LO this week: June 15, 2011

Durham Chapter this week
Add the Durham Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Annual barbecue, Aug. 25
The
Durham Chapter has started planning its annual summer barbecue. This
year’s event will take place at T. Arnts Loam Supply, from 3-7 p.m. The
barbecue will feature a supplier showcase, dinner provided by the
Chapter, and much more. If you are a supplier looking to participate,
contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.

Educational program proposal needs support

The YWCA, in partnership with Humber College, Landscape Ontario and OPA,
requires support letters from employers in the GTA and surrounding areas
to accompany its proposal submission for two programs. The programs are
Hort Technician with a secondary in Carpentry and Facility Technician.
The success of this application and program depends on the support from
employers who see the need to hire in the spring of 2012 and 2013. The
YWCA has been very successful with similar programs to date, and expects
to deliver more successful programs that direct and train valuable
skilled workers for our industry. To confirm your interest in offering a
paid co-op work placement and potentially an ongoing employment
opportunity to a graduate of this program, contact Sally Harvey at sharvey@landscapeontario.com with your

letter of support, Hort Technician and Carpentry, or to Facilities Technician.  

Opportunity to hire new talent continues

MicroSkills requires support letters from employers in the GTA and
surrounding areas to accompany its proposal to renew the Horticulture
Technician program for women for 2012 to 2014. Pending funding, and with
support from the employers, MicroSkills expects to continue the
successful program. Jointly sponsored by Humber Institute of Technology
and Advanced Learning, Landscape Ontario and community partner
MicroSkills, the Horticulture Technician Program trains women with
skills who meet approved standards for Level 1 Horticulture Technician.
To confirm your interest in offering an internship, or placement
opportunity to a graduate of this program, contact Jane Wilson at
416-247-1877 no later than June 25

Georgian Lakelands Chapter this week
Add the Georgian Lakelands Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Georgian Lakelands Golf Tournament, Sept. 23

Registrations are being accepted for the annual Georgian Lakelands
Chapter golf tournament. Enjoy an afternoon of golf on the links at
Horseshoe Resort, Valley Course, 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road, Barrie, and
support the Chapter. Golf Day fees ($130 per golfer) include greens fees
for 18 holes of golf, shared power cart, use of practice facilities
(including range balls), barbecue lunch, and dinner buffet with steaks
and golf tournament prizes. Registration and lunch start at 11:30 a.m.,
with shotgun start at 1 p.m. To register, or for more information, call
Lexi Dearborn at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 317, or lexi@landscapeontario.com.

Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board

The Simcoe Muskoka Workforce Development Board is a non-profit
organization that assists Simcoe County and the District of Muskoka in
workforce development and labour market planning. Formerly known as the
Simcoe County Training Board, the board functions as part of the Local
Boards Network of Ontario, funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges
and Universities. To find out more about the board, go to Workforce.

Check out Georgian Lakelands Facebook Page.

Golden Horseshoe Chapter this week

Add the Golden Horseshoe Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Chapter golf tournament, Aug. 17
Enjoy a social outing with fellow industry members at the Golden
Horseshoe Chapter’s Golf Tournament. The event will take place at
Willow Valley Golf Course, 8475 English Church, Mount Hope, on Wed.,
Aug. 17. Click here to view the Golden Horseshoe Golf Tournament flyer Contact Helen Hassard at
1-800-265-5656,
ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.

London Chapter this week
Add the London Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Gardens of Distinction Tour, July 9
Don’t miss the London Chapter’s third annual Gardens of Distinction Tour, from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Participation has doubled over the past two years, and it is expected to increase
again. To order tickets go to tickets and click on News and Coming Events. Contact Helen Hassard at
1-800-265-5656,
ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.

London Chapter Golf Tournament, Sept. 9

Treat yourself to a great day on the links, support your association and
take a well-deserved break. The format is best ball scramble. Cost is
$125 per golfer, which includes golf, cart, lunch, dinner and prizes.
Dinner-only is available for $35. For further information, go to London golf.

