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FEBRUARY 2018

HOME & L I F E &S LIFESTYLE T Y L E M MAGAZINE AGAZINE HOME

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February 2018

PUBLISHED BY

Rainmaker Realty Inc. King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine is published monthly and delivered to over 7500 homes and businesses in King Township by Canada Post. Agreement #41362062.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to publish this magazine as accurately as possible; however errors and omissions can occur. King Living Home & Lifestyle Magazine’s employees, agents, representatives and vendors are not liable for any damages relating to errors or omissions in the editorials or advertising which may appear herein except where a specific charge has been made.

KOLTS provides a safe, engaging learning environment for kids across York Region.

7 "Friends" with a shared

love of learning in the great outdoors

5 Classic French Bouillabaisse

11 Moving? How to find

the right neighbourhood.

Family Day

Monday, February 19

King Township Secondary Students Art Exhibit

March 1 - 30 King Heritage & Cultural Centre Tuesday's - Saturday's, 10am - 4pm Opening reception on March 1st ArtsSocietyKing.ca

King Township Historical Society Annual General Meeting

Monday, March 5 King Heritage & Cultural Centre 12pm - 4pm kingtownshiphistoricalsociety.com

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Maple Syrupfest

Saturday, March 10 Cold Creek Conservation Area 10am - 2pm king.ca

March Break Drop-in Art Club

March 12 - 16 King Heritage & Cultural Centre Ages 6-12. $7 per child. kingmuseum@king.ca

Dufferin Marsh Lantern Walk & Bonfire to celebrate Earth Hour Saturday, March 24 8:30pm - 9:30 pm dufferinmarsh.ca

Schomberg Skating Club Friends & Family Skate Tuesday, March 27 Trisan Centre 5:40 - 6:25pm schombergskatingclub.ca

Easter

Sunday, April 1

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Travelling somewhere warm? Don't bring Zika home. With families across Canada busy planning sunny holiday vacations to beat the winter blues, it's a good time to take some precautions for safe travels.

herever you plan to visit, make sure you don't bring home any unwanted souvenirs, such as the Zika virus. The Zika virus is found in many regions of the world, and it likes to travel. There have been cases of Zika reported in Canada among travellers who were infected with the disease while vacationing in countries with ongoing outbreaks. While the virus poses little risk to most people, those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should know that a Zika virus infection could result in serious birth defects in the developing fetus.

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The Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito, but it can also be transmitted through unprotected sexual contact or from an infected pregnant woman to their developing fetus. That's why pregnant couples and those planning a pregnancy within six months should avoid travel to areas where Zika is present. Women planning to become pregnant who have recently visited an area reporting Zika cases are advised by the Public Health Agency of Canada to wait at least two months before trying to conceive. This will ensure that if they were infected during travel, the Zika virus has cleared the body before conception. Men are encouraged to wait six months after returning from a Zika-affected area before planning for a pregnancy, because studies have shown that the virus can survive in semen for up to six months.

This is especially important because most people who are infected do not show symptoms. The best way to avoid Zika-related pregnancy complications is to wait before trying to get pregnant. If you are pregnant and you or your partner have travelled to a Zika-affected area, it is recommended that you use condoms correctly or avoid having sex for the duration of the pregnancy. The best way to prevent Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites. Make sure to pack insect repellent and long-sleeved shirts and pants to protect against mosquito bites during daytime and evening hours. You can also check the Government of Canada's travel health notices for more information on travel-related health threats such as Zika. Find more information online at canada. ca/zika-virus. www.newscanada.ca

Classic

FRENCH BOUILLABAISSE

ouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille. Use several different fresh fish and seafood varieties. My favourites are a combination of fish and shellfish. Don’t forget to serve a good hunk of crusty bread along side!

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

FOR THE SOUP BASE

• Heat the olive oil in a large pot over med heat. Add the onion, sauté until just beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute. Add the anchovies, cook for 30 seconds or so. Add the carrots, peppers and jalapeno pepper, cook for a few minutes. Add the zucchini and mushrooms, cook until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the bay leaf, red pepper flakes, orange peel, fennel and thyme, stir.

