Uxbridge Information & Events

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Canadian

Ice Fishing

Championship

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February 23rd and 24th are the dates set for this years Canadian Ice Fishing Championship. With an estimated $37,500* in cash to be disbursed to the top ten, plus additional cash and other prizes it's promising to be the biggest cash payout ever in the competitions 14 year history.

If you are planning on using an ice hut check out the New ice hut Regulations as only approved portable ice huts will be allowed to be used for the duration of the tournament.

Ice Hut Registration Formsfor Lake Simcoe are available from the Town of Georgina.

* Prize structure based on a full field of 150 teams

For up to date area satellite weather radar visit Environment Canada's Weather Office site

Locatedapproximately 60 - km north of the city of Toronto, Lake Simcoe is one of the worlds largest freshwater lakes that freeze completely over in the winter. Roughly 1/2 of Ontario's population is within one hour's drive of the lake and all that it offers.

The lake occupies roughly 20% of its total watershed of 3,580 km². It is southern Ontario's largest body of water and is part of the Trent Severn Waterway that connects Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay.

Most of the 35 tributary rivers and five major tributaries that drain the watershed originate along the southern boundary of the watershed. These southern tributaries have their headwaters in the Oak Ridges Moraine and run north into southern shores of the lake.

Early Settlers in the Uxbridge area used these many streams and rivers to supply power for lumber and grist mills. While some dams have been replaced over the years as flood control, the remnants of some of the old dams still remain.

Picture
(above) satellite view of Lake Simcoe (from wikipedia)
(on the right) is one of three dams that controlled the water level for J.E. PEERS Mill in Udora
(below) a fluor bag from the old mill

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.

Whatever your dream from first time home buyer, to the seasonal, recreational or country property all the indicators are in place. Now just may be the best time this year to prepare and look towards making that purchase.

MARKET INDICATORS

LENDING RATES & ECONOMIC GROWTH

The Bank of Canada -- dramatically lowered its growth forecast for the economy on Thursday, and said economic conditions will probably require further interest rate cuts this year. The bank is predicting slower economic growth this year compared to last year


In its January Monetary Policy Report, the Central Bank now predicts the Canadian economy will grow by 1.8% in 2008, compared with 2.3% previously. Growth will be slower in the first half of this year, averaging about 1.3% per quarter, before rising to 2.3% in the latter half.

AFFORDABILITY

The Royal Bank of Canada -- Buying a house will become easier and more affordable in 2008,

Two Days after the Bank of Canada cut its key rate by one-quarter of a percentage point on Tuesday "Derek Holt, assistant chief economist at RBC, said he expected consumers will benefit as longer-term mortgage rates come down. He added that central banks will probably lower interest rates further -- perhaps by a full percentage point -- and that should make short-term mortgages more affordable. "

The report also indicates potential home buyers will also be helped by a slowing in the appreciation rate of the resale value of homes.

TAXATION

The Province Of Ontario ---

Assessments for property tax purposes will be updated this year. The impact of this reassessment will not be felt, if at all, in the housing market until 2009 when the new assessments come into effect.

OUTSIDE FACTORS

Will The Current Downturn In The US Housing Market Affect our Market ?

There are many indicators that the US market has reached or is very near the bottom of the current cycle and will no longer threaten to spill over into our market place.

In a comment on Has The Market Bottomed Out? - The Crystal Ball Says... by Brad Andersohn. Jeff Moore quotes the Chief Economist for Bank Of America who felt the second half of 2008 would be the light at the end of the tunnel for real estate and that the media focus on subprime mortgages has prevented an earlier rebound. "Dr. Lynn Reaser also said that foreign currency and our weak dollar is creating an upswing in activity in real estate now. "

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 it was only 65 to 70 cents a litre here in Uxbridge.

Become a GasBuddy member, and help everyone save on fuel purchases by informing all the price of gas in your area or on your drive to and from work each day.

I was drawn to this web site by several posts here on active|rain. The site has an amazing amount of information on gas prices across North America. It also provides other useful information and surveys. One survey with over 1800 respondents indicated that 26% of the respondents keep their vehicles for between 160,000 km and 240,000 km.

