Biz X magazine January 2021 by Biz X magazine

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lan Halberstadt Bids Farewell To Writing A His Column And Rides Off Into The Sunset With Retirement Announcement It’s All About Giving Back To The Community: Eddy Hammoud; Xtra Nail

Bar’s “Miracle Manicure Day”; “Support Local — Everyone Eats” Initiative; Erie Shores Rehabilitation And The Red Shoe Society Of Windsor-Essex

January 2021

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PLUS . . . Sage Therapeutic Consulting; India Paradise; Whamburg; Mom Said Duck; My Weekend Is Booked & ACM Panelworx

THE PARENTING BIZ Kids With Hearts Of Gold Helping Charities

LISTEN UP! Podcasts have now come into power in the media landscape. They vary in length, frequency, format and content. Listeners can enjoy them anytime and anywhere. One good example is The “Tech In The City” podcast, hosted by Yvonne Pilon of WEtech Alliance, that celebrates the achievements of area tech companies. We’re “all ears” and turn our attention to the local world of podcasting. — PAGE 18 B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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table of contents JANUARY 2021 volume 24 • issue 1

4 Funny Stuff 5 From The Publisher: What’s In Store For T2B? 6 Editorial Viewpoint: Long-time Columnist Departs Alan Halberstadt discusses the highlights and lowlights of his 23 years writing a column for Biz X magazine, including his struggles with meeting deadlines. He thanks his family for their support, including son Andrew (in accompanying photo) seen with his dad during a trip to Yellowknife two years ago. 8 Front Lines 11 Heard On The Street 12 On The Fundraising Scene: Kingsville’s Erie Shores Rehabilitation Virtual Success With Donations Aids Alzheimer Society Campaign 13 From The Bookshelf: Canada’s First “Spree Killing” 14 Newsflash With this being the most challenging of times, in most recent history, for the hospitality industry, Adam El-Dika’s entrepreneurial spirit kicked in and Whamburg was born. When no one could visit his eatery, due to its unique location at the university, the idea to get the food to the people came about . . . what better way of doing so than operating as a ghost kitchen! This virtual dining concept was created in the midst of the pandemic and the menu features items such as the Whamburg double cheeseburger (photo courtesy of Jesse Durocher). Get the juicy details on this new concept and read even more good news from area companies and organizations. 16 Food For Thought: India Paradise Authentic Indian Cuisine 24 Portfolio Corner: New Year Optimism 25 Ask The Experts: Home Safe Home

26 Have A Cup Of Joe With Joe: Xtra, Xtra, Read All About It! Ottawa Street Nail Bar Making A Difference 29 Take The Lead: Charity Is Priority For Eddy Hammoud “Adopt An Essential Worker”; the “Windsor Essex Helping Lebanon” fundraiser; the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter and Stigma Enigma’s “Meals For Mental Health.” What do they all have in common? Eddy Hammoud (shown) of Eddy’s Mediterranean Bistro and Tabouli By Eddy’s, has donated food, dollars or his time, to assist in all these fundraising efforts. Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh gets up close and personal with Eddy.

30 The Parenting Biz: Kids On A Mission Children are never too young to learn about the importance of giving back to those in need. Not only does helping others feel great, it can also be fun when you support a cause near and dear to your heart. One shining example is 12 year old Bianca Georgescu (in photo courtesy of Nicoleta Burlea) who knows how important it is to help the community. It all began when Bianca and her family volunteered with Fulger Transport Inc. (where her mother works) when the company cooked and served food for The Downtown Mission Of Windsor. This led to Bianca doing all she could for local charities! She has also participated in fundraisers for our local Hospice and she is a Transition to Betterness Youth Ambassador. We introduce you to Bianca and five more amazing kids who are setting a good example for us all to follow. 35 XX Files: Jill Moysiuk, Mom Said Duck 36 Tech Bytes: The Challenges Of Fundraising In A COVID-19 World 38 Biz Of The Month: Sage Therapeutic Consulting

ON THE COVER — “Listen Up!" — 18

Podcasts have become an easy and accessible way for entrepreneurs, social workers, lawyers, political junkies and tech industry supporters, to reach a wide audience outside the time and space constraints facing mainstream media. According to JAR Audio, a podcasting production company, 24% of Canadians listened to a podcast in the last week (Edison Research). So what’s happening locally in the podcast world? To start, our cover features Yvonne Pilon, President and Chief Executive Officer of WEtech Alliance, who hosts a “Tech In The City” podcast, which provides a platform for tech companies in the Windsor Essex region. The podcast episodes are recorded at MediaWorks Studios, 1030 Walker Road, Unit E in Windsor. Photo by Rod Denis (RodneyLDenisPhotographer.com) B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

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Send your funny animal photo with your pet’s name to deborah@bizxmagazine.com and it may be included here in an upcoming issue. Make sure it gives our readers a laugh!

Luigi and Meika are ready to step things up in 2021.

