Real Christmas Trees are healthy! Dr Don Colbert shared that:1) Pine and Barb needles contain vitamin c2)Evergreen Trees are loaded with beneficial antioxidant compounds called flavonoids and bioflavonoids.3)Taking a walk in the woods has been studied for its aromatherapy ability to ease stress. The more stressed out you are, the greater the relaxation you will experience.That says something for a friend of ours who recently came for a walk with us in the ARDAGH BLUFFS and after a few steps into the woods, he said that he felt like he had just had 3 expressos!4)They also provide gentle relief for colds and congested sinuses.  If you do not have a forest closeby, add 3 drops of essential pine oil to a bowl of hot tap water, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam through your n... 12/04/2012

Peggy Hill, a prominent figure in Barrie real estate, is thrilled to announce some exciting changes! Peggy Hill & Associates has now become The Peggy Hill Team, part of Barrie’s newest real estate brokerage, Keller Williams Experience Realty, Brokerage.   Keller Williams is North America’s fastest growing real estate company. They have started serving the Canadian market with 16 offices in Ontario, 20 Canada wide and they are #2 in the United States.   “It has taken me many years to find a real estate company whose mission, goals and values match my own” says Hill. Peggy and her team have built a reputation for dedication, professionalism, and the highest level of customer service.   “Our location, phone numbers, email and web address will all remain the same, what will change is the ex... 12/02/2012

Looking for a cosy spot to meet for coffee in South West Barrie?The Tip n’ Sip is a cosy little coffee shop where you are always made to feel at home and unwind with a delicious cuppa and something sweet. The place is absolutely spotless, and the owners always treat their guests like gold. I have no hesitation taking clients there if we need a quiet spot to have a discussion. Lunch and Dinner menus are also available. These include basics like salads and burgers, as well as Poutine with a French Canadian touch. They even have tempting catering menus.Tony and Adele have made the decision to support local farmers and other local businesses, so you can rest assured that your fare is as fresh as can be.The decor and music is calming and you are never hurried.The Tip n’ Sip is found at 480 M... 11/30/2012

Where does a REALTOR ®  source the information they need to work out the market value of my house in Barrie, Ontario? If you are thinking of selling your Barrie, Ontario home and feeling curious about what homes similar to yours may be going for lately, in fact you may even be thinking of picking up the phone and calling a REALTOR ®  to come and look at your home and give you an idea of what they think your home might be worth in today’s market,this may interest you.Here are some of the sources that your REALTOR ®  may need to use to make an accurate market evaluation: Brokerage files Our local Barrie Board’s Multiple Listing Service ® Your homes historic sales Registry or Land Titles Offices Your Bank or Lending Institution Insurance Companies Legal and Professional Publications The So... 11/26/2012

What should I be doing to protect and care for my home in winter? (2) Check the fire escape routes, check all the locks for doors and windows and ensure that your family follows safe security routines. Practise your family fire drill Carefully check all windows and doors for moisture or ice accumulation or any air drafts. If you find problems, make a note to replace in springtime. Check the attic for ice accumulation and examine the roof for ice dams or icicles.If you find evidence of leaking or ice dams, readAttic Venting, Attic Moisture and Ice Dams Keep snow clear of gas meters, appliance vents, sump pump outlet, exhaust vents and basement windows. Do a thorough inspection of all indoor and outdoor electrical ,cords, plugs and outlets.If plugs or cords feel warm to the touch, replace... 11/25/2012

Bokkie’s Biltong in Barrie, Ontario is the place to find South African fare.Canada is a melting pot of people from all over the world. This is really evident if you take a drive up Yonge Street to Barrie all the way up from Toronto. I love taking this route, especially if I am a passenger and I can check out the myriad of quaint foreign stores that serve newer residents of Canada that miss familiar tastes and textures from their native lands.If you drive right to the end of Yonge Street, it becomes Burton, and at number 247 you will find a dinky little store called Bokkie’s Biltong.  It is a small space not as big as a Corner Convenience Store, but as small as it is, I will never forget the feeling when I walked in for the first time and saw shelves packed with the familiar products fro... 11/22/2012

