Uxbridge Information & Events

Did You Know? The Toronto Real Estate Board Offers 4 Scholarships

2  Scholarships of $5,000 have been offered each year since 2007 to 2 students based on academic achievement, community involvement, and a 1,000 word. Effective this year two additional $2,500 second place scholarships will be awarded one in each category. 

Click here for the 2012 Scholarship Application

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship, please contact Chris Shallhorn in the Education Department at (416) 443-8000 x8030

Did You Know? The Toronto Real Estate Board Offers 4  Scholarships

Uxbridge, Ontario - Winter Activities 2012 - Uxbridge Arts Association

SNOW SCULPTURES

 Hosted by The Uxbridge Art Association

Sat, February 11, 10am – 12pm

Siloam Hall, 7040 Conc. Rd. 2, Siloam

For updates/cancellations/questions please call: 905-852-7831

The Uxbridge Art Association is open to all. Uxbridge Township is truly blessed with a wide variety of unique artists; the quality and quantity of artists, both professional and non-professional, who live and create their works of art in Uxbridge, is indeed impressive.

Uxbridge, Ontario - Winter Activities 2012 - Uxbridge Arts Association

Will The 2012 Real Estate Market Be To Hot To Handle?

One Sale Does Not Make A Market

One sale does not make a market but one sale could be the spark that will ignite a very hot spring market in certain areas of the (GTA) Greater Toronto Area real estate market. Recently a home in Mimico sold for a reported $200,000 over asking price as 31 people bid on the home.

Several factors including a prime location and a lower than usual number of properties for sale likely played a part in this sale.

More Listings Could Be The Wet Blanket

This does not mean that all areas of the GTA will experience sales like this but it may just be the spark to ignite the fire under some potential sellers to put their home on the market now instead of waiting till later in the year. On the other hand a sudden rush to get their home on the market by potential sellers, wishing to take advantage of this, may just be enough of a wet blanket to keep things under control resulting in a more stable market.

Locally, In Uxbridge, Ontario

There are currently 106 properties listed for sale on the National MLS® web site in Uxbridge which is up from 104 earlier in the month. Our Local Uxbridge Real Estate Market Update for all of 2011 shows the listing trend for the last three years to the end of 2011.

The Chart Below Shows How Many New Listings There Were In Each Month

More Historical Market Statistics Can Be Viewed Here

Will The 2012 Real Estate Market Be To Hot To Handle?

Did You Know? Today Was Data Privacy Day

What did you do to protect your data today? Today January 28th was Data Privacy Day  Data Privacy Day highlights the impact that technology is having on our privacy rights and underlines the importance of valuing and protecting personal information.

Learn More Abut Protecting Your Privacy

If you haven't done any thing yet take time to learn more about protecting your privacy online by visiting Get Cyber Safe 

Did You Know? Today Was Data Privacy Day

Do You Trust Politicians To do The Right Thing?

Over the years we have all heard or read stories about politicians who have betrayed the trust of those who elected them. We have even come to expect some of it from politicians at the federal level.

The most accountable form of Government has traditionally been at the local level but recently even that is questionable as some of them have ignored the trust placed in them by the electorate and done some questionable things.

Those of you living in the Greater Toronto Area have seen it first hand with the much loved Hazel McCallion of Mississauga.

"McCallion has been Mississauga's mayor for 33 years, holding office since 1978. She is affectionately called "Hurricane Hazel" by supporters as well as the media at large for her vibrant outspoken style of no-nonsense politics"

"Now aged 90, she was easily re-elected in October 2010 for her 12th consecutive term, holding a 76% majority of the votes, and has often been reelected without even needing to conduct an actual campaign. Source Wikipedia"

Did she abuse the electorates trust?

Judge Douglas Cunningham found McCallion in a “real and apparent conflict of interest” while pushing hard for a real estate deal that could have put millions of dollars in her son’s pocket.

Now Closer to Home

After a closed door meeting council voted to stick Georgina Taxpayers with the bill for a defamation lawsuit by Mayor Grossi against the former Georgina Leisure services Director John McLean. You can read more about this decision and  Help stop your tax dollars from paying for the lawsuit. There is also an online petition to stop the funding for Mayor Grossi's lawsuit.

Have they abused the the electorates trust? Should the taxpayers be on the hook for Grossi's legal bill + potential other costs if the courts do not agree with him?

Do You Trust Politicians To do The Right Thing?

