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Recycle Your Electronics

To Re-Gift Or Not To Re-Gift, That Is The Question

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I think we’ve all debated this at one time or another. You just got a new iPad, gaming system or TV and now your old one is sitting in a closet, collecting dust, and you’re not sure if you should offer an old model to someone else. Re-gifting has gotten a bad rap over the years but when it comes to electronics, there are so many great reasons to pass them on.

Let me share a story with you. My children are now old enough to work a computer/tablet on their own. Frankly, I think children are equipped to do this straight from the womb but that’s a story for another time. Because my wife and I both use our computer for work, there isn’t a lot of time to share it between the four of us and we can’t afford to go out and get a brand new iPad.

Enter, Nana. My wife’s mom had an older model iPad she wasn’t using and asked if we wanted it. Because it was an original model, Apple stopped making updates for it which essentially made it useless for an adult’s needs. For a child, however, there are still a ton of educational apps that could be accessed without needing the new updates, making that old, useless iPad and brand new toy for the kids.

The point is, just because an old device or gaming system seems outdated or useless to you, it may be an amazing addition to someone else’s house. I say all this because a study presented to the Ontario Electronic Stewardship in 2011 claimed that 90% of Ontarians have unwanted electronic devices to dispose of. That just seems like a big waste to me when there are so many families in need. If you don’t have someone to give them to, you can look for a local Free-cycle group, find a charity, or go to RecycleYourElectronics.ca to find a drop off location close to your home.

Don’t wait until your gadgets are obsolete and unusable. Get them out of your house and into the hands of someone that can use them. Remember, electronics have no value when they are hiding under your bed! Add in the fact that re-gifting them helps ensure that fewer valuable materials such as gold, copper and other rare metals are taken out of the earth, and you have no reason not to pass them on.

Do you have any old electronics lying around your house that could maybe help a less fortunate family? Why are you holding on to them?

Disclosure: I was compensated for my participation in the #ok2regift program from the Ontario Electronic Stewardship, but this message is really important and I am 100% committed to helping the cause.

Our African Lion Safari Adventure!

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We recently went on our first family vacation of the year and part of that trip included a visit to African Lion Safari in Cambridge. While I’m sure I had been there as a child, I was excited to share the adventure with my own family and the experience did not disappoint.

We started the day off with the Safari Tour Bus ride through the game reserves. I had thought about driving my own car through the reserve but the 6 and a half hour driver there, combined with the thought of monkeys climbing all over my car made the decision an easy one. I got a little worried about 5 minutes into our visit when my son turned to me and said, “I don’t like animals”, but he changed his mind once the zebras came into view. Overall, I really enjoyed the tour bus ride and especially enjoyed this unimpressed looking giraffe.

Lion Safari Giraffe

Our next stops were a cruise aboard the “African Queen”, which was very cool, and my favourite part of the day, the Elephant Swim. It was amazing to watch the elephants marching down to the water, trunks holding the tails in front of them. Their playfulness in the water was very cool to see and they got so close that I was glad we scored front row seats.

Lion Safari Elephant Swim

After the swim, we hit the cafeteria for some lunch and then we were off to the splash pad! This was easily the kids’ favourite part of the day and who could blame them? The splash pad was fully equipped for children of all ages, with water slides, play structures and water towers. The only thing I would have suggested would be changing rooms for the guys as opposed to the one big open room, but it certainly did not detract from our time there.

Lion Safari Splash Pad

We finished off the day with a ride on the “Nature Boy” scenic railway, which capped off a great day for the whole family. After a quick pit stop in the gift shop and trying to explain to my kids the difference between $70 and $7, we were out the gates and on our way back to the hotel. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at African Lion Safari and will definitely be back again.

Catch Counting Crows, The Wallflowers, Hedley & More At Big Music Fest!

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Big Music Fest

I love music. If you’ve read this blog or have followed me on social media at all, I would imagine this much is evident. So when I was asked to help out with Belleville’s “Big Music Fest” on June 22nd, my immediate reaction was to say yes. When I popped onto their website and saw bands like the Counting Crows, the Wallflowers and Hedley, my fingers couldn’t type back my YES response fast enough.

