Welcome to our blog!

We are the Burlington Team - Rob, Greg, Glenn, Brandon, Norene and Caleigh - of Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage and this is a blog for people living in the Barrie area, about real estate, community events, local shops and services, and just about anything else that catches our fancy.

We hope you'll find this blog useful and interesting, and if there is ever a real estate question that you want to ask, please visit our website at www.barriehome.com, or drop us a line to glenn@barriehome.com.

Weblink Weekends! Calling all technophiles - stay on top of what's new

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Here's a must-bookmark site for anyone who likes gadgets and gizmos.

SlipperyBrick.com (must look up where that name came from) says this about themselves: "SlipperyBrick was founded in August of 2006, and is a web site dedicated to the relentless search for all things technical. We have an obsessive passion for emerging consumer based technology, gadgets and related sciences and our staff of editors have years of experience, knowledge and most importantly a high interest in these technologies. SlipperyBrick may sound like a silly name but we are very serious about technology."

Some of my favourite items reviewed this week are the amber alert GPS child finder (shown at top), a laptop case that makes your laptop look like a newspaper, glow-in-the-dark toilet paper and absolutely everything made by Steampunk. Oh, and I have GOT to get me a Shoulderbrella. (pic at right from here)

SlipperyBrick reviews products just being launched, and those still in prototype or proposal stage, so you can find out what's coming ... and what's just a dream. - Caleigh

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The fair is in town! Bid farewell to summer with a spin on the ferris wheel

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After the disappointing news that Barrie's annual Fall Agricultural Fair - which has a history going back to 1840 - was to be cancelled this year, I am thrilled to report that the Barrie Fairgrounds is instead the site of the "Back to School Carnival". The midway with rides, games and food runs today and throughout the weekend, beginning at noon daily.

We'll miss the petting zoo and the various equestrian events but, on the positive side, parking and admission are free, and you can purchase a ride-all-day bracelet for only $20.

The Barrie Agricultural Society partnered with Campbell Amusements to create this 'tide-over' event, as they are in the process of relocating the fairgrounds from the site at Essa and Highway 400, and expect to relaunch the Fall fair at new digs in 2010. - Caleigh

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Passionflowers rocks it again!

Glenn and Norene celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past weekend (congratulations guys!). Being a smart man, Glenn wanted to impress his bride with 40 of her favourite yellow roses, but finding a store that was willing to deliver on Sunday was a bit of a challenge.

Being a smart woman, I recommended Passionflowers on Yonge, and they came through in spades. Not only did they create a stunning bouquet, complete with a beautiful vase and pretty river rocks, but Janet herself delivered it on Sunday!

We've used Passionflowers for many occasions (including funerals, mother's day, Valentine's Day and "just because") and they have never failed us. I suggest you try them for your next occasion! - Caleigh

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TATW: Who says environmental awareness has to be dull?

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(Please note: If you were planning on attending The Virgin Music Festival this weekend, the venue has been changed from Burl's Creek in Oro to the Molson Ampitheatre in Toronto. If you have already purchased tickets and would like info on the new venue or refunds, visit their website at virginfestival.ca.)

Want to help the kids understand the environment? The Dragonfly Festival is on this Saturday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm in Tudhope Park, Orillia. The aim of the event is to help children understand environmental stewardship, and to demonstrate how the dragonfly is an important indicators of the health of our water systems. There will be fun hands-on nature activities, face painting, nature walks, vendors and displays, live amphibians and more. The event is a partnership between Kids for Turtles and Ontario Nature.

We can all aid the environment this weekend by participating in Car Free Sunday. Barrie's Lakeshore Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic and reserved for recreational use only between 9:00 am and 1:00 pm on Sunday. The stretch of road will instead be available for walking, biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, etc., as well as organized activities including free bike inspection and inline skating clinic. Bikes will be available for rent, and a monitored bike parking lot will be set up at the Southshore Community Centre to allow participants a place to leave their bikes worry-free. There will be a free waterfront shuttle bus, and free transit tickets and available for download on http://www.barrie.ca/.

If your idea of environmental awareness involves worshiping hops and barley, I suggest you visit the lovely town of Creemore this Saturday for the Copper Kettle Festival, featuring live music, a beer garden, tours of the Creemore Springs Brewery, kids activities, wagon rides and more.

And if you simply want to sit and enjoy the outdoors, there will be live music this Sunday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 pm in the Port McNicoll Gazebo Parkette, and from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum. - Caleigh

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A piece of Barrie's history is on the market!

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Number 25 Valley Drive, also known as Lount Castle, is up for sale and just waiting for the right someone to take it on.

The home was built in 1878 by William Lount, who was born in Holland Landing and moved to Barrie in 1846. He became a lawyer and later was elected to serve as MPP for Simcoe North from 1867-71. Originally called "The Oaks", the 5800-square-foot home cost a whopping $10,000 and was designed in the Second Empire style by architect George Ball. According to an article in the Barrie Advance, "it featured a tower, decorative chimneys and turrets, an attractive slate roof, and the finest imported furnishings. While the entire structure was impressive to behold, the highlight was undoubtedly the third-floor formal ballroom in which the Lounts entertained their well-heeled guests."