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Out with the old and in with the new. Rhea hopes you will be healthy and happy the whole year through.

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from the publisher

New Year, New Store For Transition To Betterness By Deborah Jones

nother year is over and with all that happened (or did not happen) in 2020, it’s for the best. It is now time to toast our survival and welcome 2021. Although a vaccine is being rolled out and we must follow health guidelines to stay safe, large events are still unable to take place. One event in January we always look forward to is the Transition to Betterness (T2B) gala. Since this issue features charities in many of our columns, we kick-start this edition with an update on T2B. “We are so proud to introduce our newest initiative — the T2B Merchandise Store!” exclaims Amber Hunter, Executive Director. “Looking good never felt so good, get #T2BComfy with the warmth of charitable giving.” T2B wants you to wear comfort so you can give comfort to those in need. Proceeds from their merchandise store go into supporting 20+ comfort based programs for our community. (Refer to: T2B.ca) Hunter adds, “Thank you to our

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Models for the new merchandise are T2B Youth Ambassadors (from left): Vienna Petretta, Bianca Lapico, Jaclyn Sorge, Mia Petretta, and Alexa Polsinelli. This group of youth and young adults are committed to providing comfort and joy to patients and their families who are facing life-altering illnesses. Photo courtesy of Zishan Ali.

#T2BYouth Ambassadors for being our models. They not only spread awareness for us, but support us consistently by volunteering and fundraising! They’re an inspiring group of leaders.” To see a catalog visit the website: T2B.shop. There is plenty of swag for everyone with all kinds of apparel, socks, drink ware, accessories and more to choose from, including doggie bandanas! It’s the perfect gift for any occasion and you help a local charity too. Now what can be better than that!

editorial viewpoint

From “City Of Roses” To “Sin City North” By Alan Halberstadt *If you have a comment on this topic, please post it under my column in the CITY section of BizXmagazine.com

his is my final column for Biz X magazine. Twenty-three years is a long time, although leafing through all my columns it almost seems like yesterday. I would like to start by thanking my wife Susan and my son Andrew for loving and supporting me through the ups and downs of a journalist’s career. And I want to thank Biz X Publisher Deborah Jones for giving me a soap box to stand on. In 1898, American humourist and writer Finley Peter Dunne offered this advice: “Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.” That lofty ideal has long been a mission to aspire to, for ink stained wretches like myself. I’m sure I have often fallen short of that pinnacle, although I seem to have offended some mighty people along the way. Deborah, in her first “Publisher’s Note” in 1998, paid me a tribute: “Alan always has the knack of shedding the cold hard light of truth on his subjects.” You make me blush, Deborah. I have actually contemplated this move for a while now. Former Windsor Star editor Carl Morgan once told me that good writing is very hard work. He was right. I have always been a slow, meticulous writer and as I get older it gets harder still. Way back in the mid 1970s, I quit the Toronto Globe and Mail. As a sports reporter with a morning newspaper, I had to meet murderous deadlines and file copy literally as the night games were ending. I decided I didn’t want to subject myself to that kind of journalism on the run. I was fortunate enough to return to Windsor where I became a columnist and feature writer facing far less exacting deadlines. In my younger days, I emulated Jack Dulmage, who was Sports Editor of the Windsor Star and famous for his delicate wordsmithing. I admired the wit and irreverence of Dick Beddoes, The Globe and Mail Sports Columnist, in the short time I was there. I eventually latched onto Biz X, where I've struggled at times meeting the deadlines of a periodical that publishes 10 times a year. Yes . . . I’m a procrastinator also. My goals have been to inform, investigate, entertain, amuse and make people think.

Alan Halberstadt and wife Susan, pictured in front of Detroit’s Fisher Theatre, where they viewed the smash hit “Hamilton,” as seen on the marquee, two years ago. With additional time on his hands, the couple hopes to experience more local culture, once the pandemic subsides.

If I kick the ruling class in the shins along the way so be it. Journalists like to make a difference, and I’m no different. My introduction to Biz X coincided with my election to Windsor City Council, where I was seen as a dirt disturber by some and a watchdog by others. I suffered those stressors for 17 years before retiring in 2014. Windsor’s political scene has always provided fertile ground for opinionists to unearth spin doctors and damage controllers who take themselves too seriously. My first Biz X offering was in February of 1998. It was entitled “Time To Consolidate Our Marketing Forces.” I identified seven entities, for the most part working in silos, to market Windsor Essex. The result was “a dog’s breakfast at worst and a patchwork quilt at best,” I declared sharply. Nearly a quarter of a century has gone by, but in many respects the more things change the more they stay the same. In researching my archives, I came across numerous mentions of the need to shed the “City of Roses” tag (we hardly grow roses anymore) and find a new brand. Despite calling in outside image consultants in 2008, at considerable cost, those efforts remain fruitless. Rose City has stood the test of time, mostly because we haven’t found something better. Yves Landry, President of Chrysler B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Canada, died suddenly on March 15, 1998 one month after the birth of Biz X. It stirred memories of the birth of the Canderel Building, since Landry went to then Mayor Mike Hurst with the brainchild to expropriate the historic Norwich Block and convert it into Chrysler’s Canadian headquarters. That decision became cannon fodder for journalists like me for years to come when the original plan to build 32 storeys dwindled down to 14. The headline on my May, 2002 column read: “Honey I Shrunk The Tower.” I hardly have space to mention all the topics I covered in my adopted role as advocate for the little guy, but I have tried to follow my own advice as printed on the Biz X website. “I believe all businesses share a common interest in how governments spend tax dollars with an emphasis on exposing and commenting on the political gymnastics and taxation excesses of bureaucracies.” Sadly, holding government spending to account is a near impossible task during the panic of the pandemic, when pretty well anything goes. For the purpose of this epistle, however, I will offer one classic example of the little guys getting snookered. In 2005, the city hiked the liquor licensing fees by 600 percent on mom and pop

