WonderMoms.ca Blog

WonderMoms Survey and Contest Giveaway

wondermoms — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 19:41:41 +0000

WonderMoms has joined the EverythingMom Advertising Network, and as part of a network wide contest we are offering the Mexican Vacation Giveaway on WonderMoms.

This trip will give a family of four (2 adults and 2 children) the chance to spend a week together on sandy beaches, in the surf and exploring local culture, anytime. Crown Paradise Resort will furnish the lucky group with a gift certificate valid until 12.31.2011, meaning you can jet off just as next winter’s snow starts dumping on your driveway! This prize is available to both US and Canadian residents. (Airfare NOT included.)

You say that winter’s getting you down, and spring’s taking its sweet time arriving? We know exactly what you mean. What we all need is a vacation – thankfully, we’ve got you covered.

Besides being all-inclusive to every traveller, the resort offers three added values to the contest winner:
A Dine Around: A free lunch or dinner, with a set menu, at either of two specialty restaurants in Puerto Vallarta — The “Blue Shrimp” or “Si Señor”. One free meal per person per stay*.
A Tropical and City tour: A beautiful sight-seeing tour for each guest per stay, visiting local attractions, like the mountains and a tequila distillery show*.
Unlimited Golf: Unlimited golf for the guests – as many rounds as they wish at any of three renowned golf courses in Puerto Vallarta: Vista Nicklaus, Vista Weiskopf, and Marina Vallarta.
Need more incentive? How about a destination playground on Puerto Vallarta’s most beautiful beach, an activities pool, water park with pirate’s ship, a castle, nine water slides, outdoor family game area, great options for fine dining and lounges, and activities programs. And that’s just for the kids!

Please fill out our quick survey. All of your private information is completely confidential – you won’t be spammed or put on any 3rd-party mailing lists.

