The mandate of this website is not a political one. Our goal, simply put, is to encourage Caledon's residents to shop locally.

But that's not to say we're not intrigued by the ongoing growth debate in Caledon, specifically in Bolton. Population growth here is slated to be approximately 600 residents over the next ten years.

There are those that argue that these numbers are just fine while others would like to see this allocation increased in an effort to boost the pool of potential local shoppers and consumers.

The answer is likely a combination of continued awareness campaigns to our current resident/consumer base, as well as growth. 

All residents of Caledon, current and future, need to see the extended value of shopping locally for their products and services.

We were happy to see Ward 5 Regional Councillor, Patti Foley, quoted in a local newspaper promoting the idea of shopping locally, and think that it's a mantra that should be more vocally adopted by the Town's Economic Development Committee.

Consumers are key to boosting the economic strength and stability of our local communities and it is incumbant on us to set expectations for new residents when they arrive.

To that, we all need to continue to be part of the shop local movement.

Your local merchants thank you.

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More: Why shop locally in Caledon?

Downloading a movie from iTunes or accessing one from Netflicks just doesn't bring with it the same experience. It's a cold and humanless process.

But that has recently changed thanks to the folks at Forster's Book Garden on Healey Road in Bolton.

Admittedly, their selection isn't Blockbuster, but that's not what they're going for. Instead, in keeping with the intimate friendly setting of their book store is a well stocked selection of movies with a variety sure to please all viewers.

Drop by Foresters Book Garden and have a look for yourself.

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AVAILABLE TITLES: 50/50, Alvin & Chipmunks: Chipwrecked, the American, Adventures of Tintin, Babel, Bad Teacher, The Beaver, Black Swan, Blue Valentine, Breaking Dawn Pt. 1, Bridesmaids, Capt. America, Cars, Cars 2, Cedar Rapids, Change Up, Chronicles of Narnia (Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe and Prince Caspian), Contraband, Cowboys vs. Aliens, Crank, Crazy Heart, Crazy Stupid Love, Cursed, Date Night, Darkest Hour, the Descendants, Despicable Me, the Divide, Dolphin's Tale, Drive, Due Date, Eat Pray Love, Expendables, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, The Fighter, Footloose, Friends With Benefits, Get Smart, Gran Torino, Green Hornet, Harry Potter #5, 6 and 7 Parts1 and 2, Hanna, Hangover 1 & 2, Happy Feet 2, Haywire, The Help, How to Train Your Dragon, Hop, Horrible Bosses, Hugo, Hunt to Kill,  Ice Age #2 and 3, Ides of March, Inception, Inglorious Basterds, In Time, Iron Lady, Iron Man 2, It's Complicated, J. Edgar, The Kids Are All Right, King's Speech, Knight and Day, Kung Fu Panda 2, Leap Year, Let Me In, Life As We Know It, Lincoln Lawyer, Lucky Number Slevin, Marmaduke, Matrix Revolutions, Mechanic, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, Moneyball, Morning Glory, Mosquito Coast, Mr. Popper's Penguins, Nanny McPhee Returns, Never Let Me Go, New Year's Eve, Night at the Museum 2, Our Idiot Brother, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Dead Man's Chest,On Stranger Tides, Prince of Persia, Princess & the Frog, Punisher, Puss in Boots, Rango, Ratatouille, Real Steel, Rio, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, R.E.D., Robin Hood, Rum Diary, Scream 4, Secretariat, Seven Days in Utopia, Something Borrowed, Sniper Reloaded, Spy Kids All the Time, Social Network, Straw Dogs, Super 8, Thor, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, Tomorrow When the War Began, Tower Heist, The Town, Transformers 1 & 2, Unknown, Unstoppable, Up, Wall Street Money Never Sleeps, War Horse, Water for Elephants, We Bought a Zoo, Where the Wild Things Are, X-Men First Class and Yogi Bear.  All 3 swedish (subtitled) Girl With the Dragon Tattoo movies and the new American version.

Why the ‘Local Multiplier Effect’ Always Counts

The Local Multiplier Effect is a very valuable, hidden feature of our Caledon economy. The term refers to how many times dollars are recirculated within a local economy before leaving the community. 

The term describes an economic effect in which an increase in spending produces an increase in national income and consumption greater than the initial amount spent. For example, if a corporation builds a factory, it will employ construction workers and their suppliers as well as those who work in the factory. Indirectly, the new factory will stimulate employment in laundries, restaurants, and service industries in the factory’s vicinity.

“Buy local.” We’ve all heard it, but does it really make a difference? 

Where did you do most of your Christmas shopping last December? Was it at an enormous, glittering chain store, over the Internet, or at a smaller local store down the street with its tastefully chosen but more limited inventory? Our shopping habits can have a major impact on Caledon’s economic health. You can be an engine of local prosperity. Where you shop matters!  

