Artwalk kicked up a notch with Trillium grant2012-01-25
By Cathy Dobson from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Artwalk has a reputation as the summer street party with a whole lot of volunteers and goodwill. Now it’s also the street party with a whole lot of money.
Ten years after the two-day festival started in downtown Sarnia, the Ontario Trillium Foundation has approved a grant of $130,000 over two years.
“Everything will be kicked up a notch,” said president Shawn McKnight who helped co-found Artwalk in 2002. “We’ll have more performers, a more professional stage area, more marketing, more of everything.”
Artwalk was founded as a way to lure tourists to the downtown in conjunction with a Tall Ships Festival on the waterfront. That first year was an overwhelming success with about 25 artisans demonstrating and selling their work. “It created a huge buzz in the arts community and has been incredibly well supported by the city,” said McKnight.
Over time, Artwalk grew and Christina Street had to be closed to traffic for safety reasons. A children’s village was added, street performers, musicians and an environmental component took off.
Last year, an estimated 25,000 people attended over two days.
“In the long run, the grassroots have built Artwalk and given the community a time and place to get together and celebrate the arts,” McKnight said. “It’s been working. It’s a true community builder, and now it’s going to be sustainable.”
The $130,000 grant has enabled the festival to hire downtown bookstore owner Billie Jo Gage as co-ordinator and to contract locally-owned Storyboard Solutions to do marketing and project management.
“We now have an opportunity to offer a free concert on Friday and bring in a headline act on Saturday,” said Chris Lewis of Storyboard Solutions. “We can go after more grant opportunities and pay for advertising for the first time.”
Artwalk will continue to depend on thousands of hours of volunteer time but some of the “relationship building” that brings in sponsors and makes the festival a success can be done by a paid person, said Lewis who has a professional background in event organizing.
“It feels great to see someone paid for great community work,” McKnight said. Gage, for instance, has volunteered her time to Artwalk for years and will now earn a paycheque.
“There’s always a danger of volunteer burnout and, over time, I saw that we needed funding. The Trillium grant is exactly what we needed,” McKnight said.
Artwalk 2012 takes place June 2-3. Visit www.sarniaartwalk.com for more information.
Observer Article ID# 3447780
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership appoints Officers and Board of Director2012-01-24
Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario - The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership is pleased to announce its Officers and Board of Directors for 2012.
At today’s Board of Directors meeting, three Officers were re-elected to their 2011 positions. Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley will continue as Chair. Lambton County CAO Ron Van Horne will continue as Treasurer, and Bruce Hein, owner of Express Employment Professionals, will continue as Vice-Chair.
The Officers’ positions are filled yearly.
The Board of Directors welcomed new Lambton College President Judy Morris, who replaces Lambton College’s outgoing President Tony Hanlon. Dr. Hanlon served on the Economic Partnership Board since March 2002.
Recently re-elected President of the Sarnia & District Labour Council, Ray Fillion, was welcomed back to the Economic Partnership Board, replacing outgoing Sarnia & District Labour Council President, June Maruschak. Ms. Maruschak served on the Economic Partnership Board since January 2010.
Directors can serve for successive years, if re-elected.
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership Board of Directors is as follows:
Don Anderson, General Manager, Business Development Corporation
Warden Steve Arnold, County of Lambton
Chair, Mayor Mike Bradley, City of Sarnia
Sue Drellick, Human Resources Manager, Worley Parsons
Mario Fazio, Broker, Royal LePage Key Realty
Lloyd Fennell, City Manager, City of Sarnia
Garry McDonald, President, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce
Judy Morris, President, Lambton College
Vice Chair, Bruce Hein, Owner, Express Employment Professionals
Jane Keast, Director Refinery Operations, Suncor Energy Inc.
Ron MacDougall, Farmer, Oil Springs
George Mallay, General Manager, Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Ray Fillion, President, Sarnia & District Labour Council
Ross McEachran, President, Vidal Street Industrial Park Inc.