Regardless of the lineup, the big ticket item for me is the opportunity to see the Counting Crows play live. The album “August and Everything After” was the first time I can remember actually “feeling” music. It was and will always be the anthem of my younger self and I still listen to it at least once a month. While singing the song, “Mr. Jones”, it was also the first time someone told me that I had a pretty good voice, which has led to me singing in my own band for the past 8 years.

The awesome thing about music is that it has the ability to mold your entire life. For me at least, turning to music has lifted me out of some of my darkest places. Green Day was instrumental in helping me work through the death of my father. And, who hasn’t listened to “Don’t Cry” by Guns and Roses after a tough break up. Music is something that makes our world a better place and I can’t wait to soak up everything that Big Music Fest has to offer.

Just to fill you in on a few details, Big Music Fest will take place on June 22nd, 2013 at East Zwick’s Park in Belleville, Ontario. The featured acts are Burton Cummings, Counting Crows, the Wallflowers, Hedley and Bleeker Ridge. Tickets are on sale now at $64.50 for general admission, $84.50 for VIP and they can be purchased by clicking this link to TicketBreak.Com.

I hope you’ll join me for this incredible weekend of music and please let me know if you are coming so we can get together for a soda…or whatever. You can stay up to date on everything Big Music Fest by following them on Facebook and Twitter as well. I hope to see you there!

As a blogger for the Big Music Fest, I have been offered tickets to the Festival.

CDN Spotlight: Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Unveils Blog

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Ben Franklin has been quoted as having said, “In the world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.” While I don’t want to be the one to disagree with the great Mr. Franklin, I do have one more thing to add to his list of certainties.

That addition would be the certainty that you can trust the caring people at Ottawa’s, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, to take the best possible care of your children while they are there. I speak from personal experience, not only as a father but also as a former patient. The people at CHEO have never been anything but extraordinary each and every time I have had to take my little one’s in there.

Both my children screened for Biotinidase Defficiency at birth, so my wife and I have spent many hours in the Genetics department at CHEO, worrying about the effects it will have on our children. It takes a special kind of person to work in a children’s hospital and it’s evident from our time spent there that all the staff at CHEO have that special something to make parents and children feel at ease.

I’ve been starting to realize lately, that people are actually listening to the things I have say. With this realization came an opportunity to use that voice to do some good and that’s fully what I intend on doing. When I contacted CHEO a month ago to see if I could help out in any way, I was excited to hear that they were starting a blog. I mean, what better way to help that to do for them what I have already been doing for the past 7 months!

They even let me help out with the design of the site by running ideas by me and actually listening to my input, which was a surreal time for me. You’ll see the results of my efforts throughout the site and also on the main banner, as what started as CHEO Moms has now become something that all parents (Dads included) can be proud to be a part of. There are even 3 Dads on the Featured Bloggers list, which is amazing!

Without any further ado, I am proud to present to you, my first post as a member of the CHEO parenting blogger team! I wrote about my CHEO experience as a father and hope you’ll stop by to say hi.

I hope you’ll bookmark CHEO’s new blog as has some amazing writers working on it and promises to be an invaluable resource for parents. I’m so proud to be a part of the CHEO team and can’t wait to read more from everybody involved!

You can access the blog by visiting CheoMoms.com OR CheoDads.com ;D You can also connect with CHEO on Twitter @CheoHospital and on the Main CHEO site.

Cheers!

Win A #RogersSmartHome Monitoring System Valued at Over $1500 (Ontario Only)

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With a young family and hectic work schedule, it’s important for me to know that my family is safe while I’m not there. I came across a commercial for the new Smart Home Monitoring Systems from Rogers and was very impressed with the attention to detail they’ve included. The Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System allows you to see who’s at your door, even when you’re not there, just by checking your smart phone or tablet*.

