Best Holiday Lights

It's the most wonderful time of the year!    The days leading up to Christmas are my favourite... I love watching Christmas movies/tv specials, I love Christmas Baking, holiday get-togethers and I still get such a thrill driving around town and seeing houses decorated with Christmas Lights, Inflatables, Nativity Scenes and 3D objects.

I also love seeing the Christmas Lights in Burlington.    Down at the waterfront at Spencer Smith Park, the City of Burlington has been putting on the Lakeside Festival of Lights for 18 years.    This year, the festival runs from November 29th to January 7th from dusk til dawn.     Sponsorship support of community businesses, organizations and the City cover the costs associated with running and maintaining the festival.    They also have a dedicated group of volunteers to make sure that the displays are setup, maintained and safely dismantled each and every year.      I found this old video from a couple of years ago on You Tube showing highlights of the display.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfXsEJyR0EM#t=15

As an added bonus, the City of Burlington is offering free parking downtown at all municipal lots and meters.

Not far from the lights down by the lake, you can drive a short distance to 3360 Spruce Ave in Burlington (Walkers Line area between New & Lakeshore) to see a fantastic residential display of lights that I'm sure Chris Hadfield could have seen from space!     Homeowner Doug Musson has been decorating his home with tons of lights for over 30 years, but the last 15 years have been in honour of the memory of son Cam who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 1998.     It has become a tradition in Burlington for many families, and it has become so popular that you will often show up and find people there from out of town.    

For many years Doug covered the cost of hydro himself, just happy to provide local kids with some of the magic of Christmas.     Due to the escalating costs of hydro, Doug realized that he just couldn't afford to keep doing on his own and started placing a tin outside for anyone who would like to help them out with hydro costs during the month of December.

Doug turns on the lights December 1st every year between 5-11pm, and keeps them going every day until the first weekend after New Years's.  

I love to hear stories about what people do as an act of kindness for those in the community, and I thank you Doug for the joy you bring to kids (young and old) by your wonderful display year after year.

Best Chili Fest

Fall arrives on Sunday September 22nd, and with the arrival of Fall we start to think about leaves changing, apple picking, visiting a pumpkin patch and the thought of a warm bowl of Chili warming you up from the inside out on a cool night.

Make your dinner plans for Tuesday September 24th to attend the Inaugural Chili Fest taking place at the Waterdown Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion at 79 Hamilton Street North from 4pm to 8pm.    Local restaurants are going to be stirring up approximately 150 Gallons of Chili for a Chili Fest in support of our local Flamborough Women's Resource Centre (FWRC).  Organizers are hoping for a sold out event of food, fun and music raising at least $10 000 for the Resource Centre.   FWRC is a program of Interval House that offers support services for women in the community such as counselling, legal advocacy, transitional support for abuse, employment counselling and peer support.

Some of the restaurants involved include The Royal Coachman, Goodness Me, Jitterbug Café & Catering, Dutch Mill Country Market, The Watermark Taphouse & Grille, Roseto Catering, Crepe-A-Licious, Bo's Sports Bar, Mill Street & 5 American House, Angel's Diner, Pita Pit, Brown Dog Coffee Shop, Boston Pizza and Flamborough Downs.    The event is modeled after the ultra popular Soup Fest in Hamilton which benefits Living Rock Youth Ministries.

Tickets are $10 (4 half cup servings) for Adults and $5 (2 half cup servings) for children if purchased in advance.   Tickets will be $12 at the door.     Tickets are available to purchase from the Flamborough Women's Resource Centre, CT&G Automotive Specialists, Weeks Home Hardware and Hello Gorgeous! Hair Salon.

In addition to the chili & bread station, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be sold.    Proceeds from refreshments will go to the Legion who has donated the use of the upstairs hall for the event.

Funds from Chili Fest will enable the centre to expand it's programs to further assist clients in need and respond to increased demand in the community.    Last year, the centre provided individual counselling to 77 clients which translates to approximately 570 counselling hours; it saw 112 drop in clients and offered assistance to 45 women who were at risk of losing housing.    The centre and it's staff were successful in helping 10 women find permanent accommodations.