I am thankful for the internet.  We all know what a great help it is for our business, in fact it is difficult to imagine what it was like to do this business without the internet and technology.Today I am thinking about how thankful I am to live in the age of the internet. My son has just moved to Lusaka in Zambia for two years as a foreign correspondent and I am grateful that I can talk to him on skype, as well as read his blog as soon as he writes it, instead of having to wait three months for a letter to arrive in the mail. It is great to see his photos immediately, without having to wait for them to be developed and posted.My eldest daughter is on holiday in South Africa and I can see her updates immediately on Facebook. My youngest daughter is studying and working in Thunder Bay a... 11/21/2012

The Meadows of Bear Creek in SW Barrie, OntarioThe Meadows of Bear Creek in SW Barrie, Ontario Why do people live here?The Meadows of Bear Creek in south west Barrie is a neighborhood of lovely newer homes. It provides very easy access to the Highway 400, so it is very popular and convenient for commuters. Pearson International Airport  is also ony about an hour away, depending on traffic. There is a real sense of neighborliness among the residents, parents look out for each other’s kids and it is always wise to take extra care driving slowly along the streets because there are usually children playing road hockey, soccer or learning to ride a bike. The Meadows of Bear Creek is on the border of Simcoe County Forest and the beautiful Ardagh Bluffs protected trails. Looking for a home in ... 11/20/2012

Some basic differences between urban middle class homes in South Africa and single family homes in Ontario: In South Africa, most middle class homes are made of solid brick whereas in Ontario if a house has brick, it is usually only a brick veneer. The vast majority of homes in South Africa are single storey bungalows and in Ontario two storey homes are much more common. In South Africa, homes do not have central heating and so no furnace (no need) and very few have air conditioning. The Hot Water Tank (called a “geyser”) is located in the attic above the ceiling, as homes do not have a basement or insulation in the attic in South Africa. Electricity in South Africa is all 220v 50Hz and in Canada 110v 60Hz so South African friends, you cannot bring your appliances here. In South Africa ... 11/19/2012

A local radio station reported that a Belville woman was stopped for speeding this morning and the Officer ended up helping her deliver the baby on the side of the road.  I wonder if he ended up giving her a ticket?Is that what you call a speedy delivery?  They both have some great stories to tell! Imagine the stories he would have to tell his wife and kids.... I wonder if she was in labor before she left home or if it was a “super fast” delivery? If you are looking for a home in the Barrie and surrounding area, Contact me: 11/18/2012

Cora’s is a great place to meet for breakfast in Barrie. This morning I met with a group of friends for breakfast at Cora's on Mapleview Drive, being a group they seated us in a side room, this lends itself to a cosier atmosphere.Cora’s menus are particularly colorful with lots of healthy fruit, while still offering the traditional bacon and egg and omelette options. One of the ladies in our group had a birthday today, (even though that was not the primary reason for our get together,) and our server caught wind of this and brought all the staff in clapping and singing  “Happy Birthday” and presented the Birthday Gal with a beautiful apple swan: 11/17/2012

Michael and Marions, also known as The Side Door is a Great Place to eat out in Barrie. It is tucked away in a beautiful old Victorian Style home just north of Barrie’s waterfront at 89 Bayfield Street, Barrie. Reservations are definitely recommended to avoid disappointment. 705 721 1188. I attended a company dinner there this week and I am looking forward to my next visit. Most people at our table started off with a caesar salad, the ingredients were fresh and the dressing was perfect. My choice of Entree was Braised Lamb Shank with Autumn Vegetable Medley served over squash agnolotti with a jus lie.  What a treat! the lamb as tasty and just fell off the bone. Others at my table had Halibut and yet others Duck. The ambience is tasteful, with gentle background music,making conversation ... 11/16/2012

Once the fall leaves begin falling off the trees, it’s a sure sign that a Barrie winter won’t be far behind! While most people don’t give much thought to their furnace until it comes time to turn it on, experts actually recommend a few pre-winter maintenance practices that will help to ensure your homes furnace is running safely and efficiently. But why should you check your furnace now? If annual maintenance is not performed on gas appliances it can result in exposure to carbon monoxide. Which can cause nausea, drowsiness, flu like symptoms and in extreme cases, can be fatal. Annual maintenance also helps to ensure your furnace is running efficiently, which can help save you money on your heating bill this winter. The experts at Barrie Heating and Cooling and SoCalGas offer the followi... 11/16/2012

