Well, get out the snow shovels, it’s that time of year again.  Since we have so many new businesses in the DIA, we’re providing information from City By-Law N^o. 2008-046 A By-law to Regulate the Removal of Snow and Ice from Streets and Buildings in the City of Owen Sound.  The following excerpts from this By-Law explains what building owners and tenants are responsible for regarding removal of snow and ice.

*        Every owner or occupant of a vacant or occupied building immediately adjoining any street in the City of Owen Sound is required to remove snow and ice from the roof of the building to prevent it from falling onto any street or a sufficient barrier must be placed near the edge of the roof adjoining the street to prevent snow or ice falling into the street.

*        Every owner or occupant of the ground floor of a building (including hallways, laneways or alleyways adjoining the sidewalks on the streets) is responsible for snow and ice to be removed from the sidewalk.

*        Snow and ice must be removed from the sidewalk in front of your business within four (4) hours after every snow fall that occurs during daylight hours and before nine (9) o’clock in the morning following a snowfall

*        When the owner or occupant fails to remove snow and ice from the sidewalk as required under the provisions of By-Law 2008-046 the Operations Department of the City may remove the snow and ice and charge for the removal in the same manner as Municipal Taxes.  There may also be a fine.

Let’s be considerate of those shoppers we welcome into our stores and businesses by making it as convenient and safe as possible for them.  They’ll thank you for it.

The Mix 106.5 “Cash Cruiser” will be visiting Downtown until Saturday, December 17th randomly selecting people on the street to answer a skill testing question to win “cash” in the form of Downtown Gift Certificates.  If you answer correctly you will receive  Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates in amounts of $25, $75 and $100.   Downtown Gift Certificates are redeemable at any store or business in the DIA.  Just use them the same way you would a cheque.   Win Downtown Gift Certificates and use them to buy those special items on your Christmas list or, better yet, spend them on yourself to get your hair done, have a great lunch or dinner at one of the Downtown restaurants or use them to buy that special gift only you can select.  Listen to Mix 106.5 daily for clues as to where to find the “Cash Cruiser” and Downtown holiday magic.

Here’s a great idea for a perfect Christmas gift – Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates!  Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates are redeemable at any shop or business in the DIA.  Use them in restaurants, stores, hair salons — everywhere!  Use them just like you would a cheque.  Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates are available in $5 and $20 denominations and never expire.  Gift Certificates can be purchased at the DIA office for cash, money order or certified cheque.  This is a fantastic opportunity to give the perfect gift this year while supporting local, small businesses.  Experience Downtown Owen Sound!

The Owen Sound Police Service is reminding residents that the City’s overnight winter parking by-law is in effect from December 1st to March 31st.  Parking on any City street or municipal lot is prohibited from 1:00 am to 7:00 am during those dates.  Vehicle owners found in contravention of the by-law are subject to a $30.00 parking fine and the potential of having their vehicle towed at their expense.  Emergency overnight parking is available in designated areas of the municipal parking lot in the 800 Block of 3rd Avenue East.

We have received lots of feedback recently about bicycles on sidewalks and would like to take this opportunity to confirm that bicycle riding on sidewalks is not only very dangerous, it is against the law in Owen Sound.

Riding bikes on sidewalks can be very dangerous. First of all, there is a greater chance of serious collisions with pedestrians as they move in and out of buildings, along sidewalks, and as they exit and enter curb-side parked vehicle. Secondly, the possibility serious collisions with motor vehicles also increases as sidewalk cyclists cross driveways and through intersections.  In fact research shows that sidewalk cycling is twice as dangerous as cycling on the street, and cycling against the traffic on the sidewalk is over four times as dangerous as cycling on the street.
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Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates make great gifts all year round! They give customers exactly what they want by letting them choose from over 350 Downtown Owen Sound shops and services.

Downtown Owen Sound Gift Certificates are great for downtown merchants, businesses and professionals too. Redeemable only in Downtown Owen Sound, they give shoppers another good reason to keep coming back.
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The 22nd Annual Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun takes place on Saturday July 3, 2010 from 8am to 4pm.

All Downtown Businesses, non-profit community groups, and non-DIA commercial organizations interested in participating must complete the HYS Registration Request Form which is now available online at www.downtownowensound.ca, or at the DIA office (854 2nd Avenue East).

Look for the HYS store window poster in the June DIA Newsletter and for more info online at www.downtownowensound.ca (as it becomes available).

Click here to download
2010 Hottest Yard Sale Registration Form

NOTE:  Downloadable Registration Form must be printed, signed and faxed (or hand-delivered) to the OSDIA Office
(fax 519-376-3908 | address 854 2nd Avenue East)

Click here for more information about the 22nd Annual Hottest Yard Sale Under the Sun

Event Sponsors

Heavy-Duty Nylon Packable Bags bearing the familiar Experience Downtown Owen Sound logo are now in stock.
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A new downtown parking map and rate info is available on the City’s website (click here) as well as from the DIA Office and the Service Owen Sound counter at City Hall.

You can also click on map image to download PDF copy right now.

The following web article was produced by AllBusiness.com (a D&B Company), and is included here to spark ideas for and about store window decorating.

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