Forget cooking on Tuesday night... head out to Chili Fest!  

Best Animal Adoptions

Have you heard the saying, you are either a "Cat Person" or a "Dog Person"???   Neither one is the correct answer, but a personal preference.     Where do I fall on that debate.... I'd rather say "yep, one of those" and keep it a mystery.   :-D

Locally, the best place to adopt a wonderful little furry baby into your family would be the loving "no kill" not for profit shelter of Animal Adoptions of Flamborough located at 16 Mill Street North in Waterdown.  

Shelters typically see the adoption rate slump during the summer due to many people going away on vacation or up to the cottage.     Currently, Animal Adoptions of Flamborough (AFF) are receiving phone calls on daily basis from people looking to surrender a cat or kittens.    Unfortunately, there is no space available and they are over capacity so the staff are just not able to accept any new cats.    

AAF's President, Mary Lamb, is calling upon residents to open their homes and hearts to adopting or to consider fostering cats at this time.    The alternative is a grim one.    With AAF unable to accept any new cats into the shelter, they may have to go elsewhere which may lead to them being euthanized or they will just be dumped at the side of the road.      Irresponsible owners constantly abandon cats in the Flamborough countryside on many of the sideroads which is a real problem.

While the AAF has a real urgent need for adopting or fostering families, they are also in need of financial donations.    The shelter is currently caring for 130 cats and dogs which is a costly expense for this not for profit organization.       All animals they care for are vet checked, received their first round of vaccinations and have been micro-chipped.     If they are old enough, they have also been spayed or neutered.

Animal Adoptions are having a fundraiser Garage Sale and BBQ at the shelter next weekend at their Mill Street location.    Please stop by and show your support by purchasing an item, eat at the BBQ, make a donation or talk to staff about adopting or fostering (expenses of fostering are paid by the shelter I believe).

You can find AAF on facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Animal-Adoptions-of-Flamborough/148102178544272

They also are working on their new web page (currently under construction)... http://www.anadoptflam.com/  ...check back soon for an updated web page.

To learn more information on adopting or fostering a cat, please call the shelter at 905-689-4972 or visit www.petfinder.com/shelters/on130.html for a list of cats currently seeking their forever homes.

Best things to do for Canada Day

No more teachers no more books..., well you know the rest.    I've been out of school for more than 20 years, but end of the school year still seems to be the official start of summer for me.

Lots going on in and around Waterdown if you decided to stay in town instead of heading into cottage country.

In Waterdown, "THE" event of the summer is taking place at Memorial Park... I believe it's the 4th Annual "Oh Canada Ribfest".      Lots of great food like bbq ribs/chicken/pulled pork, colossal onions, donuts, lemonade, ice cream etc...  Also lots of local businesses, vendors and artisans have booths selling their services or products.    Then, there is the stage for entertainment (you can watch ME dancing with my Adult Hip Hop group dancing with Live Dream Dance on Saturday at 11am, and then a big attraction on Sunday night is local rising star Jaclyn Kenyon) and of course all the midway/games.     Monday, special Canada Day activities are planned like the swearing in of new Canadians (130pm Main Stage) and then everything finishes off Monday night at 10pm with FIREWORKS!!!

For more details on all the activities happening at Ribfest, or if you'd like to volunteer... please visit  http://ohcanadaribfest.ca/     This is such a great fundraiser put on by the Rotary Clubs of Waterdown & Flamborough.     Money raised goes right back into the community for local projects and organizations.

Another great event is happening 10 minutes away down at the downtown Hamilton waterfront... the Tall Ships have arrived in Hamilton Harbour as part of a year long celebration of the Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812 (aka when we kicked the butt of the American's and this great country didn't become another American "state"     To find out more about the festivities around the Tall Ships in Hamilton Harbour, check out the Tourism Hamilton Website:
http://www.tourismhamilton.com/bicentennial-1812/signature-events/tall-ships

Happy Canada Day from me and my family to yours... 