Enter here contest closed

Q & A’s About the New Proposed Oakville High School

wondermoms — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:10:25 +0000

I want to thank you for seeking clarification regarding the confusion about French Immersion (FI) programming at the secondary level in Oakville and for asking me about the rumours that continue to resonate. There is a high school planned to open in Ward 4 on West Oak Trails Boulevard in 2012. It is being built to accommodate the future population growth in Oakville and to relieve the overcrowding at Abbey Park High School and White Oaks Secondary School. All of the students at Abbey Park are English stream students, not French Immersion students. The majority of students attending White Oaks are English stream students, not French Immersion students. A single-track FI school in Halton is one that houses French Immersion students only. A dual-track school in Halton is one that houses both FI and English stream students. We do not typically refer to a high school as dual or single track. High schools provide a wide scope of program and course options throughout Oakville, Halton and Ontario. High Schools do not necessarily offer the same programs or courses. The number of staff allocated to each school is directly related to the total number of students enrolled in the school. There are two main categories of courses offered to students in high school; compulsory/mandatory and elective. To graduate with a Secondary School Diploma students must successfully complete 18 compulsory courses and 12 elective courses. Please refer to the Ministry of Education for more information on OSSD requirements. http://high.isnaschools.com/ontario_secondary_school_diploma_ossd_requirements.aspx Principals and staff have flexibility in the courses they offer to high school students. Each year in February students are expected to submit a course list that includes both compulsory and elective choices for the following school year. Principals and staff review the submissions and begin the planning and staffing process for the upcoming year. When enrolment in a course is insufficient or low it is removed as an option and students are supported and directed to choose an alternate course. Students enrolled in other programs such as Specialist High Skill Major, (SHSM), French Immersion, Ford Academy of Manufacturing (FAM), Apprenticeship Training, International Baccalaureate (IB), Halton Home Building or Hair Styling must also adhere to the OSSD requirements. Their courses are subjected to the same process as described above. Today I received confirmation from the planning Department that we have a total of 821 students participating in F I programming at the Secondary Schools in Oakville. Those 821 students are spread across all of Oakville. These students are attending four different schools, in four different locations across Oakville. The schools that are currently offering FI are T.A. Blakelock-SW, White Oaks-NE, Iroquois Ridge-NE and Oakville Trafalgar-SE. Abbey Park High School does not currently offer a French Immersion Program leaving North West Oakville the only area without such a program. The rumour about creating a single track FI high school in Oakville is just that, a rumour. Having spent four years representing Ward 4 in the realm of education and accommodation, the notion of a single track FI high school in Ward 4 (or anywhere else in Oakville) does not make sense to me. There are not enough secondary French Immersion students to warrant a single-track French Immersion High School in the NW or Oakville. Could it happen? It would take six votes at the board table. Would I support it? No! Our community has been waiting years for this school to be built. Parents want their high school students accommodated closer to home! During the past four years I have received many phone calls about students having to cross the bridge at Sixteen Mile Creek; it is a very long walk in the winter. Once the new high school is built, English track students from Ward 4 should be able to attend school this side of the Upper Middle Road Bridge. Optional attendance may be available for students choosing to attend specialized programming outside of the local community. These specialized programs are exceptionally important for the engagement and success of some of our students. Students want choice in education; parents want choice for their children. There has not yet been any discussion about the programming or the specific boundaries of the new North West Oakville High School. I have been working with the Town, HDSB staff and community members to resolve some concerns about the location of the school building on the construction site. We only received the “approval to build, with conditions” at the Town of Oakville Site Meeting of October 12th, 2010. I have listened respectfully and intently to the diversified opinions of Ward 4 over the last four years. My decisions at the board table have been guided by what I have learned from parents, community members, students, staff and hours of professional development. It is unfortunate that people have been affected by the rumours that are circulating. Below I have attempted to dispel some of the myths and provide answers to some of the outstanding questions. FACTS: -A single-track French Immersion High School has never been discussed in my presence; -The delivery of French Immersion at the secondary level is very different than the elementary level; -A single track French Immersion Secondary School model does not exist in Halton;I understand the parents and the program and accommodation issues in NW Oakville and Halton and I would never recommend a single-track French Immersion high school; -A consultation with community members will be conducted and as always and along with other information the community input will be considered; -One trustee cannot make this decision or any other decision. Decisions are made via the democratic process by eleven trustees at the board table; -Ecole Forest Trail was built specifically to deal with the overcrowding at Ecole Pine Grove and was designated FI before I was elected; -I supported Palermo Public School as a single-track FI Center as a means to deal with the exceptionally high FI enrolment in Ward 4; many parents residing in Palermo had expressed their desire to remain at their “holding school”; -At no time has English Programming been in jeopardy nor will it ever be; -I believe in specialized programming and choice because students are successful in programming specific to their educational strengths, interests and needs; -The link that you may have seen to the Inside Halton article was written in 2006 while I was the Co-Chair of Ecole Pine Grove; This was before I was elected to represent all Public School supporters, students and parents; -My passion for safe caring, family friendly schools of excellence is well documented; -My commitment and dedication to do what is right for students, tax payers and education in Ward 4 and Halton has never wavered.

Aradia Fitness Oakville

wondermoms — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:39:15 +0000

How I got my Sexy Back through Pole Dancing for Fitness

Have you ever found yourself feeling stuck and lost your identity? That is how I was feeling after my second child’s third birthday. I was 40 lbs heavier from my pre-children weight and feeling the pressure of life responsibilities-family and career. I organized my children’s lives, made sure the family had everything it needed and gave 100 percent to my employer. On the surface, I appeared to “have it all” but when I looked in the mirror and saw my reflection, staring back at me was a woman I no longer recognized.

“Oh there’s my Sexy Side!”

Proposed Power Plant in Oakville

wondermoms — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 02:58:31 +0000

I have been living and doing business in Oakville/Clarkson for 23 years and am very concerned with the government’s decision to site a 975 MW power plant within 320 meters of a school and local residences. This should matter to all Ontarians because by moving forward with this plant, the province is setting a terrible precedent – in other words this could happen to you in your community.

