On Monday, Windsor City Council will consider rezoning land, 160 acres, that for decades belonged to the Chrysler van plant on Pillette Rd.  This is the last big hurdle before being able to market the property to corporate investors.  Conversion of the lands into smaller parcels of serviced land is hoped to bring new industrial investment and a rebirth in the city's industrial sector by attempting to encourage people to start up smaller sized companies.  Among projects for the smaller land parcels are warehousing, logistics, research and development and light assembly companies.  Chrysler will keep once parcel of 25 acres to use for storing minivans and other vehicles.  Production at the former Chrysler plant started in 1976 and ended in June 2003.  The plant in it's prime employed 2,2... 10/04/2008

The effects of the U.S financial crisis is having an impact on the ability of some Windsorites to obtain a mortgage and in some cases to renew an existing mortgage.  Because property values have dropped between 5-8% on many homes, the equity in a home has in some cases disappeared.  This is making it increasingly difficult for some homeowners to get necessary credit approval.  Unfortunately, some homeowners who purchased a home within the past 3-5 years may have a bigger problem when renewing their mortgage when it becomes due.  This is especially true if their initial mortgage was 100% financed.  Consider that a $150,000 home bought 5 years ago may only have a value of $138,000-$143,000 today (not always the case, but for example purposes only).  During the first 3-5 years, the homeown... 10/01/2008

          Solid Brick Ranch For Sale in Central Area   SPECTACULAR FAMILY HOME ! $149,900 Spectacular family home situated in a quiet, peaceful neighborhood, where neighbors look after each other ! Same owner for 35 years ! 2 minutes to EC Row. This home features the original plaster construction, a beautiful kitchen eating area combo leading to livingroom, 3 bedrooms and large 4 piece bath. All appliances stay ! Newer vinyl windows and C/A, roof and furnace replaced in 2007. For the men: enjoy a 2 car (20x24) heated garage/workshop equipped with a 220 amp service. Nice landscaping. Yard can easily accommodate a pool and deck ! Bring your furniture and move right in ! Property information 09/24/2008

                                     Hiram Walker                                          In the 1850's, Hiram Walker sensed a temperance movement growing in the United States.  In 1858, he decided to build a distillery across the banks of the Detroit River, which became famous for it's Canadian Club Whisky.  Not only did Walker build the distillery, but he built employee housing too !  This area became the Town of Walkerville, later amalgamated into the City of Windsor in 1935.   Today, this area continues to enjoy the recognition of being the desireable neighborhood of Walkerville, with many of it's historic building still is use.   In 1920, Prohibition was in full swing in the U.S and the proximity of Walker's distillery made it the hub of smugglers and gangsters who used boats to ... 09/23/2008

Windsor-born journalist Kim Zarzour and author Sharon E. McKay co-wrote a 514-page book entitled Good To Go: A Practical Guide to Adulthood.  The book provides tips on how to do everything from boiling water to managing your finances.  It's geared toward young adults trying to make it on their own for the first time. The book was in part inspired by McKay's son who contracted scurvy because he thought he could survive on chicken wings and beer.  Zarzour felt her children, although they are teens still living at home, could also benefit from such a book.  Zarzour recalls two incidents when her teenage son's cooking attempts demonstrated a need for such a book.  In one episode, Zarzour's son was trying to heat up some boxed chicken nuggets and asked "What's a cookie sheet?"  Zarzour wonde... 09/18/2008

Located just minutes from the Detroit/Windsor tunnel, Tecumseh Mall has it all.  Renovated and expanded in 2001, Tecumseh Mall has over 65 top-name department stores and boutiques, including: Zeller's Sobey's Dollarama Mark's Work Wearhouse And Many More The mall's many retailers provide exceptional service for your discriminating taste while maintaining a small-town feel.  There is also a new Food Court with a variety of dining options, and an abundance of children's programs, live shows, and charity events to cater to Windsor's culturally-diverse population. Tecumseh Mall is the place for Windsor residents' one-stop shopping and entertainment needs.  Come feel the difference. 09/17/2008

Market Square2109 Ottawa St. at Walker Rd.Windsor, ON   N8Y 1R8Telephone: (519) 253-7374 The Market Square has more than 100 years of unmatched service and shopping. You can talk to almost 40 friendly vendors who offer unparalleled selection and great advice.  You can buy directly from growers, often within hours of harvesting.  You can browse through the selection of quality meats and cheeses, farm fresh produce, poultry, organics, pasta, pastry, and seafood. There are also several restaurants, specialty shops, a coffee bar, and much more - all under one roof.   The Market Square is open Tuesday through Friday 8am-6pm; Saturday 7am-4pm; and Sunday 10am-3pm. 09/16/2008

