The Next Pop Star

How do you know if your kid has talent? Let's face it, every parent thinks their child is special, but I'm talking about real musical talent. Is your kid the next Whitney Houston? With a few lessons, will he play piano like Oscar Peterson? After all, every musician got his start somewhere. Every marathon starts with just one step. Most musicians will tell you that they were born with an interest in music. Talent however could benefit greatly from parental nurturing, patience, and support. In this series we talk to professional musicians about how they got started. When did they first realize that they had talent? And what tidbits of wisdom can they offer you as a parent? The first article in our series profiles Darlene Watters, your humble webmaster, and a singer who has spent more than 25 years entertaining in venues throughout Canada, the U.S., the Middle East and Japan. My career began in 1980 in a hard rock band called "Chillum" (oddly, I was so young I didn't know what a chillum was) and I have worked in all sorts of bands from dance and pop to heavy metal and soft rock. A job was a job and for me, all types of music were fun and interesting. It was a great life and I can't even begin to describe with just a few words how many wonderful experiences happened as a result of this career choice. Should your child work towards being a pro? This article series will explore that question. 

Environmental Health Week: JANUARY 18-22, 2010

Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors, http://www.ciphi.ca

Is your drinking water contaminated?

The concept of environmental health can boggle the mind. How do you keep up with the topics of organics/pesticides/herbicides, hormones, heavy metals, environmental pollution, wood staining, paints, and plastics …. The list can go on and on! 

Wasaga Beach - At Your Service

This week we are speaking with Jeff Weiler of Com-Tekk Computers

Com-Tek began in 1996 at a location near Sunnidale Road, tucked behind a Realty office. He began with repairs and training but has grown into a full service and sales with the most interesting storefront in Wasaga Beach. Now located in the old log cabin, 

As 2009 counts down, most news organizations are reflecting on the year from the perspective of pop culture. They are recapping such gems as the nefarious Balloon Boy incident, the very public separation of Jon & Kate plus their incredible brood and the even more outrageous antics of Octomom Nadya Suleman. There was Kanye West who rudely interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, and Lady GaGa tried to shock us with her outrageous wardrobe - although that boat sailed many years ago. 

Wasaga Beach has suffered through some tough times recently. First there was SARS. A media-overblown pandemic that threatened to annihilate all but the strongest of us. Then there was the Fire that destroyed Wasaga Beach. Another grossly exaggerated event that did much to hurt our local economy, if only because it made good headlines for the big Toronto newspapers. Last summer it was Mother Nature who threw us an anvil and asked us to sink or swim. Business in Wasaga Beach is tied to the weather and when she has a hissy fit, nobody is happy. Now there is a new threat and it is coming from our own elected Government. Yes, I'm talking about the Harmonized Sales Tax or HST as it is more widely known. 

To our Loyal Clients, Residents of Wasaga Beach, Tourists and Information Seekers. Thank You for another great year!

As we enjoy another holiday season, and look forward to the end of the year, and the decade, it's time to reflect on the people who make it possible for us to be here.

Our advertisers on wasaga.com aren't just the people who help to keep our lights on, many of them are long-time friends and neighbours. I don't get to see some of them nearly as often as I would like but we appreciate each and every one of them.

Many of the people who visit this website before their vacation have taken a moment or two to say hello and thank us for the information we provide. To them, I say "you're welcome". I have the best job in the world to be able to help people plan some of their happiest memories. I depend on these people to visit, and provide input about what they need. 

The long-time Residents and those who arrived as tourists first. I have had the opportunity throughout my 12 years of running Wasaga.com, and in my career as a musician to know many of you. It is the people in this community that make Wasaga Beach what it is. These are the friendliest, most welcoming group anywhere. I can say that with sincerity since I have been to dozens of towns in Ontario. We first came here in 1992 and it was the people who live here who really convinced me that this was the place to be. 

So from the bottom of our hearts we want to wish all of you the best wishes for the holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone! 

Darlene Watters and Rick Lazaroff

Wasaga Beach - At Your Service

This week we are speaking with Guy Puccini, owner of the Beacon Restaurant.

Guy has been a part of the fabric of Wasaga Beach for decades. His father, Giocomo Puccini bought the Beacon way back int 1946 to keep himself busy after selling his baking business "Taylor's Meat Pies" of Toronto.

The Beacon has been host to live entertainment from Big Band music to rock, to karaoke for longer than most people can remember. This nightclub is popular with locals not just from Wasaga Beach, but Stayner and Collingwood as well. Ask anyone who lives here and they'll immediately tell you about their days partying at the Beacon. 

On December 16th 2009, Bell is making changes to their email servers. If you have a domain hosted with us, and use our email server, this may affect your Outgoing Mail. To avoid problems, you will need to change your Outgoing Mail Settings. 

Can food be affecting your child’s behavior?  

The yellow buses are out on the roads; the kids are back to school! Parents are delighted but this time of year can be stressful for some children. Sitting at a desk for the better part of the day may be dreadful for some children. More and more we are hearing the terms; ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Many parents of active and energetic children may even question if their child may fall under these categories. Most likely they do not. The British Journal of Psychiatry states that only 3% of children are diagnosed with the disorder, however the numbers are on the rise.

Wasaga Beach - At Your Service

This week we are speaking with Anita Parker of Katie's Kandles.

Katie's has been in Wasaga Beach since 2006 and has managed to survive through some of our toughest economic years. Step inside the door to the aroma of gorgeous, scented candles and you can see why this little gift shop is still standing. Unique gifts are a niche market for sure but quality is constantly in demand.