Alex Palimaka, VP Corporate Services and General Counsel, Bluewater Power
Treasurer, Ron Van Horne, CAO, County of Lambton
The Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has received recognition as one of the top Economic Development organizations in the country.
The Economic Partnership will soon be releasing its Strategic Plan, based on community input, to lead Sarnia-Lambton’s economic growth in the years ahead.
- ## -
For further information:
George Mallay, General Manager
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
Telephone 519-332-1820
Email mallay@sarnialambton.on.ca
Getting shipshape in Sarnia2012-01-21
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
When repairing and replacing steel on a bulk cargo ship, the colder the better, says a field superintendent overseeing some of the ship repairs in Sarnia this winter.
“The mild temperatures are actually harder doing the work because the air is heavier,” said Jeff Gibson with Fraser Marine and Industrial.
So a subzero climate is a welcome change from a mostly mild winter, he said.
The cold keeps workers from shedding protective gear while welding, he said. “The colder it is, to a point, the better.”
The Algoma Central Corporation company is taking on $5 million in repair work for four of the five ships berthed at docks in Sarnia-Lambton.
Eleven ships are expected in the area this winter, officials said, providing a boost to the local economy.
Fraser will have 70 workers on the Algolake alone within two weeks, Gibson said. All are local hires from Sarnia and Lambton County, but many stay in Sarnia hotels and apartments.
“All our safety gear, harnesses, glasses, hard hats, all come from local suppliers as well,” he said.
Ballast tank and bulk head steel work on the Algolake will require about 250,000 pounds (113,398 kilograms) of steel, he said.
Sarnia’s a desired port for ships needing repair, said Garry McDonald, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve got a very good reputation in our community for machining and outfitting and refitting marine vessels,” he said. “It helps our port and our harbour get through the winter season quite nicely.”
The St. Lawrence Seaway closed on Dec. 30, ending a record 284-day shipping season. The previous record was 283 days in 2006.
Some 227,000 jobs and $34 billion in economic activity are supported by moving goods along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, according to a recently published Marine Delivers economic impact study.
Environment Canada predicts temperatures will climb above freezing on Sunday and Monday, before settling back to the 0 C mark on Tuesday.
Observer Article ID# 3444021
Fiddick's expansion on schedule2012-01-18
By David Pattenaude, from www.petroliatopic.com The Petrolia Topic
A $12-million expansion at Fiddick's Nursing Home in Petrolia is "on schedule" for an opening by December of this year.
Administrator Mike Fiddick said "We've been blessed with a mild winter. The weather gods have been good to us."
Bad winter weather could have put the project behind schedule but basement walls are going up and once plumbing work is completed, carpenters can start putting up exterior walls and the roof and the project can continue through the winter, said Fiddick.
Up to 50 new workers will be required for the nursing home expansion and the addition of 36 beds — together with 36 new beds at Vision Nursing Home in Sarnia — will likely eliminate a shortage of long-term care beds in Lambton County, said Fiddick.
This will greatly ease the "clogging" of acute care beds at Lambton County's two hospitals, he said.
Meanwhile, renovations at Fiddick's existing nursing home will be done and completed by March of 2013.
The Fiddick's expansion was finally approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in September of 2011. The project was announced in March of 2010 by the Local Health Integration Network, which announced $3 million in new annual funding for the 36 new long-term care beds at both Fiddick's and Vision.
Petrolia Topic Article ID#3440339
Sarnia vying for Keystone oil sands2012-01-17
By Tyler Kula, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley speaks to the Golden K Kiwanis club at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre Tuesday about the state of the city. Topics ranged from economics and commercial development to the upcoming city centennial in 2014.
Sarnia is in position to be the site for an oil sands upgrader if a proposed international pipeline deal from Canada's oil sands to the United States falls through, says the city's mayor.
