Christmas Shopping season is fast approaching, the malls seem to be more crowded than normal, even on weekdays (and our neighbours to the south will be kicking off the season with Black Friday). Here are some tips to help you stay safe and to prevent you becoming a victim of crime this Christmas season: If you use cash, obtain your cash from recognized financial institutions and avoid stand alone bank machines (which can be targets of various skimming devices).  Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Know how to recognize legal tender (Canadian and American bills have various counterfeiting prevention features). Keep your wallets and purses safely secured at all times. When using credit and debit cards, always protect you PIN and shield entry (from prying eyes and/or surveillance device... 11/23/2011

Here are some tips on how you can choose to be a much more ECO-FRIENDLY Shopper while at the Grocery Store: Go Local and Organic - Buying local not only reduces the carbon footprint of your purchase (by reducing the travel and processing impact on our planet), but also helps people in our local communities. Look first for products with a "Canada Organic" logo, then "USDA" organic, indicating that the product contains at least 95% organic ingredients (or vice versa if you live in the U.S). Try Meatless Fridays and/or Mondays - it can take up to 17 lbs of vegetable protein to produce 1 lb of meat protein. Eating more vegetarian dishes would reduce the strain on our environment. Plan Ahead - before you shop, consider what you have. This will reduce both excessive shopping and could help to... 10/05/2011

Here are some tips that might help you reduce the energy you consume (and save you some money) in the kitchen: Go Paperless - Some newer washable viscose cloths (including those made with sustainable Bamboo) can soak up many times more liquid than paper towels. Use cloth napkins at the dinner table rather than paper. Take the Temperature - of your refrigerator... 35-38 degrees F (2-3 degrees C) is the optimal temperature range to reduce spoilage and wasted energy. Your freezer section should be 0 degrees F (-18 degrees C). Use a thermometer to ensure your fridge and freezer sections are at optimal temperature. Let your Leftovers Cool Down - before you refrigerating or freezing. Thirty minutes at room temperature will help in reducing the load on your fridge/freezer (be careful not to le... 10/01/2011

A self-guided driving tour of local farms.  Enjoy the Ontario's fall foliage and see farm work first-hand.  Educational activities will add to the family fun.  Experience the rural Ontario that is just beyond your backyard!  9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. Saturday October 1st, 2011 Passports with a Map will be available on October 1st, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. @ 1) Headwaters Tourism Information Centre, Highway 10 and Buena Vista Drive in Orangeville, or 2) Bluwood Canada, 309 Main St W., Shelburne 09/24/2011

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada is poised to become the first major automaker to build electric vehicles in Canada. Toyota has confirmed that they will start assembling electric versions of the RAV4 SUV in Woodstock within months.  Partnered with Tesla Motors, a California based pioneer in electric automotive design and production currently builds high-end electric roadsters. The addition of the electric RAV4 should secure the positions of Toyota's 6500 workers in Cambridge and Woodstock. As regular reader know, I am passionate about Saving Our Planet, and believe that we, collectively can make a difference simply by making more informed and better choices and achievable changes in our daily behaviour.  I want to congratulate Toyota on this initiative as the RAV4 will join the Chevrol... 08/08/2011

Reduce your Fuel Consumption today.  You don't have to by a new Fuel Cell, Electric or Hybrid Car to reduce fuel consumption.  Making small changes in your driving habits can make a huge difference. Here are some easy to apply tips that will reduce fuel consumption, Save Our Planet, and save you some money at the same time: 5) Remove that junk from your trunk - removing excess weight from your car will reduce your fuel consumption 4) Check Your Tire Pressure - Natural Resources Canada says that just one under-inflated tire can reduce your mileage by as much as 4%.  Need new tires?  Consider one of the many low rolling resistance tires currently marketed! 3) Turn off that Air Conditioner - When not needed, turn off the Air!!!  At lower speeds (below about 60 km/hr or about 35 mph), open ... 07/25/2011