breakfast places, with a few beers for sale in ice boxes. Pete’s Place, across from Windsor Arena, was one of the victims. The city said the extra money was needed to cover policing costs. In stark contrast, the City of Windsor subsidized the celebrations of the 2006 Super Bowl in Detroit to the tune of $250,000 U.S. The international media had a field day carving out its own brand for Windsor — “Sin City North” — catering to jet setters on the prowl for the hedonistic pleasures of Windsor’s more liberal laws. Remember Jasons’ laptop dancers and licensed prostitutes? Since then the city has been flipping tens of thousands to market the “Detroit Grand Prix” auto race. Local politicians love to throw tax money at mega projects and events on the premise that they create jobs. I found an article recently that lays bare the folly of that expectation. A federal government watchdog recently released a study declaring that a super cluster of innovation projects, heavily bankrolled by the Liberal government, created roughly 14 jobs for every $1 million in funding. Legendary Chicago Mayor Richard Daley once supposedly said that it

wasn’t politically useful to spend money “below ground.” Shiny new skyscrapers are appreciated more than sewer and water systems. As our roads and sewers continued to rot, Windsor politicians continued to covet fancy bricks and mortar like a $78.1 million aquatic centre that has been bleeding red ink since its opening downtown in late 2013. That project led to the closure of Windsor Arena, still vacant, and Water World, today serving as a daytime haven for the homeless. The city ultimately built a new arena, at the expense of the taxpayer, on the outskirts of the city for $71 million. My most controversial Biz X column? Probably the one in September 2019 entitled “The Trials And Tribulations Of Downtown Windsor.” It followed the departure of Starbucks from downtown, and I speculated: “Does A Cloud Of Doom Shroud Downtown Windsor?” I have concluded that downtown Windsor will never die. But, for downtown retail stores? Well that has pretty well already happened. As for me, I don’t intend to head out to pasture. I continue to dream of publishing a book or two, and hopefully avoid any hard deadlines.

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True Friends Never Say Goodbye Let’s see if I can find the right words on my feelings about what you have all just read. Alan, time sure has flown by from when we met 31 years ago. I was fresh out of university and working under you at another local magazine. You taught me all you knew on editing, writing and interviewing — I learned from the best! Look at me now, LOL! Seriously though, you are a big part of the success of Biz X. A team player always giving it your best shot, each and every article, no matter what the topic. Please remember you are more than a freelance journalist to my family and me . . . you are our friend. And you have always supported everything I have ever done. I thank you for working so hard on all your columns. I hope now you will have a little less stress as I won’t be bugging you at deadline time. You are irreplaceable and you will be missed! ~ Biz X magazine Publisher Deborah Jones

FRONTLINES

New “Support Local — Everyone Eats” Initiative A Win-Win-Win For Restaurant Owners, Diners And Charity

eeking ways to become more self-sufficient and less dependent upon the Windsor community at-large, The Downtown Mission of Windsor has launched a licensing partnership with Jubzi, a local online restaurant delivery service. “We believe it’s a great idea and 2020 has taught us we all have to be less dependent upon the community and more dependent upon ourselves,” says Rev. Ron Dunn, Executive Director of the Mission. “It’s a huge win for everyone — customers, restaurants and hopefully ourselves.” Jubzi (a Point-of-Sale software) was developed by Thanos Zikantas, Owner of Sofos Greek Eats (6082 Tecumseh Road East, Windsor), as a local option for customers seeking a restaurant delivery service (Sofos.Jubzi.com). “I started using a delivery service two years ago, but I wasn’t willing to continue paying a 30 percent commission, so I built my own app,” explains Zikantas. “I offered it up to some friends in the restaurant business and now we’re opening it up to even more restaurants.” Zikantas adds that the non-profit sector has been hard-hit by COVID-19 restrictions because many people have been forced to cut back on their charitable giving, and Jubzi is a way to counteract that shortfall by enabling restaurant customers to make donations. Under a master licensing agreement, the Mission will receive a 5% charitable donation on every delivery order. So far, more than 40 restaurants have been lined up to join the service, including Sofos, Buskers Subs & Ice Cream, Mezzo Ristorante, Milos Grill, Palenque Fresh Mexican Cuisine and Shanghai Bistro. Restaurants receive delivery services and plenty of added exposure to the mission’s supporters. Using the slogan “Support Local — Everyone Eats,” Dunn believes the new

