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allontario.ca May 2015

Got a Traffic Ticket? First long-distance drive ever!

TESLA Model S The safest car on the road

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AllOntario.ca All about living and doing business in Ontario. All in one site. CONTENT First Long Distance Road Trip in the History

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UFO‟s, Ghosts and Honest Mechanics… Do They Really Exist? Ontario 511 – Traveller Information Services

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The Safest Car on the Road – Tesla Model S World Most Expensive Cars

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Outing That Almost Did Not Happen… Got a Traffic Ticket? Where is my car? ELORA - “Ontario‟s Most Beautiful Village” Day Out With My Relatives

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First long distance road trip in the history The world’s first long distance road trip by Bertha Benz, Germany, August 1888

Although several other German engineers (including Gottlieb Daimler, Wilhelm Maybach, and Siegfried Marcus) were working on the problem at about the same time, Karl Benz generally is acknowledged as the inventor of the modern automobile. An automobile powered by his own four-stroke cycle gasoline engine was built in Mannheim, Germany by Karl Benz in 1885, and granted a patent in January of the following year under the auspices of his major company, Benz & Cie., which was founded in 1883. It was an integral design, without the adaptation of other existing components, and included several new technological elements to create a new concept. He began to sell his production vehicles in 1888. In 1879, Benz was granted a patent for his first engine, which had been designed in 1878. Many of his other inventions made the use of the internal combustion engine feasible for powering a vehicle.

In August 1888 Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz, undertook the first road trip by car, to prove the road-worthiness of her husband‟s invention. The world‟s first long distance road trip by automobile took place in Germany in August 1888 when Bertha Benz, the wife of Karl Benz, the inventor of the first patented motor car (the Benz Patent- Motorwagen), travelled from Mannheim to Pforzheim (a distance of 106km/66 miles) in the third experimental Benz motor car (which had a maximum speed of 10mph/16km/h) and back, with her two teenage sons Richard and Eugen but without the consent and knowledge of her husband. Her official reason was that she wanted to visit her mother but unofficially she intended to generate publicity for her husband‟s invention (which had only been used on short test drives before), which succeeded as the automobile took off greatly afterwards and the Benz‟s family business eventually evolved into the present day Mercedes-Benz company.

UFOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, Ghosts and Honest Mechanicsâ&#x20AC;Ś Do They Really Exist? By Daniel Foster For most of us, the complexity of car repairs leaves us vulnerable to shady repair shop owners and mechanics. If you worry about your vehicle and wonder whether your mechanic is an honest one, you are not alone. Although most repair shops and mechanics are honest, there are some that will empty your wallet without a second thought about their moral compass. Poorly repaired vehicles can break down in traffic. This is particularly dangerous at high speeds. Crucial parts can also crack or malfunction. You could lose control, causing a serious risk to you, other drivers and pedestrians. With car repairs, consumer protection starts with you. When considering a garage to repair your vehicle, you should shop carefully and diligently. After all, how many other investments do you make that are worth thousands of dollars? All repairs to motor vehicles are covered under Part VI of the Consumer Protection Act, 2002. This particular section of the Act includes but is not limited to muffler shops, used car lots, dealerships, and garages. When an unsuspecting consumer visits these repair facilities, they should know their rights.

When you visit a garage, the first thing you should see is a conspicuously displayed sign setting out how much the garage charges and repair practices. The sign should state that replaced parts will be returned to you if you want them. The sign should also state that the repairer is required to give a written estimate unless the customer declines. Furthermore, always get an estimate in writing. One of the biggest mistakes a consumer can make is to sign a blank work order before repairs are carried out. Some important points the written estimate should include are: an exact description of the repairs to be made; the parts to be installed and whether they will be new, used or reconditioned; price of the parts; number of hours to be billed; how labour is calculated; and total amount to be billed.

The key strategy in having this estimate is that a repairer cannot charge you more than 10% of the estimate if they carry out services beyond the authorized repairs. We have all heard about that friend, relative or colleague who took their vehicle in for repairs only to find out that the mechanic carried out other costly services because “they cared” about your safety. If they refuse to provide an estimate, drive away immediately. Once the repairs are carried out, should the consumer and the garage have a dispute over the costs or quality of repair, the repairer has a remedy by which they may sell the vehicle under the umbrella of the Repair and Storage Liens Act. To remedy this, the consumer may file an application with a court of competent jurisdiction and pay the full amount of the bill there. By doing this, the repairer is required to return your vehicle to you until the court can decide where the liability falls.

