Penny's Blog: A cool website for cabin design and cottage photos
http://ow.ly/1iakDV Cottage Life
Great Web Sites

FOCA has been named a Constant Contact "All Star" for success in email marketing campaigns in 2011

Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (FOCA)

Wow, this little Canadian not-for-profit membership organization just got recognized by a big American marketing firm:
FOCA has been named a Constant Contact "All Star" for success in email marketing campaigns in 2011. We're among the top 10% of more than 500,000 accounts using Constant Contact, based on criteria like consistently high open rates.

Thanks to all of you who are hooked on the FOCA Elert and have turned it into such a success.

Don't know what an Elert is? Not yet on the list? Visit the FOCA website www.foca.on.ca today and sign up (look for the red box) - the next edition is coming this week!

Alien plant invasion right in our ditches

AWARE prepares to battle alien plant invasion right in our ditches 

http://bit.ly/x4ETZq Midland Freepress

If you are going to be in the Simcoe County area on April 14th it would worth going to. 

10 of the problematic plants -Giant Hogweed, Garlic Mustard, Dog-strangling Vine, Common Reed (Phragmites), Japanese Knotweed, Glossy Buckthorn, Common Buckthorn, Periwinkle (Vinca), Bishop's Goutweed and Norway Maple

Great Lakes show massive ice loss, study says

Great Lakes show massive ice loss, study says
http://bit.ly/ylzMwj CBC
Not a good thing, the ice helps prevent evaporation of the water in the winter

Toronto Sportsmen's Show

Toronto Sportsmen's Show
March 14 - 18, 2012
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
http://bit.ly/zdiOaF
A sign that summer is coming 

The Midland Free Press's compilation of fun stuff to do on family day in Huronia

The Midland Free Press's compilation of fun stuff to do on family day in Huronia
Looks like lots of fun for this long weekend

http://bit.ly/yLbhxo

Winterama a showcase of community spirit

Winterama a showcase of community spirit

64th annual winter carnival runs from Friday to Sunday

Looks like a fun weekend, I have fond memories of Winterama from when I was much younger.

http://bit.ly/yi3sC6

The latest FOCA elert is up on the FOCA website

Information on: 
FOCA A.G.M.
Property Taxes
Lake Partner Program
Cottage Life Spring Show
Reflections on Cottaging
Welcome to Cottage Link Rental Management
Association News
Other News & Links


You can subscribe on the FOCA website


http://bit.ly/ykXU4A

Have you received your 2012 Property Tax bill yet?

Have you received your Property Tax bill yet?  

If not, it will arrive by mail any day now. 

What affects your property tax rate? What should you do if you want to challenge your property's assessed value?

HOT TOPIC: PROPERTY TAXATION

WHAT'S NEW?

February 2012 - Have you received your 2012 (interim) property tax bill by mail yet? If not, it will arrive any day now. Here’s what you need to know about what you pay and why:

Your property taxes are affected by: 

the education tax rate (set by the Province)

the municipal budget (established by your Municipality)

the municipal tax rate (set by your City/Municipality)

your property’s assessed value (determined by MPAC).

What can you do to about your property taxes?

1)    Prevent an increase in your municipal tax rate.

Municipal governments across Ontario are currently formulating and approving their annual budgets. Local spending decisions being made NOW will directly affect your property tax bill. Every property owner and resident should be paying attention.

NOTE: the tax bill you are receiving now is based on an INTERIM rate, but this will change, pending municipal budget decisions. Read more about MUNICIPAL BUDGETS and how to get involved in your local budget-setting process...

2)    Challenge your MPAC assessed value.

It is not too late to appeal the assessment used for 2012. We are in the last year of a 4-year assessment cycle, where assessed values have been phased in equally each year since January 1, 2008. Later this year (likely November 2012), new assessments will be announced by MPAC. These values will be used to calculate your taxes for 2013. FOCA will keep you apprised as information becomes available.

In the meantime, the value to be used  in 2012 can be challenged, if you commence that challenge before March 31, 2012. To do so, you must develop a rationale as to why you believe your property has been overvalued as at January 1, 2008 – NOT what may have transpired since. Read more about submitting a “Request for Reconsideration” to MPAC by March 31, 2012.

More Information on the FOCA Website

http://bit.ly/AxDa7t

A big thank you to the folks at FOCA for the information. 

While you are on their site please sign up for the elert news letter

The Toronto Sportsmen's Show 2012

The Toronto Sportsmen's Show is back on March 14 - 18, 2012
A sure sign that summer is coming. Not sure if I will be able to go this year.
http://bit.ly/zdiOaF