Local company Jubzi.com, developed by Thanos Zikantas (right), is pleased to partner with Ron Dunn, Executive Director of The Downtown Mission of Windsor. The two are ready to change the local food distribution world in a positive way, saving restaurants money on delivery costs and helping a not-for-profit organization at the same time. Photo courtesy of Maria Krikellas.

service has the potential to become very successful. “We’re thrilled to be involved, because it not only supports a local initiative and local restaurants, but it also supports the Mission and gets our name out in front of the community,” he states. Dunn adds that customers will pay less for their meals because restaurants won’t be tempted to increase prices to meet the added costs of using large delivery service options. Approximately 100 drivers have been hired to provide delivery services with the Jubzi technology auto-dispatching orders to the nearest driver. According to Zikantas: “It’s going to create a sustainable donation and fundraising model for the Mission, by using high-tech software to provide a long-term solution. Nothing beats running a business and doing something sociably responsible at the same time.” For more information on participating restaurants and to order your meal, visit the website: Jubzi.com.

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FRONTLINES

Lakeshore Company Makes Its Way In The World With Architectural Award Nomination A small local design company, ACM Panelworx, has become a leader in designing glass and metal building exteriors and has been recognized for its work by being nominated for a UNESCO World Architectural and Design Award. The Isenberg School of Management Business Innovation Hub at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, is one of six nominees for the award. Bjark Ingalls Group, one of the globe’s premier architectural firms, utilized copper panelling designed by ACM as a striking feature on the building. “Originally, the designers were considering using aluminum, but there were some fire code issues and, as members of the design-assist team, we suggested copper,” says ACM Owner Mark Mrkalj. There 30,000 sq. ft. of copper panelling has become a signature feature of the building on the university’s campus. “Copper continues to change and improve throughout its life and the building will look just as distinctive, but different, in 30 years or more,” says Mrkalj. “It’s very unusual to use this much copper on a building, but it’s very striking.” The building, which was just awarded LEED Gold recognition for environmental energy and design, was featured in Architectural Digest in 2020. ACM was established in 1985 as D&M Glass and Mirrors, by Mike Mrkalj (Mark’s father). In 2000, Mark and his brother Tim established DMG Architectural Glass & Metal, which Tim stills runs. ACM was launched around the same time. Locally, ACM’s work can be seen on the

Copper paneling, designed by a Windsor company, is featured on the Isenberg School of Management in Massachusetts, one of six nominees vying for the 2020 “Prix Versailles World Selection Award” for Campuses. Other nominees are from Australia, China, United Kingdom, Singapore, and the U.S. Photo courtesy of Umass.edu.

exterior of Windsor City Hall and also at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. Voting for the UNESCO 2020 “Prix Versailles World Selection Award” for Campuses, was scheduled to be completed in December, but results were unknown by press time. (For updated results, check: Prix-Versailles.com/2020-campuses) “Regardless of how it turns out, it’s an honour and a feather in our cap to be part of a project nominated for such an award,” adds Mrkalj.

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Their head office is located at 357 Croft Drive in Lakeshore. For more information and to view other ACM projects, visit: ACMpanelworx.com.

Please support our advertisers; they make our magazine possible each and every issue!

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HEARD ON THE STREET Choice One Medical, an international supplier of medical equipment to companies in the United States, Europe and Australia, has opened a 28,000 square foot warehouse at 434 Jutras Drive in Tecumseh. Company President Michael Greige, a Windsor native, informs Biz X that Windsor’s proximity to markets in the U.S., plus labour availability and affordable commercial real estate prices, made it an easy decision to locate here. “It’s a great location for us and made a great deal of sense,” says Greige. The company supplies sleep apnea products such as batteries and cleaning cloths. It has also added hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes to its product line. Greige says the Windsor warehousing operation, customer service department and management department, employs 12 people, but may well add more in the future. The six year old company has its main warehouse and headquarters in Toronto. Read further details on this business at: ChoiceOneMedical.com. While many restaurants are struggling to adjust to COVID-19’s ever changing restrictions, Artesano Café, a year-old café and restaurant in Riverside, has been operating under red zone protocols (and most recently the lockdown) since it re-opened in June after a three month closure. “Once we were able to re-open, we decided to make sure our staff and patrons were kept as safe as possible,” says owner Alejandro Diaz. Prior to closing, the café had a capacity of 18 which was reduced depending on the restriction. They require contact information for all patrons, line-ups are socially-distanced, and staff must wear masks, face shields and gloves. The restaurant offers curbside pickup (order via phone, text or online at: ArtesanoCafe.square.site) and takeout during the lockdown. “We’ve done everything possible to make sure everyone is safe and our patrons seem to appreciate the efforts we have made,”

