Burlington, ON

[Photo from Starlight Canada's website.]

When I started up my business almost three years ago, I knew at some point I would want to find an organization to support - one that was special to me. I've been looking for quite some time for a charity that would just jump out and "speak to me".

There are SO many wonderful organizations out there so it became tough to choose one, but I finally came across a charity that just felt right for me. That organization is Starlight Children's Foundation. Starlight touches the lives of seriously ill children and their families by providing support and a little break from the pain and fear associated with serious illness while staying in the hospital. As a parent myself, I can't begin to imagine what these families must go through, but I imagine that just seeing their little one smile and forget their problems for an afternoon, is of some comfort.

One of the programs that Starlight offers is Starlight-in-a-Box which provides a fun activity for kids to participate in during their hospital stay. I recently purchased 15 Starlight-in-a-Box kits through their Teddy Bear Hugs Program. Each child will be given a teddy bear that requires some simple sewing skills in order to put him together. Also included in the kits are an activity book and markers. What I also really liked about this particular program was that I could choose the hospital that would receive these kits. That wasn't a hard decision as I wanted to support my local community, so I chose Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario.

I'll be honest. When I started looking for a charity to support, part of my motivation was to help promote my business, but it became so much more. What I didn't count on was how it would make me feel in the process. When I picture those kids having a bit of fun and forgetting their troubles for a little while, it makes me feel so good.

The old cliche 'It's better to give than receive' couldn't be more true. I should have done this a long time ago. Will this help my business? Probably not, and quite honestly, that has become irrelevant. I just wish I could see the looks on those kids faces when they create their teddy bears. But then again, maybe its best I don't because I'm sure I'd cry :-).

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Dezigner Digz is a professional home staging and interior decorating company located in Burlington, Ontario. The Owner, Charlene Storozuk is a member of the Real Estate Staging Association and currently serves as RESA's Regional Vice-President, Canada. For more information on Dezigner Digz, visit our website at www.dezignerdigz.com

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• January Market update for Burlington Hamilton:

  December 478 units have been sold. A estimated decrease of 27% from last year. For 2008 we were down in sales approximately 12.7%. The average price of residential properties were $ 255,000. Condos have held up wll with a slightly lower decrease. The average price was approximately$ 179,000.The first quarter is expected to be tough, and many sellers are listing their propertys based on fall statistics, not recognizing these prices were set before the " meltdown" . The U.S and Canada are poised for major spending which hopefully will kick start the ecomony which especially in the manufacturing sector has grinded to a halt.

  The Postive is it is a good time to purchase with low interest rates and more realistic prices on the market . Real Estate is a long term investment, and should be treated as such.

One of the best ways to protect your Condominium Investment is to join the Board of Directors. This position is often overlooked and is of extreme importance. The Condominium Manager takes direction from the Board. Condos have different declarations, rules etc. Generally Boards set the budget which is ratified at a AGM meeting. Unit owners are often not aware of the power a Board has and how much discretion they use.

Often Boards seem to have experience however they can lack common sense. I have seen Boards spend money on " flower bed Maintenance , yet the driveways did not get paved. Just as in life there are wants and needs. Often Condominium Boards will overlook infrastructure repairs and focus on beautifying the complex. Believe me a good looking complex can be tough to sell if the complex require a special assesment to effect the repairs.

If you join the Board and get involved this is an excellent way to protect your investment. If you have no time , then when you receive the proposed budget , review before the Annual General Meeting so you are prepared to make sure the Board is truly representing the voice of the community.

Rising from a cosy bed piled high with wool blankets, a thick quilt and flannelette sheets, I notice the light in the room is different.
As I peek through the slatted blind covering the window nearest the bed, my heart softens to see a white and beautiful world where everything has a muffled tone and peace abounds.
Slowly, slowly a feeling starts to envelop me once more.




It's a familiar feeling and a very welcome, comforting one. The Christmas spirit has found me once more.

