More money to fund new skateboard park
April 15, 2009
The money has come through for Bracebridge’s new skateboard park.
Town council recently received news it would be receiving $273,334 in financial assistance to fund the construction of a new skateboard park, which will be located on Chub Downey Lane across from Bracebridge Memorial Arena.
The money is being provided through a Building Canada Fund Contribution Agreement for Infrastructure Projects, with $136,667 coming from the federal government and $136,667 from the province.
Mayor Don Coates made the announcement at a recent Bracebridge town council meeting.
Once constructed, the 8,000-square-foot park will feature a multi-level street skating course and a separate bowl area for youth to use.
The bowl, which is called a peanut bowl for its unique shape, is similar to a swimming pool, with a six-foot deep end and a four-foot shallow end.
The layout will also have numerous elevation changes and features that include rails, steps and a small bridge.
The park’s design depicts it all being slightly set back from the street and landscaped with trees and shrubs, with three paths leading to the park.
Overall, the project is said to cost roughly $370,000.
On April 22, Bracebridge culture and recreation director Leo Broere will bring a report to the town’s general committee, which contains a recommendation on the contractor who will be picked to undertake the project.
“Assuming approvals are granted (later at council), we will award the contract and the contractor will mobilize over the following two to three weeks,” said Broere. “So we should have some action and activity on the property starting somewhere around the 18th of May. Let’s say that by the end of August, we should have skate park.”
Broere added that being an outdoor project, the build schedule is weather dependent.
He didn’t want to say which contractor is being recommended, prior to council getting a look at the report’s recommendation.
April 16, 2009
So you cleansed the body over Lent and now it's time to tackle the home with some good old spring cleaning.
This time round it can cost you a whole lot less if you just open your pantry and utilise a lot of things you already have like baking soda, vinegar, salt and lime juice. And what's great about these items is that they are much safer for you and your family than the store-bought cleaners and chemicals. The world wide web is great so grab your pen, here goes:
For your tiles
Baking Soda and Water (with kosher salt): Dust surfaces with baking soda, and then scrub with a moist sponge or cloth. If you have tougher grime, sprinkle on some kosher salt, and work up some elbow grease.
Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Got stains, mildew or grease streaks? Spray or douse with lemon juice or vinegar. Let sit a few minutes, and then scrub with a stiff brush.
Disinfectant: Instead of bleach, make your own disinfectant by mixing 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. It's easy!
In The Kitchen
The room where food is prepared, stored and often enjoyed requires constant care. Splatters, spills and crumbs can build up and collect out of sight, possibly encouraging harmful bacteria. Give your kitchen a thorough going-over this spring.
Baking Soda and Water: Reclaim counters by sprinkling with baking soda, then scrubbing with a damp cloth or sponge. If you have stains, knead the baking soda and water into a paste and let set for a while before you remove. This method also works great for stainless steel sinks, cutting boards, containers, refrigerators, oven tops and more.
Kosher Salt and Water: If you need a tougher abrasive, sprinkle on kosher salt, and scrub with a wet cloth or sponge.
Natural Disinfectant: To knock out germs without strong products, mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap and 20 to 30 drops of tea tree oil. Spray or rub on countertops and other kitchen surfaces.
Windows and mirrors
White Vinegar, Water and Newspaper: Mix 2 tablespoons of white vinegar with a gallon of water, and dispense into a used spray bottle. Squirt on, then scrub with newspaper, not paper towels which cause streaking.
If you're out of vinegar or don't like its smell, you can substitute with undiluted lemon juice or club soda.
Carpet and rugs
Beat Those Rugs: Take any removable rugs outside and beat the dust and hair out with a broom.
Club Soda: You've probably heard the old adage that club soda works well on carpet stains. But you have to attack the mess right away. Lift off any solids, then liberally pour on club soda. Blot with an old rag. The soda's carbonation brings the spill to the surface, and the salts in the soda thwart staining.
Cornmeal: For big spills, dump cornmeal on the mess, wait 5 to 15 minutes, and vacuum up the gunk.
Spot Cleaner: Make your own by mixing: 1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent in a blender, with 1/3 cup water. Mix until foamy. Spray on, then rinse with vinegar.
To Deodorise: Sprinkle baking soda or cornstarch on the carpet or rug, using about 1 cup per medium-sized room. Vacuum after 30 minutes.
Cleaning your oven
Conventional oven cleaning chemicals are loaded with toxic ingredients, including ethers, ethylene glycol, lye (sodium and potassium hydroxide), methylene chloride and petroleum distillates. These products are harmful to the skin and eyes, and the fumes are unhealthy. Instead, go natural or simply use the self-clean feature on your oven.
Baking Soda and Water: Coat the inside of your dirty appliance with a paste made from water and baking soda. Let stand overnight. Then, don gloves and scour off that grime. Make spotless with a moist cloth.
Clogged Drain?
Baking Soda and Boiling Water (vinegar if needed): Feeling plugged up? Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the problem drain, followed by 2 cups of boiling water. If that isn't doing it for you, chase the baking soda with a 1/2 cup of vinegar and cover tightly, allowing the vigorous fizzing of the chemical reaction to break up the gunk. Then flush that with one gallon of boiling water.
Tarnished Silver?
Silver
Aluminium Foil, Boiling Water, Baking Soda and Salt: Keep your sterling shined with this seemingly magic method. Line your sink or a bucket with aluminium foil, and drop in tarnished silver. Pour in boiling water, a cup of baking soda and a dash of salt. Let them sit for a few minutes and the tarnish will transfer from the silver to the foil.
Toothpaste: If you can't immerse your items or are otherwise inclined to polish by hand, rub tarnished silver with toothpaste and a soft cloth. Rinse with warm water and dry. Instead of toothpaste you can substitute a concoction made of 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water.
Copper
Ketchup: To keep your copper pots, pans and accents looking bright and shiny, try rubbing with ketchup.
Sources from: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/
20090415T210000-0500_149518_OBS_SAFE_SPRING__CLEANING_.asp