Jul. 28, 2007 - Safe to Swim

Beach results

Halton Region's Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton.  Beaches are selected based on use for swimming and other water sports.  These tests are done weekly, or if conditions change.

Beach water samples taken on July 24 revealed that the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming:

• Burlington - The Beachway North
• Burlington  - The Beachway South
• Milton - Kelso Conservation Area
• Oakville - Coronation Park East
• Oakville - Coronation Park West

The following beaches have high levels of bacteria and are unsafe for swimming:

• Oakville - Bronte Park Beach
• Halton Hills - Prospect Park Old Beach

Residents can call Halton Region to find out which beaches have been closed due to poor water quality.  Beach quality information is available 24 hours a day by calling 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866).  During regular business hours ask for beach information, and after regular business hours press “2” for health information.

Information is updated weekly or as conditions change.  This information is also posted on Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

Jul. 26, 2007 - Excellent Program!

Funds Available to Help Homeless

On July 11, Halton Regional Council approved $3.1 million for an Expression of Interest and proposal call to prevent and address homelessness in Halton. The funds are from the Region, the Province and the Federal government's Homelessness Partnering Strategy.

"This funding will help to maintain critical services for Halton's homeless," said Regional Chair Gary Carr. "The money will ensure Halton residents who are homeless or at risk of being homeless can receive ongoing emergency services, transitional housing and the supports they need for their health and well-being."

The funds made available for the Expression of Interest represents a major step in achieving the short-term priorities regarding homelessness in Halton's Comprehensive Housing Strategy. The Strategy incorporates a series of policies and actions to ensure a variety of affordable housing types for Halton residents, regardless of income and stage of life.

The priorities being addressed will help people retain their housing, assist homeless individuals and families with temporary housing and supports to help them regain permanent housing, and support projects for homeless youth and families. Halton Region's goal is to provide a basic level of services for the homeless in each of Halton's four Local Municipalities.

The Request for Expression of Interest will be issued during July 2007 and will close in September 2007. Guidelines and Forms will be posted on Halton Region's website, www.halton.ca. Community organizations with expertise in serving the homeless are encouraged to apply. Submissions will be evaluated by the Region and those who are successful will be invited to submit a full proposal in October 2007. Funding recommendations will be considered by Regional Council in December 2007.

Jul. 20, 2007 - Beach Safety Results

Beach results

Halton Region’s Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton. Beaches are selected based on use for swimming and other water sports. These tests are done weekly, or if conditions change.

Beach water samples taken on July 17 revealed that the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming:

• Burlington - The Beachway North
• Burlington  - The Beachway South
• Milton - Kelso Conservation Area
• Oakville - Coronation Park East
• Oakville - Coronation Park West

The following beaches have high levels of bacteria and are unsafe for swimming:

• Oakville - Bronte Park Beach
• Halton Hills - Prospect Park Old Beach

Residents can call Halton Region to find out which beaches have been closed due to poor water quality.  Beach quality information is available 24 hours a day by calling 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866).  During regular business hours ask for beach information, and after regular business hours press “2” for health information.

Information is updated weekly or as conditions change.  This information is also posted on Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

Jul. 20, 2007 - Summer Initiatives

Summer Company entrepreneurs making their mark in Halton

Halton's newest entrepreneurs are now open for business as part of Halton Region's 2007 Summer Company Program. Summer Company is an initiative of the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, delivered in Halton by the Region's Business Development Centre.

"Summer Company is about so much more than simply getting a part-time job for a few months," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "Students in the program will learn valuable business skills, interact with volunteers in our business community, receive training in starting and running a business, and network with their peers in an inspiring and supportive environment. The lessons from this experience will last a lifetime."

Through this program, which kicked off in May, secondary and post-secondary school students between 15 and 29 were eligible to receive up to $3,000 to help them start and run their own summer businesses. The students in this year’s program receive guidance from local business professionals who volunteer as mentors for the new young business owners, and also receive training on marketing, bookkeeping, and how to run a successful business.