The Consumer Protection Act also provides a statutory warranty period after the repairs are carried out. You are entitled to a warranty period of 90 days or 5000 kilometers, whichever comes first. The warranty applies to all labour costs and includes all new and reconditioned parts. Should your vehicle break down before this warranty period expires, you are entitled to take it to another garage and the original repairer must pay for the repairs and all reasonable towing charges incurred. In the end, it is up to us to be prudent consumers. The garage that sits just a block away from your home may prove convenient, but costly in the end. Although UFO‟s and ghosts have proven to be elusive, a good garage mechanic doesn‟t have to be. To learn more about consumer rights, visit the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Consumer Services web site.

Consumer Protection Ontario http://www.ontario.ca/consumers/consumer-protection-ontario

Ontario 511 Traveller Information Services

Attribution: "Highway 401 east of Highway 400" by AlbertaScrambler http://www.flickr.com/photos/62153623@N05/9024112536/in/photolisteKqWgb. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Ontario 511 is an Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) telephone service that provides the public with voice-activated, handsfree information on provincial highways. The Traveller Information Services provides road information for provincial highways in Ontario by telephone at 5-1-1 or online with accessible information on the MTO Ontario 511 website www.ontario.ca/511 At present, the Ontario 511 site is not mobile friendly. Check online before setting out on a trip, to see the latest: • Road Closures & Restrictions: incidents and closures, today‟s roadwork, planned roadwork • Traffic & Road Information: construction, traffic flow (GTA), high occupancy vehicle lanes (HOV) • Road Conditions: description of road conditions and visibility • Traffic Cameras & Carpool Lots • Other Traveller Information: service centres, ferry services, provincial parks, travel information centres

How to access Ontario 511 The Ontario 511 telephone service is available throughout Ontario and is free. Just dial 511. Call to check the roads before setting out on a trip. If calling 511 while driving, observe Ontario‟s ban on cell phone use while driving. Pull over safely to the road shoulder before calling or use hands-free, Bluetooth technology. If you travelling in another province or state If you wish to call Ontario 511 toll free while driving in another province or state, dial 1-866-929-4257 FREE The information provided and updated as it becomes available. Although every effort is done to ensure that the information is as current and accurate as possible, errors do occasionally occur. Therefore, MTO cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information provided. Ontario 511 road information can assist provincial road travellers with planning travel routes, avoiding congestion due to poor weather conditions, construction or road closures, and receiving critical information when emergencies or events arise. http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/trip/

THE SAFEST CAR ON THE ROAD

Tesla Model S

"EV Rally Trollstigen Tesla Model S" by Norsk Elbilforening https://www.flickr.com/photos/elbilforeningen/14498680842/ Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The Tesla Model S is a full-sized plug-in electric five-door, luxury liftback, produced by Tesla Motors. Since its introduction in June 2012 it has achieved rapidly growing sales, particularly in Norway and California. It scored a perfect 5.0 NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) automobile safety rating. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) official range for the Model S Performance model equipped with an 85kWh battery pack is 265 miles (426km), topping the Tesla Roadster to lead the electric car market. EPA rates its energy consumption at 237.5Wh per kilometer (38kWh/100mi) for a combined fuel economy of 89 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (2.64L/100km). Global cumulative sales of the Model S passed the 25,000 unit mark in December 2013. The Model S became the first electric car to top the monthly new car sales ranking in any country, twice leading in Norway, in September and again in December 2013. As of March 2015, about 66,800 units had been sold worldwide.