With the price of oil on the rise and predictions of $1.40 a litre (Over $6.00 a gallon) by summer for gasoline one has to wonder how long will it be before people start to make changes in their lifestyle as a result? How long before a lot more people start to use public transit and leave their cars at home, start to carpool more frequently or start to practice any other form of fuel savings they can think of? Out here in the country I think the best I could do is ride a bicycle to work, 10 miles one way, it would certainly limit the amount of appointments I could accommodate in a day, and showing are a complete other question.  Some of us will have to keep the old jalopy going and pay whatever price is going.

Everything changes, in 1966 when gas was 25 cents a gallon, a house could be bought for under $30,000 fast forward to 2008 and that same house is worth over $350,000, and gasoline is over $4.50 a gallon

So I leave you to do the math, are house prices still a bargain or are gas increases far exceeding the cost of inflation.

Come out and enjoy the Winterfest Celebration on Sat Jan 26th at WindReach Farm!

Wind Reach Farm is the culmination of a life long interest of its founder Sandy Mitchell. He found the experience of working outside on the land, first in Scotland and then in a farming community for Downs Syndrome, helped him realize he wanted to provide a similar facility to help others with disabilities to be able to lead a productive life.

Sandy purchased a 109 acre farm property located in the rolling countryside, near Ashburn Ontario. With the purchase of the farm Sandy was able to combine his interest in working on the land, with the desire to provide an opportunity to other persons with disabilities. His goal is to enrich the lives of others by being able to enjoy experiences in farming, nature, outdoor recreation and other activities  and to be able to share them with family and friends .

Officially opened in 1989 WindReach Farm now operates year round with the help of a charitable foundation formed in 1992  to ensure the continuation of Sandy' s work and in offering work training programs

Directions From  Uxbridge

• East along Highway # 47 to Lakeridge Road (Durham #23)
• Turn right (south) on Lakeridge Road (Durham #23)
• Continue south on Lakeridge passing Lakeridge & Dagmar to Townline Road (Hy-Hope Farm is on right)
• Turn left (east) onto Townline Road
• Continue east along Townline Road (1.9 km) until you see # 312 on left side
• The WindReach sign is located at the entrance of the Farm.

 

As the primary caregiver for my mom for several years I found there is an enormous amount of resources to call on for aid assistance and understanding of and for the aging process. Here is a collection of resources and links to web sites to assist caregivers or seniors in locating information and assistance on dealing with Financial, Health, Accessibility, Vitality, Longevity and Aging issues and Concerns to increase the quality of life for yourself or your loved ones. I trust you will find them helpful