Each participant runs their own company, and their services this year include lawn care, pool servicing and power washing. The following students are open for business:

• Bill MacDonald, Augusta Masters Lawn Service Tel: 905-334-9841
• Fred Malinski, Lively Lawn Tel: 905-616-7430
• Daniel Mandic, Up ‘N’ Running Pool Service Tel: 905-464-1867
• Adam Willhoeft, Blast IT Clean Power Washing Tel: 905-334-4933
• Mike Zhang, Lawn Sharks Tel: 905-808-3090

This year’s Summer Company mentors are local Halton business professionals. Halton Region would like to acknowledge the following mentors:

• Grant Buchan-Terrell, Barrister & Solicitor
• Ed Foster, The Incorporators
• Pat Hutton, RBC Royal Bank
• Jan van der Hoop, Hiring Smart Canada Inc.

“The volunteer mentors from our business community are an essential part of the Summer Company experience, and we appreciate their generosity in offering their time and expertise,” said Carr.

Summer Company is one of the youth entrepreneurship programs offered by Halton Region’s Business Development Centre. Halton Region also holds an annual Business Plan Competition for secondary school students across Halton. The Business Plan Competition is offered through partnership and sponsorship by the Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and RBC Royal Bank.

Jul. 11, 2007 - Milton Maps

Looking for maps of Milton and frustrated with all the out of date options online? Visit this page, the official Town of Milton maps page to get the most up-to-date maps available.

Jul. 11, 2007 - Water Usage Program Modified

Effective July 10th, 2007, The Region of Halton has modified the water use ban to a Mandatory Odd/Even Restriction, as explained below:

Mandatory Restrictions for Residents and Businesses

Lawn Watering

1. Lawn watering is only permitted between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m., and 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
    
2. Residents and business whose street address number ends in an odd number are able to water lawns on days that are odd numbered calendar days.
    
3. Residents and businesses whose street address number ends in an even number are able to water lawns on days that are even numbered calendar days.
    
4. For residential or business complexes that may have additional street address classifications, the overall street address for the complex should be used to determine when the complex can water their lawns.
    
5. For the purposes of this policy, addresses that end in the number "0" will be deemed an even number.
    
6. Sod laid or seeded within the past 60 days is exempt from the watering restriction and may be watered as required.

It is important to note that your lawn only requires one inch of water per week.

Vehicle Washing

1. The same odd/even restrictions apply to vehicle washing as lawn watering.
    
2. The hose you use to wash your vehicle must have a shut-off valve.

Please refrain from washing your driveway or sidewalk during the mandatory odd/even restriction period.

There are no restrictions on:

• Water trees, shrubs, flowers and gardens - hand watering any time as needed, watering with hose or sprinkler is subject to the same odd/even restrictions as lawn watering.
   
• Recreational sprinklers and splash pads for children.
   
• Filling residential swimming and wading pools, hot tubs, garden ponds or fountains.
   
• Decorative fountains - this water should be re-circulated.

Failure to comply with the water ban may carry fines up to $5000, in accordance with By-law 42-04.

PLEASE AVOID ANY UNNECESSARY WATER USE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

Jul. 9, 2007 - July real Estate Market To-Date

Milton Sales Stats July 1 to 9, 2007:

Search based on the following parameters: Area: MI Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 07/01/2007 Minimum Price: $0 Sub Areas: XX End Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 07/09/2007 Maximum Price: $500000 Form Type: RE

*DOM Days On Market

Month   Avg List Price   Avg Sell Price   Sell Ratio   Avg DOM*   Units Sold

Jul 2007   $340,961   $337,118   98%   27   16

TOTAL:   $340,961   $337,118   98%   27   16

And 2006 same-period stats:

Search based on the following parameters: Area: MI Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 07/01/2006 Minimum Price: $0 Sub Areas: XX End Date (mm/dd/yyyy): 07/09/2006 Maximum Price: $500000 Form Type: RE

*DOM Days On Market

Month   Avg List Price   Avg Sell Price   Sell Ratio   Avg DOM*   Units Sold

Jul 2006   $318,660   $312,973   98%   38   23

TOTAL:   $318,660   $312,973   98%   38   23

As you can see from the above, the market is slower than this time last year - about 34% slower. Houses are selling faster than last year, and the average price is up about 6% - this is not only a reflection of price increases in general, but also of the type of homes that are selling the most over this period. The properties that are carrying the strongest price gains are the condominium townhouses in the original part of Milton.

