Woodstock: Year In Review

Lots of good news items have been pointed out in my blog space in 2012, so here is The Sentinel-Review newspaper year in review item compiled by reporter Tara Bowie.

Early in 2013 on a city council agenda, the final building permit report will be presented and will include commercial, industrial and residential projects. Sometimes several new construction items end up bulked into one calendar year as a permit could be granted six months before a foundation is poured. 

The city's economic development department posts its news on: www.cometothecrossroads.com.

Interested in Woodstock? Call Mark Schadenberg, sales rep, Royal LePage Triland today at (519) 537-1553.

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2012: Boom times for Woodstock

Sentinel-Review Staff

Thursday, December 27, 2012

WOODSTOCK - In stark contrast to years gone by, 2012 marked a year filled with economic good news stories for the Friendly City.

Instead of reading about manufacturing plant closures and massive job losses, Woodstonians heard of expansions and new development deals being inked with international multi-billion dollar companies.

The string of good news started at the end of March as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada quietly announced it was boosting the production of its RAV4 and adding 400 jobs to its Woodstock facility. At the time of announcement, city officials said the expansion was likely linked to a government investment of $141.6 million in Toyota dating back to 2011. The increase in production capacity will bump up the number of vehicles produced from 150,000 to 200,000. The revamped production line is expected to cost Toyota $80 million. Updates are being done to line now and are to be complete by early 2013.

At the time of the Toyota announcement Woodstock's economic development commissioner Len Magyar gave a glimpse of what was to come when he said "Our inquiries took a nosedive in 2008. They have been slowly coming back over the last couple of years."

The next big announcement came at the end of July and was dubbed “the worst kept secret since Toyota” by a city spokesperson.

During a press conference at city hall, Sysco Canada and Woodstock officials announced a new 37,160-square metre (400,000-square-foot) food distribution facility was being built in the city’s Commerce Way Business Park. The new facility, when at capacity, should employ 250 to 350 people. The deal included the sale of 23 hectares (57 acres) of vacant industrial land to the Texas-based food-distribution giant. Negotiations had started a year prior, but the city had become much more aggressive by early spring. The price for the land was dropped significantly from policy rates. Sysco bought the property for $2.7 million, which works out to about $47,800 per acre, well below the policy price of $70,000 to $100,000 per acre.

“We haven’t got anything near our policy price in recent years – since 2008,” Magyar said then.

London was also contender for the future location of the distribution plant, but lost out reportedly because of site preparation costs.

Woodstock council agreed in early July to allocate $940,000 for infrastructure upgrades in Commerce Way that includes utility improvements, streetlights, sanitary and store sewer work, water main construction and some roadwork.

The next announcement came a few days later and, although not as big , was still quite significant. Execulink Telecom inked a deal to build a new 2,787-square metre (30,000 square-foot) corporate headquarters in Woodstock. The move meant the main office would move from its current location to the new single-level facility on Ridgeway Road off Pattullo Avenue at the south end of Woodstock. A portion of the staff at the former headquarters would move to Woodstock and a large customer service area would become the hub of the company’s activities.

Just a few short weeks later, at the end of August, it was announced Nova Steel was moving into the neighbourhood. The company – deemed a major player in the North American steel industry – acquired the former Hobarts Brothers of Canada building at 807 Pattullo Ave.

The company is expected to add 2,300 square metres (25,000 square feet) to the building. It’s unknown how many people are to be hired, but job ads were listed in the Sentinel-Review, including mill operator, cut-off operators, production supervisor, CAD operator/designer, process engineer, maintenance, packaging line operators, a butt-welding operator, quality co-ordinator and general labourers. Nova Steel produces electric-welded steel tubing used for a variety of markets including the manufacturing of automobiles, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, appliances and heavy equipment.

The last big economic news story occurred just a few weeks ago when the North American Stamping Group officially announced a new expansion for its Woodstock automotive stamping plant on Pattullo Avenue. The expansion will consist of about 6,500 square metres (70,000 square feet) of additional warehousing and manufacturing space, as well as 230 square metres (2,500 square feet) of new associate facilities and office space. The expansion is expected to bring 50 to 60 new highly skilled production, tool and die and design jobs to Woodstock.