Mike Bradley was speaking at a state of the city address to Golden K Kiwanis club members at the Lochiel Kiwanis Community Centre Tuesday.
"One of the alternatives if that project doesn't go ahead is to look at keeping our resources in Canada, getting the extra value of the jobs here," he said.
Talks have been ongoing for the past 18 months and have included Conservative MP Pat Davidson, he said.
The Keystone Pipeline Project, to move oil and bitumen from the Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta the United States, is stalled, pending approval from U.S. President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile Canadian Primer Minister Stephen Harper has said China is an alternative destination if the deal fails.
But an in-Canada solution should be given consideration, Bradley said, noting recent talks about a Canadian national energy policy are encouraging.
"One of the big issues in the States is putting in a new pipeline," he said. "We have the pipeline."
An upgrading facility, similar to what could have materialized from the failed Shell refinery project for St. Clair Township in 2008, would create jobs and stabilize industry, he said.
Mike Ireland, senior development consultant with the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, said officials have recently been promoting Sarnia at oil sands events in Alberta.
"There have been some preliminary discussions involving the Alberta government and Alberta's Industrial Heartland (near Edmonton)," he said. "At this point in time it's still something that we need to get developed and we are working on it."
Any project will need industry support, he said; there are also proposals for Sarnia engineers to manufacture equipment for oil sands use.
Eventually talks will involve the federal government, he said.
When asked about her involvement, Pat Davidson said the talks are nothing new.
"This is something that this community has worked on for a long time and something the community continues to work on," she said.
Keystone however provides Sarnia with a good opportunity to showcase the community's strengths and resources, she said.
Bradley, at his address Tuesday, said he's cautiously optimistic about the city's future.
He highlighted a number of initiatives and challenges, including 12 pilot projects at the Bioindustrial Innovation Centre and the recently announced closure of the NCO call centre.
Decisions are expected this year about commercial expansion; a transportation study is planned and the city is preparing for Sarnia's centennial in 2014.
Observer Article ID# 3439083
Future looks brighter for local pork producers2012-01-11
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Just three years ago, hog farmers in Lambton County were mulling over a federal program aimed at helping them leave their troubled industry.
Some did, but others stayed and today times are much better.
Statistics Canada recently reported Ontario hog prices were up more than 45% from the year before.
"It's a heck of a lot better than what it was," said Chad Stanton, a Forest-area farmer and president of the Lambton Pork Producers.
"There's a lot more hog producers with smiles on their faces going into 2012 than there was for the past three years."
Stanton added, "There is room for profit margin," on local hog farms today, "but it's still not out of the woods yet."
Back in 2009, Ontario's pork industry was hard-hit by overproduction, a high Canadian dollar and the impact of an outbreak of the unfortunately named swine flu.
That incorrectly suggested that hogs carried the virus, and while authorities moved quickly to change the name to the H1N1 flu, the damage was done.
When a promised federal package for the industry arrived in the summer of 2009, it was less than expected.
But it included money to help struggling pork producers leave the industry.
There were said to be 2,700 pork producers in the province at that time. The Pork Ontario website says there are 2,000 today.
Lambton had about 145 hog farmers back in 2009.
"We did lose producers, which is disappointing," Stanton said, adding he's not certain how many left the industry in Lambton.
Like other livestock producers, pork farmers are dealing these days with higher grain prices that increase their feed costs. But, Stanton said that's not all bad.
"High grain prices mean good meat prices," he said.
If the price of the corn used in hog feed was lower again, hog prices would be lower too, according to Stanton.
Federally, the Canadian government continues to challenge the U.S. move to require mandatory country of origin labelling on pork and some other commodities imported and sold there.
Ottawa is also working to open up markets for Canadian pork in South Korea.
"There are a lot of different things I know the government is working on," Stanton said.
But, he added, "it takes time."
Observer Article ID# 3431442
Sun ready to rise on delayed St. Clair solar farms2012-01-11
By Barbara Simpson, From www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Two solar energy projects in St. Clair Township are almost ready to switch on the juice.