I suppose it began the day before when, bundled up in a furry hood and cashmere scarf, I walked to the end of my street to watch the annual Burlington Santa Clause Parade go by.
It had been an unusually cold and brisk day and my fingers had froze in my leather gloves each time I took them out of my pocket to take another picture of a passing float.

Children sat bundled in small chairs with barely a small red nose visible beneath the scratchy scarves that were wrapped around their chubby faces. Parents waved from the sidelines at all the parade participants as they found themselves unable to resist the convivial spirit of the parade and the welcoming in of the Christmas season once more.

Thinking of the blog I wanted to write for my Active Rain real estate website, my attendance at the parade was more utilitarian than something I had really looked forward to doing; however standing near those people who were already well imbibed with Christmas spirit, I found my homesick heart lifting and the odd time I noticed my own arm raising as it waved at the happy souls who manned the floats.

Feeling my heart beginning to swell, I found myself reciting, in my mind, the old familiar Grinch Who Stole Christmas' thoughts about how, perhaps, Christmas does indeed mean more than all the glitter and materialism that bombards us this time of the year.
I imagined he must have felt the same feeling overcome himself that I was now beginning to feel.
It probed at my soft inner core for points of entry, points that hadn't been bolted and locked to keep the outside world safely out.

The parade had ended with Santa himself waving his usual jolly, red-sleeved wave at one and all, and I found myself softly smile in the realization that Christmas goes on, no matter what.

As I walked swiftly home in the stark winter air, I found myself humming the song the Whos had sung on that Christmas morning in Whoville when they had awoken to nothing after having had all of their Christmas preparations taken away by a grizzled old Grinch.

The song was an uplifting one declaring to all that Christmas Day will always go on, just as long as we all have one another. Yes, I quietly thought to myself, it's true.

The Christmas spirit will descend and Christmas will come, just as it has always done, no matter what our life circumstances or the difficult times we are going through.
All we have to do is acknowledge and accept.

Acknowledge and accept that no matter how bad life may appear, or how much stress we are undergoing, things will always turn around and a brighter day will find itself in our midst, gently surrounding us in light and warmth.
Just as long as we have 'we', things will be fine.

We have friends, family and even strangers who seek to know us better. Underneath all of the faces that we find ourselves coming across during this peaceful season, we are all the same.

We each seek love, acceptance and gentleness.
We seek it for ourselves and we long to give it to others, if they will only open up and accept it from us.

This is what the Christmas spirit is all about, it's what it has always been about, and, as long as we have 'we', will always be about.

Wishing you and your loved ones and those who surround you a peaceful holiday season filled with genuine smiles, warm hugs, open hearts and acceptance for one and all.

~Jo

The Headon Forest community is located in north Burlington between Guelph and Walker's Lines and Dundas Street and Upper Middle Road. It has close access to the 407 highway and a short drive to the QEW.

Construction in the community started in the early 1980's and is mainly detached homes with townhomes located close to Walker's Line. Price ranges of the detached homes are from low $300,000 to a high of approximately $450,000.

There is a good choice of grocery stores with Longos at Walker's and Dundas, Price Choppers at Walkers and Upper Middle Rd, Food Basics and Fortinos at Upper Middle Rd and Guelph Line, and No Frills at Dundas and Guelph Line.

MM Robinson High School is at Upper Middle and Guelph Line, however, some students attend Nelson or Lester B Pearson secondary schools. The elementary schools for the area are Clarksdale, CH Norton, Florence Meares and Rolling Meadows. Check with the school board to see which school your child wood attend or go online to Halton School Board.

For Roman Catholic schools, Notre Dame High School is located on Headon Forest close to Dundas and St Timothy is at 2141 Deer Run. Again, check with the school board to make sure where your child would attend school. Check online at the Halton Roman Catholic School Board.

For further information about the Headon Forest Community, call Gail Fabiani at 905-577-0220 or email at gfabiani@cogeco.ca.