Heading into 2013, the biggest uncertainty in terms of the manufacturing future of the area is the CAMI Automotive negotiations slated to start in September 2013.

Currently General Motors is looking to build a $500-million expansion at either the Ingersoll plant or its plant in Spring Hill, Tenn. At stake is which plant will build the 2015 model of two vehicles now made at CAMI, the Equinox and the Terrain.

Compiled by Tara Bowie

Hawthorn retirement building in Woodstock

New 'independent living' home under construction on Finkle

By Mark Schadenberg

I don’t believe I’ve seen the final building permit numbers for the City of Woodstock for 2012, but I do believe I’ve seen a lot of additions and new construction in residential, commercial and industrial.

Expansions at existing Timberland and soon-to-be-arriving Nova Steel, a very large addition to Oxford Gardens retirement home, a new place of worship on Devonshire Avenue and an added wing to an existing church on Lansdowne, a new medical-related operation on Athlone, and a bus depot on Dundas. Certainly not a thorough list, and let’s remember all the new homes under construction.

Quietly -- yet quickly -- growing at the land triangle bound by Finkle, Juliana and Alberta is another well-needed independent-living retirement home for Woodstock – a 4-storey ‘apartment’ building to include 124 units.

Fourth in Ontario

Now being built by Hawthorn Retirement Group, the American based company already has similar residences in Cambridge, Guelph and Cobourg in Ontario, along with two in Saskatchewan.

The philosophy for Hawthorn (www.seniorlivinginstyle.com), including this Woodstock project, is to feature solely independent living, which translates into tenants not having 24-hour access to nurses and healthcare advice, but most certainly having an impressive list of amenities led by three meals daily in the dining room.

I talked by phone with Craig Wonnell, who is employed in marketing with the Cambridge home called Heritage Meadows on Hespeler Road, and he noted that occupancy would begin in November of 2013, and that tours would begin by early summer of next year. However, you can register now for a waiting list.

While I don’t believe the name is etched in stone yet, the Woodstock residence is to be called Cedarview and will feature a movie theatre, fitness centre, games room with billiards, chapel, and even a hair salon.

Gracious

The focus on what the company describes as ‘gracious retirement living’, is for tenants to be fully independent, and that additional amenities or services will include 24-hour on-site staff, security, elevators, laundry and housekeeping. Rent or accommodation costs will include meals and all utilities, except for telephone.

With its location within walking distance of the Norwich Avenue box mall, Southside Aquatic Centre (Southside Park), close to Cedar Creek golf, and obviously across the street from the one-year-old Woodstock hospital, its address is well chosen.

Various options will be available – small studio apartments under 500 sq ft, 1-bedroom units, and 2-bedroom apartments (up to 1,150 sq ft) as well. According to Cambridge complex manager Bill Nichol, the Woodstock occupancy rates will vary from $2,000 per month up to $4,400. A spouse can be added for another $500 monthly. 

Anyone wanting to discover what the final construction will look like, can review the company website, especially the Cambridge home, which includes several editions of its newsletter noting the many activities available. Better yet, call Heritage Meadows at either (519) 620-9999 or (226) 318-0457 and ask for Craig or Elaina Wonnell, or Bill Nichol. Be sure to mention my name.

They are now compiling a waiting list, which anyone can register on for a fully refundable $100 deposit. By adding your name now, you can also be first in line when selecting your apartment.

Again, I have yet to see the building permit value on the Hawthorn home under construction locally, but it would begin at $2 million.