Olde Sandwich Towne is an area very rich in history.   It is the oldest continuous European settlement in Ontario, as evidenced by its 31 historical sites from 1798 to the early 1900s as well as numerous historical murals throughout the community.  For hundreds of years "Neutral Nations"-aboriginals including Ottawa, Potawotamis, Wyandots and Chippewas--inhabited the Sandwich area prior to the arrival of Europeans.  In addition, Canada's Anti-Slavery Law in 1793 and the Emancipation Act in 1833 resulted in many black refugees crossing the Detroit River into the Sandwich area. Thus, it became an important terminal on the famous Underground Railroad.Learn more about Olde Sandiwch Towne at www.oldesandwichtowne.com, or contact the Olde Sandwich Towne Business Improvement Association (BIA) ... 09/05/2008

The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association (DWBIA) strives to ensure that downtown Windsor is the preferred place to work, visit and live.  All DWBIA membership programs and services follow the association's mandates to improve, beautify and maintain public lands and buildings within the DWBIA boundary.  To meet their objectives for downtown Windsor, the BIA offers many programs and services in the areas of marketing, education and advocacy, communications, environmental concerns, and more. The Downtown Mosaic's five distinctive districts offer prime settings for relaxation, entertainment, shopping, exercising, art appreciation, and fine dining.  Downtown Windsor hosts a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and epicurean experience.  For more information on the Downtown Mosaic an... 09/04/2008

The Shores of Essex Resource Corporation has launched the first cross-county tour of "A Trolley Named Desire," a bus modified to look like a trolley that runs on a blend of soy and diesel fuel and can carry up to 45 passengers.  Each week the "trolley" will pick up riders from the Windsor Crossing shopping centre and take them to county wineries and other sites of agricultural interest.  The $20 ticket price does not include lunch, but riders are able to taste local fare at various stops at affordable reasonable prices.  This trolley project is intended to boost the area's "agri-tourism" and raise awareness of the diversity of food being produced here.  After attending the tour launch, Essex County Warden Nelson Santos said "I think once you start telling people we actually have thirtee... 09/03/2008

The fourth annual Windsor International Film Festival will be held November 7 - 16, 2008 in downtown Windsor and Lakeshore.  The six-day extravaganza features critically-acclaimed independent and international films.  The festival contributes to downtown Windsor's growing economy and includes both fiction and non-fiction films selected to appeal to Windsor's culturally-diverse population.  There are many exciting volunteer opportunities available for those interested in making the Film Festival an event to remember.  Volunteers get to enjoy the first-hand excitement and magic of the cinema arts at such venues as the Palace Cinemas, the Lakeshore Cinemas, 285 The Terrace, and the Art Gallery of Windsor.  There are opportunities to help with both preparation and execution of many events a... 08/27/2008

According to Statistics Canada, more than half of Windsor-Essex County adults are overweight and about one in five squeezes into the obese category, making this region an area with a higher-than-average number of overweight people.  The 2007 Canadian Community Health Survey, conducted by the federal government, found that 56.3 percent of Windsor-Essex residents aged 18 and older are above their acceptable weight.  Included in that group are 19.8 percent of local adults who are obese. Across Canada, 16 percent of people are considered obese and 48.4 percent are overweight or obese. 49.2 percent of local men versus 24.1 percent of local women are overweight.  Obesity rates were 20 percent and 19.6 percent, respectively.  The report also indicated that more than half of Windsor-Essex resid... 08/25/2008

The Windsor Real Estate Board was formed in 1918 by 25 individuals with a mission to protect its Members and clients from immoral or poor real estate practices and to provide the highest service and support to clientele.  Over the past 90 years the Board has grown exponentially and has successfully upheld its mission.  The Board has not only helped thousands buy, sell, and lease property, it has also helped the community and local charities in countless ways. The Windsor Essex County Real Estate Board has also increased Members' educational opportunities and technology.  Through the Ontario Real Estate Association, REALTORS® can complete their Mandatory Continuing Education via WECREB.  WECREB provides online courses designed and developed by real estate professionals, as well as Webina... 08/22/2008

