River Oaks Property Prices on the Rise

February 4th, 2012 Comment button No Comments »

River Glen Park

River Oaks continues to be a highly desirable Oakville neighborhood and this past year was no exception. The greatest number of Oakville properties sold was in River Oaks with 348 properties for $166.8 million, comprised of town homes, detached homes, and apartments.

The average detached home in River Oaks sold for $634,000 and took an average of 25 days. The most expensive home was $1,500,000 and the least was $430,000 and took from 1 to 170 days to sell. Detached homes comprised 176 of the properties sold for $113,255,000.

The average price for a town home was $351,000 and sold in 19 days. The most expensive was $592,000 and the least was $270,000 and took as long as 91 days and as little as 1 day. River Oaks town homes comprised 96 properties sold for a total of $33,744,000.

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The Grey Movie Review

February 3rd, 2012 Comment button No Comments »

I often wonder why we’re drawn to stories where groups of people, one-by-one, get picked off by monsters, accidents, or the cruel forces of nature. I’m sure most dramatic theorists would say it’s about catharsis, the feeling of spiritual release brought about by an intense emotional experience. Personally, I think most people just like to say to themselves, “Wow. Glad that wasn’t me.”

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Quick Guide to How Kids Learn and Develop at Every Age

February 2nd, 2012 Comment button No Comments »

Onlookers at the West Oak Trails Park

Being a parent through the ages and stages of childhood is demanding but also rewarding, especially when you see your child flourish. Remember to include “camp” on your best-choice list of places where that happens.

Here’s a quick guide to understand how kids at various ages grow and learn at march break and summer camps.

› Your child age 4 to 6 is a sponge for information. For kids at this stage, camp offers early social experiences that he or she will not have available through any other means. Camp also exposes them to adult leaders other than parents.

› Your child age 7 to 9 is developing their own interests and camp can help him or her explore these interests, though activities such as drama, computer & tech or specific sports. Camp also offers new opportunities to socialize and take on new challenges.

› Your child age 10 to 12 is graduating into adolescence and is torn between being a kid and acting older. Camp offers these tweens/ preteens an outlet to be themselves among their peers. They also meet kids of different backgrounds and abilities; kids this age at camp start to learn tolerance of others.

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Big Turnout at Heartfelt Local Art Exhibit

February 1st, 2012 Comment button No Comments »

Savanna, Sybil Rampen, Sherry & Deborah

Savanna, Sybil Rampen, Sherry & Deborah

Art from the Heart is a provocative exhibition presently displayed at the Joshua Creek Heritage Art Centre in Oakville. The featured artists have all experienced adversity and have incorporated this into their practice, inspiration and art presentations.

A Juried Show of Differently Disabled Artists, the Art from the Heart exhibit is an opportunity for seventeen unsung artists to be recognized. “What if one cannot see and is an artist? What if one cannot move and is an artist?” Courage, challenge and inspiration were the hallmarks of the journey for these “differently abled artists”.

Awe inspiring, this colourful show reaches into the community in a unique and compelling way. It is about art originating from inner spaces not experienced by most people and about the creativity which emerges from such spaces and experiences. “Art from the Heart” focuses on different ways of seeing and experiencing the world, reflected in artwork. It is about awareness, sharing, artistic expression and courage. The reality of each life made visible is a powerful tool.

Related: Click here to view more photos of this event.

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Inside the Development of the Musical Mind

January 31st, 2012 Comment button No Comments »

Dr. Laurel Trainor

Dr. Laurel Trainor

Even the brains of infants can effectively process music. Earlier this month, the Canadian Federation of University Women – Oakville learned all about it.

Dr. Laurel Trainor, PhD, of McMaster University, discussed the topic at the CFUW-Oakville’s most recent general meeting held at the Operating Engineers Banquet and Conference Centre.

“We learn the musical system of our culture just like we learn the language of our culture,” said Trainor. “And we don’t actually need any formal training to do that.”

Trainor, a musician herself, has had a long interest in both music and science.

“I guess I was always conflicted between whether I wanted to be a musician or a scientist.”

She began her career in physics, switched to music and then decided on psychology and neuroscience, where she could mix both her passions. She also plays the flute with Hamilton’s Symphony on the Bay.

Trainor built her speech on a foundation of three main topics: what infants and young children know about musical structure, the effect of musical training on the brain and the age that the benefits of music can be seen.

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