Hawthorn: We believe that “Gracious Retirement Living” is so much more than walls and windows - it's a place to enjoy home-cooked meals, game night, or a quiet evening with family and friends. It's where you always feel comfortable, safe, and secure.
At Heritage Meadows (Cambridge), our management teams live on-site, and are available 24 hours a day. Our food is truly made from scratch, and served right to your table along with a smile from our friendly staff.
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Mark Schadenberg

Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

Sales Rep

Royal LePage Triland Realty

(519) 537-1553 - text or call

mschadenberg@rogers.com - email

Best published Mayan opinion

Prophesy or possibility
Toronto Star opinion writer
It's been interesting to read and follow everywhere about the supposed end of the world on Dec. 21. Of all the published pieces with their thoughts and explanations detailing how the Mayans may have earmarked 2012 and the 12th month and 21st day, the best I have seen really does present facts that there are good odds that our Earth as we know it very well could be destroyed again. It's happened before -- fossils prove it.
I watched a simulation documentary on TV once that explained the dinosaurs demise was a meteor, followed by a tsunami (drowning), followed by darkness and dust created by volcanoes and earthquakes, and finally no air to breath and no food to eat.
Anyway, here's the Toronto Star story:
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Why worry about Mayan ‘apocalypse’? After all, bad things happened before

By Oakland Ross Toronto Star, Feature Writer

TORONTO -- Worried that the world will end today?

Join the club.

Most Canadians equipped with a brainwave pattern have probably heard by now that an ancient Mayan prophecy is being taken by some to mean that the apocalypse is nigh.

In fact, the end is (or was, if you are reading this later in the day) supposed to happen Dec. 21.

If accurate, the prediction is likely to put a significant damper on the festive season.

After all, even a cursory review of the scientific literature strongly suggests that the demise of a medium-sized, life-sustaining planet — were it to occur — would be a deeply unpleasant experience for most of its inhabitants

Not all the news is bad, however.

On the plus side, the fossil record clearly indicates that the Earth has tottered on the brink of outright destruction several times before, and our plucky little planet has managed to bounce back each and every time.

True, the recovery tends to take a while — up to 30 million years — so you would be wise to prepare for a wait. No harm in packing a sandwich or two, along with some light reading material. Try to use a flame-resistant container.

And remember this: should Armageddon occur, there’s a good chance that something will survive, even if it isn’t us.

After all, our wobbly blue planet has been down this parlous route before — this real-life video game of molten lava, wayward comets, and gamma ray bursts from outer space.

Among scientists, such natural hazards and their consequences are known as “mass extinctions.”

Although not exactly common, neither are they entirely rare. By some counts, serious mass extinctions have occurred at least 20 times since the Earth first incorporated itself from the cast-off material of stars, but most of those events were merely garden-variety catastrophes.

In order to qualify as a major mass extinction — at least in the minds of the scientific community — a particular disaster must result in the destruction of at least 50 per cent of the animal species that were resident on Earth when the asteroids crashed or the volcanoes blew.

It turns out that, during the 4.5-billion-year life span of the planet Earth, calamities on this scale have occurred precisely five times.

By far the most notorious such episode took place about 65 million years ago, and its principal consequence is probably familiar to anyone who has seen the movie Jurassic Park.

Known to experts as the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction, this particular disaster may have been caused by a large asteroid striking the planet somewhere near the Yucatán Peninsula of present-day Mexico.

“By and large, the consensus is there was this one impact,” says Andrew Miall, a University of Toronto earth scientist.

As a result, almost all non-avian dinosaurs were destroyed, while roughly 70 per cent of all animal species were also wiped out, a cataclysm by any earthly standard.

But not the worst such setback this planet has suffered.

If we exclude the results of a certain Toronto mayoralty contest in 2010, the single worst catastrophe ever to befall our world was the Permian-Triassic extinction, which took place 251 million years ago and resulted in the permanent disappearance of 96 per cent of the planet’s animal species.

Ninety-six per cent.

The experts continue to debate the cause of that devastation — known to some as The Great Dying — but the main suspect is a huge “flood-basalt eruption” believed to have raged across much of what is now known as Siberia.

Think of this as a volcano on steroids.

A flood-basalt eruption causes a massive portion of the Earth’s crust to split apart, propelling vast quantities of molten lava to the surface and producing a blazing sea of fire that might easily burn, not for weeks or months or years, but for millions of years.

An event such as this may have triggered the Permian-Triassic extinction. Whatever its cause, the ensuing turmoil destroyed almost all life on the planet. Every creature that nowadays exists on Earth is descended from the 4 per cent of species that survived the smoke and horror of those times.

