The most expensive tanning lotion available to mankind

We just returned back from the DR.  Great trip, however, even though the trip was planned and booked about 8 months ago, I still was scrambling the night before packing.  Buying sunscreen was on my to do list but I never got to it.  We just figured that we could buy it at the resort.  Rude awakening.  In the resort gift shop I paid...get this...$30 US for the smallest bottle of 60 SPF Sunscreen.  In the end the investment was worth it because we now have glorious tans (that are fading by the minute) and more importantly didn't burn or get sun stroke.  My point is...buy your sunscreen in Canada!  Speaking of which, the trip was great, the weather fabulous and it was nice to hang out on the beach and swim in the ocean.  But there was nothing nicer than arriving back in Collingwood to enjoy the marvelous fresh air.

Tim Horton's Parody

Have you been stumped by this season's Roll Up the Rim contest? It's funny how a contest can change your behaviour. Typically, I will order an extra large coffee with double milk. Rarely do I actually drink the whole coffee...but I always upsize just in case. What's different now, is that I don't throw out the old coffee cups until I have had a change to roll up the rim...so right now every single cup holder in my car is holding a 2/3rds empty Tim's cup that is waiting to have the rim rolled up. But before I can roll up the rim, I have to dump the cold (and somehow I suspect some of the cups are now sporting some extra content) coffee into my lawn (and I hope there is a natural pestide component in there).

If you have every purchased a Tim's coffee during the roll up the win promo, you will surely appreciate the creative genius behind this video posted on Youtube by Eric Rudd of Big Screen FX, starring Andrew Kerr with music by the Strange Potatoes. It's fun...have a look.

ecoENERGY Retrofit - Homes Program Cancelled...last change book by 5pm

Sudden end to ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program.  BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY BEFORE 5:00pm.

It was no April Fool’s joke—like the rest of the country, The Environment Network found out late yesterday that one of the non-profit organization’s most popular energy efficiency programs was cancelled without warning.

Over the past several years, The Environment Network has helped hundreds of local residents save money and make their homes more energy efficient through the ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes program. All that came to an end on Wednesday with the unexpected announcement that the program will be cancelled early and will no longer book pre-retrofit evaluations.

“With over 85,000 home retrofits conducted since 2007, this proves that homeowners were willing to make the changes necessary to conserve energy and improve energy efficiency of their homes,” Kerri MacDonald from the Environment Network said. “The announcement of the end of this program is a real setback for the environment and the economy.”

The program was very successful in the Simcoe County area, putting millions of dollars into the local economy and awarding thousands of dollars in grants to homeowners for making energy efficient upgrades to their homes.

Since the start of the program in 2007, homeowners in the Simcoe County and Muskoka area received over $1 million in direct grants as part of this program.

Homeowners who already had an a pre-retrofit evaluation booked are able to continue with the program, and those who are in the midst of completing retrofits and energy efficient upgrades must complete the work and have their post evaluation by March 11, 2011 to qualify for grants under the program.

For more information contact:

Kerri MacDonald
At the Environment Network
705-446-0551

info@enviornmentnetwork.org

Mother Knows Best

Ah yes, an old and well used expression.  There is much satisfaction in being able to say that to your teenager and have them agree with you.  For some time there had been a plan...and agreement if you will...between myself and my lovely daughter Suzan.  We had agreed that during March break she would take the CSIA Level 1 course.  As March break loomed closer the whining and complaining increased and so did the volume level...'Mom...you're ruining my March break by making me take this course...I want to hang out with my friends'.  Alas, I prevailed and suggested (for my friends reading this, they will know that my way of suggesting can be a bit on the heavy side) to her that should she pass the course she would have a huge sense of accomplishment that she had done something useful during her break.  So today, I am a very proud mommy and to my daughter I say 'a big congratulations, I am very proud of you'.  I also got a special gift from her in the car on the ride home from the ski hill.  She looked at me and said 'thank you' to me for making her take the class.  Amazing how two small words can seem so huge!

Chef Eric Madden back at the Craigleith General Store

Chef Eric Madden is at the Craigleith General Store.  For those of you that can remember, Chef Madden used to be at the General Store years ago.  Well now he's back on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights cooking some of your favourites for dinner.  So if you haven't tried the Craigleith General Store for dinner before...this is a great time to start!  The Craigleith General Store is located right on Highway 26 in...you guessed it...Craigleith (about halfway between Collingwood and Thornbury on the East side of the road (or the righthand side of the highway if you're driving towards Thornbury. 

Time to Spring Ahead!

Daylight Saving Time begins each year at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday of March.(that's tonight). Move clocks ahead one hour at the start of Daylight Saving Time.  Also, don't forget to check the batteries in your smoke detectors. 

March Break Paint n' Play

All kids are born naturally creative...to help them stay that way we must nurture their creativity! Sign your kids up for our instructional pottery painting classes where they can explore colour, design and technique. New projects every day...so they can come back again and again!

Monday March 15 to Friday March 19th
Sessions available Morning and Evening and cost between $25 and $30 Dollars. 
Recommended for Ages 6-12.
Registration required please, Spaces are limited - but fun never is!

Crock A Doodle Studio
705-444-8888