Gary Zalepa Jr. - Blog

Home Prices Edge Higher in January

gary.zalepajr@century21.ca — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

OTTAWA – February 6th, 2012 The MLS® Home Price Index rebounded in January following monthly declines in each of the two previous months, according to statistics released today by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

The MLS® HPI is designed to be a reliable, consistent, detailed, and timely way of gauging home price trends. It is calculated each month and covers five major housing markets: Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Calgary, Greater Toronto, and Greater Montreal, with additional markets to come. It is generated and published under agreements between The Canadian Real Estate Association, the five boards listed above, and Altus Group.

Please visit – www.homepriceindex.ca

Here is the composite for the GTA Housing Price Index charted.

Ad you can see the rate of increase has decelerated heading into 2012.

Arts & Blooms

gary.zalepajr@century21.ca — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

RiverBrink Art Museum and the Garden Club of Niagara

Celebrate Autumn with ART & BLOOMS,

a Special Exhibition on October 21, 22 and 23

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario. From Friday October 21st through Sunday October 23rd, a special partnership between RiverBrink Art Museum and the Garden Club of Niagara will present ART & BLOOMS, a three day exhibition showcasing the internationally known RiverBrink Art Collection and the extraordinary talents of members of the Garden Club of Niagara. Just as artists interpret the world around them with mediums such as paint or bronze, members of the Garden Club of Niagara have been invited to artistically interpret works of art selected from RiverBrink's permanent collection, using flowers as their medium. Each floral design will be displayed next to the artwork that inspired it. Visitors will be able to "vote" for their favourite art / floral collaborations by purchasing tickets to be deposited in "ballot boxes" next to each display, with a tally of votes at noon on Sunday to designate the Visitors' Choice. The winning design team will receive one-year complimentaryRiverBrinkArt Museum memberships.

RiverBrink Board Member and Art & Blooms committee member Sandra Lawrence notes “Museums around the world have mounted exhibitions featuring floral interpretations of their collections, but I believe this is a first for Niagara. I am especially indebted to Garden Club of Niagara (GCN) president Diane Hockey of St Catharines, and to GCN members Lillie Haworth ( from Grimsby) and Barbara Bedell (from Niagara on the Lake), who have worked directly with the floral design teams. The results of our partnership will provide a unique and wonderful visual experience for visitors.”

Exhibition hours will be from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on October 21, 22 and 23. Admission for the general public is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and students, free for accompanied children under twelve. (RiverBrink and Garden Club members, free.)

Two special events are planned to complement this unique exhibition.

On Friday evening, October 21^st at 7:00pm popular speaker Joan Draper will present an illustrated lecture titled "Sissinghurst: History of the Property and Evolution of the Famous Garden." Sissinghurst's garden was created in the 1930s by Vita Sackville-West, poet and gardening writer, and her husband Harold Nicolson, author and diplomat. Sissinghurst's garden is one of the best-loved in the whole of theUnited Kingdom, drawing visitors from all over the world. Admission for this Friday evening lecture is $15.00; (RiverBrink and Garden Club Members, $10.00.) Advance registration highly recommended. For registration, please call the museum at 905-262-4510.

On Saturday afternoon, October 22^nd at 2:00pm, a floral arranging workshop with local floral designer Hilary Bellis of "It Can Be Arranged" will guide participants in making their own floral centerpieces. Participants will create a long lasting winter arrangement that can be refreshed with minimal up keep for the winter season. The workshop fee covers all materials, including the container, evergreens for a base arrangement with accents of fresh roses and berries and branches. Each person will go home with a completed project. Workshop fee: $50.00. Advance registration is required. Please register at the museum by phone (905-262-4510) or in person. Fee payable at time of registration. Mastercard and Visa accepted.

RiverBrinkArt Museumis located at116 Queenston Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake (on theNiagara Parkwayhalfway betweenNiagara Fallsand “OldTown” Niagara-on-the-Lake).

For more information on RiverBrinkArt Museumvisit its websiteat www.riverbrink.org

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Media Contact: Brian Kremen, Director of Marketing & Development

RiverBrink Art Museum

Email: bkremen@riverbrink.org

Ph. 905 262 4510

Fax. 905 262 4477

A Remembrance Day Event sponsored by Walker Poole Nixon LLP

gary.zalepajr@century21.ca — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Featuring special guest speaker Professor Emeritus Desmond Morton

Walker Poole Nixon LLP cordially invites you to a Remembrance Day Dinner featuring a talk by renowned historian, Professor Emeritus Desmond Morton of McGill University. Professor Morton will be discussing the role of Canada in the First World War in honour of Remembrance Day.

Wednesday 9 November 2011
Drinks at 5:30pm; dinner at 6:30pm
The University Club
380 University Ave.
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 1R6

Price: $150. Tickets include cocktails, wine and dinner.

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to hear this eminent historian speak. All net proceeds will be donated to Willowbank School of Restoration Arts and charitable tax receipts will be issued for the net proceeds. Tickets are limited, so please register early.

To book tickets click here

If you would like more information, contact Charlene Abergel at 416 225 5160 ext 225 or cabergel@wpnlaw.com.

http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=3477e7a3298752db9b9ee1c59&id=b502e9fcfa&e=6d2cd0d002 to view online invitation

Lecture Series at RiverBrink Art Museum, Queenston

gary.zalepajr@century21.ca — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

RiverBrink Art Museum Lecture Series Presents

“Charles Pachter on In Search Of Simcoe”

Sunday, October 16^th at 2:00 pm

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ontario. On Sunday afternoon, October 16^th at 2:00 pm, well-known Canadian artist Charles Patcher will present his contemporary take on John Graves Simcoe and his pivotal role in the resettling of Loyalists from the American colonies in Upper Canada following the American War of Independence. Pachter’s lecture will set the stage for our next season of exhibitions and programming, “RiverBrink’s War of 1812,” opening in May 2012.

In his bold series of narrative paintings, Pachter has examined the turbulent years leading up to and following the American Revolution that led to the flight of thousands of displaced Loyalists in the 1780s and 1790s. Their resettlement and the resulting creation of Upper Canada under the stewardship of John Graves Simcoe are themes which Pachter has re-interpreted from his own contemporary perspective.

Well-known Canadian artist Charles Pachter has produced countless paintings, sculptures and prints referencing Canadian history, culture and personalities. His often humorous, iconic images of diverse subjects such as hockey players, the Canadian flag, the moose, and Queen Elizabeth, are infused with a pop art sensibility. Pachter’s work can be found in numerous public and private collections in Canada and abroad. Familiar motifs include Pachter’s installation at the College St. subway station in Toronto and life-sized sculptures of moose at Toronto City Hall and on the campus of the University of Toronto. The artist has also illustrated books, collaborating with writer Margaret Atwood, for instance, to illustrate The Journals of Susannah Moodie.

Born in Toronto, Pachter studied art history at the University of Toronto, French literature at the Sorbonne in Paris and paintings and graphics at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Order of Canada and an Honorary Doctorate from Brock University.

This is the fifth in a series of monthly lectures presented by RiverBrink from June to October. Admission for this Sunday afternoon lecture is $15.00. RiverBrink members receive an additional 10% discount. Following the lecture, refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, so advance registration is advised. For reservations, please contact RiverBrink Art Museum by phone at 905-262-4510 or by email at info@riverbrink.org.

RiverBrink Art Museum is located at 116 Queenston Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake (on the Niagara Parkway halfway between Niagara Falls and “Old Town” Niagara-on-the-Lake). For more information on RiverBrink Art Museum visit its website at www.riverbrink.org