During the past 540 million years, the Earth has been struck by three other calamities on a comparable scale, all with catastrophic effects on the planet’s biodiversity — catastrophic but not quite terminal.

“There has been enough variety around that re-speciation proceeded fairly rapidly in geological terms,” says Miall at the University of Toronto.

What might seem “rapid” in geological terms counts as incomprehensibly slow by any other measure. Following the Permian-Triassic extinction, the planet’s trove of fauna eventually recovered its former complexity and variety, but it took about 30 million years.

This, to repeat, is the good news.

The bad news, according to many scientists, is that the Earth may now be perched at the threshold of a sixth mass extinction, a unique episode likely to unfold over the next three centuries or so.

Why unique?

Simple: this time the orgy of doom will result — not from huge tectonic shifts in the planet’s continental plates, or flood-basalt eruptions, or asteroid crashes — but from human activity instead.

Anthony Barnosky, a U.S. palaeobiologist cited recently by the British Broadcasting Corp., predicts that three-quarters of all extant mammal species will vanish during the upcoming 300 years, all victims of human activity and encroachment.

Such a disaster might not qualify as the end of the entire world, but it would surely spell a setback for some. Could it be that this is what the Mayans had in mind, except that their calculation was off by a century or two?

Or will our planet really come to an end today?

Ancra sets up shop in Woodstock

IDI landed a Commerce Way tenant

City at 'crossroads' of 401 and 403

By Mark Schadenberg

No year-round roundup to be typed by me, but here’s one more Woodstock economic good news item as 2012 draws to a close.

Quietly this past spring, Ancra International moved into the City, taking up residence in one of the two gigantic warehouse-like buildings erected in Commerce Way on Parkinson Road by Industrial Developments International (IDI) based in Chicago.

With amazing 401 visibility it seemed logical that these IDI buildings would soon find tenants.

Some compiled information below is from websites from IDI, Ancra (www.ancra-llc.com) and www.cometothecrossroads.com.

Ancra’s lease called for over 26,000 sq ft, which almost doubled that company’s current operational space.

“IDI’s facility exceeded our expectations for a distribution center,” said Brian Larocque, managing director for Ancra Canada. “Increasing our space gives us room to continue to expand our business, and we’re very pleased with our decision to move.”

Setting up shop in Building A with a Beard’s Lane address, Ancra became IDI’s first-ever tenancy in a Canadian business park.

Distribution Hub

Ancra, which is based in California, supplies cargo restraint systems for airlines, trucking and military use and will use the space for product distribution.

“Ancra holds 71 domestic and foreign patents and 51 product trademarks. Each product is made from only the finest materials with attention given to every engineering detail,” the company’s portfolio notes. “All component parts and materials are selected for performance and durability to offer customers the most cost-effective and reliable solutions to their needs.”

IDI’s Commerce Way Business Park features two industrial facilities totaling 457,482 sq ft. The business park, which was developed in 2007, is located between the Kitchener-Waterloo region and London at the confluence of two of Ontario’s largest thoroughfares, Highway 401 and 403. The development represents IDI’s first venture into a Canadian market. 

IDI Is A Big Player

IDI (www.idi.com) is a real estate company focused exclusively on industrial property. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, provides development, investment and property management and leasing services supported by eight, strategically located U.S. market offices. Valued at $1.8 billion, IDI is among the largest privately-held logistics property companies in North America with ownership or interests in 33 million square feet of investment grade assets, and 500m industrial facilities combined in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Then Woodstock mayor Michael Harding, in 2007, said: “IDI is among the top and best developers in all of North America and they have selected Woodstock as the location for their first foray into the Canadian market."

Mark Schadenberg

Sales Representative, Royal LePage Triland

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Woodstock Hospital Professional Building

ProResp and 2 other medical groups re-locate 

By Mark Schadenberg

Tom Rice's office has a new home -- still next door to the hospital just a different Woodstock hospital.

Those who know me well, remember that my Mom worked for the Lung Association of Oxford for a number of years and I assisted with a charitable golf tournament that took place at Craigowan.