Construction of the two, 20-megawatt solar farms is complete, confirmed Peter Carrie, vice-president of First Solar Development Canada. Now safety equipment is being tested, ensuring that the relays and controls to remotely access the sites are in working order.
"We are very close to completion," said Peter Carrie, vice-president of First Solar Development Canada. "All the solar panels have been installed and we're just in the final stages of testing and commissioning."
Both the Moore Solar Farm, north of Rokeby Line and west of Highway 40, and the Sombra Solar Farm, south of Bentpath Line and east of Baseline Road, will each produce enough power for about 2,800 homes.
Work has been delayed at the sites for a variety of reasons over the last months. In October, the Ministry of Labour issued a stop work order after a worker received an electric shock at the Moore Solar Farm. "We worked with the Ministry of Labour and contractors to investigate the cause because it is very rare for our workers to get a shock," Carrie said. "We took it very seriously and made sure we understand how it occurred and what measures to ensure it wouldn't happen again."
The stop work order only delayed electrical work for about four days.
"Most of the delays we encountered on both of these projects were a result of just weather this year," Carrie said. "We had a lot of damp, a lot of rain, and when you're doing the work outside, it has an affect on the schedule of course."
The St. Clair Township projects were the first large solar farms approved through Ontario's new Renewable Energy Approval process under the Green Energy Act.
Carrie said he wasn't unaware of any future First Solar projects set for the Sarnia area. However, construction of the company's 10-kilowatt Amherstburg solar farm will begin this year.
Observer Article ID# 3431417
Industrial Relocation2012-01-11
From CHOK Radio www.chok.com
The former Fibrex building on Scott Road is no longer vacant. Waste handling company NewAlta is leasing a small portion of the facility. The firm processes used oils and solvents at chemical valley sites and then ships them to market. Manager Tim Bechard says their new location focuses on waste hauling and customer service… replacing a Corunna operation.
Mr Bechard says plans are in the works for construction of an expanded Sarnia facility which would allow them to process materials on site and the Scott road site is an option. The Fibrex building became vacant early last year, when the insulation manufacturer ceased production, costing 160 jobs.
Petrolia Farmers' Market continues strong sales, crowds2012-01-11
By David Pattenaude, from www.petroliatopic.com The Petrolia Topic
A report on The Petrolia Farmers' Market, which operated for a second full season in its new permanent location next to the Petrolia Library, shows the market is a valuable contributor to the local economy and social fabric.
In her 2011 annual report, market co-ordinator Sandy Mason said the market has "...quickly become a viable asset that touches on all aspects of life in the community. With about 32,500 visitors over a 22-week period in 2011, we can estimate a $1 million dollar boost to the local economy."
Some 22 per cent of 2011 market visitors were from outside Petrolia. That was two per cent more from 2010. Overall weekly attendance declined a bit from 2010, when the market averaged 1,550 customers per week; compared with 1,475 per week in 2011.
Estimates from weekly sales place the total vendor revenue for the market at just over $150,000 for the 2011 season. Four vendors were new to the market in 2011 and the 29 vendors (19 full-time and 10 part-time) contributed an estimated $55,000 to economic growth in the community with the purchase of supplies, materials and seasonal labour. Ten new seasonal jobs were created as a direct result of the 2011 market.
Mason's report said the market continues to be an asset to the town and is playing an important role in the town's goal to increase tourism and encourage community involvement.
The market — held Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon — held a number of special events last year, including a Charlotte Eleanor Englehart Hospital 100th anniversary celebration, community barbecues, scrapbooking, meetings, chainsaw carving exhibition, reptile shows, a Canada Day ball hockey event, and a barn dance.
For 20 of the market's 22 weeks, there was a variety of entertainment — which is a valuable part of the market's overall success, said Mason.