Ottawa Chapter this week

Add the Ottawa Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

City allows one-day watering per week

The City of Ottawa has announced a temporary lifting of the water ban. There have been five water zones
set up for watering one-day per week, per zone. The water ban is set to
be lifted by July 15, according to an announcement by Mayor Jim Watson.
The City of Ottawa is constantly updating its website.

Garden tour to help create botanical garden

Both Landscape Ontario and CNLA have made the creation of the National
Botanical Garden in Ottawa part of each group’s strategic plan. On June
25 and 26, the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society (OBGS) is planning its
second self-guided country garden tour. Proceeds from this fundraising
tour will support the planning and creation of a national botanic garden
on 34 acres at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. The tour will
take you down country roads for a peek into 12 private gardens. Passport
booklets cost $35. They include garden highlights, special points of
interest, maps, information on nurseries, garden shops and local
restaurants. LO vice president Tim Kearney says he bought a number of
tickets to give out to employees who are “plant and garden nuts and want
to see some amazing gardens in a fun way.” To learn more about the
tour, the future garden, or to register, go to Garden Tour.

Water garden tour this weekend

The Greater Ottawa Water Garden Horticultural Society presents its 3rd
annual water garden tour Sat., and Sun., June 18 and 19, from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m., rain or shine. This self-guided tour, sponsored by Yards
Unlimited and Richard Ichley Ponds and Acquaria, features 14 water
gardens over two days. Tickets are $15 per person and available at
Ritchie Seed and Feed on Windmill Lane and J.A. Laporte’s Flowers and
Nursery on Montreal Road, or at GOWGHS
website. Proceeds from this tour will be used towards a community
project.

Ottawa part of recycling program

Three Ottawa Chapter members are participating in the upcoming
CNLA/Landscape Ontario 2nd annual national plastics recycling event from June 24 to
July 4. They include Carp Garden Centre, 153 Donald B Munro Road, Carp, Green
Thumb Garden Centre, 17 Tristan Court, Ottawa, and Make it Green Garden
Centre, 5200 Flewellyn Road, Stittsville. Drop off horticultural pots,
cells and flats at the depots above during that week. For more
information go to Recycle.

Landscape Industry Certified test at Kemptville
The Landscape Industry Certified Test will be held at Kemptville College
with the written exam on Aug. 11, and practical test day on Aug.
12. To register, go to Landscape
Industry Certified, or for more information contact Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com.

Ottawa Chapter golf tournament, Aug. 26
The annual Ottawa Chapter Golf tournament will take place at the Canadian Golf and Country Club, 7800 Golf Club Way, Ashton, The shotgun start is at 10 a.m.
Proceeds from the tournament go to the Ottawa Food Bank, along
with a food drive on the day of the tournament. Your golfing day
includes 18 holes, breakfast, dinner and live musical entertainment.
Early bird registration ends on July 30. Foursome prices along with
sponsorship begin at $675. Sponsorships are available. For more
information, contact Martha, mwalsh@landscapeontario.com.

Canadian Snow and Ice Expo 2011, Sept. 12 and 13

The Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre in Ottawa will host the two-day
Canadian Snow and Ice Expo 2011. The Snow and Ice Sector Group of
Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter is hosting this inaugural event. Day
one will feature build-a-bid programs, while the second day will
highlight conferences and a trade show. To find out more information on
the event, or to register go to Snow and Ice
Expo.

Toronto Chapter this week
Add the Toronto Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Toronto Chapter creates garden for Sick Kids

LO’s Toronto Chapter took on an exciting project that resulted in a
rooftop garden at Sick Kids Hospital. The project was an initiative of
the Starlight Foundation. The area provides children being treated for
cancer and who require extended stays at the hospital to have an
opportunity of experiencing the joy of being in a garden. Thanks to the
efforts of the Toronto Chapter those children now have a place of beauty
to escape to for a few moments. In the video, Frank Ferragine of City
TV talks to garden designer Beth Edney. To view the interview click on garden.

