Uxbridge, ON

They say "LOVE" conquers all!! That it refers to a myriad of feelings, ranging from generic pleasure to intense attraction. Because of the diversity in the uses and meaning of "LOVE" it is hard to define.

"LOVE"

as defined by our own local talent is the central theme for the 18th Annual Uxperience.

"Uxperience" is all set to take you on a musical journey of "love" through the ages as local celebrities perform numbers by Shakespeare, Gene Kelly, The Supremes, Elvis, and Abba just to name a few with numbers such as "Dancing Cheek to Cheek", "Through the Grapevine", "Rent", "Dirty Dancing", and The Chapel Of Love". In keeping with tradition they will be performing a black light number, this year featuring "Kiss The Girl", from the Disney Movie"The Little Mermaid"

This year they have chosen to donate the proceeds to the Uxbridge Cottage Hospital for a state of the art therapeutic bath, and to Windreach Farms, who offer equestrian opportunities for those living with physical or psychological challenges.

Venue

Uxperiece this year, will offer, for the first time ever, reserved seating as they have relocated to the Uxbridge Music Hall to honour the talented, long standing, humourous hard working volunteer group that makes up the cast and crew.

Show Times

April 30th, May 1st, and 2nd 7:30 pm
Matinee performance May 2nd at 3:00 pm

Tickets can be purchased in advance @ Presents Presents or @ the Music Hall Box Office 1/2 hour before show times.

Children (under 12) $10.00
Adults $18.00

Group Rates available through Michael Bridgeman @ 905-852-1836

Numbers are a very big part of our life."Kate" Elim posted about numbers in her post on points 77,777 Blogging Points and I couldn't help but think how much of our lives are "Ruled BY Numbers"

Numbers That Rule Us

1. We are judged by and judge others by their numbers
   
2. We are tracked and traced by numbers
3. We are measured by numbers
4. We are kept in line by numbers
5. We are held accountable by numbers
6. We watch our weight by numbers
7. We measure our worth in numbers
8. We measure our success in numbers
9. We count our age in numbers
10. We measure our competitive position by numbers
    

For some its all about the numbers

1. The number of points they have here on AR
2. The number of comments they receive on a post
   
3. The number of followers they have on Twitter
4. The number of friends they have on facebook
5. The number of listing presentation they need to make to get a listing
6. The number of listings they need to meet their goals
7. The number of deals they have in a year
8. The number of dollars each deal earns
9. The number of dollars each deal costs
10. The number of dollars they have to pay in taxes

Who would we be with out numbers

1. would we be ageless
2. would we be childless
3. would we be rich
4. would we be poor
5. would we be successful
6. would we be a failure
7. would we be over weight
8. would we be under weight
9. would we be less competitive
10. would we be more compassionate

We tend to let the numbers become the focus and stop thinking about what is behind the numbers, the people, the event, the issue. We forget who we are, could or should be. We focus on the numbers and we measure

Your Invitation to once again enjoy the popular Fridays at the Foster as it returns for the 09 season.

The season starts Friday May the 1st with the Students of Jane Loewen performing Broadway, Classical & other songs with Jane accompanying on the piano.7:30 - 8:30 pm.

The Thomas Foster Memorial is a striking contrast to the surrounding rolling farm lands. Inspired by the Taj Mahal in India and Christian Byzantine churches it was built as a resting place for Fosters wife and daughter.

The Foster Memorial itself is worthy of the visit even with out the music. This wonderful unique treasure of byzantine design is located approx 4 km north of Uxbridge on Durham 1. The solid copper roof has leaded stained glass windows. The doors are constructed of solid brass again with stained glass windows. The floor and ceiling are covered with marble mosaics with inlaid symbols There is a marble alter and the columns supporting the great arches are also marble with devon stone capitals. The structure itself is octagon in shape and built of Indiana limestone with a great central dome.

Foster was born July 24th, 1825, in Lambton Mills but was raised in the former Scott Township (now part of Uxbridge) where the family moved after his mothers passing where his father ran the Hotel in the Hamlet of Leaskdale. Later in life he would become a butcher in cabbage town, (Toronto) and serve as the Mayor of Toronto from 1925 to 1927 in addition to being elected as an MP.

For more information about Thomas foster visit Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia

At the dedication of the Memorial Thomas told the gathering present --

"success is determined, not by financial worth, but rather if the world became a better place because that person passed through it."

May 1 Students of Jane Loewen - Singing Will perform Broadway, Classical & other songs with Jane accompanying on the piano. Jane is a Singer, Teacher & RCM voice examiner.

May 8 Maneli Jamal - Guitar Maneli has mastered the virtuosic style, with a mix of classical, Flamenco, percussive playing & composes unique movements far outside the traditional song writing.

May 15 Joanne Shaw - Singing/Guitar Joanne has a warm & sincere vocal style with her songs running a course from folk to country with hints of jazz & blues. She writes songs with a maturity that befits her experience. Her music still retains enthusiasm & freshness.

May 22 Now & Then - Singing Rick Hannah & Larry Barnett with their vocal harmonies with 40 years experience. Rick & Larry also donate their musical talent for charities.

May29 Pine Ridge Chorus - Singing Sweet Adeline Chapter singing barbershop-style harmony. A chorus of women who have been very successful in the competitions in Syracuse. June 5 David Barrett – Guitar David has performed & collaborated with some of the best-known musicians & bands & continues to compose, produce & perform solo guitar in Canada & the U.S. June 1

2 Nancy Hall - Guitar/singing A pure voice that holds the audience with her exceptional ability to keep you entertained & your toes tapping with the music.