More Seniors Links

• Abbeyfield Houses Society of Canada - Provides accommodation and companionship for lonely older people within their own local community in supportive care houses in which a group of seven to ten residents live like a large "family".
• Aboriginal Canada Portal - A window to Canadian Aboriginal on-line resources, contacts, information, government programs and services.
• Accessible Home Page - (US) Designed to increase the awareness and availability of home modification so that people with disabilities and older adults can live independently in their own homes.
• Active Living - The mandate of Active Living is to encourage, promote and develop active living in Canada, thereby improving the overall fitness, health, well-being and quality of life of Canadians.
• Administration on Aging - Provides information on resources for the aging, their families and practitioners, and electronic booklets.
• Ageline Database - A searchable electronic database containing detailed summaries of publications about older adults and aging, including books, journal and magazine articles, research reports, and videos.
• Age of Reason - An Internet resource center for users seeking information of interest to the over 50 age group.
• AgeSource Worldwide - An online database of key information and resources from around the world that focus on aging.
• Aging - Gerontology & Geriatrics - (US) Providing links to Internet sources on aging and its related interests it is intended to be useful for the educators, researchers, practitioners, and other individuals interested in the study of gerontology and geriatrics.
• Aging Eye Times - Current concepts in aging eye diseases like cataract, glaucoma, macular degeneration, dry eyes, presbyopia and blepharitis.
• Aging Solutions - Contains information and a variety of articles, links to key resources and checklists to help caregivers avoid missing things that are important in the care for their aging loved one and to make it easier for caregivers to find information quickly and prevent much of the frustration that new caregivers often feel.
• AHAF - Organization to help support research and to educate the public about this devastating neurological disease.
• All About Arthritis - A comprehensive arthritis channel that provides educational tools on different types of arthritis, pain management, treatment options, FAQ's and personal tools
• Alliance for Aging Research - A private, not-for-profit advocacy organization fighting for science policies in the nation's capital to speed breakthroughs for greater health, vitality and longevity.
• Alzheimer's Disease International - An umbrella organization of 42 Alzheimer Associations around the world which offer support and advice to people with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers.
• Alzheimer Society of Canada - Nationwide network of services for those affected and their families. Includes mission statement, history, policy statements, articles, forum, and information about care, treatment, and research.
• Alzheimer Society of Ontario - Supports local Societies to deliver services by providing financial support, workshops and conferences as well as providing consultation and coordination in fundraising, public policy, education, program development, administration and management.
• Arthritis Canada - Includes the Arthritis Society, the Canadian Rheumatology Association, the Canadian Arthritis Network, arthritis health care providers and the Cochrane Musculoskeletal Group.
• Canada Revenue Agency - Seniors 55 and up - Canada Revenue Agency's web page for Seniors.
• Canada Customs and Revenue Agency - Provides information on RPP's, RESP's, RRSP'S as well as answers to frequently asked questions, newsletters, forms, guides information circulars and contact information.
• Canada's Thecareguide.com - Canada's guide to seniors' housing and care services including retirement homes, nursing homes, home health care, adult lifestyle retirement communities, supportive housing and palliative hospice care.
• Canadian Abilities Foundation - Provides information, inspiration and opportunity to Canadians with disabilities.
• Canadian Association of Retired Persons - CARP is Canada's national, non-profit organization representing individuals over the age of 50, retired or not. Autonomous and independent, CARP does not accept funding from any government body.
• Canadian Association on Gerontology - Their mission is the development of theoretical and practical understanding of individual and population aging through multidisciplinary research, practice, education and policy analysis in gerontology.
• Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging - Develops, encourages and promotes an active, healthy lifestyle for Canadian adults that will enhance the dignity of the aging process. Located in London, Ontario at the University of Western Ontario. Site includes newsletters, community resources and conference information.
• Canadian Centre for Elder Law Studies - A non-profit organization committed to enriching the lives of and informing older adults in their relationship with the law; to meet the increasing need for education and research in relation to legal issues of particular significance for older adults and to serve as a national focal point for this emerging field.
• Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse - An arms-length, national agency, established in 1988 by an Act of Parliament. Funded by Canada's Drug Strategy and through its own revenue-generating efforts.
• Canadian Continence Foundation - National non-profit organization led by people with incontinence and by professionals from all health disciplines serving the interest of people experiencing incontinence.
• Canadian Hard of Hearing Association - National voice of all hard of hearing Canadians. It is a non-profit, self-help, bilingual consumer organization run by and for persons who are hard of hearing.
• Canadian Hearing Society - Provides services that enhance the independence of deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people, and encourage prevention of hearing loss.
• Canadian Home Care Association - Dedicated to the accessibility, quality and development of home care and community support services which enable people to stay in their homes and communities with safety and dignity.
• Canadian Institute for Health Information - Plays a role in the development of Canada's health information system.
• Canadian Legal Information Centre - is the info-centre for Canadian legal information on the web.
• Canadian Lung Association - The Lung Association strives to change the reality of lung disease in Canada, and the toll it takes on thousands of Canadians every year.