Educational program proposal needs support

The YWCA in partnership with Humber College, Landscape Ontario and OPA
require support letters from employers in the GTA and surrounding areas
to accompany its proposal submission for two programs. The programs are
Hort Technician with a secondary in Carpentry and Facility Technician.
The success of this application and program depends on the support from
employers who see the need to hire in the spring of 2012 and 2013. The
YWCA has been very successful with similar programs to date, and expects
to deliver more successful programs that direct and train valuable
skilled workers for our industry. To confirm your interest in offering a
paid co-op work placement and potentially an ongoing employment
opportunity to a graduate of this program, contact Sally Harvey at sharvey@landscapeontario.com with your letter of support,

Opportunity to hire new talent continues

MicroSkills requires support letters from employers in the GTA and
surrounding areas to accompany its proposal to renew the Horticulture
Technician program for women for 2012 to 2014. Pending funding, and with
support from the employers, MicroSkills expects to continue the
successful program. Jointly sponsored by Humber Institute of Technology
and Advanced Learning, Landscape Ontario and community partner
MicroSkills, the Horticulture Technician Program trains women with
skills who meet approved standards for Level 1 Horticulture Technician.
To confirm your interest in offering an internship, or placement
opportunity to a graduate of this program, contact Jane Wilson at
416-247-1877 no later than June 25

Group looking for donations

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), in partnership with
the Regional Municipality of York and Town of Richmond Hill, are
currently working with residents and groups to develop an environmental
action plan for the Lake Wilcox neighbourhood. The group is looking to
form partnerships with companies in the garden and landscaping sector.
Opportunities include sponsoring the Front-yard Makeover, as well as
participate in other neighbourhood programs. TRCA will recognize
donations (plant material, topsoil, mulch, etc.) to the Front-yard
Makeover. The SNAP website is www.sustainableneighbourhoods.ca. Any
interested parties may contact Janet Ivey at 416-66-6600, ext. 5729, or jivey@trca.on.ca.


Annual golf tournament, July 28
The Toronto Chapter is returning to Nobleton Lakes Golf Club, 125
Nobleton Lakes Drive, on July 28 for its annual Dick Sale Memorial Golf
Tournament. Registration and
lunch begins at 11 a.m. and shotgun tee-off at 1 p.m. For more information, or to register, click here to view the Toronto Golf Tournament flyer, otherwise contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com

Baseball tournament accepting teams
Bring
your staff, family and friends to the Toronto Chapter’s annual baseball
tournament. This slow-pitch tournament will take place on Aug. 14 at
the Richmond Greens Sports Centre and Park, 1300 Elgin Mills Road East,
Richmond Hill. The tournament will run from 7:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with
trophies and a barbecue lunch included in the fee of $550 per team.
Each team is guaranteed two games. Ideally, mixed teams should include
five women and 10 men. Click here to view the Toronto Chapter’s annual baseball tournament flyer for further information.

Program offers free employment service
Toronto Community
Employment Services is an Ontario government-funded program that offers
pre-screened candidates to match experience, skills and personal
ambitions to business requirements. The free service refers qualified,
experienced and skilled candidate employees. A wage incentives program
covers up to 40 per cent of the salary of the
new employee. To find out more about the program go to www.toronto-jobs.org, or contact Diana De la Cruz, employer services consultant, at jobs@tces.on.ca, or 416-488-0084, ext. 205.

Upper Canada Chapter this week
Add the Upper Canada Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Garden tour to help create botanical garden

Both Landscape Ontario and CNLA have made the creation of the National
Botanical Garden in Ottawa part of each group’s strategic plan. On June
25 and 26, the Ottawa Botanical Garden Society (OBGS) is planning its
second self-guided country garden tour. Proceeds from this fundraising
tour will support the planning and creation of a national botanic garden
on 34 acres at the Central Experimental Farm in Ottawa. The tour will
take you down country roads for a peek into 12 private gardens. Passport
booklets cost $35. They include garden highlights, special points of
interest, maps, information on nurseries, garden shops and local
restaurants. LO vice president Tim Kearney says he bought a number of
tickets to give out to employees who are “plant and garden nuts and want
to see some amazing gardens in a fun way.” To learn more about the
tour, the future garden, or to register, go to Garden Tour.