adds Diaz. The restaurant has also developed partnerships with other area establishments and retail outlets. The café sells tea and desserts from the Windsor Tea Emporium; sandwiches from Café Je T’Aime; vegan dishes from Chlorophyll Catering; donuts from Steimar Bakery; cool treats from Sweet Tooth Ice Cream Shop and cookies from the Cookie Bar. The café is located at 822 St. Rose Avenue. Hurry Curry, an Ontario chain of Indian restaurants, is planning to open its first standalone restaurant and third overall in the Windsor area, at 13420 Tecumseh Road East, in February 2021. Its other locations are at Tecumseh Mall and Devonshire Mall. The Tecumseh location was previously the site of Beijing House, a Chinese restaurant. Hurry Curry serves Samosas, curry bowls and a variety of lamb, chicken and beef entrées. The restaurants aim to be “colourful, playful and little bit sinful”. Log on to: HurryCurry.ca to view its “currylicious” menu. Farm Boy, an Ottawa-based grocery store chain, is growing across Ontario and may eventually come to the Windsor area. “We’ve had a lot of requests from the Windsor area and I believe our development team is looking into it,” says Alex Madej, a member of the company’s customer care team. The 38 year old company has 34 stores across Ontario with the majority in the Ottawa area and others in Brantford, Cambridge, Burlington, Cornwall, Toronto, Newmarket, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Kitchener, Oakville, Pickering, St. Catharines, Whitby and most recently, Waterloo. In addition to a full selection of groceries, the store also features a salad bar, a hot food bar, artisan pizza, a stir fry station, sushi, beer and wine. Learn more at: FarmBoy.ca.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on locally, a long-time restaurant on Windsor’s east side is for sale because the owner is preparing for retirement. The Greek Boy Restaurant at 6152 Tecumseh Road East is listed for sale at $129,500, by Carl Idzinski of Keller Williams Lifestyles Realty, Brokerage. The restaurant, which has been in business for over 30 years, includes a mediumsized dining room with a normal capacity of 26, room for 15 guests on a patio, a large kitchen, a drive-through area and on-site parking (Facebook.com/GreekBoyRestaurant). Idzinski admits “It’s a tough market right now, given the current situation, but it’s a pristine business, it’s in great shape and has a long-standing welldeserved good reputation.” Idzinski has had the listing since summer 2020 and while there have been a few nibbles, prospective buyers may be waiting until COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and business can return to near-normal conditions. Greek Boy is in a busy traffic area and Idzinski indicates 36,000 vehicles pass by the property every day. The building which houses the restaurant is also for sale and listed at $700,000. With final numbers still being crunched by the City of Windsor’s building department, the value of permits issued through the first 10 months of 2020 is running neck-and-neck with the values from 2019. Through the end of October, the value for 2020 had reached $324,638,256, compared to $324,467,093 in 2019. The only uptick was in the residential where $219 million in permits were issued in 2020, compared to $189 million a year earlier. The other sectors all showed a decline — industrial dropped from $25.5 million to $20.3 million, commercial fell from $49.3 million to $28.1 million and government and institutional slid from $60.7 million to $57.2 million. Among the projects coming online in October were construction of a four-storey building with four commercial units and 24 residential units at 840 Wyandotte Street East for $2.8 million; alterations to a new store for Winners at 4115 Walker Road for $1.2 million; construction of a steam boiler building for Ford Motor Co. at 2950 Metcalfe Street for $824,223; and alterations to an existing business office at 4635 Wyandotte Street East for $400,000.

ON THE FUNDRAISING SCENE

Alzheimer Society's “Social With A Purpose” Takes On A New Meaning For Erie Shores Rehabilitation

“Social with a Purpose” — formally “Coffee Break” — raises much needed funds for Windsor and Essex County residents living with dementia in these unprecedented times. The 2020 campaign raised $10,000 with more dollars still to be collected! As the Alzheimer Society’s national fall fundraiser, it includes any social activity where hosts collect donations for their local society (Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County, 2135 Richmond Street, Windsor; AlzheimerWindsor.com) in exchange for a cup of coffee. Due to restrictions on social gatherings, “Coffee Break” was rebranded to “Social with a Purpose” in September 2020, adding a virtual component. These do-it-yourself fundraising events took place until the end of November. All it took was a little imagination to reach out to others and do some good for your community and have a whole lot of fun in the process! “Social with a Purpose” emphasizes the need for promoting the importance of socializing, staying in touch and building a strong positive relationship with your friends and family, all while helping a very worthwhile cause. One dedicated local organization successfully transitioned to this new way of fundraising for the society. Erie Shores Rehabilitation, 375 Main Street East in Kingsville, has hosted a “Coffee Break” event for the past 15 years under the coordination of Roberta Weston. Weston began hosting these fundraisers as a way to give back to the Alzheimer Society for the care that her mother received from the Society.