 

 

Best Waterfront

Waterdown is (to me) so centrally located.     We are accessible to so many areas.     In 10 minutes we can be in downtown Hamilton or 20 minutes to downtown Burlington.    

In Burlington, there is such a pretty Waterfront... it is a vibrant area which attracts people all day, every day of the year.      Yesterday, the long awaited Burlington Pier opened with the start of the Sound of Music Festival.... and an official community celebration is taking place tomorrow.

Taken from the City of Burlington website....

"The City of Burlington will celebrate the opening of the Brant Street Pier on Saturday, June 15 as part of Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival, one of Ontario’s top festivals.
The pier’s opening will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Spencer Smith Park, following the Sound of Music parade.

“The Brant Street Pier is nearly completed, and will be a waterfront icon at the foot of Brant Street for families to enjoy for generations to come,” said Mayor Rick Goldring. “There is still some outstanding business regarding legal action related to the pier. The city will be as open as possible in sharing that information.”

The Brant Street Pier is part of the overall development of the Waterfront at Downtown Burlington that includes Rotary Pond and Discovery Landing.

The Burlington Teen Tour Band will lead City Council, members of the community and federal and provincial politicians onto the pier to enjoy its waterfront view as well as some free refreshments and live entertainment. Part of the pier will close at 3 p.m. to allow Sound of Music organizers to get ready for evening fireworks.
The seven Burlington children who left their handprints on a commemorative plaque on the pier will also be asked to join the official opening. They will attend a plaque unveiling at the pier with the city’s funding partners on Friday, June 14 at 1 p.m.
“People will be thrilled when they see the astounding view of Lake Ontario and Burlington’s skyline from the Brant Street Pier,” said City Manager Jeff Fielding. “The completed Brant Street Pier is one more feature in this city that makes Burlington truly special, and one of Canada’s best cities.” 
The pier has been the product of years of challenges that include the uniqueness of constructing in and around water. The city worked with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Ministry of Natural Resources and Conservation Halton to ensure protection of both waterfront and land, especially the aquatic habitat.
“This has been a challenging but rewarding project for city staff,” said Scott Stewart, General Manager of Development and Infrastructure. “I would like to give my sincere thanks to the construction team that has helped get the Brant Street Pier where it is today—ready for opening in June of 2013.”  
The Brant Street Pier construction team includes Graham Infrastructure, Morrison Hershfield and project manager METTKO.
The total cost of the Brant Street Pier construction is $14.4 million. The Canada-Ontario Infrastructure Program is funding $4.4 million of this amount while Halton Region is providing $2.5 million.
“In Burlington, we do great things together,” said Mayor Goldring. “The Brant Street Pier is an example of a government partnership that will attract tourists, create another anchor in the downtown, and stand out as an example of the creative vision this city has for a continuously high quality of life for residents.” 
About the Brant Street Pier
The Brant Street Pier is being built to a high design standard with a minimum 75-year operational life.
The unique S-shaped pier will be a signature destination and attraction at The Waterfront at Downtown Burlington. The pier extends 132 metres (about 430 feet) from Spencer Smith Park over Lake Ontario, providing unique views of the lake and Burlington's shoreline. The pier deck is elevated above the surface of the water with the lookout node another nearly four metres (about 13 feet) above the main deck. 

The Brant Street Pier includes environmentally friendly features, such as energy-efficient LED lighting. A concrete walkway will connect the pier to the existing promenade in the east end of the park. For more information, visit www.burlington.ca/pier or email pier@burlington.ca.

About the Sound of Music FestivalBurlington’s Sound of Music Festival is Canada’s largest free music festival. More than 200,000 people each year come to the four-day festival to enjoy live concerts featuring all types of music, including jazz; rock; folk; pop; blues; Latin; Big Band; Celtic; country; and children’s entertainment.
The festival features more than 10 performance areas throughout Burlington's downtown and waterfront. For more about Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival, visit www.soundofmusic.ca "

What a great weekend it will be to celebrate the opening of the Pier and catch some wonderful FREE entertainment, food & fun at the Sound of Music Festival... all taking place down at the Burlington Waterfront.