The major sponsor of this benefit tourney was Oxford ProResp and that's where Tom Rice enters the picture. As branch manager at the previous Woodstock location on Wellington Street North, he relocates along with his company (http://www.proresp.com/content/oxford-proresp-inc-0), which assists people with respiratory ailments including home oxygen needs, and is now located next to the new (about 13 months old) Woodstock hospital in the city's south. ProResp also consults on sleeping conditions such as apnea. Now, Rice and ProResp are located at 333 Athlone Avenue in the brand new Woodstock Hospital Professional Building, which is also home to Regional Support Associates, the Woodstock Rehabilitation Clinic, and has space for more medical-related tenants for up to 10,000 sq ft.

In an interview with Heart FM (104.7 FM), Rice mentioned the importance of their new location immediately next to the new hospital. Their previous location was in the Vance Building, which actually had an underground walkway (tunnel) to the old hospital which of course faced Riddell Street.

"I think the biggest advantage is being right adjacent to our partner at the hospital. It gives us a higher profile to the clients that we serve because they're coming from the hospital," said Rice to the radio station in a story archived at www.1047.ca.

The new professional office structure also has enough acreage for a possible 10,000 sq ft addition in the future.

I often write in this blog space about building permits and growth locally, and I've previously penned a piece about the future of the old hospital site and its re-development. 

One Year Old

Meanwhile, the hospital itself celebrated one year since swinging its doors open to patients on Nov. 20, 2011 at 310 Juliana Drive.

A widely distributed newsletter dated Fall of 2012, noted many accomplishments and amenities, including a greatly expanded dialysis department, and additional beds for critical care.

The hospital released a list of numbers in a fast facts format, including 732,332 lab tests, 222,000 pairs of nitrile gloves, 5,849 surgeries, and approximately 47,800 Tylenol tablets administered.

The newsletter publicized the addition of six news physicians, recognized the many volunteers including RuthAnn Rule and Isabelle Baird. With 60 years of donating time to the hospital, Baird was recently recognized with a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal.   

There is a story updating readers on the HUGO project, which involves as many as 10 area hospitals, and is Healthcare Undergoing Optimization – as paperwork gradually becomes more electronic, bar code technology ensures accuracy, more emphasis on computer charts, and improved overall work flow.

Naturally, the last page is a link to the hospital foundation as donations are not only requested but encouraged, see: www.wghfoundation.ca

Pictured are (from left): Tom Rice of ProResp; Natasa Veljovic, CEO of WGH; Arlene Whitehead, Woodstock rehab clinic; Perry Lang, VP of services at WGH; and Jason Young of Regional Support Associates. 

Mark Schadenberg

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Sales Representative

Royal LePage Triland Realty

757 Dundas Street

Woodstock, Ont

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

You may choose Park Place Retirement Home

Located across from historic park

By Mark Schadenberg

With 59 private rooms, Park Place Retirement Home in Woodstock might just be that perfect mix of being large enough to offer all the services expected from a retirement residence, but also not being too large that the staff doesn’t know everyone’s name.

As noted in similar writings, this entry is not a paid advertisement, but simply information on a very good Oxford County option for a person who requires some assistive living, but is generally quite independent.

Located at 126 Graham Street, maybe it’s the location that is its top amenity.  Park Place is across the street from an open park (Victoria Park is also site of city’s cenotaph), about one block from the public library, and just a short walk to Downtown Woodstock and countless shops. An afternoon stroll down historic Vansittart Avenue on a warm fall day would also be on your list of activities.

On the website: www.chartwellreit.ca/locations/park-place-retirement-centre, Park Place is described: “Residents participate in a host of activities such as teas, afternoon crafts, movie matinees and scheduled trips. At the Park Place Retirement Centre, you can select the lifestyle that best suits your needs. Choose from a host of services and activities, and let our trained staff take care of the rest.”

For your personal tour contact either Terri Lockyear (tlockyear@chartwellreit.ca) or Cindy English today at Park Place, via email or phone (519 539-0219) to set an appointment.

I will certainly not add info here about cost for accommodation as every situation is unique.   

