BARBARA GRUMME’S BLOG!

The federal budget 2009 introduced several incentives to get Canadians spending by buying a first time home, or renovating the one they are already in.

RRSP Home Buyers Plan Changed

The changes to the RRSP home buyers plan introduced in the new budget increased the RRSP withdrawal limit from $20,000 to $25,000 providing first time home buyers with additional access to savings to purchase or build a home.

Buyers Get A Tax Credit

For 2009 and subsequent years, the budget also introduced a new non-refundable tax credit to help first time home buyers with some of their closing costs. This HBTC will provide up to $750 in tax relief on the purchase of a first home . The HBTC is calculated by multiplying the lowest income tax rate for the year (15% in 2009) by $5000.

Grants for Eco Friendly Upgrades

The EcoEnergy Retrofit program  provides home and property owners with grants of up to $5000 to offset the costs of making energy-efficiency improvements. Grants apply to a variety of measures that reduce energy consumption- anything from increasing insulation to upgrading a furnace.

Home Renovation Tax Credit

The proposed Home Renovation Tax Credit will provided a temporary 15 % income tax credit on eligible home renovation expenditures for work performed, or goods acquired after Jan.27/09 and before Feb 1 2010. the credit may be claimed for the 2009 taxation year on the portion of eligible expenditures exceeding $1000, but not more than $10,000 and will provided up to $1350 in tax relief.

Location:

Heartland Forest

Kalar Rd. between Chippawa Creek Rd. and Brown Rd. (Near Niagara Square)

Date:

Schools: From Monday April 27^th to Friday May 1^st (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

General Public: Saturday May 2^nd, (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)

FrogFest Niagara gives people an opportunity to connect with nature. How can we respect and steward a healthy diverse natural environment, if it isn’t an integral part of our lives? This point is very evident in a thoroughly researched book by Richard Louv in his recent bestseller “Last Child in the Woods”.

This nature festival is a wonderful family day as activities, displays, presentations, and hikes are designed to appeal to all ages. And the festival time is an ideal time to observe the unusual characteristics of amphibians as they are more active than at any other time of year.

No family member needs to be left out. All trails and facilities of Heartland Forest are accessible by those using wheel chairs, walkers, and strollers. This ensures everyone can enjoy a visit to a 93 acre provincially significant Carolinian Forest. Accessible features include a 2.5 km trail system, a nature center, event tent, treehouse with its 40 metre ramp, and washrooms. New this year are an accessible pond soon to be stocked with fish, and a number of larger than life carved animals by local artisans Richard and Brenda Bailey. Everyone has an opportunity to view up to 20 species of trees, 9 of amphibian, deer, raccoons, dragonflies, and over 40 different kinds of birds.

Last year individuals representing 20 naturalist organizations contributed time, display materials, and resources.. The sharing of knowledge from our local environmental leaders was very well received by the local press, and those attending.

This year new activities are being added. And, Sciensational SSSnakes from Orillia will have ongoing displays and presentations of amphibians and reptiles.

This outdoor event which will take place rain or shine.