The home has seen many uses, including as an apartment building, so naturally needs an enormous amount of work. For an entire album of photos of the present-day interior and exterior (including the one at right), click this link.

Heritage Barrie recently recommended the home be designated as a building of historic significance. It is unfortunate to see how many of Barrie historical buildings have met with the wrecking ball, so I dearly hope that this bid is successful, and that a new owner will be found who will restore it to its original splendor. - Caleigh

Barrie Newcomers Club welcomes you!

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It's been 13 years since I was a newcomer to this area, but I remember it well and would have the opportunity to loved to join an organization like this.

The Barrie Newcomers Club is a social organization that aims to give new Barrie residents the opportunity to meet and make new friends through a variety of activities and interest groups. Membership is $20 per year and is available to anyone who has moved to the Barrie area within the last 2 years.

General meetings are held most months, and other planned activities occur throughout the year. The next meeting takes place on Wednesday, September 9 at 7:15 p.m. in the The Angus Ross Room of The Barrie Public Library on Worsley Street. For a full schedule of meetings and events, click here to visit their website. - Caleigh

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Do you know any exceptional Barrie-ites?

Barrie Order of the Spirit Catcher Award

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The City of Barrie is once again seeking nominations for The Order of the Spirit Catcher Award (for Barrie residents 19 years of age and older) and the Youth Spirit Catcher Award (for residents 12 to 18 years of age).

The awards are presented each year to "individuals who have volunteered selflessly, who have made a significant contribution to the lifestyle of the community and through exceptional achievement, have benefited others and brought honour to the City of Barrie."

For more information on the awards and how to make a nomination, visit the City of Barrie's website. Nominations will be accepted up to and including October 16, 2009 and evaluated by the

Order of the Spirit Catcher Committee, with the presentation of the awards taking place in December.

Last year's winners of The Order of the Spirit Catcher Award were Arch and Helen Brown, noted for their support of local arts and education. (picture at right taken from here)

- Caleigh

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Weblink Weekends! Quick and easy way to conduct a survey

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For years, we have sent out surveys to clients who have used our services, asking for feedback on their experience with us. But as time went on, we found that fewer people had the time to write out and mail a response. As a business, we were not only losing a bit of money each time (since surveys were mailed out and included a sef-addressed-stamped enveloped), but we were also losing out on valuable feedback from our clients.

Since switching to an online survey, our rate of return has skyrocketed, and it couldn't have been easier to do thanks to SurveyMonkey.com.

With SurveyMonkey, you can quickly an easily set up a free account, then make up your survey using the forms and templates provided. Just choose the question type (multiple choice, open-ended, etc.), insert the question and reponse text, and voila! You are provided with a URL that you can e-mail to anyone you like, and they just have to click the link to answer your survey. You can view the responses online any time you like.

Upgrading to a paid account does offer benefits, including fewer limits on the number of questions you can include and responses you can receive per survey, the ability to download responses into a spreadsheet, and improved customer support. But for our needs, the free account has thus far been entirely adequate.

Whether you're a small business looking for customer feedback, or if you're just trying to get a group concensus on where to hold the next Christmas party, SurveyMonkey is a great tool to have at your disposal. - Caleigh

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Barrie takes busking seriously

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You'd better get your quarters ready, because Barrie now has official buskers livening up the downtown streetcorners.

The City of Barrie held auditions last month to select 15 buskers to be given the opportunity to purchase permits to perform in the city's public spaces. According to the article in the Advance, the talent ranged from spray-painters to bagpipers.

If you're a fan of the art of busking, you'll want to come down to the waterfront next Wednesday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. when the Lawn Chair Luminata series presents Downtown Buskers Night. Click here for more info. - Caleigh

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TATW: What to do in Barrie & area this weekend

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It sounds like the weather's going to be all over the place this weekend, with the only certainty being the humidity, so staying near water is an excellent idea. If you're not one of the fortunates to have your own pool or cottage, you are at least fortunate enough to live in an area where water is in abundance - whether you prefer the lake, the beach, the pool, the splash pad, or just the sprinkler.

In all likelihood, I'll be taking the little one down to Centennial Beach on Kempenfelt Bay in Barrie this weekend because he loves to watch the annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival.

The races run most of the day on Saturday, and there are a variety of entertainment activities involved, so click to see the schedule if you're planning to go. And if it gets too hot, there's a beach just steps away, and in the other direction a splash pad for the little ones. (photo at right from here)

Also this weekend is Midland's annual TugFest Georgian Bay. "TugFest is a unique event that features a raft of both historical and distinctive work boats. The festival offers both residents and tourists a full list of activities including a parade of lights, pancake breakfast, tug parade, tug run and event dinner." TugFest is actually a multi-stop event, with events in several coastal towns along Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Click here to find out more about the festival.