I believe that it is up to all of us to hold our politicians accountable and to do the right thing. Even if you don’t live in Oakville, you can help. So I am asking for your support.

Please enjoy the attached newsletter, and I encourage you to go the C4CA web site and join – it’s free. After working hard on this issue for 8 months, C4CA believes that they are at the tipping point of impacting the decision. So that means that every gesture of support matters. This is an issue that is very important to me personally, and I invite you to learn about the issue and get involved.

After meeting with the volunteers from C4CA, and learning the facts, I have joined C4CA as a Street Captain, a source of information and awareness for my neighbours and contacts.

Get Your Barbecue Ready For Action By Nadine Hughes

wondermoms — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:17:09 +0000

As the song goes, “It’s summer time and the living is easy”. So too, should your cooking be. Unless you are like me who shovels a path through the snow to get to their barbecue, it might have been a while since you fired up the grill. Here are a few tips to help get your barbecue in tip top shape before you throw the first steaks on. And don’t just think steaks for the coals. Go outside the box and experiment with everything from salads to desserts to citrus that you can squeeze into those icy cold summer drinks. Enjoy!

1. Check for spider webs that have built up over the winter. Use a paint brush or some type of soft brush to wipe away the webs.

2. Rust can build up on your grates during the winter time. Try to clean them with a mixture of cream of tartar and peroxide and scrub the grate. To keep them oiled spray a cooking spray on your grill when you are done. If the rust is severe and cannot be removed it might be time to just measure and go buy replacement grates.

3. Do a safety check on the gas supply hoses. Replace the flexible gas hose if it is cracked or brittle. If you are not sure, then use the dish soap test to check. Mix a little soup and water and brush it on to the fittings and gas lines to see if any bubbles form which would indicate a leak.

4. If you have trays on the bottom of your grill, remove the grates and take the trays out and wipe them out. If you have grease overflow wipe that out, too, before you go to step 5. This will help to keep the pesky critters like Raccoons away from the tantalizing aroma.

5. A little fat from foods however actually help keep the grates from rusting, but it can build up over time. To remove some of it, heat up the grill; wet a scrub brush and let the heat from the grill create steam from the water on the brush.

6. Check for the color of your flame. It should be bright blue. If the flame is orange then you will want to use a wire or a paper clip to clean and remove any corrosion around the burner.

7. Finish off by cleaning the outside of your BBQ grill. You can use a grease fighting all purpose spray or liquid dish soap and a sponge to wash down the grill; rinse off with a hose.

8. You’re now ready to try this delicious and easy recipe for Lemon Oregano Chicken.

Lemon Oregano Chicken

Serves 4

Preparation Time 10 minutes + 4 hours refrigeration/marinating time

Cooking Time 12 – 15 minutes

Ingredients:

¼ cup plain thick yogurt (Balkan-style)
4 tsp chopped fresh oregano
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp grated lemon rind
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ tsp each salt and pepper
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (can substitute 8 boneless skinless chicken thighs)
Lemon wedges to serve

1. In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients except chicken and lemon wedges. Add chicken, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning occasionally. (Note: You can refrigerate for up to 24 hours)

2. Heat a greased grill over medium heat. Place chicken on grill and brush with any remaining marinade (discard extra after brushing). Close lid and grill, turning once, until golden brown and no long pink inside, about 12 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.

Girls Night Out on The Farm

wondermoms — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:58:38 +0000

Girl’s Night out at Springridge Farm with Kathy Buckworth

Where Springridge Farm

When Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 5:30pm – 8:00pm

read here for more details http://www.wondermoms.ca/girls_night_out_on_the_farm_with_kathy_buckworth.html

Antz in Your Pantz Oakville

wondermoms — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:53:58 +0000

Soft launch of Marc Grant’s Ward 5 Local Councillor in Oakville for 2010 Re-Election campaign

When: Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

Time: 5:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: Antz in Your Pantz

Local Canada Day Events in our cities – Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Toronto

wondermoms — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:50:03 +0000

Local Canada Day Events in our cities – Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Toronto

Oakville Fireworks

wondermoms — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 17:46:40 +0000

A full day of live music, Olympic athletes, children’s entertainment beginning ay 8:ooam with the annual Oakville Traflagar Lions Club pancake breakfast.