Barrie Area Tim Hortons have begun their Christmas Food Drive: You will find a bag in today”s Barrie Advance that you can fill and hand in at a local Tim Hortons.The Barrie Food Bank will use these donations to bring Christmas cheer to those in need during the Christmas Season. It is a great idea to fill the bag with non perishables from your cupboard and place it straight in your car so that it will be ready for your next visit to Timmies. 11/15/2012

Do you think that could be weed? This was the question my sister in law asked me when we visited her in Johannesburg, South Africa in early September. It was springtime in the Southern Hemisphere and she had bought and planted a small fuschia plant in a pot outside the entrance to her home. It was just a sapling when we were there, no flowers just leaves.One day as we were walkingthrough the front gate carrying our spoils from a shopping trip, she pointed out the plant and joked that Barry, her husband was convinced that it was not a Fuchsia Plant but rather a “dagga” plant! Dagga is the South African term for Marijuana. We had some great sister in law giggles and she asked me what I thought, I am not the expert on this subject but after a bit of googling we felt it could go either way.... 11/14/2012

These are just a few of the questions I ask to ensure that I gather the essential information to accurately estimate the value of a property in Barrie and the surrounding area:The House Does a recent renovation comply with building and zoning regulations? If work has been done without a permit, how easy will it be to get a permit and how much will it cost? Is there a possibility that the city may require the addition to be removed if it does not comply or that the city may insist on expensive work being done in order for a permit to be issued? If the extension does not comply with  municipal building and zoning regulations, how will the market value be affected if the extension is removed or worked on to make it compliant? If the furnace is leased and not owned, is this common for the a... 11/13/2012

So what is going on in the neighborhood?This is one of the many things that a Real Estate Professional studies when considering a Market Evaluation of your home because the value of your home is directly affected by what is going on in the surrounding neighborhood.What makes up “The Neighborhood”The people who live in a neighborhood actually determine or predict the nature and character of a particular subdivision or area of town. It is the residents that give an area a particular character so  obviously, any changes to the economic, political, social values, resources and world view of the residents definitely have an effect on the physical appearance and overall flavor of the neighborhood.It is also important to consider and define the physical boundaries of an area, so that we use co... 11/12/2012

Remembrance Day Services in Barrie, Sunday November 11th 2012:“Lest we forget”Barrie: Memorial Square 10.30amOrillia: Soldiers Memorial Hospital 10.30amCFB Borden:Sicily Parade Square 10amCollingwood: St. Paul Street and Simcoe Street 10.30amElmvale 7 John Street 10.30amThese are the official services but there are also many other local places of worship gatherings where people will be honoring those who fought so bravely for our freedom.The City of Barrie has announced that they will be offering complimentary recreation access to veterans and active military service personnel and their immediate families on Saturday, November 10 and Sunday, November 11 to honour those who sacrificed so much for our country. Veterans are asked to show their ID and they can enjoy public skating, public s... 11/10/2012

Moving can be an expensive and stressful time, but in Barrie it doesn’t have to be! You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make sure your move goes smoothly; all you need is to plan ahead. There are many Barrie companies that can help and many ways to cut moving costs and keep stress levels down during your next move: 1. Trim down your stuff! You can save money and time by moving less stuff. Take a real look at everything you have and toss, sell or giveaway anything you don’t need or haven’t used in the past year. You could hold a garage sale, donate to goodwill or post items on Kijiji. You might even make money! 2. Check your homeowner’s insurance & take photos before disassembling. Many insurance companies will cover your goods while they are in transit for a small fee so make sure... 11/09/2012

Do Cats pay taxes in Barrie? Yes, indeed they do! It has been the law in Barrie for many years that all dogs and cats, are required to be licensed annually. This can be done online or going in and purchasing the license in person. Proof of up to date immunization is required when acquiring the dog/cat license. The City of Barrie website www.barrie.ca explains that   “The City has established this requirement in part to address the significantly growing cat population in the community and the resulting cat-related nuisance complaints. To date, poor descriptions and lack of identification on cats has resulted in a low rate of success in reuniting impounded cats with their owners.” So hopefully compliance with the licensing requirement for cats will be positive both for the kitty cats, the... 11/04/2012