• • • • • • •

NHTSA crash tests results for 2013 Tesla Model S: Overall: 5 stars Frontal Driver: 5 stars Frontal Passenger: 5 stars Side Driver: 5 stars Side Passenger: 5 stars Side Pole Driver: 5 stars Rollover: 5 stars

Recognition Consumer Reports rated the Model S with a score of 99 out of 100, becoming the Automobile Magazine‟s best car ever tested. The score would have been higher but for the fact that the allelectric car does need to stop and recharge during extremely long-distance drives. “If it could recharge in any gas station in three minutes, this car would score about 110,” said Jake Fisher, head of auto testing for Consumer Reports. Fisher called the car‟s performance in the magazine‟s performance tests “off the charts.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_Model_S

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WORLD MOST EXPENSIVE CARS sold in public auction Ferrari 250 GTO

"1962 Ferrari 250 GTO 34 2". Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

The 1904 Rolls-Royce 10hp Two-Seater is currently listed on the Guinness World Records as the most expensive veteran car to be sold, at the price of US$7,254,290 ($8,250,867 in 2015), on a Bonhams auction held at Olympia in London on December 3, 2007. The Rolls-Royce 10hp was the first car to be produced as a result of an agreement of 23 December 1904 between Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, and badged as a Rolls-Royce. The 10hp was produced by Royce's company in Cooke Street, Hulme, Manchester, and was sold exclusively by Rolls' motor dealership, C.S.Rolls & Co., at a price of GBP395. Only four models are believed to survive.

A 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO serial number 3851GT sold at Bonham's Quail Auction on August 14, 2014 for US $38,115,000.00, becoming the world's most expensive car in the history. While collectible cars have been sold privately for more, this is the highest price ever paid for a car at a public auction. The Ferrari 250 GTO is a racing GT car which was produced by Ferrari from 1962 to 1964 into the FIA's Group 3 Grand Touring Car category. When new, the GTO cost $18,000 in the United States, and buyers had to be personally approved by Enzo Ferrari and his dealer for North America, Luigi Chinetti.

"Rolls-Royce 1011288360" by Terry Whalebone - Flickr: Rolls Royce. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

1904 Rolls-Royce 10hp Two-Seater

By Felix Shuster

OUTING, THAT almost DID NOT HAPPEN…

One Day Ontario Tours “Beautiful Ontario” Felix Tours – Happy Voyages Raisa & Felix Shuster 416-953-0280 info@felixtours.com

http://felixtours.com/ True to our belief, that „exciting places can be often (surprisingly) found in our own environment, not in exotic destinations‟, we had explored attractions of Elgin & Oxford Counties to the South-West of Toronto. This was intended for week-end Getaway for 2 or 3 days.

City of Woodstock and towns of Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, St. Thomas and Port Stanley present veritable treasury of historic sites, exciting museum collections and unique attractions of greatest interest.

One might wonder for reasons that this perfect outing, painstakingly researched and prepared, had been initially ignored or overlooked by the people we were offered it to. Now, I come to the word „Almost‟ in the title of this article. It was pity to forfeit all the effort of establishing and cultivating friendly contacts with businesses in Elgin & Oxford counties, so we placed an advertising for a similar tour in the Russian language newspaper for August 2013. So, with 16 people in a 29-pax bus this tour was an absolute success, if not overwhelming financially, but otherwise. At the end of the trip all tourists expressed their amazement at every aspect of the 3-day program: be it exceptionally warm treatment in the Elmhurst Inn & Spa in Ingersoll, superb collections of Woodstock Historic Museum, amazing experience at Clovermead Adventure farms, outstanding décor and personal stories in historic House-Museums of „Annandale‟ in Tillsonburg and „Eldon House‟ in London, memorable Elgin Railway Museum in St.Thomas and funny stories told by

volunteer keepers of a small „Stork Dance Club and Hall of Fame‟ exhibit in Port Stanley. The truly surprising for all on the tour were: Giant (20ft long) intricate woodcarving “The Pathway of Giants” done by famous wood carver late Wilson Johnston in the Ingersoll Community Museum. Stunning collections of Gay-Lea Dairy Museum in Aylmer. The latter one deserves a few words: located in a large building on two floors, where presented thousands items, related to dairy production and distribution – all gathered by members of one family of Dutch immigrants to Canada (Andy and Lotty van Kasteren) between 1930 and 1983. The size and range of exhibits is astounding. Gay-Lea (Cooperative of Dairy Farmers) had bought it and turned into unique museum. It was very enjoyable tour for us, and park-like setting around museum is perfect bonus. By the way, Elgin County was recipient of many Ontario Awards for development of Tourism attractions and culture. We suggest you to find the time to explore it for yourself.