If your thoughts on water have more academic leanings, the town of Elmvale is hosting a Water Festival at the fairgrounds and arena. There will be music, food and speakers including Chris Wood, author of "Dry Spring: The Coming Water Crisis of North America." Click here for the schedule. - Caleigh

cobi: Collection of Beautiful Ideas

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Cobi Ladner was the Editor of Canadian House & Home magazine for 15 years, and just last year left the magazine to focus on personal projects. At the end of July 2009, she launched her new website - cobistyle.com - with the intent to make design fun and accessible to everyone, even those who can't afford to hire her to design decor for them personally.

If you visit the homepage, you can watch a short video about her design philosophy, and the premise of her self-titled website, which she says is also an acronym for Collection of Beautiful Ideas. The site is sparsely populated at the moment, but keep an eye on her blog not just for fun and beautiful ideas, but for suggestions on how to find your own style, and opportunities to share your ideas as well. - Caleigh

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Weblink Weekends! Keep and Share

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Ever needed to share documents with a group, and had to go through the rigamarole of e-mailing documents back and forth and worrying about file formats, spam filters, draft versions and so on?

Keepandshare.com is a website that allows free sharing of documents, calendars, lists and more. Your documents can be secure or available to the public, as you wish.

The site also features some very useful checklists that anyone can download or print, including a moving checklist, wedding planning lists, first-aid checklist and more.

On our recent vacation, I used the camping supply checklist and found it extremely handy, undoubtedly saving me many last-minute trips to the store. - Caleigh

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TATW: Rhythm, reading and rock

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The big event in Barrie this weekend is Caribfest, which will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Centennial Park on Lakeshore Drive. Some of the highlights include the costume parade, drumming festival, and a dinner and dance cruise on the Serendipity Princess.

For those who prefer a heavier beat, ROCK95's Rockstock takes place just outside Barrie this weekend at Springwater's Splash Canyon. Tickets are still available, and a shuttle will be running from the Travelodge on Bayfield St. (which is also the closest hotel for anyone coming from out of town). If you plan on attending, be sure to check the website's FAQs to see what you can and cannot bring onto the grounds.

For a quieter outing, Theatre By the Bay's productions of "Peter Pan and Tinkerbell's Summer Adventure" and "Twelfth Night" begin this weekend and run through August 28th. Check the website for performance and ticket information.

This Friday and Saturday, the Holly Community Centre will be the site of BOOKAPOLLUZA, a sale of gently used books for kids and adults. All proceeds go to support the Barrie Young Peoples Centre’s (BYPC), providing free youth recreation programs. - Caleigh

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Back-to-school is back in stores!

barrie ontario schools, barrie real estate

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The kids may not be ready to think about going back to school, but needless to say, retailers are.

Sales are on now at most stores that offer school supplies, backpacks, clothes and more. To find the best deals without wasting gas, check out the flyers for your local stores online at flyerland.ca. Here you'll find online versions of the flyers for stores including Walmart, Zellers, Staples, Giant Tiger, Sears and other spots that you might go to stock up on pencils, paper or pants.

Most schools provide a list of school supplies in June for the following year, and some also publish them on their school's website. But if not (or if, like me, you've misplaced it under a summer's worth of clutter), a generic list is provided by following this link to CanadianParents.com. Don't forget to click the Print icon if you want to print it, because that will leave out all the ads and images.

If you have college-aged kids, don't forget to check out Amazon.ca for new and used textbooks, generally at considerably lower prices than you'll find in the school bookstore.

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" - Caleigh

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Barrie's green bin program doing well

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After various members of The Burlington Team being on vacation over the past two weeks, we're back in full force now and once again turning our attention to updating our blog.

In catching up on the news, we are very pleased to read that - after the kerfuffle in Toronto about the green bin program having difficulty producing useable compost - the Barrie program is indeed in good shape.

According to a report in the Barrie Advance: "Barrie plants would survive if they were sprinkled with compost collected by the local organics program." It adds that: "The difference between here and Toronto is the restrictions on putting plastics, diapers, pet waste and feminine hygiene products into the green bins. Toronto also allows residents to put organic waste in regular plastic bags."

Simcoe county officials are predicting that the addition of the green bin program to the existing blue and grey bin recycling programs will allow us to reach the hoped-for goal of a 60% diversion from landfills by the end of this year.

Good work, Simcoe-ites! Keep using those green bins! - Caleigh

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Welcome to our blog!

Weblink Weekends! Calling all technophiles - stay on top of what's new

The fair is in town! Bid farewell to summer with a spin on the ferris wheel

Passionflowers rocks it again!

TATW: Who says environmental awareness has to be dull?

A piece of Barrie's history is on the market!

Barrie Newcomers Club welcomes you!

Do you know any exceptional Barrie-ites?

Weblink Weekends! Quick and easy way to conduct a survey

Barrie takes busking seriously

TATW: What to do in Barrie & area this weekend

cobi: Collection of Beautiful Ideas

Weblink Weekends! Keep and Share

TATW: Rhythm, reading and rock

Back-to-school is back in stores!

Barrie's green bin program doing well

Barrie Home & Life

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