LO this week: February 9, 2011

Durham Chapter this week
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Humber College is working in partnership with Landscape Ontario to host a job fair for students currently enrolled in Horticulture Pre-Apprenticeship and Landscape Design programs. The students are available for hire and eager to work in the summer and/or fall of 2011. The job fair will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at 205 Humber College Blvd., Toronto. Employers planning to attend are asked to register with Landscape Ontario's Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com, or Humber College's Terrie Greco at terrie.greco@humber.ca.

Join the Durham Chapter at the Holiday Inn, 1101 Bloor St., Oshawa, for the most popular meeting of the year! The annual spring MTO meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. Contact Helen Hassard at Helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Durham Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham Event Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The program includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The is free of charge, and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Georgian Lakelands Chapter this week
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Enjoy a day on the slopes with the Georgian Lakelands Chapter Annual Snow Day. The event will take place on the hills of Alpine Ski Club in Collingwood. Each year everyone raves what a great time they had at the snow day. To register, or for more information, contact Lexi Dearborn.

Join us for this daytime chapter meeting at Innisbrook Golf Course, 2957 Lockhart Road, Barrie. Ensuring the safety of those who work or live in the vicinity of underground facilities and protecting vital services is everyone's responsibility. Our featured speaker from Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA) will discuss Damage Prevention/Dig Safe - Safe Digging Practices. Safety is and should be involved in all of our activities. Networking and registration starts at 1 p.m. with coffee, tea, and snacks served. There will be a cash bar. To register for this daytime meeting, contact lexi@landscapeontario.com, or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 2317. See a full brochure on the event.

This Dynascape seminar is exclusive to the Georgian Lakelands Chapter. The seminar will take place at Solty's Garden Centre, RR 3 Cookstown, starting at 9 a.m. and running to 4 p.m. DS| Design Solutions product manager Len Hordyk will walk you through a hands-on, interactive demonstration of Dynascape Design and Colour. All registered attendees are able to receive an exclusive, free 30-day trial version of the DS| Design software to install in their laptops, for use during and after the event. Lunch is not included in this event. Cost to LO members is $115, and non-members is $192. To register or for more information on other educational opportunities in the Chapter, go to Seminars.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Georgian Lakelands Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham Event Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The program includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge, and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Golden Horseshoe Chapter this week
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What is required from a company to be viewed as diligent under the law? A one-day program that is designed for all owners and managers to jump-start their health and safety program will take place at Copetown Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. #99 Rd., Copetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants are encouraged to bring copies of their current programs, as well as any relevant materials for discussion. Lunch is included in the cost of $221. For more information, or to register, go to Seminars.

Don't let a small mistake cost you your business or your life! Get educated on locates at the Golden Horseshoe Chapter meeting on Thurs., Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. This lunch meeting will feature the Ontario Regional Common Grounds Alliance. The meeting will take place at Copetown Community Center, 1950 Governors Rd., Copetown. Contact Helen Hassard at Helen@landscapeontario.com for more information.

This program is designed to teach supervisors, safety committee members and representatives of organizations their responsibilities under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. It will take place at Copetown Community Centre, 1950 Hwy. #99 Rd., Copetown, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will examine regulations that pertain specifically to landscaping-maintenance and construction. In addition to this, participants will examine their organization's health and safety standards in relation to the legislation. Lunch is included in the $221 cost. For more information, or to register, go to Seminars.

A workshop to help the competencies of experienced employees, and set the foundation blocks for those being introduced to green space maintenance and management, will take place from Feb. 22 to 25 at Gale Centre Arena, Niagara Falls, Click here for a map and directions. Participants will be introduced to best practices and learn the skills required for safe operation of small hand tools to large grass cutting and turf care equipment. Working safely in a parks/municipal environment requires a comprehensive understanding of the tasks at hand and the equipment designed to effectively and efficiently perform the work. The course is $881.40 for OPA members, and $1,000.05 for non-members. Click here to register online now.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Golden Horseshoe Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen's, 1520 Stone Church Rd. East, Hamilton. The program includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Employers have the opportunity to recruit and interview potential candidates on-site at the Peel Halton Job Fair at the International Centre, Hall Five, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. The one-day job fair serves the Peel and Halton regions. For more information, go to Job Fair.

London Chapter this week
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Landscape Ontario members from the London Chapter are invited to take part in the annual Future Employment Ontario Job Fair. This event is being held at the Carousel Room of the Western Fair in London, Ont., from 9:30 a.m. to 12-noon. For more information, contact Emilie Pilon-David at 519-850-2236, ext. 242, or emilie@acfo-ls.org.

The strategic planning module session will review the process of establishing a strategic plan for your business. The session will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TLC Professional Landscape, 2026 Oxford St. E., London. It is strongly suggested that each participant read and review the CLP manuals prior to taking each course and exam for best success. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. For more information and to register go to London seminars.