The Caledon Chamber of Commerce proudly presents the Caledon Homes Show.  This annual event is an opportunity to bring local business to a centralized spot.  In doing so we make it easier for the residents in Caledon to meet and understand local options, local expertise, and the quality available in our own backyard.  Your Chamber of Commerce is committed to the ongoing reinforcement of the ‘buy local’ experience that goes beyond locally grown food to include sectors such as the service industry, the retail industry, the tourism industry and the entertainment industry.

The focus on buy/shop local has shown that every dollar you spend locally will circulate back to benefit you in many different ways.

Visit the 2012 Caledon Home Show to discover local neighbourhood businesses.

**

submitted: Caledon Chamber of Commerce

Not to be thwarted by uncooperative weather patterns, the organizers of SnowFest in Caledon Village have pulled the trigger on 'plan B'.

And as a result, there will be snow in time for SnowFest on Family Day!

Local companies have come to their resue.

A fabulous outdoor hockey/skating rink, sponsored by SMW Training Consultants, will not be surrounded by snow for the event's other outdoor activities which include skijoring, dog sleg rides and snow castle competition.

Event organizers are excited that, "Clean snow from Teen Ranch will be transported by the truck load to the Caledon Fairgrounds by the kind folks at Peel Landscaping".

Other events during the day are a Firefighters Challenge, outdoor hockey game, family free skate and a 'Chilly' Cook-off where service clubs and community groups from accross Caledon will be presenting their best winter fare to the public.

You can dowload your own map of the fairgrounds on the SnowFest website. The maps contains a ballot for a raffle for a chance to win one of ten freshalicious cookbooks and a dinner for two at the Royal Ambassador courtesy of Brookfiled Homes.

Folks are encouraged to include SnowFest in their plans for Family Day on the 20th. Gates are open from 10AM-6PM and the event is FREE!

There is a growing excitement about a winter event to be held this Family Day (Feb. 20th) in Caledon Village. The Caledon Agricultural Society will be launching “Snowfest” at the Caledon Fairgrounds.

Dedicated to healthy winter fun, exercise and competition for the entire family, Snowfest activities include: snowshoeing, dogsledding and skating, horse drawn sleigh rides, ice sculpture and snow castle competitions, wood carving plus a special winter cook- off.

"Community engagement is paramount", says Snowfest convenor Tim Forster, with his invitation to all oncommunity service clubs and associations, schools, fitness and sports clubs to get involved. “This is a great opportunity to have some friendly competition, meet new friends, and be outdoors”.

For the more passive Snowfest visitors, there will be the “Chilly Cook-off” food and beverage "People's Choice" style competition, plus the vital role of cheering fans for the spirited winter competitions.

"Our objective is to make Snowfest a much sought after annual event which brings lively participation from residents, young and old, support from community business leaders, and visitors from far and wide to Caledon for this winter tourism event" says Stan Dacres, President of the Caledon Agricultural Society.

Admission is free to the public with gates open 10 am to 6pm. The Caledon Fairgrounds are located on Hwy #10 (Hurontario), just south of Charleston Sideroad (Hwy # 24 Hwy) in Caledon Village.

*****

From press release

Shopping in huge malls at Christmastime is a thought that gives me knots in my stomach, causes me to break out in cold sweats and has, in the past, caused much anxiety. I may be alone (although somehow I doubt it) but struggling with hords of people jostling for position in overcrowded malls is not my idea of fun nor, quite frankly, does it leave me it all that much of a Christmas spirit.

That, of course, is not my only reason for getting my Christmas shopping done locally but it's a huge benefit of staying right here in Caledon. This site's motto is that, " It's all here!" and that is true year-round.

True one may have specialty items on your list that can only be found outside of our boundaries, but if one wishes to really remain dedicated to their shop local ideals they'd be pleasantly surprised at the wonderful gift ideas that can be found in our communities.

Ever thought of about amending your list to find locally sourced alternatives or perhaps asking a local store if they can order something in for you? The ones I've spoken with are willing to try to get in what you are looking for.

A very popular alternative to shopping in a store is shopping online but although it may be a time-saving exercise that kind of purchase doesn't help our local economy either.

We can all do our part to spread the Christmas cheap close to home at a local vendor. It make take some planning but local merchants will thank you for it.

*****

Steve

This year the evening featured a fashion show as well as the popular one-of-kind show.

Displays included chocolatiers, confectioners, jewelers, unique soap and essential oils creators, spas and home décor vendors encircled the room.

Coordinated by Betty Bergoine, the show featured clothing provided by Klemintine Designs, shoes from Lost Soles and eyewear courtesy of Bolton Optometry.

Models in the show were local women including Kim Seipt, the Caledon Chamber's past Chair and Barbara Shaughnessy of Tamerlane Interiors.

The venue was elegantly decorated by Rachel A. Clingen Wedding, Event & Seasonal Designs.

A silent auction and raffle were included in the evening and many of the vendors also offered draw in which visitors had opportunities to win great gifts.