Jul. 8, 2007 - And So It Begins . . . .

Jul. 6, 2007 - Halton Water Ban

Jul. 6, 2007 - Beach Test Results

Beach results

Halton Region’s Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton.  Beaches are selected based on use for swimming and other water sports.  These tests are done weekly, or if conditions change.
 
Beach water samples taken on July 3 revealed that the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming:
 
• Burlington - The Beachway North
• Burlington  - The Beachway South
• Milton - Kelso Conservation Area
• Oakville - Coronation Park East
• Oakville - Coronation Park West
• Oakville - Bronte Park Beach
 
The following beach has high levels of bacteria and is unsafe for swimming:
 
• Halton Hills - Prospect Park Old Beach
 
Residents can call Halton Region to find out which beaches have been closed due to poor water quality.  Beach quality information is available 24 hours a day by calling 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866).  During regular business hours ask for beach information, and after regular business hours press “2” for health information.
 
Information is updated weekly or as conditions change.  This information is also posted on Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

Jul. 5, 2007 - What's New in My Family

It's been a while since I offered any kind of update on what is new with my family, so here we go. . . .

Back in November, I needed a new camera for work, so I thought I would get a good one, and bought a Canon XTi Digital SLR. For those not familiar, an SLR is like those camera's which take different lenses and have been around for eons before the advent of point-&-shoot digital cameras. Much to my surprise, I very rapidly discovered an innate passion for photography as a hobby. I had been interested in it before, but never with any real passion or excitement.

As the months went by, my interest and passion for photography very quickly changed the way my eyes see everything in this world; now, I am constantly looking for the photograph that is hidden in everything; colours are brighter or more noticed, and life is much more of a canvas. To see some of my work, you can go here. If you are a photographer and would like to share tips or comments on my work, they are most welcome - just use the comments link at the bottom of this entry.

My son Cameron, whom many of you have met, just turned 13 - waaaaaaaaaaah!, there's a teenager in the house!!! He's actually a pretty good kid, way too much like his father in some regards. He's done well in school, finishing Grade 7 with 11 A's and 4 B+'s - that is down from Grade 6's 13 A's, but still an excellent year. Where Cameron really shines though is in his sports. This past winter, he played hockey on 2 rep teams, one for the next age group up, and was the leading scorer on both teams. Now, he's "only" playing AA Rep baseball and Summer 3-on-3 hockey. "Only" because that is 4 to 6 nights a week. He is also in his first season of umpiring baseball - yay, his first paid non-Dad job!!

Dione, my better-half, has opened another location for her collectibles and dishes business. We now have a location at the Freelton Antique Mall and also in St. George, right on the main drag. Dione specializes in Fiesta ware, so if you are in either location, just look for the booth that is loaded with Fiesta, and that's hers. She has a massive amount of Fiesta available for sale, so if you are a collector, or just want some for your everyday use, fire her an email and she will get right back to you. We make a buying trip every couple of months, so if you are looking for something she doesn't presently have, chances are she can get it for you quite quickly.

Other than that, life is groovy for all of us these days. We are about to start the long-needed renovations of our house - a REAL challenge for me, the universe's least handyman.

Until nest time . . . .

Jul. 5, 2007 - A Guided Tour of Halton Farms

Plan a local farm experience with “A Guided Tour of Halton Farms”

Halton Region is pleased to announce the publication of “A Guided Tour of Halton Farms,” a map-style directory of Halton farms that are open to the public. For Halton residents and visitors looking for farm-fresh produce, garden products or healthy activities the whole family can enjoy, “A Guided Tour of Halton Farms” will help with planning a genuine farm adventure.
 
“Buying Halton-grown produce offers so many benefits,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “When you support local farms, you’re helping to keep our agricultural industry healthy and prosperous. We have so many great opportunities to enjoy fresh produce, to be active with family and friends, and to have a real farm outing, all within our Local Municipalities of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.”
 