The CLP module Risk, Contracts and Legal Requirements covers risk management, contract law and business structures. This topic will help the business owner to minimize day-to-day risk. The second part of the day is geared towards the CLP module, Marketing and Sales Management. Topics include pricing strategies, market research, promotion, competitive bidding, contract negotiation, as well as customer service and effective communication. The seminar will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at TLC Professional Landscape 2026 Oxford St. E., London. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. For more information and to register go to London seminars.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For London Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen's, 1520 Stone Church Rd. East, Hamilton. The program includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Chapter members will meet at Lamplighter Inn, Royal Palm Room, 591 Wellington Rd. S., London, at 7 p.m., following a social hour starting at 6 p.m. There is no charge for this meeting. For more information, contact Wendy Harry at 519-488-0818, or 1-888-211-5606, ext. 2356, or wharry@landscapeontario.com.

Ottawa Chapter this week
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Mark your calendars and register to attend GreenTrade Expo on Wed., Feb. 16, at Lansdowne Park, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet with over 75 exhibitors; attend free business education seminars; visit the new product showcase to see our industry's latest innovations. Events include an MTO/snow contractors' breakfast, and profit builders' luncheon, featuring Ottawa 67's winning coach Brian Kilrea. Only online registration gives the chance to win one of five great door prizes. Don't miss out on the limitless networking opportunities. Register online . For more information got to www.greentrade.ca, or contact Martha .

There are still spaces at a one-day workshop, Portfolio Preparations: Grading, Drainage and Construction Details Technical drawings such as construction details and grading and drainage plans have been stumbling blocks for many CLD applicants. This workshop will help CLD candidates have a better understanding on how to prepare these drawings, and the information needed to create them. The instructor is Beth Edney CLD, multiple award-winning designer. Lunch is not included. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. Please note the new location for all of this winter's professional development seminars is Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa. Register for the workshop, and check more info at Ottawa seminars.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Ottawa Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 10 at 2011 Hampton Inn and Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Educational seminars include Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Check out the Ottawa Chapter Winter course schedule here.

Toronto Chapter this week
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Join the Toronto chapter at the Toronto Botanical Gardens, 777 Lawrence Avenue East, at 6:30 p.m. for a panel discussion on What to Charge for Design and Build - Breaking Out your Pricing? For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Toronto Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 3 at Markham Event Centre, 95 Duffield Dr., Markham. The day includes educational seminars on Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Employers have the opportunity to recruit and interview potential candidates on-site at the Peel Halton Job Fair at the International Centre, Hall Five, 6900 Airport Road, Mississauga. The event begins at 10 a.m. and runs to 4 p.m. The one-day job fair serves the Peel and Halton regions. For more information, go to Job Fair.

Upper Canada Chapter this week
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Join the Upper Canada Chapter at the Strathcona Paper Centre in Napanee, for this highly anticipated MTO session, starting at 2 p.m. Two reasons for attending: staying safe and staying compliant. Learn what's new this year in record keeping, load securement, general maintenance standards, etc. This is considered the most important meeting of the year and will include elections for the 2011 chapter board. Back by popular request is Frank Collins of Pro-Tech Transportation & Industrial Safety Training Services. For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

There are still spaces in a one-day workshop, Portfolio Preparations: Grading, Drainage and Construction Details Technical drawings such as construction details and grading and drainage plans have been stumbling blocks for many CLD applicants. This workshop will help CLD candidates have a better understanding on how to prepare these drawings and the information needed to create them. The instructor is Beth Edney CLD, multiple award-winning designer. Lunch is not included. Cost is $115 for LO members, and $192 for non-members. Please note the new location for all of this winter's professional development seminars is Ottawa District Hockey Association, 1247 Kilborn Place, Ottawa. Register for the workshop, and check more info at Ottawa seminars.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Upper Canada Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 10 at 2011 Hampton Inn and Convention Centre, 200 Coventry Rd., Ottawa. Educational seminars include Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Waterloo Chapter this week
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Join the Waterloo Chapter at the Knights of Columbus, 145 Dearborn Place, Waterloo, from 7 to 9 p.m. for an informative presentation about locates by Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance (ORCGA). The Chapter will also hold its elections for the coming year. For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354, or helen@landscapeontario.com.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Waterloo Chapter members, the closest event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen's, 1520 Stone Church Rd. East, Hamilton. Educational seminars include Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also includes product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

Windsor Chapter this week
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Join the Windsor Chapter at Dominion Golf Course, 6125 Howard Avenue, LaSalle, from 12 to 3 p.m. for a presentation by the Landscape Management Network (LMN). Lunch is included. For more information contact Helen Hassard at hhassard@landscapeontario.com.

