ANN MULVALE ANNOUNCES INTENTION TO RUN FOR MAYOR - OAKVILLE HOMES

Today, outside Oakville Town Hall, Ann Mulvale announced her intention to seek the position of Mayor in the upcoming 2010 election.

As a resident of Oakville for 38 years, Mulvale’s campaign is set to begin in the coming weeks along with a website to help with her campaign goals.

“The community has some concerns,” Mulvale said outside of Oakville Town Hall.

“What I am hearing is that they have noticed change. They are concerned about our increasing debt load, and they are concerned about what they perceive to be as a lack of respect for democratic choice in terms of whom they’ve elected.”

“They are concerned about the performance of their counsel, and they’re saying we can do better.”

After officially submitting her application, Mulvale was met with a crowd of family and friends supporting her decision.

Mulvale has served in elected office for 23 years, acted as the chair of the United Way campaign, and was a former mayor Oakville – first elected in 1988.

In 2003, Mulvale defeated current Mayor Rob Burton by 28 votes, and was defeated by Mayor Rob Burton in the 2006 municipal election.

“I have very much been responding to the peoples concerns and engaging with the people,” she said. “We’re continuing to listen, we’re continuing to explore some alternatives concepts and ideas.”

“I believe very much in collaborative, inclusive leadership, and I always believe that you never rest on your morals.”

Mulvale wants to give the community of Oakville choice.

“I love our town and that’s why I have decided to seek the public’s trust to serve as Mayor, so that together we can forge an even stronger and more dynamic Oakville,” Mulvale said in her statement.

“Democracy is served by choice I am privileged to be part of your choice in October.”

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BIRD HOUSES - OAKVILLE HOMES

Make your backyard for the birds with safe, stylish homes!

Watching our little avian neighbours enjoy the backyard bird bath and feeder is one of life’s quiet pleasures. But when night falls, they too need a place to sleep.

Designers and craftsmen have turned their creative talents to the task; some of the results might make you wish you could downsize yourself and grow some wings.

First, some general tips about choosing and installing birdhouses:

To deter birds’ natural predators — hawks, squirrels, cats and even other birds — BirdFeeders Direct, based in Guelph, Ont., suggests placing the house in an open space away from underbrush or hedges. Consider customizing if necessary with a flap, or making holes and perches too small for unwanted birds.

Birds can be fussy about where they’ll live. The male house wren builds several nests; he gives his new mate a tour and she chooses her favourite. North American birds don’t nest near others of their species; purple martins are the exception.

Gene Planker of Wild Bird Watching offers a number of classic cedar houses, including a nesting shelf for robins and doves. He cautions against buying large, multi-room houses unless they’re specifically designed for purple martins.

“They’re fine as pieces of art, but not practical for birds,” he said. “They may attract house sparrows, which we try to discourage, as they harm many of our native species.” Fiercely aggressive, sparrows will destroy songbird eggs and kill adults.

Robins, mourning doves and barn swallows prefer a nest shelf to an enclosed house — basically a birdhouse without a front. Nuthatches, chickadees, bluebirds and flickers like a cavity to nest in. Having several different shelters around your yard will ensure a variety of birds have a place to nest, roost and take shelter from the weather.

Keep the house, as well as feeders and baths, away from windows. Window strikes are a major cause of death for backyard birds, as the large reflective surface looks just like more of the garden to them. If your space is tight, then at least affix deterring decals — solid, colourful ones, or images of birds of prey or spider webs. Alternatively, draw the blinds or tint the glass.

When buying or building a birdhouse, check for any sharp edges or materials that could cause injury. Make sure there’s room in the house for the type of bird you’ll be attracting to build a nest and raise eggs. Never paint the interior or buy one that’s been painted inside. Birds won’t use it, and the paint toxins released in summer will be dangerous.

Mount the house on a post or pole with a squirrel baffle if necessary, or from a tree limb, in a fairly sunny location. Avoid dense shade or intense sun. Make sure you clean it out thoroughly each year — experts recommend doing so in late fall or early winter.

For shopping inspiration, design-conscious bird lovers can check out Areaware which has Kelly Lamb’s Buckminster Fuller-inspired ceramic geodesic dome house, perfect for swallows and warblers. Jan Habraken’s red roost is perched on a shovel handle; each time birds land on the house, the shovel wiggles — ostensibly stirring up worms and seeds.

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VISIT THE HARBOURSIDE ORGANIC FARMER'S MARKET THIS WEEKEND!

Get out and about with the Harbourside Organic Farmer’s Market this weekend.

The farmer’s market runs every Saturday from now till October 30th and showcases organic produce and food in Oakville.

“Our market features farmers who farm either in an organic fashion, or those that are certified as organic farmers,” said Susan Curran, the Chair Oakville Sustainable Food Partnership who is hosting the market.

“We feel that this is the most sustainable type of farming, and the type of farming that should be encouraged. We feel these farmers should be given a special showcase to sell their products to local customers.”

“These farmers are not using chemicals and they are much kinder to the soil, the environment, human beings, water, and air quality in Oakville.”

As well as local organic produce, the market features vendors who sell a wide variety of jams, jellies, and baked goods.

“Those vendors have as many organic ingredients as they can find,” Curran said

“Other vendors that we have feature artists that sell work with environmental themes. We have a jeweler who makes jewelry from natural stone, and another vendor who makes soap with all natural ingredients using vegetables and herbs from the farmers,” she said.

“Every thing has a sustainable theme, using local and natural products that are kind to the environment,” she said.

Every Saturday the market aims to be a zero-waste event – meaning that the market creates as little waste as possible. Vendors and shoppers are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags, and to throw away any left over food in the green bins on site. Reusable market bags will also be made available.

The market also includes music, kids activities, cooking demonstrations and of course food to die for. A baker will be set up selling freshly baked pizza throughout the day.

The idea of having a completely organic market started back in 2007 – and was originally in Kerr Village. Now it resides in Centennial Square in downtown Oakville, starting at 9:30am to 2pm.

“Some people just want the fresh produce, it depends on what the shopper is looking for.”

“Were doing our best to minimize our carbon footprint. We have something that is going to appeal to everybody,” Curran said.

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HAPPY CANADA DAY! - OAKVILLE HOMES

HAPPY CANADA DAY TO EVERYONE!!!