This post is also being submitted to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize.

Canadian Lego Man Launched Into Near Space

Two 17 year olds sent a Lego man into near space using four cameras and a GPS enabled phone to photograph and track the journey. The two AgincourtColligiate Institute students successfully launched a balloon carrying a Lego man and a Canadian flag 24 Kilometers above the earths surface, out of the earths atmosphere and back, landing near Rice Lake some 120 Kilometers from the launch point.

Seen on television on CTV National News

Canadian Lego Man Launched Into Near Space

Did You Know!! - Uxbridge, Ontario Requires You To Have A Burn Permit - For All Outdoor Fires

Uxbridge Burn permits are issued annually and can be obtained at the Uxbridge Municipal office at 51 Toronto St South or at the Fire Hall at 17 Bascomb St. during normal business hours.

Burn permits are required for all outdoor fires including recreational fires.

Fees:

• regular permit $25.00
• oversize permit $75.00
• recreational permit no charge

Over size fire sites require an inspection by the Fire Department prior to the issuing of a permit.

Did You Know!! - Uxbridge, Ontario Requires You To Have A Burn Permit - For All Outdoor Fires

Official Opening Of Habitat For Humanity ReStore In Uxbridge

Located at 141 Reach St., Unit 7 the new ReStore will also act as a warehouse for the two other stores in Durham Region serving as the distribution centre for the Region. Habitat for Humanity Durham is based out of Ajax Ontario

Back in 1986 someone had the idea that a great way to turn unused material, that had been donated for building, into cash to help other builds was to open a store to sell it, often at discounted prices. Since its inception the number of stores has grown to 65 across Canada and The U.S. for a listing of all stores visit www.habitat.org.

GTA Realtors Help support Habitat For Humanity by volunteering for builds such as the one in Toronto that Barb Blower and I worked on for a day and by financial donation through our Realtors Care Foundation.

There is a Misconception that the people who get a Habitat House do not have to pay for it. Remember the recipients of these home are not getting a hand out but a hand up.

They pay for the house based on its appraised value when completed not the cost to build it

Cannington Dog Sled Races and Winter Festival

You can bet I will be going to Cannington some time on the weekend of Jan 28th to the 29th for the Cannington Dog Sled Races and Winter Festival. 

Dog Sled Races along with dog sled rides, a host of vendors, the kids petting zoo, and some other great kid’s activities make the Cannington Dog Sled Races and Winter Festival a very exciting family day. Old crowd favorites like the Toilet Seat Toss and the Ice Sculpture Competition will be joined by a Live Bandstand and Beer Gardens, running Saturday from noon.

The Oshawa Metis Council who will take you back in time with their authentic native foods, full ceremonial dress and traditional smudging ceremonies to open the races.

Opening this years festival on Friday Night January 27th in the beer garden will be  Whosarmy who recently won CBC's hit show Cover Me Canada after competing for 9 weeks playing some of Canada's most iconic songs including "American Woman by The Guess Who, "Ironic" by Alanis Morrisette, and "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen .

For a full list of events and times visit The Cannington Dog Sled Races and Winter Festival web site

Did You Know? - Uxbridge, Ontario Winter Ice Conditions - Hockey On Elgin Pond - An Uxbridge Tradition

Elgin Pond plays a big role in recreation for local residents year round. The two largest uses are the Huck Finn Fishing day in the spring and public skating in the winter.

The Township of Uxbridge tests the ice thickness on Elgin Pond throughout the winter months to ensure it is safe for pleasure skaters and hockey enthusiasts alike. There are flags posted at the north end of Elgin Pond to let residents know if the current ice conditions are safe or not.

• No Flags- is an indication that testing has not started yet
• Red Flags- the ice is not safe to be on
• Yellow Flags - Skate with caution and stay away from water inlets and outlets

Did You Know? - Uxbridge, Ontario Winter Ice Conditions - Hockey On Elgin Pond - An Uxbridge Tradition

Breakfast Television At the Grand Opening of The ROC Georgina's Recreational Outdoor Campus

Georgina, Ontario

Dubbed "Mount Grossi" and Grossi's Folly", by his many critics and marred by construction delays Mayor Grossi has prevailed. His vision is now complete and the grand opening of the Recreational Outdoor Campus took place January 20th 2012. Now it is up to the public to determine if that vision will be a success.