Got a Traffic Ticket? Knowing the Options You Have Okay, for any reason youâ&#x20AC;&#x;ve got a traffic ticket. Now what? Now you have to consider the options you have. According to the circumstances involved and the information on your traffic ticket, consider which option to choose.

You have 15 days from the date of your traffic ticket to decide. Basically, you have three options to fight your traffic ticket: 1. Plead guilty by paying the fine (a conviction is registered). 2. Visit a court office to plead guilty but make submissions about the penalty (amount of fine or time to pay) (a conviction is registered). 3. Request a trial. You have the right to fight your traffic ticket in court. Depending on what your traffic ticket says, you may need to either mail in your ticket showing that you want a trial or you may need to visit a court office to file a request for trial. You also have the fourth option â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hire a paralegal and they fight your traffic ticket the best way possible. Actually, the last option is the best. No kidding!

Remember, paying the fine is an admission of guilt. There will be a conviction registered in your driver records. You will have no chance to lower your traffic ticket fine and demerit points (if any). Do not forget, if you have a conviction record, your auto insurance will be increased upon renewal. Requesting a trial (option 3) Depending on what your traffic ticket says, you may need to either mail in your traffic ticket showing that you want a trial or you may need to visit a court office to file a request for trial.

Notice of Intention to Appear If your traffic ticket says that you must attend court to request a trial, then you will be required to complete a Notice of Intention to Appear (NIA) at the court office. It is vital that the information recorded on this document is written neatly and correctly to ensure that notification, when mailed, will be directed properly. The trial notice indicating your trial date, time and place will be mailed to you at the address indicated on the NIA. It is your responsibility to advise the court if you change your mailing address. First Attendance Meeting If you wish to meet with the Prosecutor to discuss your charge, you may attend the court office and request a First Attendance Meeting. You will be required to complete a Notice of Intention to Appear (NIA) for the meeting and a date will be scheduled with the Prosecutor. Summons If you received a summons, it will indicate a court date instead of a fine. You are required to attend court on the date indicated on the summons. If you fail to appear in court, a warrant may be issued for your arrest, or the court may proceed to trial in your absence. You may not see a Justice of the Peace before your court date, and depending on the type of offence, your matter may be dealt with by the Provincial Prosecutor. Disclosure Disclosure is a legal procedure when the defendant is provided with copies of all evidentiary documents which will be used by the Prosecutor at trial. To order disclosure, you have to go to the court and fill out a Request for Disclosure form. It takes a while so you should apply for disclosure as soon as possible. Going to Court Going to your hearing, you have to look decent, clean and professional. It could happen that your entire case can rest on your attitude. Always show respect for the court and the proceedings.

Once Convicted Once convicted, you will receive a “Notice of Fine and Due Date” informing you of your conviction and your payment due date. This notice also informs you of the actions that may be taken, (such as Licence Suspension, Plate denial, civil action and reporting the outstanding debt to a collection agency), should you not pay your fine. Ignoring Your Traffic Ticket If you do not respond to the traffic ticket within 15 days, you may be convicted of the offence you are charged with. If you are convicted you would be required to pay the set fine, court costs and, if it is not a parking ticket, the victim fine surcharge by the due date. Failure to pay the fine imposed upon conviction by the due date will result in one or more of the following: • the Ontario Ministry of Transportation could refuse to issue or validate your vehicle permit • For certain offences, including speeding, your driver‟s licence could be suspended • You will be charged an additional fee • Your defaulted fine will be referred to a collection agency and then will be given to a credit bureau Two amounts on your traffic ticket: When you take a closer look at your Traffic Ticket, you will see two amounts: one is the “set fine” and the other one is the “total payable”. The total payable consists of the set fine, court costs and the victim fine surcharge. Basically, every fine becomes a “three in one” fine, for example: 1) Fine specified by the Court – $60.00; 2) Victim Fine Surcharge, Ontario Regulation 161/00 – $15.00; 3) Court Costs $5.00. Total: $80.00 A victim fine surcharge is deposited into a special fund to help victims of crime. Its amount is usually 20% of the imposed fine. Fines over $1,000 carry a surcharge of 25%. Happy driving!