• 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 yellow onions, chopped into small dice • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 4 anchovies, finely chopped or 1 tsp (5 ml) anchovy paste • 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced small • 1 yellow pepper, diced small • 1 red pepper, diced small • 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped • 1 small zucchini, diced small • 4 medium white mushrooms, diced small • 1 bay leaf • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes • 3 strips of orange peel (use a veg peeler) • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds • 1/2 tsp dried thyme • 1 (14 oz/398 mL) can tomatoes, chopped finely • 1 675-750 mL bottle of strained tomatoes • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into half-inch cubes or 12 baby potatoes, halved or quartered • 1 1/3 cups (325 mL) dry white wine • 1/2 cup chopped parsley • Salt and pepper to taste FOR THE FISH

• 2 lbs combination of skinless cod and salmon, cut into 2-inch chunks • 1-2 lbs of mixed seafood, mussels, clams, shrimps, scallops • Onion-salt and freshly ground pepper • Olive oil for the fish

• Add both types of tomatoes, bring to a boil, turn the heat to low. Add the potatoes, cover and cook for 15 minutes. • Add 4 cups (1000 mL) water and the wine, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer UNCOVERED for another 20-30 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Remove the bay leaf and orange peel. At this point the soup base can be frozen. Defrost and bring back to a boil before continuing with the next step. • Let the fish and seafood sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before adding to the hot soup. Season the fish and seafood well with onion-salt, pepper and olive oil, add to the pot along with the parsley and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the fish pieces flake. Do not overcook or stir too roughly. • Season with salt and pepper and serve with a good hunk of crusty bread.

CAROLYN COHEN BA, BScOT Founder/Chef/Recipe Developer DELICIOUSDISH Cooking School specializes in Whole Food Home Cooking, Meal Panning, Recipe Developing and Healthy Eating. D: 416.200.3522

E: deliciousdish@rogers.com DeliciousDish.ca

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Realtor-approved tips for buying or selling a home Whether you're a millennial buying your first home or a boomer downsizing, entering the housing market can be stressful and challenging. To make the process smoother, here are five helpful tips that Realtors use from the Ontario Real Estate Association.

when selling a home, decorate and choose furniture to create multifunctional spaces. For instance, kids' bedrooms can be reimagined as guest rooms or home offices.

Consider winter Many people flock to buy or sell in the spring and summer when the Understand industry lingo weather is warmer, but entering From the Buyer Representation the market during the winter has Agreement to the Agreement of its advantages. As a buyer, you'll Purchase and Sale, there are a have less competition and may be number of legal documents with able to negotiate a better deal. As technical names that you need to a seller, there may be fewer propknow. Work together with your erties on the market, which can Realtor to make sure you under- help your home stand out; also stand these documents and what you'll attract more serious buyers to expect throughout the process for viewings since house hunting of buying or selling. is more of an effort when it's cold and snowy outside. Think outside the box If you're looking for a new home, Get your plans in order don't limit yourself with a strict Having a well-thought-out plan is checklist of must-have features. Try a must for both buyers and sellers. to be flexible because you might Planning ensures a seamless transfind that your dream property action once an offer is made and isn't exactly what you imagined. accepted. For sellers, this means For example, a larger home isn't making sure each homeowner necessarily better, since a great listed on the deed is in agreement layout and the right combination of to sell and that a move-out date has rooms and storage space can have been arranged for tenants (if you a big impact on the comfort and have them). For buyers, it's wise to flow of everyday living. Similarly, have your mortgage pre-approved

... entering the market during the winter has its advantages. As a buyer, you'll have less competition and may be able to negotiate a better deal. As a seller, there may be fewer properties on the market, which can help your home stand out.

and a home inspector chosen, this way you'll have your finances and someone who can evaluate the property ready for closing.

Stage the interior Sellers should stage their homes to attract greater interest. By focusing on curb appeal, decluttering and making sure the home is well lit, your property will stand out to potential buyers. On the flipside, if you're shopping for a home and the seller hasn't put any effort into staging, a Realtor can help you cut through the clutter to envision the home's full potential. For more information about buying or selling a home visit www.orea.com. www.newscanada.ca