This video answers what the TOP eight things home buyers want most are and explains why many people in Windsor and Essex County believe that the market's about to turn and why we're nearing the end of one of the greatest buyer market's of all time.   Please post any questions, comments or suggestions below. Talk soon, -Sash 08/22/2008

Open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, the Windsor Tunnel Duty Free Shop offers duty free shopping for wines, spirits, beer, fragrances, cosmetics, fine chocolates, cosmetics, skin care, fashions, confections, souvenirs, gifts, and more at 20-50% below retail prices. Located on the Canadian tunnel plaza, just keep right after toll on your way to the U.S.A. For more information, call (519) 252-2713 or 1-800-669-2105, email frank@tunneldutyfree.com, or just visit the Duty Free Shop website at www.dutyfreetunnel.com.  The website includes not only product information, but also other helpful information like maps, crossing times, customer comments, frequent shoppers program, and more. 08/15/2008

In its study "Champagne Tastes: Beer Budgets," SeaBoard Group, a Montreal-based telecommunications consultancy, said new cell phone companies can expect to spend about $500 million to build a cell phone network that will service 60% of the population in the country's 15 biggest markets-much less than the range of $630 million and $1.2 billion given by 12 other analysts.  Because of the lower cost projection, SeaBoard predicts that new carriers could be up and running by next summer, rather than in the twelve to eighteen months estimated by other analysts.  SeaBoard says the primary mistake in other reports was the assumption that new carriers would need to build new cell phone towers, when in fact they will be able to instead locate their transmitters on building rooftops or on towers o... 08/14/2008

Mark Tesolin, local Realtor with Prudential Select Realty, Inc., will be participating in the 2nd Annual Windsor Grand Prix Street Race to be held on the streets of downtown Windsor over Labor Day Weekend, August 29th - 31st.   This fun family event is hosted by one of Canada's oldest karting clubs, The Sunparlor Kart Club of Windsor, Ontario, and will prove to be just as exciting as last year's race which included classes in  Honda Cadet; Honda Novice; Honda Junior Lite; Rotax Junior; Honda Junior Heavy; Honda Senior Light; Honda Senior Heavy; Honda Masters;125 Shifter Moto/ICC; TAG Senior.Sunparlor Kart Club was thrilled to secure the Brian Stewart Traveling Race Series http://www.bsrkc.com/ for this year's event, as they only accept invitations to participate in five races a year.  T... 08/13/2008

Among carefully manicured lawns in a quiet South Windsor neighbourhood, Steve Green's front yard stands out with its rows of tomato plants, beets, broccoli, squash, parsnips, carrots, chives, peas, beans, zucchini and four varieties of lettuce - all encased in four, five-by-seven foot boxes.  Green grew up in a farming community in eastern Ontario and wants to teach his young daughters that fruit and vegetables come from the earth, not the grocery store.  "I want an opportunity to grow food in a way that is sustainable," says Green. "I want to meet people and be part of a community, and I want to know where my food comes from." "I'm a locavore," he says.  Locavores are proponents of the local food movement who strive to eat only food grown or produced within a 100-mile radius by shoppin... 08/13/2008

Here is a summary of the Real Estate Statistics provided by the Windsor and Essex County Real Estate Board for the Month of July 2008. Sales month-over-month in July were unchanged when comparing to July of 2007. However, the listing inventory increased slightly by 2%. Year-to-date figures show a decline in overall sales (-4%) and listings (-4%) when compared to last year at this time. Average Prices dipped by 1.07% from a year ago. Yes, sales and average prices are down slightly but this is far from a disaster as our good neighbor in Michigan and much of the US are facing.  Like in any market, houses need to be priced right and they will sell.  Pricing your home based on: What the owner wants; What the owner needs; How much the owner invested in the superfluous upgrades or; What the n... 08/11/2008

With high gas prices and good weather, more people are biking in Windsor. Some are using power assisted electric bikes that are commonly known as e-bikes both on public roads and park trails. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation has as pilot project in effect until 2009, which outlines the use of e-bikes. The pilot project allows people 16 years of age and older to use e-bikes on the roadway and in parks, unless bikes are prohibited by City By-law. During the three-year pilot project, e-bikes and their operators will be treated, for the most part, in the same manner as bicycles and bicyclists under the Highway Traffic Act. All e-bike operators must be 16 years of age and older, and must wear an approved bicycle helmet. Anyone failing to do so may be fined. E-bikes on Park Trails Parks... 08/07/2008