If you are seeking a temporary home, Park Place services also include short-term stays.

All The Services You Expect

For residents the list of features and services is thorough: healthcare monitoring, medication consultations, three meals daily in dining room and 24-hour refreshments, housekeeping, laundry, entertainment, recreation and fitness, transportation for shopping and day trips,  and of course on-site management – someone to daily answer the questions you may have.

Obviously the home includes elevators, but amenities also include a billiards room, private dining room for smaller family functions like a birthday party, hair salon, computer room with internet, and a general activity room for euchre and crafts.

As for your private room, all residents are encouraged to bring their favourite wing-back chair or recliner, and other furnishings with them, as the rooms are a generous size.

The Chartwell Reit corporation has over 180 similar homes across Canada, including more than 100 in Ontario, such as Oxford Manor in Ingersoll, Anne Hathaway in Stratford, and both Riverside and RoyalCliffe in London.

Mark Schadenberg

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Royal LePage Triland Realty

Woodstock, Ont

(519) 537-1553

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Updated CMHC housing numbers for London

Construction numbers up in Forest City
Since you can't compare statistically and with exact science, Woodstock and southern Ontario with other provinces or even Metro Toronto, it is interesting to track trends for new housing starts in nearby London.
The Forest City has about 10 times the population of The Friendly City, but emerging good news numbers for London certainly bode well for Woodstock.
I have always said that if Woodstock gets new industry, for example, it helps everyone in southern Ontario, especially on the 401 corridor between K-W and London. If houses are being built in London, it indicates somewhat prosperity for Woodstock too.
Here's the latest story on the subject from The London Free Press.

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London-St. Thomas housing starts up in November

By Hank Daniszewski, The London Free Press

Monday, December 10, 2012  

November was a good month for London-area housing starts, boosted by construction of a condo building.

LONDON -- Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) reports 296 starts in London-St. Thomas last month, up from 130 in November 2011.

More than half the 2012 total came from one, 165-unit condo building.

But single-family homes also improved with 102 starts, compared to 84 in the same month last year.

“Apartment starts continue to be the story in the London area into November. Demand for apartments based on growth of one- and two-person households between the 2006 and 2011 census counts and continued improvement in employment for 25- to 44-year-olds, has led developers to add new stock,” said Alexander Bonnyman, CMHC’s senior market analyst for London.

Bonnyman said the London area is on track for a substantial improvement in housing starts this year, led by the multi-family sector.

So far in 2012, there have been 2,148 total housing starts, up from 1,612 in the first 11 months of last year. The 2012 total includes 997 multi-family units, versus 530 last year.

Bonnyman noted the apartment sector is playing catch-up. Apartment starts in 2011 were well below the five-year average; apartment starts to date in 2012 are about 15% above that average.

Across Canada, CMHC reported annualized starts down about 3.2% last month. Starts were also down across Ontario, with CMHC noting a drop in condo starts in recent months, mainly in the GTA.

North American Stampings to expand

Heart FM (104.7) broadcasts more great news today

By Mark Schadenberg

Expansion at a Woodstock industrial facility related to the auto industry is wrapping paper and a bow on a good year by the city’s economic development office.

Skilled Labour

North American Stamping Group (NASG) officially announced today (Dec 11) that their manufacturing location on Pattullo Ridge on the south side of the 401 will be enlarged by approximately 70,000 sq ft, which will result in as many as 60 new jobs in the space added for both manufacturing and warehousing – and employment of skilled labour such as tool-and-die, engineering and design.

Mayor Pat Sobeski commented about the good news announcement in a press release, which was broadcast today on Heart FM.

“. . . It’s a growing company and it’s a credit to the management here that they’ve been able to convince the board of this multi-national (corporation) that the place to locate this addition is in Woodstock.”

Originally known as Woodstock Stampings, this company provides metal stampings and some assemblies to the auto industry. NASG in its release complemented its employees via its announcement.

“This expansion has been made possible through the support of our customers and the incredible work ethic and dedication of our associates who always find a way to get a challenging job done.”