Is it a good idea to hire a paralegal to fight your traffic ticket? Actually, yes. There are too many reasons for that, just to mention a few: • First and foremost – a paralegal can save your nerves, time and money. • They have experience and knowledge to develop the best strategy for your defence. • It always takes time and needs knowing the legal procedures to get necessary information (for example, disclosure) to fight your traffic ticket. • You will not have to ask for a day off at work to request a trial date and then to attend the hearing: they‟ll come to the hearing instead of you, and you wont be involved in a stressful process. • The police officer who issued you the traffic ticket must show up at the court for hearing. If the police officer fails to show, your case will be dismissed. If you have a good reason to change a date, there might be a chance that the officer won‟t show up. You need to make your request in writing a few days in advance of the scheduled hearing. The paralegal can help you out with this. • If you got a speeding ticket, there is a legal requirement that radar guns need to be re-calibrated in a certain period of time. In reality, sometimes they are not. Paralegals know legal procedures of verifying whether this was done and documented. • Often, paralegals talk to the Prosecutor before the hearing and they are able to come out with a good deal such as: lower a fine or decrease the demerit points or both. Weigh the pros and cons of every option. Calculate the cost of fighting the traffic ticket and weigh it against the chances of getting it dismissed or reduced to a lower charge.

By Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal

Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal

416-671-7670 cpsolutions60@gmail.com

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Where is my car?

Was your parked car impounded due to an accident while you were not present? In a very stormy winter day John decided not to take his car to work and left it parked on the street close to home. When he came back, he wanted to clean his vehicle of the snow, which surely had accumulated during the time he was absent, and put it in the garage. Surprise, Surprise! His car was nowhere to be found. Panicking a little bit, he asked a neighbour if he had seen somebody taken his car during the day. Luckily for him, the neighbour knew that due to the bad weather conditions, there was an accident in which four cars were involved and one of them was John‟s. The first question John asked himself was “what to do know”? At that time he had no clue about what to proceed.

By Carlos Perdomo Licensed Paralegal

What to do if your car was impounded due to an accident while you were not there: avoiding a nightmare

If you are involved in a situation similar to John’s here, is what you need to do: 1. Find out where your car was impounded by calling the Toronto Police Radio Room 416-808-2222: they will inform you where your car is and who was the officer in charge of the incident. 2. Go to the place in which your car is to have an idea about the damages. 3. Go to the Division that the Officer belongs to, to speak whit him or her and request the accident report. 4. After having the report, call your insurance company to report the accident: usually, in your insurance slip you can find that number at the bottom of it, and provide as much details as you can about the accident. The insurance adjuster will ask a number of questions for about 20 minutes, therefore, have all information pertinent ready: policy number, drivers licence, etc. You will be assigned a claim number and it would take a few days for the Insurance Company to make a decision. The adjuster will contact you and explain the reasons of that decision and your options. Remember: • You have the right to choose where your vehicle will be repaired (if it‟s not a complete loss). • DO NOT SIGN ANY PAPERS AT THE IMPOUND PLACE, wait for the Insurance Company to suggest one or if you know a reliable shop, request that the vehicle be send to that place. Who is going to pay for your damaged car? There are three scenarios: 1. The driver who caused the car accident was identified – The Insurance Company of that driver will pay for your damaged vehicle. 2. The driver who caused the car accident was NOT identified and you have FULL COVERAGE AUTO INSURANCE – Your Insurance Company will pay 3. The driver who caused the car accident was NOT identified and you have LIABILITY AUTO INSURANCE – You will pay from your own pocket. I hope that this information can help you out.

“Ontario’s Most Beautiful Village” A.J. Casson “Group of Seven”