• Canadian National Institute for the Blind - Is a national voluntary agency providing services to individuals across Canada to whom loss of vision is a central problem in personal and social adjustment.
• Canadian Snowbird Association - A non-profit organization created to represent the health care, social and economic interests, needs and concerns of Canadians who travel.
• Canadian Virtual Hospice - An interactive network for people dealing with life-threatening illness and loss created for patients, their family and friends, health care professionals, and health care volunteers. The Canadian Virtual Hospice provides detailed information about physical symptoms of illness and deals with some of the emotional reactions and spiritual questions often experienced by palliative care patients and their families. The website includes chat rooms, bulletin board discussion areas, and a place for people to email questions to, and receive answers from, a health care professional with expertise in palliative care. It houses a listing of resources such as local hospices and palliative care programs, related products and services, books, website links and downloadable resources.
• CancerNet - Gateway to information from the National Cancer Institute.
• CANGRANDS Kinship support - An internet support group for the grandparents and other kinship caregivers who are raising grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins, with no bio parent involved. They also provide support to those grandparents who are denied access. 58% of Kinship families consist of a single grandmother raising one or two special needs grandchildren.
• Care City - Provides information, technological tools and resources to serve the needs of the growing segment of our society that seeks to maintain vitality and enjoyment of their lives from early adulthood well into their advanced years and wish to remain active and in control of all facets of their lifestyle.
• Caregiver Network Inc. - Information source to make your life as a caregiver easier; Caregiver Bulletin Board enables you to talk to other caregivers to find help and answers to questions.
• Care Guide - Source for Seniors Canada's only comprehensive seniors' housing and care guide
• CASLPA Resource Centre Presentation exploring the types and causes of speech, language and hearing disorders often experienced by adults as they grow older, as well as what can be done about the problems and how audiologists and speech-language pathologists can help.
• Center for Activity and Aging, The - Combines research investigation of the interrelationship of physical activity and aging, and the translation of research findings into strategies in order to maintain the aging population in independent lifestyles, or to maintain or improve the functional levels of those living a more dependent environment. .
• Community Care Access Centre of York Region - Provides in-home or long-term care due to illness, injury or aging, helps facilitate placement into long-term care centres (nursing homes) and provides referrals other programs and resources.
• Consumer Health Information Service - Supports people in gaining greater control over their own health through access to health information.
• Council on Aging - The Council on Aging - Ottawa-Carleton was established as a coordinating body to deal with the concerns of senior citizens, particularly in the health and education fields.
• Elder Abuse Information - Following these suggestions will not eliminate abuse and crimes against senior citizens, but an awareness of these crime prevention pointers together with your own common sense, can help safeguard you or a loved one from harm.
• Family Caregiver Connection To put caregivers in touch with other caregivers
• Food and Drug Administration - (US) "A Lifetime of Good Health" the FDA has numerous articles, brochures and other publications with information for older people on a wide range of health issues.
• Friendly4Seniors.com - (US) Provides information on senior housing, financial, legal, elder law, medical, recreation, senior discounts, books, government agencies and more.
• Gerontological Society of America - (US) Multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the scientific study of aging and to the translation/disseminationof research for practice and policy.
• GeroWeb - (US) Site is designed as an on-line resource for researchers, educators, practitioners, and others interested in aging and older individuals.
• Grand Times Magazine - (US) Weekly Internet magazine designed exclusively for active older adults.
• Government of Ontario - Main site of the provincial government that includes links to government sites and agencies, tourism and economic information.
• HealthCentral on Sympatico - Provides consumers with medical and health information with a distinctly Canadian perspective. It allows access to information by anyone interested in health: consumers, patients, caregivers, public health official, doctors, nurses, medical researchers, health care workers - and for healthy people who want to stay that way.
• HealthyOntario - Provides health information, services and advice for healthier living.
• Healthy Way - information resource which includes links to health sites all over the web.
• Hearing Aids 101 An online guide to hearing aids for people looking for information or thinking of getting one.
• Heart & Stroke Foundation - Professional Education - Site aims at providing professionals and the general public with accurate up-to-date information on research, current and emerging clinical issues and statistics about heart disease and stroke.
• Heart and Stroke Foundation - The foundation works to further the study, prevention and reduction of disability and death from heart disease and stroke through research, education and the promotion of health lifestyles.
• HelpAge International - A global network of not-for-profit organisations with a mission to work with and for disadvantaged older people worldwide.
• Help the Aged Canada - Is a non-denominational, non-sectarian agency in Canada dedicated exclusively to assisting destitute and poor elderly people in developing countries and in Canada.
• Hospice Richmond Hill - Provides non-medical care and support for those who are living with a life-threatening illness.
• International Federation on Aging - A private, non-profit organization linking approximately 100 associations that represent or serve older persons at the grassroots level in some 50 nations around the world.