Overall, the third year of the market was a success, she said, with sales and attendance maintaining a strong average throughout the season. The market's first season, in 2009, was held inside the Greenwood Recreation Centre.
"Feedback from shoppers continued to be positive," said Mason. "Regulars who shopped weekly not only enjoyed fresh produce and meat, crafts, and baked goods, they also enjoyed the social aspect, talking and relaxing with fellow residents either in the Kerr Cafe building or outside on picnic tables."
Local public service groups and service clubs fundraised and built community awareness at the market and a weekly lottery draw contributed about $4,000 to local charities.
At council's Jan. 3 meeting, Petrolia community services director Dave Menzies said the market has driven more people to the Petrolia library, which now opens an hour earlier on Saturdays because of market visitors, he said.
Petrolia librarian Kim Frijia told The Petrolia Topic the library used to be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. but because of the market opening earlier, people were around at the library doors — and she added "...it made perfect sense to open an hour earlier and accommodate these people. It's wonderful and a good mix of people and programs."
The library is now open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
IF YOU GO:
The Petrolia Farmers' Market will tentatively open for a 22-week, 2012 season on May 26 and close on Oct. 20. The market will be held Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 12 noon.
Petrolia Article ID #3432625
Lowe's officially opens, brings 135 jobs2012-01-11
By Paul Morden, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Sarnia-Lambton politicians were at Lowe's Tuesday to welcome the new home improvement store, and its 135 new jobs, to the city.
Manager Mark Mollard said the 95,000-square-foot store quietly opened its doors on Boxing Day.
"The community has been fantastic," Mollard said. "From the day we opened the doors, we've had an amazing amount of foot traffic."
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said talks about the Lowe's development began three years ago.
"It was a big coup that they decided to come into this marketplace," he said. "They're very respected for their treatment of their employees and their customer service."
The store opening comes as several hundred jobs are being lost with the closing of the local NCO call centre.
"There are a significant number of new jobs here," Bradley said about Lowe's. "They're a very strong corporation, so I expect those jobs to last."
The impact will "spill out into the whole economy," Bradley added.
He called on Sarnia-Lambton MP Patricia Davidson to help him finish sawing through a board Tuesday to officially open the store.
"We don't focus on the competition," Mollard said about the new store's neighbour, Home Depot. "We focus on our four walls and what we need to do."
Opening a new Lowe's store generally costs $20 million, he said.
While the initial round of hiring is all but complete, the store may add another 15 to 20 workers for the spring and summer, he said.
"Most of those will be seasonal jobs."
Lowe's district manager Matt Basso said the Sarnia staff were chosen from "several thousand folks" who applied.
"We're very pleased with the over 130 individuals who were selected . . . many of whom are full-time."
Sarnia's Lowe's is one of the smaller locations among the 30 stores the company has opened in Canada so far, Mollard said.
"But it has, generally, the same item mix, just in a little smaller footprint," he said.
Store number 31 in Niagara Falls was set to have its official opening Wednesday, he said.
"We're continuing to grow quite rapidly in Canada."
The North Carolina-based retailer's first Canadian stored opened in December 2007 after it announced plans to develop as many as 100 locations in Canada.
The Sarnia store also includes a Subway sandwich shop that employs about 10 people.
Mollard grew up in nearby Forest and began working for Lowe's in Michigan after he married an American girl.
He returned to Ontario initially as an assistant manager of a Lowe's store in London and then was appointed manager of the new Sarnia site.
Grand opening activities are planned for this weekend.
At Tuesday's event, Lowe's donated $2,500 to the Sarnia-Lambton YMCA's Strengthening the Community campaign.
Bradley said city hall is current studying where commercial growth should go in the next five to 10 years.
"There's going to be a big debate coming at council this year about should we expand the commercial area, or are we simply allowing it to shift around."
