August is here - with its perennial "to do" list!

Have you noticed that as soon as August arrives it feels as if summer is over? Back-to-school advertising starts in full force, and our thoughts turn more to work than to the beach.Whether we want to or not, we start gearing up for Fall. If you're a homeowner, you can't help but think of home improvement and maintenance projects. As we all know, home projects are endless. The trick is to welcome projects rather than dread them. I recommend making a list with three sections:

1. preventative/must do items (things like replacing a worn roof, furnace maintenance, sealing basement walls, electrical or plumbing upgrades),
2. "have to do some time" items (things like painting, minor repairs, replacing outdated fixtures) and
3. "nice to do" items (things like decorating and organizing).

The first category must be your priority. Get estimates from reputable service people and budget accordingly. For the other two categories, just pick something easy and do it. That will give you the inspiration to tackle the rest - one step at a time. If you have trouble getting motivated, pretend you're selling your house. Nothing lights a fire under people more than a looming "For Sale" sign on their lawn!And if you really want the "For Sale" sign in front of your house - call me. I'll make the "To Do" list for you - and help you get it done!

Buyer Breakfasts coming in the Fall!

If you have been wondering about buying a new house and would like more guidlelines and information on how to do it well, you're in luck. Beginning this Fall, I will be giving regular, fun-filled, highly informative breakfast sessions for potential home buyers.  Watch for more details in the September newsletter.

Home improvements: classic, current or trendy?

When you are planning home improvements, try to stay with classic finishes, particularly for more expensive items. For example, hardwood flooring, white bathroom fixtures, white appliances and stainless steel taps are timeless and classic -  they are always a good choice. Within the classics, there are updated styles - things like freezer on bottom refrigerators, frontload washing machines, bamboo or cork flooring - these are here to stay. Avocado-coloured appliances and shag carpets were more "trendy" than current - they came and went.   Trendy is seductive and can leave you quickly outdated - save it for smaller items.  Here's my advice: go "classic" in anything that is attached to the house or will stay for more than 5 years (pretty much all finishes and fixtures, and most furniture), go with a more "current" style for items you will have for less than five but more than two years (things like towels, bedding, table linens, everyday dishes), and if you want to have fun and be trendy, go for items that you replace periodically anyway - fuzzy throw pillows, funky placemats, bright area rugs (right now, hot pink or lime green shag area rugs are in - purely trendy, but lots of fun). Go wild on anything under $100! To keep up on trends - and updates to classics - check out www.styleathome.com.

Cleaning - the best home improvement you can do!

Keeping your house clean is probably best thing you can do for selling - and for simply living well. Clean isn't just how a place looks - you can feel it when you walk in the door. >Some of you may be in that rare category of people who can keep up with housecleaning yourself, but most of us can benefit enormously from professional help. If you can, have someone come in to clean every two weeks (every week is ideal but not for everyone). At the very least have a cleaning team come in once a season to do a deep and detailed clean, including inside cupboards, behind heavy furniture and a floor to ceiling wipe-down. Having people who are there to focus on cleaning and who won't get side-tracked (as we homeowners inevitably do!) will make the job go much faster.

Watch for next month's feature on healthy cleaning tips and products!

August is still summer despite the looming Fall, so get out and have some fun:

12th Annual Krinos Taste of the Danforth - August 5th - 7th Aug 5 - 6 p.m. to midnight, Aug 6 - noon to midnight, Aug 7 - noon to 8 p.m.

Danforth Ave., between Broadview Ave. and Jones Ave.

Krinos Taste of the Danforth is one of Toronto's signature events, showcasing the best our multicultural city has to offer - from dim sum to mezes, and three stages featuring world music, with special emphasis on the Hellenic food and culture that makes the Danforth a destination year round. Note: The TTC is definitely the better way to this event - start at Donlands subway and walk west to Broadview to take in the whole stretch. www.tasteofthedanforth.com Art Naturally - Saturday & Sunday, August 5 & 6 Guild Inn Gardens, 201 Guildwood Parkway, Scarborough For those of you interested in expanding your art collection, check out this outdoor event that showcases over 110 visual artists and crafters at the Guild Inn Gardens on the Scarborough Bluffs. Saturday from 10 am - 6 pm  and Sunday from 10 am - 5 pm . For more information http://www.scarborougharts.com/sac/programs/artnat05.htm

Toronto Zoo Music Concert Series - three consecutive Thursday evenings - 6:30  p.m. Toronto Zoo Waterside Theatre.(Hwy. 401 and Meadowvale Rd)

August  11 -  Ron Sexsmith August  18 - Jesse Cook August  25 - Cowboy Junkies

The Toronto Zoo proudly presents Animal Trax-Concerts@The Zoo, a twilight concert series in the zoo's beautiful 750-seat Waterside Theatre overlooking water and woods. An ideal place to savour a night of great music! Tickets are just $30 and include admission to the zoo after 3 p.m. www.torontozoo.com Some new and fun activities at Harbourfront this year: T.O. Twang: All Things Alt Country - Aug 12 - 14 This new festival turns Rockabilly, Bluegrass, Country Rock and more into Toronto's only Alt-Country festival. Presented by NOW Magazine.   Alexander Keith's East Coast Rhythms: An Exploration of Atlantic Canada's Culture - Aug 19 - 21 This new festival explores and celebrates East Coast culture. Kick Up Your Heels: Your Chance to Dance! - Aug 26 - 28 This dance festival presents exciting and innovative dance and music groups from Canada and beyond! www.harbourfrontcentre.com Remember to use your savings coupons from your 2005 Gary Crowder Calendar - here are some examples: 20% off admission to the Ontario Science Centre Free Total Tower experience at the CN Tower with purchase of another $5 off Ontario Place Play All Day Pass for up to 6 people FREE Child Admission to the 2005 CNE (value $7) And just to give you a jolt, the 2006 calendars will be ready shortly!!!

Thank you for your referrals!

Many of my new business contacts come through people like you! You have introduced me to your friends, neighbours, co-workers and families, and I thank you. It makes my work a pleasure. One easy way for you to make an introduction is through this newsletter. If you know someone who might enjoy receiving this newsletter, forward it, sign them up, or suggest they sign up directly - it takes just a few seconds at www.torontomoves.ca..

Thank you for your feedback!

Thanks so much for all of your positive comments about this newsletter - it's great to know you're enjoying it. If there is anything you would like to see in future issues, please send along your suggestions and ideas.