Best Waterdown Health Festival

I've been on a quest lately after being diagnosed as Gluten, Dairy & Egg Intolerant.    There are other ones for me but those are the major ones for me to avoid.     There has been so much to learn and shopping/eating has become a new way of life for me.                             I have learned a lot from my Naturopath, Dr. Carly Wendler and I have learned a lot from the great staff at Goodness Me in Waterdown.    They have been fantastic with lots of food samples, advice from staff and they always have classes every week to help educate and promote good health in various forms.                                    Tomorrow, May 25th they are have a Health Festival at their Waterdown location.  You can sign-up for free classes, try out some new products, score some great deals and win prizes! Plus, they will be grilling on the BBQ from 11:30AM-6PM (including Gluten Free options) so come hungry!

 

Classes scheduled for Saturday are:

 

5 Secrets to Increase Your Energy & Reduce Your Waistline

10:00AM - 11:30AM

Gluten & Dairy Free Eating Made Simple

1:00PM - 2:30PM

Create the You, You Want to Be!

4:00PM - 5:30PM

 

I will there attending Dr. Carly's class "Gluten & Dairy Free Eating Made Simple"    On Dr. Carly's Facebook fan page is a great description of her class and what she'll be covering...

"Are you wondering about the boom in gluten and dairy free eating? Why does it seem that everyone is tittering about this shift in what we are feeding our families and ourselves? Everywhere we look these days we are seeing books, programs, and health professionals recommending these changes for specific health issues as well as for general overall well being and preventative health. It is not without great scientific support and research that these recommendations are making their way into everyday language. Societies that have the highest consumption of wheat and dairy also have the highest rates of pediatric type 1 diabetes, eczema, allergies, ear infections, heart disease, celiac disease, auto immune diseases and the list continues!     For complete event details please visit www.drcarlywendler.com events or www.goodnessme.ca "

 

We are so fortunate to have such a great store in Waterdown like Goodness Me.    With the increase of people with Celiac and Food Intolerances, it is a valuable resource in our community and I hope you'll check out the Health Festival Saturday.

Best Gluten Free Frozen Yogurt

Every few years, a certain type of shop will become popular... Tea, Coffee, Donut, Cupcake, Ice Cream with Mix-Ins... they've all had their time of popularity.     The trend of the moment seems to be the Yogurt Shop where you can mix the flavours, and add in pretty much as much toppings as you want.      You walk in choose a cup (the only size is large!) and you have your choice to serve yourself what kind of flavour(s) you want.     Some might go for just one flavour, or swirl two together... or maybe pick two flavours and put them in the same bowl yourself.    

Then you get to go to the topping area and put anything your heart desires on top.    Then you go to the cashier and they weigh your purchase and you are charged by the weight (and of course you can't put anything back in case you've rung up a $13 cup!!!)

For me, I am crazy about a new place in Burlington called CC Swirls www.ccswirls.com  located at 2201 Brant Street (in the plaza between Dollarama and Freshco).      What I love about this shop is EVERYTHING is Gluten Free!!!!    They have the cups that you can fill up with your favourite frozen yogurt and topping (note... they do have some toppings that would have gluten in them) or they have a freezer with pre-packed frozen yogurt,  frozen yogurt bars and frozen cakes.     I also need to be dairy free so for those of us with Gluten Free/Dairy Free needs, they also offer one flavour of Sorbet.

There are many great shops locally in the area Yogurty's is a great place right in the heart of the core in Waterdown @ 312 Dundas St E (and a favourite place of my daughters!).      They've just started to offer a Gluten Free & Dairy free flavour(s) there as well.      http://www.yogurtys.com/

Our family has also tried Menchies which is located at 1900 Appleby Line in Burlington.   They have many Gluten Free options, and just one Gluten Free/Dairy Free sorbet flavour as well.    www.menchies.com

I'm so glad to have found these shops (especially with summer right around the corner) and that they offer something for those of us with dietary restrictions.