Woodstock itself will have to make an investment for the added employment as some hydro services and a roadway have to be modified, but NASG (Email: info.canada@nasg.net; www.northamericanstamping.com) did purchase land as well.

To give you an idea of the addition size, their current factory is 150,000 sq ft, and if the addition was square it would be about 265 ft x 265 ft.

Woodstock Chamber Award

In 2008, the company won an Outstanding Achievement manufacturing award at the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce awards dinner.

By the way, the company’s website is already advertising for six employment vacancies at its Woodstock location.

Mark Schadenberg

Royal LePage Triland

(519) 537-1553

Woodstock, Ontario

Real Estate

You should Buy in Woodstock, with the Sales Rep who consistently promotes Woodstock as a Great Place to live.
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . . Destination

Carlyle Collection & Family Fun

Woodstock Art Gallery should be on your Christmas shopping list
By Mark Schadenberg

Shop Downtown Woodstock !
When? At this holiday Christmas time and always.
When you're on Dundas Street shopping, consider visiting the Woodstock Art Gallery at 449 Dundas (www.woodstockartgallery.ca).
The reason you should drop by the gallery sometime before Jan. 26 is the current exhibit includes recent acquisitions to the WAG's permanent collection.
I know what you're thinking or wanting to ask, so I will respond to the question. There is a line or two in the City of Woodstock annual budget designed specifically to buying artwork.
Art is also donated to WAG or purchased through funds donated.
According to the What's on Woodstock (WOW) magazine combined issue for November and December: "The WAG is commited to acquisition, conservation, research and exhibition of both historical and contemporary artworks. New acquisitions representing paintings, drawings, sculptures and prints were generously donated and purchased for the permanent collection. The works exemplify the artistic heritage of this area, enriching public knowledge and enjoyment of the arts."
The WAG is a fully renovated former Shoppers Drug Mart store (historic John White building), which has its top amenity as its heating/cooling system designed specifically for preserving art -- both when on display and when in storage.
The gallery's previous location on Hunter Street was terrific in its location next door to the library, but lacked accessibility and space. The new location (opened July 19, 2011) is ideal with its across-the-street proximity to the museum, its expansive increased floor space, and humidity-temperature controlled storage. I know . . . I know there's only one taxpayer, but the majority of the renovation -- or about $3.3 million -- was obtained through a Build Canada grant.
Anyone stopping by WAG must view the prestigious and important Florence Carlyle Collection (40 works).
With winter months upon us, consider joining the WAG through membership, or register for art classes, which are available for adults, beginners, teens and children, or sign up to attend a lecture or workshop.
You can also enquire about the several ways to volunteer.
The first Wednesday of the month is 'WAG It Wednesday' with a different theme for free fun family art time from 6 - 7:30.
When holiday shopping, don't forget the WAG's gift shop.
When thinking about your own family, consider renting art. Art for sale has a price tag assigned by the artist and is essentially sold on consignment.
For more details, email: gallery@city.woodstock.on.ca or call them (519) 539-6761, or . . . visit 449 Dundas.
Note: Artwork pictured here is by Cathy Groulx, who is both a renowned Oxford artist and an instructor at WAG.

　

Mark Schadenberg

Royal LePage Triland

Promoting Woodstock & Area as the Destination to raise your family.

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

(519) 537-1553

Lightning 10-0 in NBL of Canada

Deep roster sparks pro basketball in London

By Mark Schadenberg

LONDON -- Lightning is electricity in the atmosphere.

At Budweiser Gardens in Downtown London, Lightning has been captured and all sports fans should attend to witness the downpour of points in person.

Winning a championship at any level of team sports is a difficult task.

Management must assemble a cohesive and accomplished group of athletes.

What if winning a league title was only the starting point? It would seem this is exactly what the London Lightning of the National Basketball League of Canada are manufacturing – consistently getting better through the assembling of talent.

A team must learn to believe in itself. The Lightning did that last March 25^th when they capped a 28-8 regular season with a playoff win, claiming the decisive fifth game of the finals, 116-92. Their domination of the NBL seemingly began that day in the fourth quarter when outscoring the Halifax Rainmen 35-15 over the closing 12 minutes.