Observer Article ID# 3431473
Solutions4C02 demo facility planned for Bluewater Energy Park2012-01-10
From www.techfinance.ca
Solutions4CO2 Files for IPO on TSX Venture Exchange
Solutions4CO2 Inc. (S4CO2) has filed a preliminary prospectus for a proposed initial public offering (IPO). The offering will be in the form of trance 3 special warrants of a special warrant financing that S4CO2 closed in November 2011.
The prospectus also qualifies 10,952,550 common shares issuable upon the exercise or automatic exercise of 10,952,550 special warrants issued on a private placement basis, of which 1) 7,580,000 were issued on November 1, 2011, 2) 3,075,000 were issued January 6, 2012, and 3) 280,800 and 16,750 were issued to the agent, Macquarie Private Wealth Inc., on November 1, 2011 and January 6, 2012, respectively.
Pursuant to the terms of a definitive agreement dated January 6, 2012 between S$CO2 and Carrus Capital Corporation (YSX-V: CHQ), Carrus who has acquired 3 million tranche 2 special warrants, will acquire 3,000,000 Tranche 3 special warrants as part of the IPO. The prospectus also qualifies the distribution of 2,000,000 common shares issuable upon the exercise of 2,000,000 warrants issued to Carrus Capital on January 6, 2012 pursuant to the Carrus agreement.
Solutions4CO2 has applied to list its common shares on the TSX Venture Exchange
Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP and Davis LLP act as legal counsel to Solutions4CO2 and the agent respectively.
Toronto based Solutions4CO2 designs, builds, operates and maintains industrial solutions to capture waste gas/water streams and process these streams into value added co-products. S4CO2 is developing a 50,000 sq ft demonstration facility at the Bluewater Energy Park in Sarnia, Ontario.
Hydro transmission upgrade inches ahead2012-01-06
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
A major upgrade to a 70-kilometre transmission line slicing through Lambton County bodes well for the local economy, community leaders say.
Hydro One plans to hold public consultations this month about adding capacity to the existing double-circuit 230-kilovolt transmission line stretching from the Lambton transformer station in St. Clair Township to the Longwood transformer station in Strathroy-Caradoc.
"This is very positive news," said Steve Arnold, Lambton's warden and mayor of St. Clair Township.
The more electricity local transmission lines can carry beyond Lambton County, the more energy projects can develop here, he said.
"We've been trying to get it on the forefront of government initiatives for a number of years."
Local officials have been pushing the province to significantly upgrade regional transmission lines so they can handle new power projects and accommodate the future of the Lambton Generating Station.
In 2010, Energy Minister Brad Duguid ordered Hydro One to make the transmission system west of London a priority. It's to be part of a $2-billion investment in the system across Ontario. But the project hasn't exactly moved ahead at an electrifying pace.
On Thursday Jan. 19, Hydro One will finally hold a public consultation at the Brigden Community Hall to outline its upgrade plan.
While capacity will improve, it's not clear how much more electricity the line will handle or what the cost of the upgrade will be, a Hydro One spokesman said.
Officials at the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) weren't any more forthcoming.
"These projects are intended to upgrade the province's transmission system to accommodate renewable projects, serve new load and support reliability," OPA spokesman Tim Butters wrote in an email.
"Planning studies are continuing so the number of additional (megawatts) is not yet known," he said.
While there are still many questions about the project, the president of the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce is optimistic.
Garry McDonald spoke to ministry staff just before Christmas about it.
"We feel (additional transmission capacity) is a big factor in extending the life of Lambton Generating Station," said McDonald.
Duguid requested an upgrade to the Lambton line as well as a completely new line, he said.
"The upgrade is to be finished by 2014, which coincides with the time when coal is supposed to be offline.
"That, as well as the gas line going to LGS, means the ministry is preparing for an opportunity that could exist," said McDonald.
Local officials are urging the Liberal government to convert the coal-powered station to natural gas, saving hundreds of local jobs and increasing Ontario's power supply.