Thanks to Tim Hortons, a proud Canadian company, Orangeville residents can take advantage of free swimming this summer. Want to beat the heat this summer, thank the local Tim Hortons for their collective generosity! The free swims for the public are available at the Alder Street Recreation Centre and the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre. Specific times are listed below. Alder Street Recreation CentreJuly 07 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmJuly 09 1:30 pm - 2:30 pmJuly 14 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmJuly 21 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmJuly 28 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmAugust 04 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmAugust 06 1:30 pm - 2:30 pmAugust 11 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmAugust 18 7:00 pm - 8:00 pmAugust 25 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Tony Rose Memorial Sports CentreJune 29 7:15 pm - 8:15 pmAugust 31 7:15 pm - 8:15 pm 07/16/2011

When:   TODAY  -  Saturday June 18th, 2011 betwen 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Where:  Orangeville - Fairgrounds Mall, Parking Lot outside Walmart            Shelburne - Centre Dufferin Recreational Complex $120.00 value, today only $50.00 Buy a rain barrel or two and help Save Our Planet, and some $$$. Collect, store and use rainwater to water your plants and/or lawn. Promoted by the municipalities in Dufferin County. 06/18/2011

Christmas Moonlight Magic & Tree Lighting November  19, 2010 Join in the festivities and take a traditional horse and wagon ride around the downtown orangeville, have your photo taken with Santa or drop a letter in his mail box. Listen to the holiday sounds throughout the streets. Merchants will offer extended shopping hours (until 10 p.m.), and many will have special activities, products and pricing, for this holiday family evening! 11/14/2010

The history of Orangeville - as it can be traced from newspapers, assessment records, photographs, and census, church, and cemetery records - is one of early settlement that began in the 1830s, of steady growth to incorporation in 1863, and of economic expansion through the 1870s and 1880s. All this development culminated in the Town's being named the county seat for the newly incorporated County of Dufferin in 1881. Today much of this early history can still be seen along Broadway. Buildings such as the Town Hall, Fire Hall, Jackson Block, Sun Office, Ketchum Block, Fead Block, Greystones, and Public Library, all have stories to tell - about the founders, their interests, and the town they built. One of the earliest settlers we can identify is John Corbit who acquired land in the Brown... 10/29/2010

Hello and Welcome to 2010! Man, it's been cold this week! I was just out on an appointment today and we just about froze solid. This cold snap reminds me when I was a kid, growing up in Toronto. Always lots of snow, very cold, and so amazingly beautiful. Well, its been interesting this week so far. There are 23 new listings that have come on the market and are ready for sale. Some are homes that are re-listed because they did not sell this past fall or over the holidays, but there is fresh inventory. I would like to tell you about a couple of homes that I saw on my travels over the past few days! Please click on the photo so you can view the listing as well. I'm really enjoying providing you with these posts, it's a nice way share what I'm seeing in the market place. 25 Clarke Ave is a ... 01/07/2010

Here's How To Get Your Free 2009Guide To Orangeville Area Real Estate Prices... If you're just starting to look for a new home in Orangeville, this guide could be very helpful. It's a comprehensive guide to the Orangeville real estate markets. Inside you'll get pictures and price ranges for 72 of the most common house styles available, along with features and descriptions, so when you're driving through these neighbourhoods you'll know how much the houses generally sell for... It's like having the teacher's edition of your high school algebra book! There are locator maps of Orangeville so you can find your way around. The guide also includes important telephone numbers you'll need -- like schools, municipal offices and utilities. When you request your guide, you'll also get information ... 02/28/2009