London’s love affair with the Lightning grew stronger.

Advance seven months and the Lightning have leapt out of the gate 10-0 on the new season with an astounding average margin of victory of 23 points.

The statistics and hard court results would indicate the club’s spark is from Morgan Lewis, who London had obtained in a pre-season trade from Oshawa. Lewis is third on the club in points per game (12.9), and second in rebounds (7.2). The balanced score sheet also features Jermaine Blackburn (13.3 ppg) and Tim Ellis (13.2). In an eight-team league, Blackburn is 19^th in NBL scoring – every player on the floor is a factor.   

Basketball is a sport with a starting five obviously, but the bench is key in dominating all 48 minutes in the key and beyond the three-point arc.

NBA Experience

The Lightning’s most impressive resume -- with NBA time with Miami, Philadelphia, Memphis, Sacramento and New Jersey -- belongs to Rodney Buford, but he averages just 20 minutes per game and 11.1 points on a club that distributes significant time to 10 different players.

The signing of Canadian Osvaldo Jeanty has ignited even more thunder in the Lightning. Jeanty, who was the Canadian university athlete of the year among all sports in 2006, was a star guard for the OUA’s Carleton Ravens and played pro in both Germany and Romania before joining London.

The Lightning active roster features just two current regulars from the championship squad in DeAnthony Bowden and Tim Ellis. When you factor in Jeremy Williams, Adrian Moss, Elvin Mims, and DeAndre Thomas, it’s easy to see how this squad can boast having seven players averaging double-digit production per contest.

Coach Michael Ray Richardson has to juggle a lot of talent.

Busy December

If you have yet to discover the Lightning, now could be the time with four home dates before Christmas in December (13^th, 15^th, 20^th and 22^nd). 

The Budweiser Gardens is the venue and ticket prices are a value, beginning at $18. You can purchase tickets through www.budweisergardens.com or at 1-866-455-2849. For more details on the NBL and the Lightning, including a schedule of all home dates see: www.lightningbasketball.ca

Micro condominium in Surrey, B.C.

Suites as small as 290 square feet

By: Mark Schadenberg

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Royal LePage Triland

Woodstock, Ontario

(519) 537-1553

Four-storey project seeking approval 

SURREY, B.C. -- Stories about tiny apartments in places such as Japan have been discussed for years.

Anyone wanting to live anywhere near the core in Toronto realize that cost per square foot of a condominium in a high-rise building can be quite expensive, with a significant charge for parking above that.

Canada’s smallest condo dwellings could soon be hitting the market in a large community where there is limited land to expand cities. In Vancouver, you’re either surrounded by water, the U.S., or mountains.

I read a story in our Realtor’s REM magazine (www.remonline.ca) for the December issue, noting  Vancouver area developer Tien Sher is about to begin construction on a 4-storey condominium project with 56 suites. Balance, which is the name given to the building, will feature apartments – living dwellings – as small as 290 square feet (essentially that is less than 20’ x 15’). The largest living space will be 650 square feet.

Since price point is always important, the price tag will start at $109,000 in this brand new building.

While the story did not indicate what the condo fee will begin at, the focus of the project is to attract people who currently rent.

“. . . If you can afford the $6,000 down payment, and you make a salary of $17 per hour, we have a home for you,” said Charan Sethi, president of Tien Sher.

Each unit will include a balcony, five stainless steel appliances and hardwood floors.

These ultra small condominiums may soon become quite common.

Peter Simpson, who is the president of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association, says: “This is an idea I expect to see emulated throughout the region in the years ahead.

“With mortgage amortization of 25 years, coupled with the high cost of developable land in the Lower Mainland, micro suites are a sensible and cost-effective option for single people looking to purchase their first home,” Simpson explained.

After Surrey city council passes the building plans, Tien Sher may begin selling the units in January.

By the way, a parking spot will cost extra.

If you haven’t bought a home in quite some time it is important to point out that even in Woodstock a reasonable 50’ x 100’ serviced building lot will now sell in the range of $100,000.

Mark Schadenberg

Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com

Call me to buy or sell in Oxford County or the surrounding area.