"This upgrade to the transmission line is important to the existing LGS operation, all the green energy proposals for our area, and it's important to future generation that could help the province," McDonald said.
"I'm hoping this will mean more reason to keep LGS open and attract other power generating projects," said Arnold. "If we end up with more energy creation locally, jobs will be created and that's positive for all of us."
Hydro One's public consultation is scheduled for Jan. 19 from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the community hall at 3016 Brigden Road.
Observer Article ID# 3426695
Surprising year for real estate2012-01-06
By Cathy Dobson, from www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The local real estate market was surprisingly strong in 2011 with near-record sales totals and an exceptional December that was the best in 10 years.
"December was possibly an all-time high in terms of dollar volume," Donna Mathewson, president of the Sarnia-Lambton Real Estate Board said Thursday.
Last month easily topped December 2010 when the infamous Snowmaggedon storm hit and local residents stopped thinking about housing sales.
"We surpassed December last year by $8 million in sales," Mathewson said. "You do need to keep it in perspective, though.
"There were 102 sales in December, which is 57% better than the 65 in December 2010. But, to be honest, weather played a part in December's numbers," she said.
"We had horrific snowstorms in December 2010 and virtually no snow in December 2011."
That meant house hunters stayed on the trail last month and weren't thinking as much about Christmas shopping as house shopping.
Year-end data released Thursday also show the dollar value of sales in 2011 was the second highest in a decade.
Total sales totaled $328,575,000, a figure surpassed only in 2007 when housing sales topped $349 million.
"2007 was a banner year. It was the peak of the bubble," Mathewson said. "It's going to be really hard to beat."
While 2011 stacked up well, the high dollar value was also skewed by the sale of eight houses each worth $900,000 or more.
"We sold two houses over $1 million in 2010 and six over $1 million in 2011," said Mathewson.
Last year saw 1,683 properties sold, a 3% increase over 2010. There was also a 5% increase in listings and a 9% increase in total sales volume.
"A 3% increase in sales is slight but it shows we've got good strength in our local economy," said Mathewson.
She said low interest rates and government rebate programs continued to attract buyers in 2011, despite an expectation early in the year that interest rates would rise.
"There was a lot of rumbling about interest rates and what was happening in the States. I think people wanted to take advantage of the situation before it changed, but it never did," she said.
It's likely interest rates will remain low throughout 2012 and continue to bolster real estate sales, Mathewson added.
"I think we'll see steady growth this year, nothing dramatic, but a healthy incline," she said.
Observer Article ID# 3426680
Purdy Fishery nets national TV spot2012-01-03
By Barbara Simpson www.theobserver.ca The Observer
Purdy Fisheries have made the catch of the day.
The Point Edward-based business and its Lake Huron pickerel will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Food Network's Pitchin' In.
On the show, celebrity chef Lynn Crawford visits food producers across the country, learning the ropes of their operations and eventually preparing gourmet meals based on a single local ingredient.
Crawford spent four days at Purdy's in May. The former chef at the Four Seasons' New York City hotel wasn't given a free pass at the family-run operation. She shovelled ice, wrangled sturgeon and even worked in the processing plant.
Don't worry, there was some fun allowed.
"She ended up having a gut fight with one of our employees," recalled Stephanie Purdy, vice-president of Purdy Fisheries.
Crawford also tried to "wrangle our coleslaw recipe out of our chef," noted Purdy, who described the celebrity chef as a genuine and hard-working woman.
"So many people have asked me since the shoot, 'Well, what's she like?' because a lot of times their persona on TV isn't who they really are," she said. "She is 100% who she is on TV."
Crawford wrapped up her visit by preparing a meal around pickerel. She crafted a fiddlehead soup with a pickerel quenelle and asparagus slaw, a mushroom-crested pickerel with a sweet pea risotto, and a lemon tart with gingered rhubarb and white chocolate shavings.
"It was spectacular," Purdy said. "Absolutely spectacular."
