The sun is shinning, gentle rain has fallen and the time to enjoy ourselves, and our families, is especially upon us in the summertime. There is so much to see and do.

RIB-FEST
Starting back in the beginning of June, the Rotary Clubs of Ajax & Pickering, along with City staff, brought us the third annual Rib-fest; and three days & evenings of showcasing our local entertainment. Once again I was pleased and proud to be a part of this event - attendance continues to grow - this year approx. 68,000 residents turned out and not a bit of trouble was had. Congratulations to all volunteers, staff, entertainers and ribbers who kept smiles on our faces, our tummies full and lots of rides to keep the kids busy.

As Chairman of Sustainable Pickering, I was delighted to see how organizers and visitors alike kept the grounds so very clean that families could sit on the grass anywhere to enjoy their food and drink. Virtually everything within the park had an element of sustainability to it and that demonstrates how far we have come in only a few years of trying.

FUNDRAISING
I had a lot of fun trying to pour and serve coffee at Tim Horton's Camp Day fundraising event (I was at Bayly/Liverpool store - 7:30 am). And I want to thank manager, Mahmood Ahmed, and his terrific team for being so eager to raise money for another great cause. That event followed McHappy Day where I volunteered to do the same job at the Kingston Rd/Liverpool Rd store. Monies raised went to Ronald McDonald House and again, all employees and volunteers involved had a terrific time.

June 4th saw the ground-breaking in Whitby for a new animal shelter to house the Durham Humane Society following the tragic loss to fire of their previous headquarters and many of the shelter's pets.

NEW BUSINESSES
On the 9th, I again participated in a ground-breaking, this time for the new retirement living complex on Kingston Rd. by V!VA Retirement Living. Great news for the City by a great organization with a great staff whose only interest is the comfort and well-being of their residents. Expect occupancy mid 2011.
As I always like to announce, more new businesses have recently opened here. Arctic Breeze Heating and Air-Conditioning opened its doors on June 5th in the Dellbrook Plaza on Brock Rd. Many homes built here over the years feature Lennox heating & cooling system and Arctic Breeze is an important dealer representative for Lennox.

That was followed by the opening of Amish Furniture Designed Inc. at their new location (and new ownership) in the middle of the Home & Design Centre at Brock Rd. & the 401. If you're looking for high quality wood furniture that will become treasures to be passed down through the generations, Amish Furniture will have what you're looking for.

MUSEUM
If it's a step back in time that interests you, visit our Pickering Village Museum in Greenwood. There you will find an authentic town being recreated from a hundred years ago. The latest addition is the restoration and opening of the Brougham Hotel which was labelled as a Temperance hotel back in its day.

SUSTAINABILITY
Life in politics has its ups and downs, just like any other profession. One of the downs I experienced was the refusal by my colleagues to bury overhead wires such as electrical, cable & telephone lines during the reconstruction of Brock Rd., north of the 3rd Conc. They were unanimous in agreeing with my vision, however Mayor Ryan convinced them not to commit financial resources (through the sale of surplus city land) by insisting that burying wires would somehow bury the municipality. Our sustainable journey is not going to be without cost - there is only a limited amount of "low hanging fruit" to pick - sustainability requires long-range financial planning if we truly mean it. It will require a Council with courage, vision and commitment to see it through. Another consideration when voting this fall. But on the upside, I am hoping they will help me fight Toronto Region Conservation Authority's plans to tear down the last remaining residence on the West Spit of Frenchmans Bay. The city contributed a quarter of a million dollars eleven years ago as its 50% share to partner with TRCA to purchase the home. Now that the former owner has vacated, TRCA wants to destroy this remarkable home which could be used by any number of groups - dragon-boaters, wind-surfers, community associations, U of Toronto Research, washrooms and a confectionary for the many people walking the Waterfront Trail. The list is endless and I hope residents and readers will engage their councillors and candidates to do what's necessary to keep this investment standing and open to use by all.

SENIOR OF THE YEAR
One of the many pleasures I enjoy as a result of being a member of council is being part of a group of four who select the City's Civic Award winners each year in 18 different categories. Included in that is selecting one of our outstanding seniors for special award to recognize their commitment to the betterment of the community and their fellow citizens. This year's (as in every year) selection was not made any easier with some outstanding nominations.

Standing out is an extremely gracious lady, Lois Upham. Lois and her husband of 57 years, Don, at one time lived in North Bay (my hometown) and were good friends of my parents before re-locating to Pickering. She has volunteered in the emergency department at Ajax/Pickering hospital for 10 years. For the past 12 years, Lois has volunteered at the Rouge Valley Health Centre and is now the Convener of Volunteers at Centenary Hospital.

As noted by her nominator and granddaughter, Cheryl Stoyanovski, when not at the hospital, Lois sings with the Pickering Perennials doing some 36 shows a year at retirement and nursing homes in addition to performances at the South Pickering Seniors Club. And is also an active member of the South Pickering Lawn Bowling Club in her spare time. Congratulations Lois.