• International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse - Acknowledging the diversity of culture, background, and life style of the world population, the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse aims to increase society's ability, through international collaboration, to recognise and respond to the mistreatment of older people in whatever setting it occurs, so that the latter years of life will be free from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• Markham Stouffville Hospital - Information and services provided by this Acute Care and General Hospital facility, located in the east end of Markham.
• Mood Disorders Society of Canada - Consumer friendly, evidence based resource materials on mood and anxiety disorders.
• National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization - Provides infomation about the organization, services offered and links to local service providers.
• Niagara Regional Police Service - Crimes and Abuse Against the Elderly - Elder abuse occurs when a person in a position of authority or trust harms a senior citizen. Such a person may be a member of the victim's family, a neighbour, nurse, or some other caregiver.
• Niagara Regional Police Service - Especially for Seniors - The Niagara Regional Police Service provides this information on crimes focusing on senior citizens, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to such crimes.
• Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan - Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan - Planning your retirement? Find out what Canada's retirement income system means to you. Site offers information on retirement, disability and death benefits from the CPP and OAS. Apply for your personal estimate of the CPP benefits you and your family may be eligible for now and in the future.
• Ontario - Provides access to Provincial Government: ministries, information, programs, news, publications and tourism information.
• Ontario Coalition of Senior Citizens' Organizations - Offers education programs, policy and research, information, referral, counseling, research materials, outreach and support, self-help and vounteer programs for seniors.
• Ontario Community Support Association - A provincial association that supports, promotes and represents the common goals of its members, which are providers of community-based not-for-profit health and social services, so that they are better able to support people to live at home in their own communities.
• Ontario Gerontology Association - An incorporated voluntary organization concerned with aging. Provides an inter-disciplinary forum for those involved in the field of gerontology..
• Ontario Residential Care Association - A voluntary, non-profit association that sets standards, inspects and accredits Ontario retirement residences.
• Ontario Seniors Secretariat - From this page you can access a variety of information of interest to seniors, their families and those who work with seniors.
• Osteoporosis Society of Canada - Provides up-to-date information on the risks, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
• Palliative Care Services for York Region - Palliative Care Services for York Region is an alliance of service providers and consumers who are dedicated to facilitate coordinated quality palliative care for individuals living with a life threatening illness and for their families and caregivers through systems planning and educational programs.
• Phone Busters - Information, statistics, arrests and news on phone fraud and scams.
• Room 217 Music specifically designed to create a pathway of comfort for those with a life challenging illness. It may also provide support to those with complex care needs, those facing stressful times in their lives, and those who are seeking support through music in their own life journey.
• Routes To Learning Canada - (formerly Elderhostel Canada) A non-profit organization committed to providing learning travel adventures to people 55 years and older. Explore Canada and the world through hands-on learning, in-depth lectures and cultural excursions.
• Seniors Canada Online - Offers key links to seniors-related Government of Canada information.
• SeniorNet - A nonprofit organization of computer-using adults, age 50 and older. SeniorNet's mission is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.
• SeniorsSearch - cuts to the chase and contains subjects relevant to the lifestyle of the over 50 age group.
• Senior Times - A monthly Internet seniors newsletter, published every month from the 15th to the 15th.
• Senior Years - A Canadian web site for those over 50. Featuring up-to-date news feeds on subjects of interest to seniors, hundreds of mostly Canadian site links, games, discussion boards, email pals section, a memorial listing, articles and much more.
• Southlake Regional Health Centre - Formerly York County Hospital, a community hospital and regional cardiac care and maternal child care centre for northern York Region and south Simcoe County.
• Sunrise Assisted Living - Sunrise Assisted Living affords families peace-of-mind by providing today's seniors with a range of personalized assisted living services.
• Snowbirdhelper - Everything for snowbirds and seniors. From health, aging and retirement issues to rv's and mobile homes for sale or rent.
• United Generations Ontario - Promoting activities and programs which bring together seniors and youth. Site includes resources, program information, upcoming events, publications and contact information.
• Uxbridge Cottage Hospital - Current bed capacity is 26, with a variety of ambulatory and inpatient services. The site offers a full range of primary care services (excluding obstetrics) and some secondary care services. The Emergency Department is open 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
• Victorian Order of Nurses - The Victorian Order of Nurses for Canada (VON Canada) is a national health care organization and a federally registered charity that has been caring for the lives and well being of Canadians in their homes and local communities since 1897.
• York Central Hospital - Includes online directory of services, news and calendar pages on what's happening at the hospital, and also current health care trends and issues.

These links are provided as a community service. The links to other World Wide Web sites from This Blog ,Uxbridge Real Estate Online and/or MyUxbridge.Info are entirely independent of this Blog, Uxbridge Real Estate Online and/or MyUxbridge.Info and shall NOT in any manner be construed as any reflection on or any affiliation with or endorsement of such site or entity or its respective products, services or contributions to this Blog Site.

To learn what housing options Uxbridge
and the surrounding area 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 Text Me