A short distance away from the hustle and bustle of city life and yet it feels like… a world away. Located within driving distance from the Greater Toronto Area, there is a fantastic place set amidst scenic rolling hills and fertile farmland. The village of Elora is one of the most charming areas of Ontario. Well known for the spectacular Elora Gorge on the Grand River, Elora‟s charismatic village atmosphere remains unchanged. Founded in 1832, by a retired British officer, who had recently returned from India, Captain William Gilkison purchased 14,000 acres of land in Nichol Township at the Grand River Falls. Originally called Irvine Settlement, the village was renamed Elora when the post office was established in 1839. Gilkison named the community after his brother‟s ship, which was itself inspired by the Elora Caves near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India. Gilkison, a cousin of John Galt, the founder of the city of Guelph, was a native of Irvine, Scotland. He soon established a sawmill and a general store, all before his untimely death in 1833. Scottish stonemasons built the village along the Grand River and the spectacular Elora Gorge in the heart of Ontario‟s farmland. 170 years have passed, and little has changed. The stark limestone architecture and natural beauty of the 80-foot gorges of the Grand and Irvine Rivers are the perfect setting for this jewel, with its historic charm and appealing village core. Since a great many of the early settlers in Ontario were from the United Kingdom, it is not surprising that their buildings often contain details found in English Gothic and medieval architecture. Many elements of stone buildings in England are translated into wood on cottages and smaller residences in Ontario Gothic Revival buildings. The overall effect is eclectic and usually ornate. The Gothic Cottage is probably the most pervasive Ontario residential style prior to 1850. By 1858, Elora became incorporated as a village. Situated by the junction of the Grand River, and the Irvine River, Elora is located about 15ml northwest of the City of Guelph, has a population of more than 4,500.

Once a bustling mill town, because of the water power of the Grand River, Elora has preserved its heritage. Many of the turn-of-thecentury buildings have been exceptionally restored and now house an interesting variety of craft and specialty stores. Experience year round, the great outdoors amid the beauty and splendour of Elora, for either the novice or experienced adventure enthusiast, it has much to offer. Cycle a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail, which links the village with other rural communities, or explore the area on walking trails in the village and throughout the Elora Gorge Conservation Area. Discover trails that descend to the river‟s edge in the midst of terrific limestone cliffs and caves. Bring a canoe or kayak and paddle the waters, rent a tube and go down the Grand River rapids. The Elora Gorge Park is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural environments of Southern Ontario. Limestone cliffs on both side of the Gorge plummet 22m into the Grand River below. Riverside trails (with safety barriers) and scenic overlooks provide hikers with stunning views of the water far below. The waterfall at the Tooth of Time is a spectacular view of natural power. The Conservation Area also includes a cascade waterfall, “Hole in the Rock”, and numerous small caves. An opening in the limestone walls, stairs lead down to the Grand River to Lover‟s Leap, where an aboriginal princess is said to have jumped to her death when she found out that her beloved had been killed in battle. The Grand River is a popular fly fishing destination. Balloon rides start from the nearby Bissell Park, providing visitors a unique view of the Gorge from way up in the air, a four season, open-air location for picnics, skate boarding, football, soccer and ice-skating, it is a place to have a lot of joy. Whatever the activity, Elora is surrounded by some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Ontario.

Swimming in the Elora Quarry, where the rock walls are 12m high is a popular attraction. Visit the “old swimming hole”! Enjoy a memorable experience, with Elora‟s many cultural events, those with artistic inclinations can “dabble in the arts” at the Elora Centre for the Arts or at the Wellington County Museum & Archives. The famous Elora Scottish Festival, garden tours, an early fall studio tour, and a sparkling night time Santa Claus Parade make tempting return visits a must! Celebrate Canada‟s Birthday at the traditional Dominion Day Festivities including a pancake breakfast, soap box derby, and more. Enjoy quality family time with a visit during Monster Month in October and the Santa Claus Parade in late November. Annual Elora Festival has been a wonderful artistic happening in Southern Ontario for over 25 years. The Annual Elora Book Sale attracts book lovers from all over Canada and the USA. Since the early 1960s, Elora has been known as an artists‟ community specializing in handcrafted and one-of-a-kind items. These owner-operated studios and galleries present an incredible opportunity: a chance to meet the artists in person, learn about their business and the artwork they create. Stroll the lovely, historic streets of Elora, rich in character and charm. Visit the downtown area with its unique gift shops and boutiques, often featuring unique work from local artists. Many of these picturesque stores are housed in century-old buildings. The Elora Mews shops on Mill Street are just steps from the Gorge and the Mill. The lantern-lit courtyard, limestone walls and very unique stores are not to be missed. When visiting Elora, be sure to pack an adventurous spirit along with hiking shoes, swim gear, a bicycle, and a camera is a must. Remember Elora, tell friends about Elora, and, most of all, visit it often!

