Best US shipping address

3 shopping days left.... Have you got your Christmas Shopping done???

I hate being near a mall probably by the time it is mid - November so I always try to get my shopping done early.     In the past few years, I have loved doing shopping on-line.    No line ups, you see what is in stock and you can do it all from the comfort of your home.

One place I love to shop on-line is Amazon.com     The US site is great and has alot of great variety and selection.    There is a Canadian site (Amazon.ca) but I find there is much less selection.     The one bad thing about buying from Amazon.com is that many of the sellers who make their products available for sale on Amazon, may not ship to Canada.     I was faced with that dilema this Christmas as there was something my daughter really wanted and I found it there, but I couldn't get delivery to my home.

I had heard many of my friends mention a place in Niagara Falls, NY called CBI USA, that is a postal outlet that you can send your parcels to and for a nominal fee they hold it for you to pick up.     Well, wanting my daughter to get the exact things she wanted, I thought I would try it out and have the parcel sent there.     I now have it set up on my Amazon profile as an alternate shipping address.   I placed the order... tracked the packages (the items came from 3 separate suppliers) and when all of them had made it to CBI, I waited the required 24 hrs so that they can log it into their system and I planned my trip across the border.   

From Waterdown it is only about 45-60 minutes to the Rainbow Bridge crossing.   Traffic was fairly light and moving at the border and I was through in about a half hour.     From the border, the CBI location is only about 10 minutes away.   It is a residential neighbourhood but the building is a warehouse and there is a parking lot across the street and up a little bit.     I did have a bit of trouble finding the street as the street sign had been stolen.    

Once inside there was a very long line, but at least it was still in the building.    I understand that Saturday and especially before Christmas the lineup can be out the building and can be upwards of an hour.    In all, I think I was in line about 20 minutes.    Once up to the counter, you give them your name and 2 pieces of picture ID and they check the system for your parcel.     All three of mine were successfully retrieved in under 5 minutes.   

I do suggest that when you place an order on-line to pick up there, print out your invoice which hopefully breaks down the cost of the merchandise, tax and shipping charges and bring with you for the border.   Depending on the value of the item, you may get away with not having to pay duty at the border.

CBI USA runs like a well oiled machine and the staff there were fantastic.    I highly recommend that if you want to save yourself the crazy custom charges that some on-line sites charge you to ship from the US, next time consider CBI USA postal outlet.     For more info on CBI, their hours and address please visit their website...  http://www.cbiusa.com/

Best Community Christmas Events

Our first official snow in Waterdown this evening.     A brutal commute for those who drive to work anywhere, especially out of town!      While driving tonight was tenuous, from the warmth and safety of my home I look out the window and see the beauty of the new fallen snow and Christmas lights.    Really puts me in a Christmas mood (as if I wasn't already!)

Christmas bazaars, home tours and Tree Lightings have been happening for weeks now.    Last weekend saw a wonderful, although frigid night for the special nightime Waterdown Santa Clause Parade.     This weekend marks even more activities in Waterdown and area.

The Waterdown BIA is inviting the community to join in for the 1st Annual Choral and Candle Walk this Saturday December the 1st.     People are asked to gather at Magnolia House Spa located at 20 Main Street North where the Waterdown District High School choir will lead off the singing.    Participants can purchase candles for the walk with proceeds going to Drummond House (a transition home for women & children in Waterdown).  

Several businesses like The Flamborough Review, Jitterbug Cafe, Brown Dog Cafe and Voortmans will be offering refreshments and treats.     At 630p, the Choral Walk volunteers will guide participants through the streets of Waterdown where they can enjoy performances by various choirs located along the way or they can sing along.     Choirs will be located at various areas along Main and Mills Streets including at Kitching Steepe Ludwig Funeral Home, Knox Presbyterian Church and the Waterdown Library.

For more information on the Choral and Candle Walk please visit the Waterdown Business Improvement Area's website at  www.waterdownbia.ca/upcoming_events.html

You could possibly also see the CP Holiday Train going through Watedown tomorrow night on its way to a scheduled stop in Hamilton.    Each year the Holiday Train makes it's way along the tracks on a 3 week journey from Quebec to British Columbia for the Canadian Train and from Kanawake Mohawk Territory in Quebec to the North East & Mid West US ending up in Saskatchewan for the US Train.    This history of the train is to encourage folks to come out and donate money or bring food for their local Food Banks.      The Hamilton stop (from the US bound train) will happen around 8pm at Gage Park and Lawrence Road (western approach to Kinnear Yard opposite of Gage Park)   Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Hamilton Food Share.    Entertainers will perform at each stop... this year with the talents of The Claytones and Canadian Country Hall of Fame performer Tracey Brown.     For more information on the Holiday Train please visit the website at www.cpr.ca/en/in-your-community/holiday-train/Pages/Default.aspx

Best Christmas Home Tour

Yes, it is not quite Remembrance Day.... and I am glad that more and more people are passionate about wearing their poppies... supporting Veterans and honouring those who have or are currently serving our country.    I have heard more and more people talk about Remembrance Day this year than I can ever remember, and there is a movement starting about this honoured day being made a Statutory Holiday so we may properly observe.