Kingsville District High School students Kennedy Bezaire (left) and Abby Stevenson came up with the idea for a raffle for a “Coffee Break” gift basket and the sharing of photos on social media to raise dollars for the Alzheimer Society.

“Many of our clients look forward to the annual ‘Coffee Break’ and were asking how and when we were going to host our event,” she explains. She realized the need to think outside the box and enlisted the help of two co-op students, from Kingsville District High School, to come up with innovative and socially responsible solutions. Abby Stevenson (grade 12) and Kennedy Bezaire (grade 11) quickly rose to the challenge and suggested holding a raffle for a “Coffee Break” Gift Basket and doing Facebook Live sessions to promote the virtual event. Many people posted pictures on various social media sites of themselves with their favourite coffee mug. Erie Shores Rehabilitation also made a $2 donation for each photo posted and for each person

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who joined their live sessions (raffle tickets sold also were part of their contribution). The virtual event was a success and raised $1,160 within two weeks! “The Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County would like to thank all our ‘Social with a Purpose’/‘Coffee Break’ hosts, volunteers, sponsors and donors for coming up with innovative and fun solutions to raise funds during this challenging time,” says Shannon Van Watteghem-Levasseur, Community Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator. “Funds raised stay local and help people living in your community and their care partners.” “Social with a Purpose” was proudly sponsored by Biz X magazine, along with Colonial Coffee Co. Ltd. (website: ColonialCoffee.ca).

The two young women were co-op students at Erie Shores Rehabilitation in Kingsville and assisted the physiotherapy centre in raising $1,160 for the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County. The Erie Shores Rehabilitation Alzheimer “Coffee Break” 2020 fundraising team members are from left: (First Row): Kennedy Bezaire, Roberta Weston and Abby Stevenson. (Top Row): Mayank Patel, Stephanie Wuerch, Divya Tejani and Heather Smyth. Photos courtesy of the Alzheimer Society of Windsor and Essex County.

FROM THE “Watching The Devil Dance” BOOKSHELF Local author and former RCMP member Will Toffan has written a true crime book about a little-known event in Windsor’s history. “It was June 25, 1966 when Matthew Charles Lamb loaded his uncle’s shotgun and set out on a shooting spree on the streets on Windsor,” explains Toffan. There were many reasons why Toffan decided to bring this story to readers for the first time in his book titled, “Watching the Devil Dance” (How a Spree Killer Slipped Through the Cracks of the Criminal Justice System). “It was actually Canada’s first ‘spree killing,’ and it was also a homicide trial that redefined our notion of ‘criminal insanity’ and how we treated offenders during an era of radical social change,” he states. Yet, the initial spark for writing the book was a personal connection to the story. As Toffan reveals, “The first victim to die at the hands of Matthew Charles Lamb was Edith Chaykoski, my next door neighbour and first adolescent crush.”

When Toffan first heard the news of the shooting, he felt inspired to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. He spent many years of his life as a member of the RCMP, during which time he also worked on the infamous “Highway of Tears” serial homicides. After that, he worked as a private bodyguard for numerous celebrities and politicians, including Premier Bill Davis, former Prime Ministers Pierre Trudeau and Brian Mulroney, and actress Elizabeth Taylor. However, he always told himself that one day he’d come back to this story. “I first conceived the idea of writing the book 20 years ago when I felt I possessed the academic skills necessary for writing a true crime story with numerous sub-textual themes,” says Toffan, “I was 12 when Edith Chaykoski died, and her death continued to affect me over the years. As I peeled back the story of how a psychopathic spree killer

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Author Will Toffan’s book, “Watching the Devil Dance” appeals to readers interested in true crime, local history, psychology and mental health treatment. Photo courtesy of the author.

gamed the system and ultimately obtained his freedom, I felt a responsibility to bring this story to the Windsor — and Canadian — community. Lamb was indifferent to the pain he inflicted on his victim’s families, and the untreated post-traumatic stress still affects those who survived the shooting. I wanted this book to pay homage to the victims of this terrible crime.” If you would like to contact the author please visit his social media page at: Facebook.com/william.toffan.7 “Watching the Devil Dance” is available for purchase in Windsor at: Biblioasis (1520 Wyandotte Street East and online: BiblioasisBookshop.com); as well as other local stores including Juniper Books (1990 Ottawa Street); Girard & Co. Flowers & Gifts (1371 Grand Marais Road West, Yorktown Plaza), and Whiskeyjack Boutique (55 Maiden Lane West).