Crawford also attended a family barbecue during her visit, Purdy noted.
"To look out my parents' front door and to see her standing on the boulevard — that was the house I grew up in — it was kind of bizarre," she said. "It was like there's Lynn Crawford standing on my parents' boulevard in Point Edward."
Purdy's grandfather W.J. Purdy founded the business in 1900, and the operation now includes several retail locations.
Purdy's Pitchin' In episode airs Jan. 16 at 11:30 p.m. Repeats of the episode will air throughout the week and the rest of the season. The show can also be viewed on the Food Network website.
"Yes, it's great for Purdy's, but I hope it's great for Sarnia-Lambton as well," Purdy said.
"I moved back to Sarnia nine years and one of my goals was to get Purdy's fish on the Food Network," she added.
"I didn't expect our whole business — us as a group — to get on there."
Observer Article ID# 3422329
Great year for Lambton College2012-01-02
Capped by record enrolment
By Tara Jeffrey www.theobserver.ca The Observer
The year 2011 was a booming year for Lambton College.
The Sarnia facility boasted record enrolment numbers, launched a hugely successful capital campaign, and added to its illustrious reputation as a top competitor for firefighting across Canada.
"We have a tremendous number of students coming from outside this area," spokesperson Cindy Buchanan told The Observer. "Lambton is offering programs that folks are looking for."
Buchanan said enrolment numbers jumped from 3,079 in 2010 to 3,225 this fall, pointing to popular programs like Preservice Firefighter, Chemical Production and Power Engineering Technology, Bachelor of Science and Nursing, Child and Youth Worker, Paramedic, Practical Nursing and Personal Support Worker.
New this year are the Law Clerk and Esthetician programs, along with Retail Pharmacy Assistant, Enterprise Database and Programming Management, and planned for 2012 are the Perioperative Nursing and Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Graduate Certificates, as well as diplomas for Hairstylist and Digital Photography.
Throughout the year, industry donations were piling in for the college's $5 million "Inspiring the Future Campaign," most notably, gifts from CF Industries ($100,000), Suncor Energy ($500,000), Cabot Canada Ltd. ($100,000)and RBC ($100,000).
Lambton also unveiled a new sate-of-the-art Sustainable Smart Home — a $1.2 million facility designed for academic and research opportunities, as well as expanding student and community education on green, sustainable energy options.
Students from the college's Firefighter Combat Team continued to thrive in competition, including a bronze medal at the FireFit National Championships in Alberta.
A sixth consecutive fire school championship win was nixed, however, after no other college teams showed up to compete in the division.
In August, Derek Buchanan and Ryan Kennedy took gold in the school's first entry into tandem relay competition at the Quebec Regional Scott Firefit competition in Ottawa.
The team had an "incredible" year, team coach Ron Sparling said, noting Lambton took on only two competitions in Ontario before going to nationals. Normally teams compete in four.
The Lambton program offers a one-year pre-service study, followed by a two-year, hands-on fire science and technology program, the only one of its kind in Canada
Meanwhile, college officials reported only minor disruptions after some 8,000 support staff across Ontario — including registrars, counsellors, librarians, administrators, IT staff and cleaners —walked off the job Sept. 1.
Two weeks later, a tentative agreement was reached between the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council — representing Ontario's 24 colleges.
Finally, after 10 years on the job, college President and CEO Tony Hanlon announced this summer he will retire at the end of 2011.
Judith Morris will be the new president and CEO. 1.A nine-year veteran of Lambton College, Morris was vice-president of academic and student services at the college.
When Hanlon arrived a decade ago, the college had a full-time enrolment of 2,100 and a deficit of $2.5 million.
Hanlon pledged to "grow" the college and improve its financial position.
Today, The deficit has been eliminated and Lambton College has a $4.5 million surplus this year. Part of that can be attributed to a change in government policy that has provided an additional $4.2 million to Lambton every year since 2005.
Observer Article ID# 3422159
|