Eight Questions For Your Agent Here is a list of questions to ask any agent you are considering for the job. More importantly, I have some tips on how to assess the answers you get. 1. Once I am ready to start looking at homes - what should I do? Tip: You are looking for an agent who insists on sitting down for a buyer consultation with you. The purpose of a buyer consultation is to help your agent understand what is most important to you. For most people, this goes beyond how many bedrooms and bathrooms you want in a home. At this stage, you'll want to discuss why you would like to move, how to come up with a budget and anything that might be worrying you. You will also want to discuss your short and long term plans. What you don't want to hear is something along these lines: just cal... 02/28/2009

Free HomeSearch Service HelpsOrangeville & Area Homebuyers Buy Lovely HomesFrom $250,000 To $500,000 For Zero Down Dear Friend, I'm David Waters, Sales Representative with RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc. I started this service because many consumers think they need tens of thousands of dollars to buy a $250,000 to $500,000 home these days. You may have talked with Realtors or Lenders who have told you that you need $20,000, $40,000 or even $60,000 to buy a home in Orangeville. Five years ago that may have been the case, but it is no longer true. As a matter of fact, right now there are eight loans that enable you to buy a $250,000 to $500,000 home for absolutely zero down payment, plus get up to $10,000 or more of free government money if you are a first time buyer. It's easy to learn w... 02/28/2009

Home Buying Class Helps Hundreds of First-Time Orangeville Home Buyers Find Their Dream Home Orangeville Couple Buys Their Dream Home Using Strategies and Tools Taught at a FREE, ALL NEW HOME BUYER CLASS Orangeville, Ontario - Buying a home is a complex process. Title Insurance - inspections - negotiations - mortgages. To help ensure that your home purchase is profitable and problem free, six area companies have teamed up to sponsor a home buyer's class to teach you the secrets of successful home buying. The class is presented in an information packed 2-hour format and held at 115 First Street in Orangeville. Whether you personally own a home or this is your first time, you will learn new tips and strategies for getting the best buy and the best mortgage. At the class, you'll learn: How... 02/28/2009

The Average Selling Price in Orangeville increased from $246,143 in 2005 to $285,809 in December 2008 (see below chart), this is a 3.8% increase per year over the 4-year period. Since and during the stock markets and world economy shakedown in November and December 2008, we are experiencing fewer sales and declining prices. As of January 31st, 2009 we have experienced 30% fewer sales than January 2008. There were 87 listings in Orangeville during January 2008 and as of January 31st there were 186. This is a 113% increase. Right now Buyers are very cautious and the properties that are selling are where the Sellers are realistic and motivated. There is presently a 6.6 month supply of homes on the market given current sales, making it a Buyers market. With interest rates at an all time low... 02/28/2009

Well here it is again, what better time to take a stroll along Broadway (main street in Orangeville) than the weekend of Friday, July 11th and Saturday, July 12th as downtown Orangeville celebrates its heritage at the 39th Annual Founders' Fair celebrations. This annual summer celebration takes its direction from the original Fair celebrated in 1970 and offers free fun, entertainment, demonstrations & events throughout the weekend. Shopkeepers have stocked their shelves with delightful summer treats, downtown restaurants are highlighting the abundance of summer produce on their menus and cafes and coffee shops offer cool summer treats to satisfy your summer cravings. I hope everyone will enjoy an Ontario summer with a stroll along Broadway and discover all there is to see and do in hist... 07/08/2008

The Town of Orangeville At the heart of the Hills of Headwaters and boasting a population of 28,000, Orangeville has kept its vibrant downtown thriving. Come to the downtown core to visit unique shops and pubs that glitter day and night. Look above the storefronts for a glimpse of a century past in Orangeville's Heritage District. Its Town Hall glows as it did back then and the Opera House Theatre is warm again with the laughter and applause year round. Beside the Town Hall, from Mother's Day to Thanksgiving Weekend, Saturday mornings come alive with the Farmer's Market. Aromas wafting from the many restaurants promise unique dining experiences, and the whole street jumps for the annual Busker Streetfest. Off Broadway, trees shade grand and cozy heritage houses and the County seat. Its ... 05/18/2008