The St. Clair College Landscape Horticulture Club is hosting Employer Day on Wed., Feb. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Landscape Ontario member companies are invited to participate in order to help fill any employment needs, and to also help the students with their own employment decisions. Students will come prepared with resumes and questions and employers will be asked to give a brief overview of their operations. If you are interested in attending, please contact Jay Terryberry at 519-972-2727, ext. 2874, or jterryberry@stclaircollege.ca before Feb. 17. There is free parking and refreshments.

Permacon has announced the dates for its Spring Tour 2011 Seminars. For Windsor Chapter members, the closet event is on Mar. 1 at Carmen's, 1520 Stone Church Rd. East, Hamilton. Educational seminars include Sustainable Landscaping by Sean James, Pricing and Estimating for Profit by George Urvari, Proper Installation of Polymeric Sand, Sealers, etc., and a keynote speech by Theresa Syer. The day is free of charge and also include product workshops, lunch, gifts, a mini trade show and even a chance at a door prize. Register here.

LO this week

February Horticulture Review online

Read the latest news of interest to Landscape Ontario members in the February edition of Horticulture Review. This month features comprehensive stories on Congress 2011, details on the plans for the Green for Life garden at Canada Blooms, research into a possible new Canadian-found weapon against the emerald ash borer, Toronto Chapter's project to assist Sick Kids Hospital, in addition to all the regular columns and features. Click here to read the February issue of Horticulture Review. Anyone may sign up to receive the a free HR online subscription by clicking here.

Once again, Landscape Ontario is producing Garden Inspiration, a 64-page, all-colour magazine, featuring award-winning landscapes and exciting new plants for 2011. Its unique flip format also features the Canada Blooms Show Guide. Cartons of 100 can be shipped direct in mid-March, or picked up at LO home office in Milton. Cost is $67 per carton delivered, or $54 per carton picked up in Milton, both prices include tax. Download an order form, or contact Angela Lindsay, alindsay@landscapeontario.com , 647-723-5305.

The introductory Prosperity Partnership seminar will get you started on to the road of success. The next program is scheduled for Landscape Ontario home office at 7856 Fifth Line South, Milton. It is intended to help green industry members clarify what they excel at and what components of their business need attention and improvement. A seminar workbook will be provided. Take this online survey, to measure your strengths and weaknesses in the six Prosperity pillars. Click here for more information, or to register.

Internationally-known designer Jan Moyer will speak on LEDs, and George Gruel will address how to properly shoot photographs of night lighting projects at the Feb. 24 event. Last year, the symposium was sold out, resulting in a move to the larger Grand Chalet venue in Milton this year. Register here and click here to view flyer.

Industry Canada has created a web page benchmarking tool which provides background information on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The program provides access to industry averages for income statement and balance sheet items, financial ratios and information on profitability for small- and medium-sized businesses, and features detailed financial data on more than 600 industries across Canada, including more than 30 performance benchmarks to help small businesses determine how they measure up to their competitors. To access the page go to Benchmarking.

The Garden Centre Sector Group of Landscape Ontario has created a template that all business owners can adopt and modify for their business. This initiative was done to help you create consistency of behaviour, training and job safety for garden centre employees. The template is considered a guideline only, and employers are reminded to make sure they are in compliance with up-to-date legislation. The handbook template can be downloaded from Landscape Ontario's website, Employee Handbook.

Quit hoping for Profit: Plan for it Feb. 14
Chiseled in Stone – Advanced Feb. 14
Native Trees and Shrubs: Expand your Knowledge Feb. 14
CIC Prep seminar Feb. 14
Processes, Performance and Profitability Feb. 15
Advanced Grading & Drainage Feb. 16
Landscape Plants: Where, What, Why and Uses? Feb. 17
Mission Possible: Effective Hiring and Performance Management Feb. 17
Safety Seminar Feb. 18
Quit hoping for Profit: Plan for it Feb. 22
Building Quality Water Features in the Landscape Feb. 22
To Prune or Not to Prune Feb. 22
Green Roof Design 101 Feb. 22
Green Roof 201 Feb. 23
Post-Ban Commercial and Residential Turf Feb. 24
WHMIS-Train the Trainer Feb. 24
Sustainable Turf Health Care on Treed Properties Feb. 25
Legal Obligations of the Landscape Employer Feb. 25

To register or get more information, click seminars.

Jen Llewellyn, Nursery Crops Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will conduct the 9th annual IPM in the Nursery Sector presentation at three sites this year. The first event on Feb. 16 at JC Bakker Nurseries is already sold out, while the next presentation is scheduled for the Copetown Community Centre on Feb. 22. The last seminar is at the Claremont Legion (off Brock Road, northeast of the 407) on Mar. 1. All seminars will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is no charge for attendance, but bring a lunch. If interested in attending, fax 519-767-0755, or email to jennifer.llewellyn@ontario.ca with the names of interested parties from your nursery by the registration date of Feb. 11 for the Copetown seminar, and Feb. 18 for the Mar. 1 event.