DAY OUT WITH MY RELATIVES

By Carlos Perdomo

I am all for healthy family relationships. For me, is very difficult to understand why brothers and sisters, after spending their childhood years together, go their separate ways and seldom see each other again. With that spirit in mind, I decided to invite my brothers, Fernando and Alfredo, along with their respective better halves, on a weekend trip to Algonquin Park. After a brief consultation between them, they told me they really appreciated the invitation, and they only wanted to know the day of the excursion. I suggested going next Sunday, and in addition, I suggested we hold a five minute conversation to put together the details. Fernando, my oldest brother, said at once, “Forget about any special meetings. Let‟s go, have fun, and explore a new place. As long as they accept debit cards who cares about the rest?” Alfredo, my youngest brother, only wanted to know if there were enough rest areas along the way, due to his constant stomachal problems. Christina, Alfredo‟s wife, wanted to be sure that cellular phones worked properly in the middle of the park, because she needed to be in constant communication with her son. Deborah said, “Let‟s see what happens.” To avoid any misunderstandings, I proposed to divide all the expenses accordingly: gasoline, food and miscellaneous, a request that was immediately and unanimously approved. They offer to pay for their expenses in due time. I returned home ready to share the good news. Brenda, (she was the one who came up with the whole idea) almost killed me when I told her about the deal.

“Are you out of your mind? There is no way I am going to go on that trip empty handed! It‟s my tradition,” she continued to say, pointing her finger at me, “to offer food from my country to anybody who is willing to share a good time with members of my family.” “But we agreed,” I tried to say. “It does not matter. Next Saturday we are going to do shopping and buy a few special things I already have in mind. They are going to love every bit, or in this case, every bite of it.” “Relax,” I said. “Remember the other time when you prepared that fancy meal and nobody touched it? Or when you arranged six or seven different dishes and we had to throw everything in the garbage?” “That‟s a completely different situation. You see, now I am sure of what they like. I hope we will have enough time to go to, “Sweet & Sweet,” to buy those delicious cheese pastries.” “What? We can not do that! That bakery is in Kingston. Have you forgotten?” “Do not exaggerate. It is not that far.” “It is almost like going on another trip for God‟s sake.” “Well, no pastries, no trip.” On Friday night, I received a call from Alfredo. Right away he told me that a dilemma had arisen. “Hey Aquileo, what‟s new?” “Same old, same old, my friend,” I replied. “Ok” “Are you ready for Sunday?” “Almost, but I would like to ask you a fast and simple question.” “Shoot!”

“Christina has close relatives living in Huntsville, you know, and she wants to know if there is any possibility, you know, of stopping there for a couple of hours to visit with them, you know?” “Difficult to say,” I replied. “It all depends what time we are leaving and how long we want to explore the park.” “I understand, you know, the poor soul has not seen them for a long time and it would be great to do so.” “What about any other time?” “She believes it is a great opportunity, you know, not only to see her next of kin, but also to save some money. If she goes by herself later, you know, there‟s the cost of transportation and time, etc.” “Tell your honey that my humble answer this time is no. We do not have enough hours to spare: “She won‟t be pleased, you know, the poor soul.” Later that same evening, Fernando called and invited me to go out for a cup of coffee. I had already finished my work for the day, so it seemed like an excellent idea to talk a little nonsense and a lot about baseball. We met at Yorkdale Mall and embraced in a classic affectionate hug, a ritual we have maintained for more that 40 years. He looked unusually serious and obviously the question had to be asked. “Are you okay, bro?” “Yeah, yeah.” “You do not look too pleased.” “True. I‟m asking myself why we have to make everything so difficult.” “Generally speaking, I suspect?” “Sure, sure.” “C‟mon. Do not allow anything spoil your life. Drink your latte.” “Deborah...” “What about Deborah?” “I really do not like to bother you, but she‟s been a pain in the neck these last two days.” “Why?” “She wants to take the cat with her.” “Excuse me?” “On the trip.”