Upper Canada Golf Tournament, July 15
Plan to take a break from your busy season, and join the Upper Canada Chapter for a
fun day on the links at Briar Fox Golf Club, Marysville. Registration
begins at 9 a.m., with tee-off at 10. The day will conclude with a
steak dinner and prizes. Cost is only $100 per golfer, which
includes 18 holes of golf, a cart, steak dinner and prizes. If you
register your foursome before June 30, there is a 10 per cent discount off the
cost of golf. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more
information, or to register, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656,
ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com. Click here to view the Upper Canada Golf Tournament flyer.

Canadian Snow and Ice Expo 2011, Sept. 12 and 13

The Rideau Carleton Entertainment Centre in Ottawa will host the two-day
Canadian Snow and Ice Expo 2011. The Snow and Ice Sector Group of
Landscape Ontario’s Ottawa Chapter is hosting this inaugural event. Day
one will feature build-a-bid programs, while the second day will
highlight conferences and a trade show. To find out more information on
the event, or to register go to  Snow and Ice
Expo.

Waterloo Chapter this week
Add the Waterloo Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Great Tree Hunt

revived
Three LO Waterloo Chapter members and professional
arborists, Phil Dickie, Mike Hayes and Greg Templeman, have revived the Champion
Tree Hunt of Waterloo Region for 2011.

The purpose of the hunt is to locate and identify champion
trees within the Region of Waterloo, and raise awareness of the value of tree
preservation. The hunt will close Sept. 30. The Chapter hopes the Champion Tree Hunt will generate an interest and
involvement from residents within the Region of Waterloo. For more information, go to Tree Hunt. In 1992, when the original Great Tree Hunt was held, a total of 430 nominations were received.

Waterloo Golf Tournament, July 20
The tournament will take place at Rebel Creek Golf Course, 1517 Snyder’s Road, Petersburg, with a shotgun start at 11:30 a.m. All tournament
proceeds will be divided equally between Kids Ability, School Greening
Project and The Waterloo Chapter’s Education Fund. Registration and sponsorship information
will be available shortly.

Windsor Chapter this week
Add the Windsor Chapter page and the LO events calendar to your bookmarks

Windsor Chapter Awards of Distinction

Don’t miss your chance to be recognized for all your hard work. This
year’s Windsor Chapter Awards of Distinction entry form is now
available. The old format awarded gold, silver and bronze prizes; this year
there is the option for multiple winners in each category. In addition, four
new categories have been added: large water feature, small water feature, large
hardscape and small hardscape. The deadline for entries is Aug. 31 and the awards
presentation will take place at Top Grade Landscape and Garden Solutions
on Oct. 27. Windsor Awards of Distinction.

Golf tournament
The Windsor Chapter will host its annual golf tournament
on Sat., Sept. 10. The day includes 18 holes of golf, hot dog and pop at
the turn, steak dinner and great prizes. Cost is $100 per golfer. There
is an early bird rate of $350 per foursome for those who register and
pay prior to Aug. 13. Click here to view the Windsor Golf Tournament flyer for more information, or to view sponsorship information.

LO this week

Horticulture Review online

Read the latest news of interest to Landscape Ontario members in the
June edition of Horticulture Review. This month features articles
outlining the pros and cons of the new online group buying programs, a
cover story on Hermanns Contracting and its founder Jorg Hermann, changes coming to Ontario’s health and safety system, LO members talk
about the terrible weather that began the 2011 season, and all the
regular monthly columns. Click here to read the June issue of Horticulture
Review. Anyone may sign up to receive a free subscription to the
electronic version of HR.

Garden centres collecting plastics, June 25 to July 4

Twenty-six participating garden centres across Ontario are working with
gardeners and landscape contractors to collect and recycle plastic plant
pots, cell packs and trays during the 2011 National Plastic Recycling
Event, June 25 to July 4. Contractors may consult the list at
www.horttrades.com/plastic-recyclers to find out which garden centres
will accept their used plastics pots/trays.