3 Days Left To Vote On Student Entries For The YouTube Space Lab 

Inspiring and educating the next generation

On January 17th 2012 YouTube Space Lab announced the 60 finalists in the competition to send students, experiments into space. To view and vote on the finalists visit the youtube.com/spacelab channel.

Students between the ages of 14 and 18 were challenged to to design an experiment that could be carried out in space. These talented youth not only described their experiment ides via video they demonstrated and animated the procedure they were submitting

"San Bruno, California (January 17, 2012) – YouTube, Lenovo, and Space Adventures in cooperation with space agencies including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), today announced the sixty finalists of YouTube Space Lab (youtube.com/spacelab), the global science competition that challenges 14-18 year-olds to design a science experiment that can be performed in space.  YouTube Space Lab received thousands of  video submissions from more than 80 countries, a remarkable number given the uniquechallenge of designing an experiment that could actually be carried out in space - something that has traditionally been the mission of qualified astronauts and scientists.  Entrants not only described their science experiment ideas via video, but demonstrated and animated the procedures they were submitting."

Discover Space

On YouTube's Space Lab Channel you can discover space by watching their collection of educational videos collected from across YouTube. Here is one of their playlists  where you can view a one of the series of videos they have collected.

In the final video of this series you view the Aurora Borealis created when the stunning journey of a solar storm that began in the sun's interior wraps around the Earth's upper atmosphere.

3 Days Left To Vote On Student Entries For The YouTube Space Lab  

2012-01 Mid Month - Buyers Activity Report

January has seen web site visitor activity pick up from January 2011 ..... if the current traffic levels continue we will see almost double the number of visitors this month over the same month one year ago ..... more

There are currently 104 properties for sale in Uxbridge and it's Hamlets of Coppins Corners, Goodwood, Leaskdale, Sandford, Udora, and Zephyr, ranging in price from $169,900 to $2,150,000

The Two graphs below represent the average and median price range of homes that potential buyers are looking at on one of my web sites.

In looking at the Graphs below you will notice the average and median values of homes viewed is down from last year. This is not an indicator that values are dropping, looking at the minimum and maximum list price of properties you will see it is simply a reflection of the values of properties that are being viewed.

Buyers Activity Report 2011-12 Mid Month

Above - To Mid January 2012

Below - All of 2011

Remember The Real Estate Market Is Local And Sometimes Hyper Local

While charts and graphs can give you an indication of market trends they should not be used to determine value trends in relation to a particular home or vicinity. The best way to determine the Value of Your Home is a Comparative Market Analysis. To discuss today's local Uxbridge Real Estate Market Conditions, the current value of your home or the marketing of your Home please give me a Call or Text me

*these graphs look at the activity on one of my web sites only some buyer activity has moved to one of my other sites due to some promoting we have been doing and this will be affecting the year over year numbers

Did You Know? - The Dragonflies - 2012 Dragon Boat Races Registration - Don't Wait Till The Boat Is Full

The Registration for the Dragonflies Dragon Boat Festival closed early last year with applications still arriving after the maximum number of registrants was reached.

Early registration for the 8th Annual Dragon Flies Dragon Boat Festival opened January 2nd this year and runs February 29th ..... If there is any space left late registrations will be accepted from March 1st to March 31st. You are encouraged to register early this year so as not to be disapointed.

Please visit the download/resources section of their website for a Team Registration Package

They also require 90 plus volunteers to help run the event. If you wish to volunteer check out the information on their web site

Did You Know? - The Dragonflies - 2012 Dragon Boat Races Registration - Don't Wait Till The Boat Is Full

Did You Know? - The Township Of Uxbridge Will Now Marry You - Uxbridge, Ontario

Uxbridge, Ontario ... The Township of Uxbridge Conducts Civil Wedding Ceremonies. ..... as of May 23rd 2011 the Township of Uxbridge was able to perform civil wedding ceremonies.

To make use of this Township of Uxbridge service contact the clerks department by telephone at 905-852-9181 or by visiting the township offices at 51 Toronto St South

Did You Know? - The Township of Uxbridge Will Now Marry You - Uxbridge, Ontario

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Did You Know? - The Township Of Uxbridge Stop Sign Removals Public Information Centre - Uxbridge, Ontario

Uxbridge, Ontario ... The Township of Uxbridge is considering the removal of certain stop signs. .....

Oakside Drive at the 90 deg bend and changing three or four way stop signs at the following locations.