“Do not tell me.” “I‟m telling you! She can not find someone to leave the, “felis catus,” with. And she is so worried about her. How is she going to eat? What if she cries and nobody is around? What if she gets lost?” “I see.” “The damn cat disappears for weeks and nobody pays attention. The food stays there forever and no one comments. The crying goes on and on for months and not a twitch. Enough is enough! She has to go. I need to find a good family and give it away, because to be honest with you, I am sick and tired of all the fights because of Felixia.” “Difficult eh?” “So, what do you think?” “About?” “About taking the cat?” Oh, Oh, I needed to come up with a very good excuse and fast. Even the thought of, “Felixia,” scratching the back seat of the car gave me a headache, not to mention the smell and the meowing. “I would do it with all my pleasure, except that the Toyota is a sixseater.” “She is a small creature.” “Bro, in Ontario they apply the law strictly. If the information states six passengers, it‟s the way it has to be. Not 6.25 or 6.50.” “Yeah, human beings.” “No, no! Like I said, six is six. Whether it‟s four people and two cats, or five people and one dog, and so on.” “Brutal.” “You understand how much I care about your feelings. It‟s difficult to deny your request but the law is the law. “Man! What I am going to tell, Deborah?” “You will come up with a good idea.“ By then I was getting a little bit worried about the state of affairs. First it was my wife, then Alfredo‟s, and then Fernando‟s. Luckily, at that moment I did not realize what exactly I was getting into, otherwise, I would have ran as fast as I could.

THE BIG DAY IS HERE The plan was to pick up at Fernando‟s at twenty minutes to ten and at Alfredo‟s at precisely, ten o‟clock. You can imagine what it already meant for me. I woke up at seven in the morning, not so much because it was time to go, but because of a thundering noise in the kitchen. My beloved Brenda was really busy. Half asleep, I greeted her and immediately saw three big bags sitting on the floor. Amazing! I felt I was headed for a long day. “Are you going out of the country?” I asked. ”Funny,” she replied. “Seriously.” “Do not start again. You promised to respect my customs.” “True, but why so many bags?” “Bathing suits, towels, sandals, soap and tap water in the biggest one. There is food and drinks in the second and the Kingston pastries in the third one.” I let the time go by, immersed in the morning‟s news, pondering why women need two hours to get ready. Into the washroom, back to the bedroom, out of the bedroom, into the living room, back to washroom and so on. Most of the time, I think that the reason they do it, is because they want the exercise. Finally, she was ready. One of my traits is being punctual. If you ask me to meet you at five in the afternoon, I will show up two minutes before five. On the other hand, I expect the same when the roles are reversed. Sadly, this is a dream which never comes true! It is now ten o‟clock and Fernando‟s wife is still trying to find the right person to the right cat. My brother went in and out three times already and nothing has been solved. At last she came out of the building only to inform us that she did her best to recommend, “Felixia,” to one of the neighbours but at no avail. Strongly apologizing for the delay, she promised that the kitten would behave properly and wouldn‟t cause problems. Without a pause, she opened the car door and made herself and, “Felixia,” comfortable. “Fernando, should I open the trunk?” “For what? We are not taking anything.” I kept my thoughts to myself. I told you. I told you. They are not bringing as much as an apple to share. As soon as we arrived at Alfredo‟s place, his wife started yapping immediately.

“We were ready at 9:30! If I had known that you were going to be late, I could have gone to the dollar store and to buy a few necessary things for the house. And it is also my concern that we might not have enough time to see my family.” “Well, there was a problem with Deborah‟s cat. We could not make it on time. By the way, I already told your husband that we are not going to Huntsville.” “Oh no, no, no! He promised me. Is she bringing the “thing”?” “Aha” “See, some people do not understand the meaning of the word discretion, always finding a way to abuse somebody. “Indeed!” “Should I open the…” “Do not bother, we are not carrying anything. Alfredo said that Brenda always makes a lot of food, so why worry. After buying gasoline, cigarettes and alcohol, we were finally on our way. When I drive I like to listen to Neil Diamond. His music relaxes me, and without a doubt, makes me a better driver. At least, that‟s what I think. As soon as we hit highway 400, I started the CD-player. I never imagined it would be such a problem. A few minutes had passed when I started hearing whispers on the back. “Alfredo, I do no like that music. Give him your salsa compilation; otherwise, I am going to fall asleep.” “Fernando, what about Julio Iglesias? Spanish, we need Spanish. Actually we want it now. I do not understand your brother. English music, just like he was born here. Ridiculous!” I decided to ignore the “petitions” and continued driving, enjoying and admiring the beautifulness of the Canadian nature.

To be continued…

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