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NEWSFLASH THE RUNDOWN NEW IN BIZ

The Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS (WECAR), representing over 1,160 members, is now guided by its 2021 Board of Directors and new President, Damon Winney. As President he aims to enhance the image and value of REALTORS through professionalism, collaboration and education. As Broker of Record at Jump Realty Inc., he is a successful entrepreneur, many times over, with a passion for technology, trends and learning. He is pictured above (photo courtesy of WECAR) with new board members from left: Elica Berry, Salesperson, Jump Realty Inc. (President-Elect 2022); Lorraine Clark, Salesperson, Century 21 Showtime Realty Ltd. (Past President); Julianna Biondo, Salesperson, Buckingham Realty (Windsor) Ltd. (Director); Krista Gionet, CAE, CRAE, WECAR (Executive Officer); Mark Lalovich, Broker, RE/MAX Preferred Realty Ltd. (Director); Winney; Alyssa Ismail, Salesperson, Century 21 Erie Shores Realty (Director) and Maggie Chen, Broker of Record, LC Platinum Realty Inc. (Director). Founded in 1918, the mission of the Windsor-Essex County Association of REALTORS is recognized as the voice and source for real estate, by providing education and essential services to maximize professionalism and business opportunities of its members, so they are able to make a valid contribution to the community. Learn more at: WindsorRealEstate.com. Early in 2020 the Town of Essex was successful in its application to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs’ Rural Economic Development

(RED) grant program. The nearly $250,000 grant will support the Town’s multi-million dollar investments in the Harrow and Essex Centre Streetscape Projects, with construction slated to begin in Harrow in the spring of 2021. (Conceptual image shown below). Town Council agreed to invest more than $4.5 million towards the implementation of the Harrow Streetscape Project, although COVID-19 delayed the engineering phase and start of construction. Project construction is now slated to begin in spring 2021 and estimated completion is fall 2021. The RED grant funding will partially cover the cost of capital investments such as landscaping and street furniture (for example, benches and bike racks). On top of the visual and amenity enhancements, the Harrow Streetscape Project will coincide with significant capital investment in roads, water main, and storm sewer work in Harrow’s urban core. A resource page for residents, business owners, and visitors to find information about the project and its impacts on the community is now posted at: Essex.ca/HarrowStreetscape.

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In November 2020, Adam El-Dika, Co-founder of Mare Nostrum (located on the University of Windsor campus), opened Whamburg, a smash burger concept. Mare Nostrum operates in the day until mid-afternoon and then switches over to Whamburg, working as a “ghost kitchen concept.” This means that services are only offered through applications such as Uber Eats, SkipTheDishes,and DoorDash, or direct pick-up at their location. Sourcing the highest quality beef in the area from the Butcher of Kingsville, combined with the iconic Martin’s potato bun, the smash burger style is simple yet artisanal — a type of burger preparation where fresh ground beef is pressed using a weighted iron on a scorching griddle. The result comes out as a beautiful caramelized crust, with crunchy edges that add an immense amount of flavour to the burger. Now that your mouth is watering, get to: Whamburg.com to place your order!

Whamburg offers a hyper-focused menu specializing in fries, malted milkshakes and smash burgers such as: The Shroomburg (vegetarian), The Wham, The Fried Chix and the Double Whammy. Photo courtesy of Jesse Durocher.

After 30 years in the industry, since mid-December 2020, Pharmacist John D’Agnillo, now operates the Old Town Pharmacy, 80 Richmond Street, Unit 10 (next to Service Ontario) in Amherstburg. Rather than retire, he wanted to serve the community in a COVID-19 ready location, free of crowds, with a focus on individualized care, and as a result, the small (650 square feet) cozy pharmacy, complete with a fireplace, opened at the Heritage Square building. Initial medication reviews will be done for new customers transferring in or starting off, but prescriptions can be texted or emailed for pick up the next day. Telehealth services, with physician consultations via video calls, are also available. As well,

a unique service, not normally associated with a dispensary, is offered by Speech-Language Pathologist, Tina D’Agnillo (John’s wife), who has many years of experience and is the local representative of CASLPO (College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario). Pivot. Thanks to the pandemic, it’s a buzzword that has become synonymous with survival for small businesses. Thinking creatively and pivoting to meet the new demands of a pandemic-stricken economy is exactly what a local mother and daughterled Lakeshore business has done. Just as their gifting and natural soy candle company, My Weekend is Booked, was gaining momentum through local, in-person events, COVID-19 shut it all down. “We’ve worked really hard to create a brand that we believe has huge potential, and artisan shows were going to be a major part in reaching consumers,” says Christina Friedrichsen-Truman. With a new focus on online sales, the pair noticed an increasing demand for consumer care packages. She adds, “People who can’t connect in person are sending gifts to friends and family members as a way to reach out and offer love and support.” Along with care packages, Friedrichsen-Truman and her daughter, Emily, are helping companies

Christina Friedrichsen-Truman (left) and daughter Emily Truman, co-founders of My Weekend is Booked. Photo courtesy of Madeline Truman.

who are finding it difficult to connect with clients and employees during the pandemic. As work parties and events move online, or are cancelled altogether, there is a need to find creative ways for companies to connect with clients and employees. Gifting can be utilized as a business tool to attract and build client relationships. Their brand new line of custom and pre-curated corporate gift boxes feature products from Canadian small businesses, many of which are local. Check: MyWeekendIsBooked.com to view a sampling of gift boxes.

