Oakville Blogger

A hot steaming cup of coffee.  That is what I love drinking first thing in the morning.  That first sip is like a warm hug from a familiar friend.  I love similes :grin:.   There really is no better beverage to drink in the morning.  Orange juice and the rest of the juices take a back to seat to coffee.  On another note, whenever you read any coffee related articles in the paper or on msn.ca they often talk about the health ramifications and benefits.  After reading an article I am always left wondering: Is coffee good for me or not?  It is always the same banter.  One study says a few cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, while another study says stay away from coffee as it can cause hypertension and insomnia.  Anyway, I think moderation is the key and I will continue to drink it.

Now on to a more pressing issue, where to buy a good cup of coffee.  Of course, there are many coffee shops, for example Starbucks,  Coffee Time, Timothy’s, Mr. Bean, Second Cup and so on.  If you’re Canadian than I know which coffee shop you prefer over the others.  Tim Horton’s, right?  I think, it certainly kicks the butt of all the other coffee shops around.  And, I’m talking strictly about coffee quality, as really there is nothing more important to compare.  Of course, Oakville is littered with Tim Hortons franchises and we all have our favorite location.  However, I really want to recommend a location.   This location is located here.  The reason why it’s great is because it’s the National Training Center, so the service is excellent and fast, the sandwiches are always super fresh, the coffee is piping hot and always very fresh and the drive-thru line wait is short in the morning.  I’m not saying that the other locations don’t provide this, but you can be assured of the best every-time you go to this training center store. 

In short, I love coffee with milk from Tim Hortons.  How about you?  Also, where is your favourite coffee shop located?

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What is the Canadian Dream? Is it similar to the American Dream? I really don’t know. I believe most Canadians want health, peace, freedom, a job and a place to call home. When you drive or boat into Oakville you may or may not be surprised at what you see. The surprising view is, I think, are the sizes of homes here. To put it bluntly, they’re enormous and expensive. Oakville real estate sells at a premium especially in Olde Oakville. They go from big to bigger. You can get a real good view of some big ones from Lake Ontario. The pictures I posted along with this blog are of just that; some gigantic lakefront homes in Oakville. Nice, eh. You can also see prices of some fine Oakville homes here.

I live a much humbler life. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not knocking the individuals in those massive homes and I actually respect them. It must have taken a lot of hard work to achieve such materialistic success. It’s just that, this materialistic success seems to multiply itself here. There is no end to the number of monster Oakville homes cropping up. I just wonder how people can afford these places. I don’t know, maybe I’m envious. Anyway, I’m not talking about just the large ones along Lakeshore. All the smaller homes along Watson, Balsam, Douglas, Gloucester, etc, etc are being torn down and big customs homes are being built. People must be really doing well financially or mortgaged to the, for a lack of a better word, tits.

Many long time Oakvillians have expressed some disdain over some of the development. Especially, in regards to the new condo that is almost finished being built where Sharkey’s used to be. Many people feel this development takes away from the quaintness of Oakville. Although, I am sad that Sharkey’s is gone, as it used to be a decent watering hole and one of a few, the new condo looks nice. I heard all the units are already sold.

What do you think of all the massive homes? Do you think it is too much or the bigger the better?

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I have been living in Japan on and off for the last two years. Soon I will leave these shores and move back to Canada. More specifically; Oakville, Ontario. I can’t wait to get back home:). Anyway, living in Japan has provided me with the opportunity to eat grade A first class sushi. OK…I am a sushi lover, especially sashimi. The sushi here in Japan is wonderful, but I have to admit the best place for sushi, on this planet, is at Mye Restaurant. I have told this to a few of my Japanese friends, in Nagoya, and they scoffed at the idea that sushi could be better outside of Japan. Well, these taste buds think differently than the Japanese.

The Japanese restaurant outside of Japan that has the best sushi is at Mye Restaurant. Never heard of it? Well, it is located downtown Oakville across from Jonathans of Oakville. They have a great menu with a variety of different Japanese dishes, including sushi, sashimi, tempura, sukiyaki and so on. I go there for the sashimi dinner. It is a little expensive, at $28.75, but well worth the price.

If you’re not a fan of raw fish they have many other items on the menu. The service is great too. The man in charge is named Peter, I believe. He is a very cordial and pleasant man. The head sushi chef is a man named Moe. He is not Japanese but had spent several years in Japan mastering the fine art of sushi. After you’re finished dining at Mye Restaurant you can submit a review at: food inc or at restaurantica.com.

Where do you like to eat in Oakville?

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I wanted to post a message an acquaintance of mine received. It would be tragic if this was to happen to the two little schools. Many friends and family went to New Central and Brantwood and it would be a shame if they closed down. It will force all the children in the area to be bused to the outer skirts. One would think there are far more pressing issues in Oakville that need to be addressed than closing these two darling public schools. Anyway, please read the e-mail below and act accordingly:

NOTICE TO ANY AND ALL PARENTS OF CHILDREN AT NEW CENTRAL AND BRATNWOOD, AND RESIDENTS OF THE DOWNTOWN CORE:

Despite the work and input of the Southeast Oakville PARC Committee and the input of Southeast Oakville residents, the Halton District School Board has tabled a plan that would involve closing both New Central and Brantwood leaving the downtown area with no school. The Board’s Superintendent of Finance has drafted four scenarios that he is recommending the PARC Committee submit to the Board for approval. Three of these four scenarios involve closing both New Central and Brantwood.

This decision has potentially significant ramifications for the viability of the downtown core. If you are opposed to leaving downtown with no educational facilities it is imperative that you post your feedback on the board website by February 4, 2008.

If we do not come forward with our comments there is a very significant likelihood that the downtown area will be left with no school. Please forward your input.

Please also forward this e-mail to everyone you know who may be affected by these potential school closures.

Thank you,

Laura E. Oliver (loliver@primus.ca)
Barrister

88 Dunn Street, Suite 302
Oakville, ON
L6J 3C7

(905) 842-4977
(905) 842-5144

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I don’t know of a better place to take a stroll and sip on a hot cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter the season, even winter. The Oakville Harbour is located downtown Oakville and in the heart of Olde Oakville. There are many yachts and motor boats parked in slips down there and makes for a picturesque place. There is a long pathway that goes from one end of the harbor to the other. It’s a perfect place to stroll, relax, watch water fowl frolic and sailors attending to their boats and for having a picnic. There are lots of picnic tables scattered about and they make for great locales to have a picnic.

There is another trail/pathway and it’s called The Larry Cain Trail. The trail has two parts and snakes along both sides of the sixteen mile creek. I like the stretch north of the Oakville Club, just before the pier. It is a very quiet and majestic place. I sometimes walk down there, sit on a bench and watch geese and ducks meander by.

It is an especially beautiful place in the autumn. If you walk north on the east of the sixteen mile creek side you can start to see all the beautiful leaves in their fall colours. I was able to get a close up look last fall.

Where are your favourite places to walk and enjoy a hot beverage?

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