From now until May 16th, you can enter to WIN 1 of 5 Smart Home Monitoring Systems from Rogers. Each prize is valued at over $1500 and the contest is open to Ontario Residents Only. Enter Here Today!

The best part about this contest is that you can earn Extra Ballots simply by sharing with your friends and family so be sure to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!!

Here are some of the amazing features of the Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System :

    * Real-Time 24/7 Monitoring,
    * Instant Customizable Alerts,
    * View & Control Your Home Remotely,
    * Ability to Automate Sensors, Thermostat, Lights & Appliances,
    * Save Energy & Money,
    * Much, Much More.**

***********************************************************************

It’s so easy to enter. All you have to do is visit the Contest Page and complete these 4 easy steps:

Page 1: Enter the contest by providing your contact information
Page 2: Answer a “what’s important to you” question (Don’t worry, there’s only 3 boxes to click)
Page 3: Check the boxes that apply to you (4 survey questions)
Page 4: Share & Share some more! Increase your chances of winning by sharing via social channels & email (there are simple share buttons for Facebook, Twitter & Email) but you can share it other places as long as you use your PURL (Personal URL).

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Each Prize is valued at $1,518.83 and includes:

* 1 Touchpad
* 3 Door/Window Sensors
* 1 Motion Detector
* 1 Key fob
* 1 Security Camera
* 1 Thermostat
* 1 Lamp Dimmer Module (including professional installation)
* Monitoring Service for one year

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If you’re still not excited about the Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System, have a look at this video and I promise you’ll change your mind!

*Works with any smart phone/tablet, please visit the Rogers website for more details.
**System connected by wires and via cellular.

Disclaimer: Canadian Dad or those affiliated with this blog are not responsible for any changes Rogers may make, choosing the winner or shipping this prize. I have been hired by a marketing company on behalf of Rogers Smart Home to share this contest with you.

Win 1 of 5 #RogersSmartHome Monitoring Systems – Value $1500+ (Ontario Only)

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As a shift worker, it’s important to me to be able to make sure my family is safe while I’m not there. That’s why I’m so excited to be working with Rogers on their innovative new Smart Home Monitoring Systems. The comfort I get knowing my family is safe helps me rest easy while I’m at work. The Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System allows you to see who’s at your door, even when you’re not there, just by checking your smart phone or tablet*.

Staring March 1st, you can enter to WIN 1 of 5 Smart Home Monitoring Systems from Rogers. The prize is valued just over $1,500 {for Ontario residents only} and ends May 16, 2012. Enter Here Today!

You can earn Extra Ballots for this contest by sharing with your friends and family so be sure to SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!!

The Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System features:

    * Real time 24/7 monitoring,
    * Instant customizable alerts,
    * View and control your home remotely,
    * Ability to automate sensors, thermostat, lights and appliances,
    * Save energy and save money,
    * Much, much more.**

***********************************************************************

When you go to the Contest Page,there are just 4 easy steps needed to enter:

Page 1: Enter the contest by providing your contact information
Page 2: Answer a “what’s important to you” question (Don’t worry, there’s only 3 boxes to click)
Page 3: Check the boxes that apply to you (4 survey questions)
Page 4: Share! Increase your chances of winning by sharing via social channels/email (there are simple share buttons for Facebook, Twitter & Email) but you can share it other places as long as you use your PURL.

************************************************************************

Prize valued at $1,518.83 each and includes:

* 1 Touchpad
* 3 Door/Window Sensors
* 1 Motion Detector
* 1 Key fob
* 1 Security Camera
* 1 Thermostat
* 1 Lamp Dimmer Module (including professional installation)
* Monitoring Service for one year

**************************************************************************

For more info on how the Rogers Smart Home Monitoring System works, check out this video!

*Works with any smart phone/tablet, please visit the Rogers website for more details.
**System connected by wires and via cellular.

Disclaimer: Canadian Dad or those affiliated with this blog are not responsible for any changes Rogers may make, choosing the winner or shipping this prize. I have been hired by a marketing company on behalf of Rogers Smart Home to share this contest with you.