The guide contains information about where to pick or purchase fruits and vegetables in Halton. Enjoying locally grown produce is a tasty way to make better eating choices, and picking it in the field is a fun way to be active. The guide also features listings of local greenhouses offering nursery products grown in Halton, and horse farms where visitors can access riding trails, lessons and camps.
 
Halton has rich and diverse rural areas, with many things to see and do. “A Guided Tour of Halton Farms” will help residents and visitors alike navigate Halton’s scenic rural routes to find many tourist destinations.
 
To get a free copy of “A Guided Tour of Halton Farms,” drop by the Halton Regional Centre at 1151 Bronte Road in Oakville, contact Access Halton at 905-825-6000 or toll free at 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), or email accesshalton@halton.ca. The guide will also be available for pick-up at tourist centres and chambers of commerce throughout the Region.
 
“A Guided Tour of Halton Farms” is produced by Halton Region’s Simply Local initiative, which strives to promote Halton’s agricultural industry, to encourage healthy eating and physical activity, and to create a connection between Halton residents and Halton farms. For more information about the Simply Local initiative, visit www.halton.ca/simplylocal.

Jul. 4, 2007 - Happy Birthday Milton!!!

Jul. 4, 2007 - Regional Water Safety Results

Beach Water Safety Test Results

Halton Region’s Health Department tests recreational water throughout Halton.  Beaches are selected based on use for swimming and other water sports.  These tests are done weekly, or if conditions change.
 
Beach water samples taken on June 26 revealed that the following beaches have acceptable levels of bacteria and are safe for swimming:
 
• Burlington – The Beachway North
• Burlington  - The Beachway South
• Milton - Kelso Conservation Area
• Oakville - Coronation Park East
• Oakville - Coronation Park West
• Oakville - Bronte Park Beach
• Halton Hills -Prospect Park Old Beach
 

Residents can call Halton Region to find out which beaches have been closed due to poor water quality.  Beach quality information is available 24 hours a day by calling 905-825-6000 or toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866).  During regular business hours ask for beach information, and after regular business hours press “2” for health information.
 
Information is updated weekly or as conditions change.  This information is also posted on Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca.

Jul. 4, 2007 - 211 Service Now In Halton

211 service now available in Halton

Chris's Note - What an excellent idea. Please comment if you have used this 211 service, either in Halton, or any of the other locales it is offered.

Whether you’re a senior looking for a flu shot, a recent immigrant seeking language training, or parents looking for child care, dialing 211 is an easy way to find the information you need.  Thanks to a new service launched by Halton Region on June 27, residents can now simply dial 211 to be connected with the best available resources in the community. 

211 is a three digit non-emergency telephone number providing callers with a free, confidential and multilingual source of information about community, health and social services.  211 provides single-window access which is especially important for vulnerable people or those who face barriers in accessing programs and services due to language or personal circumstances.  

“Halton is committed to creating safe and healthy communities where people have access to the services they need,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr.  “The successful implementation of 211 is due to several years of collaborative planning by Halton Region, the Halton Information Providers, the four United Ways in Halton and other community partners who have worked hard to ensure it will be the best 211 service possible.”   

Halton Region will be the first municipality in Canada with responsibility for governance, operation and actual delivery of a 211 service through its own call centre, Access Halton. Customer Service Representatives will answer 211 calls, assess the needs of the caller and find the most appropriate service or program using a comprehensive database professional maintained by the Halton Information Providers.  The database will also be available at www.211halton.ca to serve people who prefer the convenience and self-help nature of 211 online.

 “This model of service delivery was chosen as the most effective approach because it builds on existing resources in the community,” said Halton’s Acting Chief Administrative Officer Jane MacCaskill.  “It leverages the investments Halton has already made in customer service technology and infrastructure, as well as capitalizing on the expertise and existing databases of the Halton Information Providers.”

211 service is available to approximately 30 percent of Ontario’s population.  Canada’s first 211 service was launched in Toronto in June of 2002. Since then 211 has been launched in Edmonton, Calgary, Niagara Region, and in Collingwood.  Planning for implementation of 211 service is underway in a number of other Ontario locations, including Ottawa, Peel Region, Thunder Bay and Windsor. 
 
For more information, visit Halton Region’s website at www.halton.ca