Ask the Agent: For a resale home, does the seller need to pay HST on commissions even if the home was sold before July 1st but closing later, say Aug/Sept?

wondermoms — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 22:27:50 +0000

GST/HST APPLICABLE ON REAL ESTATE SERVICES PROVIDED

The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario have signed a Comprehensive Integrated Tax Coordination Agreement for the implementation of HST in Ontario. The HST will come into effect in Ontario on July 1, 2010, at a rate of 13%, consisting of a 5% federal part (equivalent to the existing GST) and an 8% provincial part. While most GST registered entities can claim the GST/HST paid on services as an Input Tax Credit, no such relief exists when the client is an end consumer. Therefore, during the transitional period, it is important to be as accurate as possible when assessing which tax rate applies to services for the end consumer who is most sensitive to the incremental 8% cost.

The following are the key rules that will determine how the GST/HST will apply to commissions charged for real estate services.

1. Services performed, due and payable prior to July 1, 2010 would only be subject to GST. For example, listing taken, offer accepted and transaction closed before to July 1, 2010.
2. Services performed after June 30, 2010 would be subject to HST, For example, listing taken, offer accepted and transaction closed after June 30, 2010.
3. Services started prior to July 1, 2010 and completed after June 30, 2010 might be exempted from HST based on a transitional rule. The transitional rule states that if 90% or more of the work is completed prior to July 1, 2010, then only GST would apply. Conversely, if 10% or less of the services is performed before July 1, 2010, the HST will apply. it is our opinion that transactions with a firm Agreement of Purchase and Sale or a firm Agreement to Lease dated prior to July 1, 2010, are effectively more than 90% complete and therefore, subject to only the GST rate of 5%.
4. Services started prior to July 1, 2010 and completed after June 30, 2010 that do not satisfy the 90% transitional rule requirement for HST exemption will be subject to a combination of GST and HST in proportion to the work performed.

CRA’s official response to us is as follows:

“Whether HST applies on an amount is a question of fact and determined on a case by case basis. REALTORS® often charge a service fee for arranging for the sale of a vendor’s property. A common question from REALTORS® is how they determine the portion of their services performed on or after July 1, 2010. For example, a REALTOR® and a vendor enter into a listing agreement on May 1, 2010 (the listing date) and the property is conditionally sold on July 15, 2010 (i.e., a firm sale date) but the sale does not become final until August 15, 2010 (i.e., the closing date). The portion of a REALTOR®’s services performed on or after July 1, 2010 may not necessarily be determined by the firm sale date or the closing date. Realtors should determine the portion of their services performed on or after July 1, 2010 in a fair and reasonable manner.”

Another example:

* Client signed listing agreement on March 22, 2010
* Offer was conditionally accepted March 24, 2010
* Conditions were removed and the deal firmed up by March 29, 2010
* Closing is July 15, 2010

The determination based on our checklist, and point 3 above, is that this deal was 95% complete prior to the July 1 deadline. The remaining 5% being left for closing day activities (from a Realtor®’s perspective, lawyers are a different matter)

This client would only be charged GST on the commission payable.

Another example:

* Client signed listing on June 15, 2010
* Offer signed and accepted on June 30, 2010
* Conditions removed by July 8, 2010
* Closing on July 30, 2010

According to our checklist, and point 4 above, 75% of the work was done before June 30, 25% after July 1.

Client would be charged GST on 75% of the commission payable, and HST on 25% of the commission payable.

Determination of percentage of work done will vary from brokerage to brokerage. The above examples are based on our in-house checklist.

Alexx

http://www.wondermoms.ca/ask_the_agent_part_two.html