• Center Rd @ King Street
• Bolton Drive  @ Rachel Lee Court
• Bolton Drive @ Galloway Crescent

A public information session will take place on Tuesday January 17th 2012 at the Uxbridge Community Centre between 7:00pm and 9:00pm

A comment form can be found on the Township of Uxbridge web site . These comment forms can be mailed, faxed or emailed to Ben Kester Director of Public Works and Operations no later than January 31, 2012

Ben Kester, C.E.T., CRS-S
51 Toronto St South
PO Box 190
Uxbridge, Ontario
Fax 905-852-9674
Email bkester@town.uxbridge.on.ca

Did You Know? - The Township Of Uxbridge Stop Sign Removals Public Information Centre - Uxbridge, Ontario

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Did You Know? - Snowmobile By-Law - Uxbridge, Ontario

Uxbridge, Ontario ... Snowmobile By-law You are not permitted to ride your snowmobile or any other motorized snow vehicle on any sidewalks, park lands, or any other Township property except to cross.

Did You Know? - Snowmobile By-Law - Uxbridge, Ontario

Operating A Snowmobile In Ontario

You will find what you need to know about Ontario Snowmobile Rules and Regulations by following the link. There are other links on that page that you may find useful such as the one to the  Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs website.

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Did You Know? - Sidewalk Snow Removal - Uxbridge, Ontario

Uxbridge, Ontario ..... By-law 2008-108 requires every owner/occupant to remove any snow or ice from walkways adjacent to their property within 24 hours after the accumulation of snow and/or ice

Did You Know? - Sidewalk Snow Removal - Uxbridge, Ontario

Uxbridge "Roxy Kids in Action"? are a potential help for snow shoveling help for Seniors

The Roxy Kids are rewarded by the Roxy for Job Actions. ..... What are considered "Job Actions"?

"A "Job Action" is a task completed in the community for "Free" and for the betterment of those around you. Examples of "Job Actions" are: raking leaves, yard work, shoveling snow for seniors and others unable to perform this task themselves. Volunteering for community work i.e.-park clean up, newspaper drives, hospital volunteering, food bank helpers, etc., volunteering in community events i.e. Uxperience, the Uxbridge Fair, the July 1st celebrations, and Celebration of the Arts." .... source Roxy Kids in Action

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Memories

I am relaxing right now,  enjoying an evening with Simon and Garfunkle on Detroits PBS watching their Songs in America, just showed an original version of Bridge Over Troubled Water with a documentary of the "60"s .  It was shown on TV once in the late 60"s and was considered too controversial, so was mothballed until now!  It was very moving watching a young Kennedy with his little children, the marches, shots of Viet Nam, Woodstock, and so much more.

.....when your weary, feeling strong, when tears are in your eyes I will dry them all......like a bridge over troubled water I will ease your mind.....what great memories....some of us are getting older!!

Sept 19th 1981 CentralPark New York Bridge Over Troubled Waters

What Memories does it bring back for you??

2011 A Look Back - December 2011 Market Update- 2012 What Lies Ahead

THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 4,718 transactions through the Toronto MLS® system in December 2011 bringing the total number of sales to 89,347 for the year.

The average selling price in December was $451,436 – up four per cent compared to December 2010.

For all of 2011, the average selling price was $465,412, an increase of eight per cent in comparison to the average of $431,276 in 2010.

Months of inventory remained below the pre-recession norm in 2011. Very tight market conditions meant substantial competition between Buyers and strong upward pressure on selling prices,” Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

2011 A Look Back

THE YEAR IN REVIEW
in graph format

“Months of inventory remained below the pre-recession norm in 2011. Very tight market conditions meant substantial competition between Buyers and strong upward pressure on selling prices,” Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis.

DECEMBER GTA MARKET UPDATES

The Average Selling Price For Homes Across The GTA ..... Up 4% Percent To $451,436 From December 2010

View All Historical Charts Here

How Are The Current Short Term Trends
These can be viewed by clicking on the buttons below
for the trend you wish to check

These buttons represent year over year figures for the current month
to view actual monthly and year/year trends click the button

2012 What Lies Ahead

“TREB’s baseline forecast for 2012 is for an average price of $485,000, representing a more moderate four per cent annual rate of price growth. This baseline view is subject to a heightened degree of risk given the uncertain global economic outlook,”
Jason Mercer, TREB’s Senior Manager of Market Analysis