June 19 Lawrence Cotton - Singing Lawrence is a professional Opera/Musical theatre singer & actor. A ballad lover whose music is tuneful with deep rhythmic grounding.

June 26 Cynthia Nidd & Jane Plewman - Violin Cynthia has been teaching classical violin and fiddle techniques for over 20 years. Jane is also a local Suzuki Teacher in both violin and cello and is a member of Durham, Ont. Americas Suzuki Association. July 3 – Erwin Schack – Guitar Erwin is a local finger-style Guitarist, who performs pieces by Bruce Cockburn, Don Ross, Preston Reed, and more.

July 10 Maneli Jamal - Guitar He has mastered the virtuosic style, with a mix of classical, flamenco & percussive playing & composes unique movements for outside the traditional song writing.

July 17 Marie Lynn Hammond/Brian O’Sullivan - Marie-Lynn is a Canadian singer whose voice & style stand out prominently. Brian has studied voice & guitar at the Royal Conservatory & York Univ. & performs folk, jazz & Celtic music.

July 24 Jane Loewen - Singer Jane sings a mixed program of Broadway, Jazz and Classical favourites. She is an experienced performer with degrees in voice from the Royal Conservatory of Music & Univ. of Toronto. July 31 Marie Lynn Hammond, Trio Kathy Kay on Flute, Brian on Guitar Marie-Lynn & Brian are a duo that keeps the audience entertained with their exceptional musical style complimenting each other. Kathy Kay is classically trained & has adapted to improvisation in folk, pop, jazz idioms.

Aug.7 Chris Saunders – Guitar Chris is a well-known local musician whose main love is acoustic finger-style guitar. He has played in many local theatre productions & concerts.

Aug 14 T3 – Variety show. Jamie Wagg & Kristen Mathews with their young adult group will perform compilations of songs & excerpts from famous Musicals.

Aug 21 Mike Thompson - Guitar Mike paints a vivid passion-filled song-story, while accompanying himself on a guitar, harmonica, dobra, & slide guitar. He also plays pedal steel, lap steel & mandolin.

Aug 28 Erwin Schack - Guitar Erwin is a local finger-style Guitarist who performs pieces by Bruce Cockburn, Don Ross Preston Reed & more. Sept. 4 Kim Brown - Singer Acoustic Guitar – Alternative Folk Music. Kim has been performing at Toronto concerts & the club scene & recording her popular CD’s of her favourite songs.

Sept 11, Uxbridge Harpers - Gwyneth Reid, Susan Montreuil The sound of the harps under the roof of the Foster is absolutely lovely as they play soft & soothing melodies & Celtic tunes.

Sept. 18 Jane Loewen - Singer Jane has been active in the local music scene as a singer, pianist & music director. Jane will sing a mixed program of Broadway, Jazz, & Classical favourites.

Sept. 25 Maneli Jamal - Maneli mastered the virtuosic style, with a mix of classical, flamenco, percussive playing & composes unique movements outside of the traditional song writing. Oct 2 Poor Tom – Guitars/ Singing Wanda Stride & Susan Luke produce acoustic original Celtic (East coast) Music. A musical journey through harmony, vocals, fiddle, piano, mandolin, accordion, tin whistle and guitar.

Oct 9 Nancy Hall - Singer A pure voice that holds the audience & with her exceptional ability to keep her audience entertained everyone enjoys the wide variety of music Nancy performs.

Oct. 16- Maneli Jamal - Guitarist Maneli mastered the virtuosic style, with a mix of classical flamenco, percussive playing & composes unique movements for outside the traditional song writing. Oct 23 Brian O’Sullivan & Kathy Kay – Guitar/ Flute Brian has studied voice & guitar at the Royal Conservatory & York Univ. Kathy is classically trained & has readily adapted to improvisation in Folk, Pop & Jazz idioms. Both Brian & Kathy have performed extensively for many different functions.

An estimated 6 million plus Canadians were expected to join over 1 billion people world wide today to stage events and projects that look at a wide range of environmental issues.

In Ontario The Ministry of Energy recently announced The Ontario home energy audit and retrofit program to encourage homeowners to save energy and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These two programs provide homeowners with up to $150 towards the cost of a home energy audit and rebates of up to $10,000 (50 per cent paid by the province and 50 per cent paid by the federal government ecoENERGY Retrofit – Homes Program) for retrofits that address the energy issues identified in the audit.

In addition, under the proposed federal Home Renovation Tax Credit – (HRTC), you can claim a non-refundable tax credit on your 2009 income tax return based on eligible expenditures incurred for work performed or goods acquired after January 27, 2009, and before February 1, 2010. The HRTC applies to eligible expenditures exceeding $1,000 and up to $10,000, resulting in a maximum credit of $1,350 [($10,000 - $1,000) x 15%

Under the Ontario program, homeowners can receive up to 50 per cent (up to $150) of the energy audit cost. Homeowners who complete any or all of the suggested upgrades identified in the energy audit qualify for the combined federal and provincial rebates of up to $10,000. As well, under Ontario’s proposed Green Energy Act, homeowners will be required to complete home energy audits prior to sale of homes.

While Earth day is today April 22 there is a world of resources out there to help encourage an ongoing effort to clean up our planet such as Pitch In Canada or for the Top Ten Earth Day Movies visit Kaboose.

The list of resources goes on and on so Come on Canada keep the initiative going.

I was cleaning out my inbox and came acroos this and thought it was worth repeating

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitchhiking.

As infants &children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren't overweight because,

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day.And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD's, no surround-sound or CD's, no cell phones, no personal computer! s, no Internet or chat rooms.......

WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not poke out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good .

While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!