LO Member Handbook: Advertising now available

Use the LO Member Handbook to promote your product to a prime buying
audience, Landscape Ontario members. This handy spiral-bound reference
prints on 60 lb. matte paper with heavy covers, and mails to all members
in August. Info and rates here, or call Steve Moyer today,
1-800-265-5656, ext. 316, or 905-299-5366, stevemoyer@landscapeontario.com.

Support Foundation and win cash
Try your
luck in the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation raffle, and
help support your industry. Tickets are $20 each; first prize is $5,000,
second is $1,000 and third is $500. Only 1,000 tickets have been
printed. The draw will take place at the 2011 Industry Auction at Blue Sky Nursery in Niagara wine country on July
14. You may donate in increments of $20 to get raffle tickets. All proceeds to go to scholarships and research projects. Contact Kathleen Pugliese to purchase tickets.

Advanced Green Roof Maintenance seminar, July 26
Created
to assist designers, contractors, facility managers with an important, but
often overlooked aspect of green roofs: maintenance. The seminar examines
design phase considerations; best practices for planning, budgeting, and
implementing maintenance procedures; and approaches for rehabilitating green
roofs that have been subject to maintenance neglect. The seminar will take
place from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at LO home office in Milton. Participants will
receive a 100-page manual with detailed case studies. Lunch is not included. Price
for LO members is $249, and for non-members it is $299. To find out more about
the seminar go to green roofs.

Are you Landscape Industry Certified?
Prove your competence by challenging the Landscape
Industry Certification written test on Thurs., July 21, and practical test on July 22 at the Landscape Ontario
home office. We are currently accepting registrations for both new test and
re-test applicants. Space is limited, so register early. Early bird pricing ends June 24. For further
information or to register, check out our Landscape Industry Certified page, or contact Rachel Cerelli at rachelc@landscapeontario.com.

Labour Market Partnership survey
Landscape Ontario, in partnership with Humber College and the Ontario
Parks Association have initiated a project that will result in the
development of an employer HR toolkit that will benefit each
organization and employer. In order to create this toolkit we need your
help. We call on Employers, Employees, Students and Teachers/Counsellors to
please fill out the survey under that category that fits your description.

Pizza, beer and plants

An informative and unique boys’ night out is set for June 22, starting
at 7 p.m. at Toronto Botanical Garden. For just $50, join two of
Canada’s best-known garden experts Mark Cullen and LO’s own Denis
Flanagan for an informal evening of gardening advice, lawn care tips,
tool talk and more. And, even better, there will be lots of pizza and
Steam Whistle beer. Each dad will also receive a copy of Mark Cullen’s
new book, The Canadian Garden Primer. To register go to pizza and beer, or call
416-397-1341.

Revised heat stress bulletin released by
MOL
The Ministry of Labour has a revised heat stress guideline to assist employers,
workers and others in understanding the dangers, and to develop and implement
policies to prevent heat stress-related illness in the workplace. When hot,
humid conditions and physical activity overcome the body’s natural cooling
system, you may suffer cramps and fainting, or even serious heat exhaustion and
heat stroke. The bulletin is for all employees to initiate the issue as a topic
of discussion for the next safety tailgate. A chart is available on the heat stress
web page.

Industry Auction, July 14

The always-popular Growers Group fundraising event will take
place in Wine Country this year. All industry members are welcome to
the Industry Auction to bid on top quality plant material at below
wholesale prices, while helping raise funds for industry research and
scholarships. The event will take place at Blue Sky Nursery in
Beamsville. For more information go to Industry
Auction.

Seminar explains urns and marketing, July 27
A comprehensive program for retail garden centres, designers and interior landscapers
that will demonstrate how to decipher the customer’s needs, track trends and
design magnificent urns that will keep you busy for the season. Instructors
will explore planting combinations, maintenance, decor and the strategy of
sequential sales to develop a recipe for success. Participants will learn
proper pruning practices, develop marketing programs and learn to up sell with
every design. The seminar will take place at the LO home office in Milton, from
9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $115 for members, and $192 for non-members. For
more information, or to register, go to LO seminars.