That being said... Christmas Bazaars and Christmas Home Tours have already begun.    Tonight I had the pleasure of finally going to the Junior League of Burlington Christmas Home Tour.     There are 5 homes on the tour this year... One in Ancaster, one in Waterdown and three in Burlington, one of which includes Historic Ireland House which operates as a year round museum.      Every single home was spectacular.... and the decorators were on hand to talk about where they got items and how they came up with some great innovative ideas.     I could not pick a favourite but the Waterdown home was definately a home that stood out in my mind.    How lovely to be able to see such a majestic older home in the core all decorated for Christmas.    I have long admired the home because each year they have a stunning 3 dimensional star lit up in in one of the big trees right on the corner of the property.   Anytime you drive down Main Street in Waterdown around Christmas you can see this light pretty much from both ends.

To learn more about the 30th Anniversary of the Junior League Home Tour or purchase tickets online, please visit their website... http://www.juniorleague.ca/DesktopDefault.aspx?tabindex=3&tabid=12

If you can't make it out to view the Junior League homes this weekend, another wonderful home tour is happening next weekend at Drummond House.     Drummond House is a transitional home for women & children in Waterdown on the 5th Concession next to Flamborough Baptist Church.     The home only opens it's doors to the public one day a year during their annual Christmas Home Tour and Bake Sale.      Last year, they moved the Bake Sale & Silent Auction next door to the Flamborough Baptist Church because so many people were touring the home they needed more space for the Bake Sale and Silent Auction.     This year, will be a three part tour of the Drummond House activities on Saturday November 17th from 10 am to 4pm.     First, you can view the Home all decorated for Christmas.   2nd you can visit Flamborough Baptist Church where there will be a Bake Sale, Raffle Items (including an iPad), Vendors like Tupperware, Arbonne and Pampered Chef, Christmas Cafe and a Treasure Table of little items offered for Toonie.   Finally, the newly renovated space for Rescued and ReStored up in Freelton located at the Freelton Antique Market.     Each of the 3 locations will be offering up a "freebie".   At the house you can enjoy a free cup of Hot Apple Cider from the Drummond Orchards, at the Bake Sale you will get a free cookie, and at Rescued and ReStored you can get $5 off any purchase over $25.   

To read the lastest about what is going on at Drummond House including the Christmas event you can read their latest newsletter on-line at: http://www.drummondhouse.ca/newsletter/NewsletterFall%20v7.pdf

Best Dog Park

I have done alot of driving between Burlington and Waterdown over the years... A few years ago I found a new route to travel between them... up King Road north of the North Service Road.     It really is pretty drive, especially at this time of year.   The route is tree lined, barely any traffic, wildlife, windy road and such a peaceful route.    Halfway up King Road, I would notice a little park called Bayview Park that was always bustling with lots of dogs running around.   

This week, I was cutting through King Road, enjoying the amazing fall colours and I had a few minutes so I decided to pull off and watch the activity at Bayview Park.     The spot itself is stunning at this time of year.     Beautiful fall foilage, view of the Skyway Bridge and just the amazing peace and quiet.     There is a very large fenced in area where the dogs are free to run around carefree without leash.

Many owners meet there and let their dogs play together.    Some people show up and meet new people and dogs.     One lady there I saw must have either been a dog walker or worked in a kennel as she she had about 6 dogs!    All of them well trained and happily roaming around and the unmistakeable whistle called them all to her side immediately.

I don't have a dog, but I imagine that if I did, this would be an ideal place to bring my dog to have playdates with other dogs.

The park is serviced by the City of Burlington and you can also see areas nearby that cater to model airplane/rocket launching and there is also a ball diamond on the property.

http://cms.burlington.ca/Page421.aspx

Best All Day Breakfast

Nothing I love better than Sunday morning brunch or breakfast out.    My husband loves to have breakfast anytime of the day!    When we find a great all day breakfast menu, then we have a new restaurant to add to our choice of places to go out to eat.

We had the pleasure of eating at AJ's Grill this past Monday.    It was Thanksgiving Monday, and my inlaws were visiting so we decided to go out for late brunch/early dinner.      They have such a great selection on the menu you can get everything from Breakfast items (all day), to sandwiches, burgers, wraps plus full dinner entrees!    A bonus for our family was they also offer a children's menu AND a Senior's Menu!!!

