareness, and providing financial assistance. A second event is an auction of local artists work to support the AhMen Projectwhich in turn will be using the proceeds of the theatrical presentation to support the Uxbridge youth center and the Uxbridge Arts Association. The art works in ... 02/03/2008

Despite Recent Headlines About The Stock Market --- Economic Indicators Bode Well For Home Buyers and Sellers Alike. While not everyone agrees on the details, there seems to be a consensus that the Canadian economy will slow for the first half of this year and then revive in the second half. Indicators are good for a strong spring real estate market with stable house prices and lower mortgage rates. This in turn will help to increase the affordability factor for home buyers thinking of buying that first home or moving up to a larger home to fill the needs of a growing family.Perhaps you are contemplating the enjoyment of sitting on that old wooden Muskoka chair at the waters edge while sipping your favourite beverage. Watching the kids swim or just fishing off the end of the dock. Whate... 01/27/2008

Are you tired of the high cost of Gasoline? Are you old enough to remember when Gasoline was $0.25 a Gallon or about 5 and 1/2 cents a litre. The year was 1966 and there was an ongoing gas price war just outside of Toronto in a little town called Markham. My husband (boyfriend at the time) used to drive to Markham from his home in Scarbourough to fill up his 1966 Volkswagen beetle and you could cruise all night on couple of bucks worth of gas. He remembers laughing at a hitchhiker he picked up who told him he would see gasoline at $4.00 a gallon and more in his lifetime.Fast forward to today and gasoline is currently selling for just under the $1.00 litre mark (over $4.50 a gallon) here in Uxbridge while in other parts of the Province it is as high as high as $1.13. Just a few years ago... 01/25/2008

As the word spreads about Home Staging , more and more people are choosing to have their homes staged  by Professional Home Stagers before putting them on the market.  Is this something you have thought about? If not, why ? Did your Realtor advise you about staging your home before listing it? Some savvy Real Estate Agents know the importance of properly presenting your home in it's best light and that is why you will see more and more agents working with Home Stagers or Staging homes as part of their marketing package. What does this mean for you? It means that your home will be assessed by a Professional Home Stager who has trained to prepare your property with the 'eye of the buyer' in mind. If your agent doesn't suggest hiring a home stager, ask why? It is in your best interest as a... 01/17/2008

Market Review and Outlook We hope you are enjoying Old Man Winters’ days of January.  As Canadians, we certainly know how to cope with the frigid temperatures, but bring on spring please.  The Toronto Real Estate Board has just released it’s annual report of the real estate activity for 2007.  From our neck of the woods, we have some interesting  numbers we would like to share with you.  Sales in December propelled 2007 statistics  to a record setting 93,193 homes sold.  That is the first time in TREB’s  history that over 90,000 sales were recorded.  In the North District,  771 sales were reported with an average sale price of $420,508.(month of December  2007) .  Annual figures for the  Uxbridge area  are:  592 Homes Listed,   322  Homes Sold,   $395,813 Average  Price,   selling for ... 01/12/2008

Merry Christmas 12/23/2007

I invite you to join me as we witness the wonder of that very first Christmas.  We will be sitting on the bleachers surrounding the park, but we could just as easily be overlooking the town of Bethlehem.  Peeking in as we follow Joseph as he leads the donkey into the village, carrying Mary on its back. The horses will come galloping in as the soldiers round up the townspeople to pay their taxes...the children escape, playing tag as they run around the bonfires. As quiet descends on the set you may be able to hear the lambs baa, as the first cry of baby Jesus breaks the spell. The townspeople gather round to see this wondrous thing that has come to pass. Please join us for this 30 minute production, bring your friends, many are touched by this presentation.  The Living Nativity will be ... 12/09/2007