FOCA Elert September 2013

FOCA Elert September 2013
Join FOCA on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013 from 3:30-6pm for the FOCA Fall Meeting featuring special guest speaker Bob Sandford, at the Toronto International Centre. 

NOTE: Your $40 registration to the FOCA Fall Meeting includes 1 free entry ticket for Saturday, Nov. 2nd to the Fall Cottage Life Show, happening next door in Hall #5 of the Toronto International Centre. 

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Blue-Green Algae
FOCA, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) and the Central Algoma Freshwater Coalition are working together to better understand the factors that cause blue-green algal blooms. Lake Stewards in the Algoma region of Northern Ontario have been collecting algae samples and water quality information this year. This data will be used by the MOE to begin to identify the conditions that trigger excessive algal growth and why blooms occur in some lakes but not others. 

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Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety for Fall 

With colder weather upon us, remember that carbon monoxide (CO) safety is a priority. "If your cottage has any potential source of CO - wood or gas fireplace or woodstove, an oil or gas or propane heating system or appliance - your only protection is a CSA-approved CO alarm," notes Carol Heller, a fire safety expert with Kidde Canada. 
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And much more 

http://bit.ly/1biftUF FOCA

Special FOCA Event - Featuring Freshwater Expert Bob Sandford

Special FOCA Event - Featuring Freshwater Expert Bob Sandford

http://bit.ly/17UbDvS

The Federation of Ontario Cottagers’ Associations is extremely pleased to announce our featured speaking event for fall 2013, on the topic of climate change and the impacts on our water cycle – with very special guest Bob Sandford.

Bob is an internationally recognized expert on freshwater issues, and the impacts of changing climates on our freshwater resources globally, and across Canada. Bob’s fifth book released in 2012 is entitled Cold Matters - The State and Fate of Canada's Freshwater. He was recently honoured by Venture Magazine as one of Alberta's 50 most influential people of 2013.

Ontario’s waterfront communities are a group that has first-hand experience with the changes that are happening on the landscape, to the water cycle, and to the natural ebb and flow of nature. As rural landowners but also often urban dwellers, FOCA’s members and waterfront property owners across Canada are faced with the implications of a changing climate in many very practical and tangible ways.

FOCA http://www.foca.on.ca

Update from MPAC to FOCA Members

Update from MPAC to FOCA Members

MPAC's Chief Assessor, Larry Hummel, spoke at the FOCA Fall Meeting on October 26, 2012 about trends in Ontario assessments, and how to use the online tools at "About My Property" to determine if your assessment is fair, or should be reconsidered.
Use the link below and you can download the presentatio

http://bit.ly/SdUAvq FOCA

I learned a lot during Larry's presentation and the questions asked of him about MPAC and the process... 

Yet an other great learning opportunity from FOCA. My thanks to Larry for coming and for FOCA for arranging the presentation.

Don't forget to sign up for FOCA's eLert on the FOCA website 

Residential 4G Satellite Option for Our Beach

I was at the Cottage Life Show yesterday for the FOCA Fall Meeting.

I talked to several of the people at the Xplornet Booth and at the FOCA event. They have several different 4G Satellite Internet Packages that you may be interested in as an option vs Bell/Rogers services which we currently have.

Speed Down    Speed Up
1.5 Mbps           256 kbps
3.0 Mbps           500 kbps
5.0 Mbps           500 kbps

They will come and do a free site inspection/survey if we have a few members interested so they can come and check a few house at a time.

They do offer a seasonal shutdown option for the cottagers that sill let you use the service if you go up for a day or the weekend, that are not too expensive depending on the package you have.

www.xplornet.com  For more information

I am thinking about giving them a call for my cottage next year.

If you are interested leave a comment and we can look in to getting an inspection day set up along Clearwater Beach.

Please note Xplornet is a FOCA Supporter so let show them some FOCA/Clearwater Beach support

FOCA Update - FOCA Fall Meeting at the Cottage Life Show

FOCA Update  - FOCA Fall Meeting at the Cottage Life Show

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Are you coming?
FOCA Fall Meeting at the Fall Cottage Life Show 

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Stop the Carp
Encourage your municipality to help stop the spread of Asian Carp.Your interests, and theirs, are at stake.

Together with biologists, policy makers and citizens across Canada and the US, FOCA is becoming increasingly concerned about Asian carp entering the Great Lakes basin.

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Municipal Budget Setting, Property Tax & Assessments 

Most waterfront property owners now have their new property assessments in hand. 

Question: If your assessment went up, does that mean your property taxes will go up?
Answer: Not necessarily. 

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Keeping the 'Family' in the Family Cottage 
    
When? Thursday, November 22nd, 2012 from 6:30-8:30pm
Where? 200 Bay St (at Front St.), RBC Plaza South Tower, 40th Floor, Toronto

http://bit.ly/VBbKtt FOCA

FOCA's 2012 Fall members' meeting

FOCA's 2012 Fall members' meeting is Friday Oct.26th. 

This year, the FOCA meeting will take place during the Cottage Life show! Plan to join us for updates on issues that matter to waterfront property owners and associations.

When: Friday, October 26th, 2012 from 5 - 7:30 pm. Pre-registration is required. The registration fee includes 1 admission ticket to the Cottage Life show.

This year's agenda features:

• Updates on new MPAC property assessments 
• Ontario's new Not-for Profit Corporations Act 
• Strategic Directions for Ontario's waterfront communities 
• Introducing FOCA's new Risk Management team 
• FOCA Government relations, program, and activity updates 

http://www.foca.on.ca/news_and_events/621

I am already booked and will be at the Cottage Life Show Friday around 1PM.

If you are interested in going you can register at the above link.

The Fall Cottage Life Show 2012

The Fall Cottage Life Show:
Show Dates/Hours:

Friday, October 26 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday, October 27 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, October 28 10:00am – 5:00pm

The Fall Cottage Life Show celebrates every season at the lake. With more than 200 exhibitors dedicated to the very best products and services to enhance your retreat, you can research cottage renovations, construction, building products, and design and architectural services, and check out fun stuff like boats, water toys, arts and décor, furnishings for indoors and out, and gift ideas for every cottager on your list.

http://bit.ly/WeGEqo Cottage Life 

I will be there on the 26 until the FOCA Meeting starts at 5PM hope to see you there.

Like FOCA on Facebook

Like FOCA on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/foca.on.ca and you could WIN! 

Prize: one free ticket to the FOCA Fall Seminar ($40 value) - includes entry to the Fall Cottage Life Show. Seminar event is Friday October 26, 2012 from 5-8pm. Get more details about the event here: http://www.foca.on.ca/news_and_events  

Already registered? No worries - if you win, we'll reimburse you when we see you there! (Register now to avoid disappointment: our last event was full.)

Prize winner will be selected from all FOCA Facebook fans at 12:00pm on Tuesday, October 23rd. Spread the word by sharing this notice. GOOD LUCK!