Rozanski Hall, University of Guelph, is the site for the 20th annual Ontario Turfgrass Symposium. Speakers from both industry and academia will provide information pertaining to the symposium's theme, 'On the Cutting Edge.' Sports and recreation staff, lawn care, golf course workers and nursery sod growers will benefit from the many sessions, including pest and disease controls to safety and liability issues in turf environments. Registration for the symposium is available at Symposium, or call 519-767-5000 for more information.

The second Canadian Garden Tourism Conference, with the theme of Blossoming Partnerships, will take place Mar. 14 and 15, at the Delta Chelsea Hotel in Toronto. For more information on the event, and to register go to Garden Tourism Conference.

Try your luck in the Ontario Horticultural Trade 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 Industry Night at Canada Blooms on Thurs., Mar. 17. All proceeds to go to scholarships and research projects. Contact Kathleen Pugliese to purchase tickets.

Safety trainer LandscapeSafety.com is offering each LO member a free, comprehensive online training program for one employee. Participants may choose from any or all of 23 online training modules, including WHMIS. To sign up, visit http://www.landscapesafety.com/lo.php.

Reusable tote bags are a great gift for your customers, as well as, an eco-friendly way to promote your business. LO is offering a chance to order your personalized tote bags and give your company logo visibility. The bags feature your company logo on one side, and Landscape Ontario's attractive "Green for Life" icon on the other! Don't let your competitors beat you to it! The more members who purchase the bags, the cheaper the cost will be for everyone; price based on quantity ordered! For more information, contact Helen Hassard at 1-800-265-5656 ext. 354 or Helen@landscapeontario.com

The WSIB launched its new electronic clearance certificate program, called eClearance, on Jan. 17. The WSIB says this online service will allow employers to easily check the validity of a potential contractors' clearance to avoid any financial liability when hiring independent operators / contractors, contractors will be able to obtain an electronic clearance certificate to verify their WSIB account is in good standing, and both parties will be able to view clearance status at any time. For more information about clearance certificates, refer to OPM Doc. No. 14-02-04, Clearance Certificates: Employer Accounts.

Monroe Porter, internationally-known business strategy speaker is coming to Landscape Ontario! Learn to survive and thrive in today's market in this program that demonstrates how to establish goals and strategies to keep pace with the lightning-fast changes in the green industry. Porter will discuss how to combat shrinking margins, realistic budgeting, profitable pricing structures, how to identify winning jobs and more. This seminar takes place on Mar. 2, 1 to 4 p.m., at the LO home office. Cost is $60 for LO members, and $96 for non-members. For more information, see the flyer. Space is limited to 15: register today at the LO seminar page.

A Green Roof Boot Camp is scheduled in Toronto the end of March. The event is an opportunity to become an Accredited Green Roof Professional. Location varies by day: Mar. 24, and Mar. 27 at Ted Rogers School of Management - Ryerson University, 55 Dundas Street West, and March 25 and Mar. 26 at Oakham House Room A/B, 55 and 63 Gould Street. Find out more information on the Boot Camp, or contact training@greenroofs.org

Written tests in all categories of Landscape Industry Certified will take place at Canada Blooms 2011 on Mar. 17. To register, visit Certification, and email completed registration form to rachel@landscapeontario.com, or fax 905-875-3942. Registration to take the tests closes Mar. 3.

The Master Gardeners of Ontario, with the help of sponsorship from Landscape Ontario, have created a brochure on gardening in Ontario. The Great Ontario Garden Guide is available for the low cost of only $20 per 100 copies. Act now and order some before they are in short supply. It is expected that this informative brochure will be popular with your customers. Use it as a sales promotion, goodwill tool, or just to say, "Thank You." Contact John Craw at jonbon@bell.net for further details.

The three-day Ontario Agricultural Irrigation Conference, at Elm Hurst Inn, Ingersoll, will feature a drip irrigation course, presentations by irrigation experts and assistance with the Permit to Take Water program, as well as a trade show. New technologies and the latest research developments in the field of agricultural irrigation will be the focus of the conference. To access the poster and registration form, go to Irrigation Conference.

Ontario Parks Association Foundation Awards Program Once again, Ontario Parks Association Foundation is offering seven $2,500 scholarships and bursaries to students completing their first year in a program related to horticulture, landscaping, parks services, conservation, or environmental management. To see both information and registration form, go to scholarships. The deadline for applications is Apr. 29.

New member applications

Allan Dennis, editor
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