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"Friends" with a shared love of learning in the great outdoors

he King Observation Laboratory With the funding, KOLTS will revitalize Teaching School, or “KOLTS,” is set its playground into natural and sustainable against a breathtaking backdrop of “playscapes,” where children can run, bike meadows, forests and wetlands in the heart and explore nature. Community garden of the Oak Ridges Moraine at Seneca's King beds of fruits and vegetables will illustrate Campus. KOLTS is home to students in the growth cycle of food, while inspiring the Early Childhood Education diploma healthy eating at an early age. The new and bachelor’s degree programs and additions will be constructed by Environprovides them the opportunity to teach ment Landscape Management students. toddlers and pre-schoolers in a “forest “When children play in nature, school” setting. Programming at the forest something magical occurs,” says Fran school focuses on land stewardship and DeFilippis, Professor, Seneca’s School of appreciation for the great outdoors. Early Childhood Education. “Resiliency TD Friends of the Environment Foun- capacity and selfregulation increases; dation recently recognized the impor- vital physical attributes such as coorditance of this program with a donation to nation, balance and agility improve and support infrastructure and curriculum risk taking is encouraged.” development. The funding will also support the “We are thrilled to support this endeavour development of programming at the through our TD Common Ground initia- forest school, where children and Seneca tive,” says Carolyn Scotchmer, Acting students spend time in the forest terrain Executive Director of TD Friends of the as part of their learning experiences. The Environment Foundation. “Green spaces children at KOLTS are encouraged to are where communities come together to engage in activities, such as balancing meet, talk and play and where people find on logs, climbing trees, studying animals common ground and connect.” and observing local fauna.

KOLTS provides a safe, engaging learning environment for kids across York Region. The forest school model moves away from a traditional classroom to a barrier-free environment that promotes community-building skills, such as problem solving, negotiation and emotional support. Through repeated exposure to the forest, children discover, explore and build intimate connections with the land that leads to their understanding of environmental stewardship. “At TD, our goal is to make a lasting impact through our contributions,” says Carolyn. “We know this revitalization project will serve to enrich each child’s experience at KOLTS, providing them with enhanced care, education and environmental knowledge.” This is not the first time TD Bank Financial Group has supported King Campus. In 2016, TD provided support for the capital funding for the infrastructure expansion at King Campus, now known as Magna Hall. ■

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TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen

$2 ,9

50 ,8 88

168 OXFORD ST., RICHMOND HILL

Beautiful custom built home with exceptional attention to detail. Featuring Cortina custom kitchen, vanities, family room and mud room built-ins with quartz counter tops throughout. High-end appliances, faucets and fixtures. Soaring 10-foot ceilings on the main level. Fully finished walk up basement with 9-foot ceilings. The quality of upgrades and craftsmanship in this home must be seen to be fully appreciated!

*The top one percent of the Royal LePage residential sales force for 2016

TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen

$1 ,5

88 ,0 00

137 DENNISON ST., KING CITY

Completely renovated and fully landscaped on 100 X 217 Ft lot, in the heart of King City. Ready to move in, Close to schools, trails, shopping, GO transit.

3140 18TH SIDEROAD, KING

Sprawling ranch bungalow on 6.75 acres together with oversized Barn/Storage/Workshop, pond, hot tub, Gazebo. Zoned Agriculture/ Farm (lower taxes) close to HWY 400. Must be seen to be appreciated call us to book your private tour of this magnificent property.

Joseph Cartaginese Broker

Paula Perri Broker

Stephen Ferritto Sales Representative

Domenic Spina Sales Representative

Jamie Goldenberg Sales Representative

Chris Campoli Sales Representative

Christine Field Sales Representative

Palma Dametto Sales Representative

MOVING? HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT NEIGHBOURHOOD

DID YOU KNOW? The 2016 Census of Population Program offers a wide range of analysis, data, reference and geographical information according to topics (subjects) that paint a portrait of Canada and its population. Topics include: Age and sex, education, families, households and marital status, housing, immigration and ethnocultural diversity, income, journey to work, labour, language, language of work, mobility and migration, population and dwelling counts, and type of dwelling.

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The search for the perfect house begins with the search for the perfect neighbourhood, which can be daunting. Searching for something so open-ended and with so many variables can be an overwhelming task, but it doesn't have to be. You just have to know where to start your search and where you can take it from there. Get ready to find that dream neighbourhood. Search yourself You can't really know what to look for in a neighbourhood until you know exactly what you want. Make a list, take your time. Write down the things that really matter to you. Decide priorities. Order your list from most to least important. Moving in with your partner? Have them do the same, and see where your priorities line up and where you diverge. Search the streets Don't underestimate the importance of this step. You really can't know a neighbourhood until you've walked its streets at several

different times of day. Get a feel for the level of traffic and noise, decide if you're okay with it. See how the streets feel. Are they lit enough at night? Would it be nice to go for a run through your neighbourhood? Make sure you visit each of your candidate neighbourhoods. Search the stats While you hunt at street level, make sure you take your research to a bird's-eye view at the same time. You would be amazed at the kinds of things you can learn about a neighbourhood just from its census data. How old are people there? How many kids are in the neighbourhood? How many people are home owners? How much are the average monthly costs to live there? What languages are spoken in the neighbourhood? Combine your research with your street-level hunting and you'll soon find yourself walking through the perfect neighbourhood for you and your family. Find more information at statcan.gc.ca/census. www.newscanada.ca

TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen

born, raised & work in king

Tips for last-minute RSP contributions Looking to make a last minute contribution to a Registered Savings Plan (RSP)? Here are some expert tips for maximizing your contribution before it's too late. For many of us, the deadline for Registered Savings Plan contributions is a source of unwanted stress. But personal finance experts say that the deadline is no reason to be intimidated — even if you haven't been making regular contributions, you can still make a difference in your retirement plan. “While it is much better to have a personalized financial plan with regular contributions to an RSP over a longer term, making a last-minute RSP contribution is still a step in the right direction,” explains Wade Stayzer, vice president of sales and service at Meridian, Ontario's largest credit union. “Additionally, taking the opportunity to set up a preauthorized contribution that allows you to invest smaller amounts on a regular basis will save you a lot of stress in the future.”

Get going now Many financial institutions will have extended hours to meet the needs of last-minute contributors, but don't wait until the last minute – make an appointment as soon as possible. You can also consider phone or online banking. No matter how you chose to contribute, you'll need your account information and social insurance number. Don't over-contribute Due to contribution limits, be sure to only invest your allowable amount, as over-contributions are subject to tax penalties. You can find your current limit on your most recent Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency.

Get a short-term plan Most last-minute contributors park their money for the shortHere are some tips for maxi- term and then decide later where mizing your last-minute RSP to invest for the long haul. Working contributions. with a trusted financial advisor

Due to contribution limits, be sure to only invest your allowable amount, as overcontributions are subject to tax penalties.

can help you choose the best option given your circumstances.

Plan ahead Make next RSP season less stressful and set up a pre-authorized c ont r ibut i on now. While the deadline for contributing to an RSP is the same every year, you might not be able to make your maximum contribution in one lump sum. Creating a pre-authorized plan allows you to invest regularly through smaller contributions on a weekly or monthly basis, meaning you can start saving for your dream retirement automatically. Find more information at www.meridiancu.ca. www.newscanada.ca

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Photography

CONTEST WINNER Photo by

Silva Djarahyan Location

King City

Happy Dog Tale s

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TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen 17 CREEKVIEW AVE., RICHMOND HILL

Custom built home with exquisite high-end finishes throughout! Chef's kitchen with s/s appliances, massive breakfast area, island, servery and pantry with walkthrough to dining room. Hardwood floors throughout main & 2nd floors, 10ft ceilings on main, 9ft ceilings on 2nd floor & bsmt, and all bedrooms have their own ensuites! The quality of upgrades and craftsmanship in this home must be seen to be fully appreciated!

*The top one percent of the Royal LePage residential sales force for 2016

KING MARKET REPORT 2017 proved to be a record year. Achieving the highest historical sale prices in King, with 3 of our 5 communities reaching over 20% increases in Median price. The overall unit sales were down 15.8% year over year. This is an interesting stat, considering the market frenzy of 2017. This demonstrates that there is a low supply of inventory in King and a high demand for families wanting to make King their home. 2018 will be interesting for King, but I am confident that King will outperform the GTA market.

$2,000,000

105

2017

2016

2017

KING CITY

2016

NOBLETON

$925,000

$787,000

$250,000

2017

SCHOMBERG

2016

2017

POTTAGEVILLE

2016

$1,394,000

TOTAL SALES

$870,000

$1,520,000

TOTAL SALES

$1,260,000

$1,389,000

TOTAL SALES

$1,272,000

172

$1,000,000

$500,000

TOTAL SALES

$1,250,000

$750,000

TOTAL SALES

$1,389,000

MEDIAN PRICE

145

$1,105,000

$1,750,000 $1,500,000

TOTAL SALES

2017

RURAL KING

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TheRainMakerTeam.com

we make “sold” happen