*****
Caledon vendors included: Yours Now Mine Consignment Clothing, Avid Equestrian, Lost Soles, Curves, Grand Entrance Designs, The Naked Vine, Sweets by Natalie, Newtopia, Evolution Coaching, Timeless Moments Spa, Wicked Shortbreads, North Hill Soaps, May Kay Cosmetics

posted October 2011

Thursday, October 6th was an absolutely gorgeous day and what better way to spend the evening than at the Caledon Farmer's Market in Bolton.

We were there to lend our support to freshalicious and Caledon Meals on Wheels. Stacey Fokas kindly donated 9 copies of her hugely successful cookbook with all the proceeds of sales of her delicious Lamb Stew and cookbook draw going towards the cause.

Shopincaledon.com was there to facilitate ticket sales for the draw. 

Town of Caledon staff confirm that $23 dollars was raised through the sale of tickets toward the draw for the cookbooks. Considering it was the first time we'd been involved at the farmers market and we're happy with the money raised.

Winners of a freshalicious cookbook: Vita P., Debbie T., Colleen B., Frances L., Courtney H., Kelly M., Dina A., Frank B. and Amalia G. Congratulations!

Follow Stacey's Blog

by Stephen Owen

posted May 2011

Heidi Nielson, Walk for Lupus Bolton-Caledon Co-ordinator, is busy promoting this year's walk. It's the fifth year of the walk in Bolton and to-date thousands of dollars have been raised; $7,000 last year alone.

"People are not required or have to have a minimum pledge to be able to walk but of course we highly recommend that they raise as much as they can", states Heidi.

Lupus is a chronic disease with a variety of symptoms caused by inflammation in one or more parts of the body. It is estimated that it affects more than 50,000 Canadians.

Lupus is not contagious and is not related to AIDS or cancer. It belongs in the family of diseases that includes rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, juvenile diabetes, and scleroderma.

The most common type of lupus is SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It is a complex and baffling condition that can target any tissue or organ of the body, including skin, muscles, joints, blood and blood vessels, lungs, heart, kidneys, and the brain.

There are other types of lupus which mainly affect the skin. A few individuals develop drug-induced lupus as a response to some medications used to treat other conditions. These symptoms disappear when the person stops taking the medication.

Women, men, children can get Lupus. Between the ages 15 and 45, eight times more women than men get lupus. In those under 15 and over 45, both sexes are affected equally.

Heidi runs a local support group at the First Anglican Church (22 Nancy Street Bolton) on the second Tuesday of each month.

"Due to the turn out fluctuation I ask that people call me to confirm by phone that they will be coming", explains Heidi.

*****
Heidi Nielsen
Walk for Lupus Bolton-Caledon Co-ordinator
Lupus support group Leader
Lupus Ontario Public Awareness Board of Director
647-202-0898

Register to walk or donate to a participant (Heidi Nielsen) at www.walkforlupus.ca

*****

by Stephen Owen

posted May 2011

In the line at the store, the cashier told the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bag because plastic bags werent good for the environment. The woman apologized to him and explained, "We didnt have the green thing back in my day."

The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. The former generation did not care enough to save our environment."

He was right, that generation didnt have the green thing in its day.

Back then, they returned their milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So they really were recycled.

But they didnt have the green thing back in that customer's day.

In her day, they walked up stairs, because they didnt have an escalator in every store and office building. They walked to the grocery store and didnt climb into a 300-horsepower machine every time they had to go two blocks.

But she was right. They didnt have the green thing in her day.

Back then, they washed the babys diapers because they didnt have the throw-away kind. They dried clothes on a line, not in an energy gobbling machine burning up 220 volts wind and solar power really did dry the clothes. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters, not always brand-new clothing. But that old lady is right, they didnt have the green thing back in her day.

Back then, they had one TV, or radio, in the house not a TV in every room. And the TV had a small screen the size of a hankerchief, not a screen the size of the state of Montana. In the kitchen, they blended and stirred by hand because they didnt have electric machines to do everything for you. When they packaged a fragile item to send in the mail, they used a wadded up old newspaper to cushion it, not styrofoam or plastic bubble wrap.

Back then, they didn't fire up an engine and burn gasoline just to cut the lawn. They used a push mower that ran on human power. They exercised by working so they didnt need to go to a health club to run on treadmills that operate on electricity.

But shes right, they didnt have the green thing back then.

They drank from a fountain when they were thirsty instead of using a cup or a plastic bottle every time they had a drink of water. They refilled their writing pens with ink instead of buying a new pen, and they replaced the razor blades in a razor instead of throwing away the whole razor just because the blade got dull.

But they didnt have the green thing back then.

Back then, people took the streetcar or a bus and kids rode their bikes to school or rode the school bus instead of turning their moms into a 24-hour taxi service. They had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. And they didnt need a computerized gadget to receive a signal beamed from satellites 2,000 miles out in space in order to find the nearest pizza joint.

But isn't it sad the current generation laments how wasteful the old folks were just because they didn't have the green thing back then.

author unknown