Since it was Thanksgiving, my husband and his mom had the Turkey Dinner special which was excellent.    My father in law had the Steak Dinner which he enjoyed very much.    I had the Chicken Parmigian which was very good and my daughters both had the Chocolate Chip Pancakes.    The portions were huge for all meals.     You will not leave here hungry.    

The staff were absolutely lovely.     We had great service from our server and could not have had a better experience overall.      Everyone's food was tasty, hot, freshly made and the prices were very reasonable.     The restaurant itself had contemporary upscale diner decor.    Great atmosphere!

If it is breakfast items you are looking for, you will not want for anything... they have everything from pancakes/waffles/french toast, eggs, bacon/sausage, homefries, eggs benedict and omelettes.

You can check out AJ's menu on-line at   www.ajsgrill.ca  or visit their restaurant at 94 Dundas Street East in Waterdown (in the plaza just east of Walmart beside Pita Pit)

Best Office Supplies Store

I love the small town merchants of Waterdown.   They give the town character, and many of the local shops are a destination place for shopping, bringing in people from outside of our lovely town.

With the quick growth of the town, there has also been growth of big retailers to town as well.     As a business person working in Waterdown, I am so happy that I no longer have to drive into Burlington or Ancaster anymore to pick up supplies for my office that weren't carried at any of the shops in town.    Staples has arrived in Watedown (like a month ago!!!) and I finally made it in there this week to check them out.

I have been saving my money, and decided to jump in and get an iPad.    My first Mac product!      Not long after going into the store on a quiet Tuesday afternoon, I was being helped.    I learned all there was to know about the different versions, costs and how they could operate the way I wanted within my budget.     I was helped by "Pedro" who was so fantastic.     He knew the product inside and out, knew what each version could offer me exactly what I needed and hooked up all my technology (blackberry, emails accounts and set up my Apple id and accounts).      Setting those things up can be so frustrating, so to have the friendly, helpful services of Pedro guiding me through the process, it really brought home the Staples slogan to me "that was easy".

I've always been a Staples shopper, but the staff at the Waterdown store are so fantastic....  I will only shop that Staples store and support them in our community.     I'm so grateful to Pedro and recommend you seek him out if you are looking for Technical Sales and Support.     He knows it all!

I also really love that you can take your used printer ink cartridges, batteries and old electronic office equipment in to be recycled or disposed of.     

Best Dundas Festival

36 years ago, the Hamilton District Chamber of Commerce and the Dundas Jaycees began looking for a focus around which to build a community festival.

Dundas, already internationally recognized for the Cacti produced by the local Ben Veldhuis Cactus Greenhouses, the group received Ben’s approval of the name, “Cactus Festival”.  The first festival lasted 9 days, and began with a parade.   It featured sports events, a film night, a casino night, a dance at the community center, and midway rides in Dundas driving park.    Over the years, it grew and in 1979, the downtown merchants agreed to hold their sidewalk sale as part
of the Festival.  Other craft vendors and exhibitors were invited too.

The festival moved to King St. and the reputation of the festival grew, year by year. For the sum of $1.00, the Jaycees sold the rights to the Town. Since 1979, the festival has been tirelessly organized by local volunteers; The Cactus Festival Committee.

Occurring every 3rd weekend in August, ‘Cactus’ attracts visitors from across the nation and is the unofficial ‘homecoming’ event for any and all who have lived in the community.   

This event began tonight... Friday August 17th, and runs until Sunday August 19th.     Some of the activities you can enjoy this weekend are:   Cactus Family Fun Zone, Cactus Fun Zone Stage (children's acts, entertainment & artists), Cactus Red Carpet Meet & Greet (with animated/cartoon characters), Cactus Express Train, and the Fortino's 8th Annual Baby Cactus Contest (happening Sat. August 18th for babies 3-18 months old... every baby entered is recognized and receives and official Cactus Tumbleweed Certificate).    For a list of the activities in the Family Fun Zone and times for the judging of the baby contest, check out  http://www.dundascactusfest.ca/Family_Fun_Zone_DundasCactusFestival.html

While this is a great event for families, there is lots to do for everyone.     Maybe you'd enjoy Art in the Alley, shopping with over 100 vendors, the midway/amusements or take in many of the great acts that will be on the 3 main stages.     Big name acts that will be performing on Saturday evening are "The Spoons" at 630pm and "Honeymoon Suite" at 8pm.    For a list of all acts on the three stages, all weekend long, please visit http://www.dundascactusfest.ca/Events_and_Entertainment_at_The_Festival.html

Admission is FREE to this great Dundas event.