HALL OF FAME

The Women’s Executive Network (WXN) for the 2020 “Canada’s Most

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Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards” recently recognized 106 outstanding women across the country who advocate for workforce diversity and inspire tomorrow’s leaders. Of these women, one is from Windsor, in the CP Skilled Trades category, honouring women who contribute immense value and demonstrate excellence in skilled trades, product or service innovation, and community involvement. Congrats to Elizabeth Moses, a Machinist, Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor (WEST) Tutor and Ambassador for FIRST Robotics Canada, and the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County branch. For a complete list of all winners, visit the website: WXNetwork. com/page/2020Top100Winners. The Ontario Medical Association (OMA) is proud to congratulate Anita Imperioli of In Honour of the Ones We Love (InHonour.ca) on accepting the OMA “Community Service Award” from the Essex County Medical Society. Imperioli’s tireless dedication to the community has enriched the lives of countless people throughout Windsor and Essex County who are facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, and those with special needs.

THIS ISSUE FEATURES . . .

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

India Paradise, 1459 Ottawa Street, Windsor By David Clark

Photos courtesy of India Paradise

Experience the ultimate satisfaction in Indian cuisine when it comes to food and flavour in dishes on the menu at India Paradise such as (from left): Chicken Dum Biryani, Dosa, Vegetable Noodles, Veggie Thali, Butter Chicken and Chicken Tandoori.

aving opened its doors in May of 2018, India Paradise — located on Ottawa Street in the heart of Windsor — has coupled together a passion and desire to make the best authentic Indian food available in the region. Truly a move into the exotic, Harish Gudavalli, Owner/Operator aims to fuse great food, flavours and spices in order to satisfy your discerning palette. His restaurant is highly regarded in the area as proven by the hundreds of positive reviews on Google.

Among the many reasons for their success are delivering exceptional cuisine full of flavour and receiving great feedback from their valuable customers. “We offer a beautiful blend of flavourful spices, and the reputation for spicy Indian food is only a small part of the overall menu,” says Gudavalli. To sample of some of the best the restaurant has to offer, look into a local favourite, the Butter Chicken. It is Tandoor (clay-pot) cooked chicken in buttery tomato sauce — guaranteed to satisfy your

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craving for that tangy flavour we all adore! The Aloo Gobi is a veggie lovers delight, worth considering as well. With potatoes and cauliflower cooked with fresh ginger, garlic and spices, it’s tasty without the calories! An exotic dish, the Goat Vindaloo is pure Halal meat. Goat pieces are cooked in Vindaloo sauce with flavourful Indian spices. Biryani is a staple of Indian food and India Paradise serves eight different kinds with the two most popular being the

A popular appetizer, the Chilli Fish is tender bite-sized fish with loads of chillies, spices and herbs.

options! Yes, India Paradise does food in a bigger way with its catering services! When the COVID-19 regulations relax, they can serve 200 at the restaurant and 500 outbound. For now, menu items are available for smaller gatherings at your choice of location. For your convenience, there is online ordering on the website, curbside service and delivery via SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats and DoorDash. In the near future, Gudavalli will create a brand new stand-alone delivery service.

Of course, India Paradise follows all Health Unit regulations with face masks, sanitizers and other related tools mandatory at the restaurant. In 2021, new India Paradise operations will be opening in London and the GTA. “I want to create a mark for India Paradise and that’s the everyday preparation and motivation my team and I share and strive towards,” expresses Gudavalli. For further information regarding hours and to view a menu, go to: Facebook.com/IndiaParadiseRestaurant or see: IndiaParadiseRestaurant.com..

Chicken Dum Biryani and Goat Biryani. The Chicken Dum Biryani is in the most demand and also considered a top Indian dish with marinated chicken herbs cooked with Basmati rice over slow heat Dum. If you require healthy choices, the Chicken Tandoori is a baked, not a fried dish. Also, the Dosa is a popular Indian breakfast, vegan and gluten free. Fantastic appetizers are also available, including the Chilli Fish (see photo above) and Gobi Manchurian — crispy fried cauliflower florets tossed in sweet, sour and hot Manchurian sauce. It’s almost a meal in itself! With something for everyone, India Paradise offers vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and spicy fare too. “For those who haven’t tried Indian food, such as local Canadians, India Paradise has specials to offer that will get you in the door,” Gudavalli suggests. On “Thali Tuesday” you can get a big platter of rice, Naan, Aloo Gobi, Dal Makani (lentils and beans cooked in creamy gravy) and a curry of your choice (vegetable, chicken, goat). There are “buy one, get one free” offers for takeout on Tuesday; appetizer specials for $6.99 on select hours on Wednesday for dine-in and takeout: and the $6.99 Biryani Special is any Vegetable or Chicken Biryani for dine-in and takeout on Thursday (certain hours only). The specials can give diners the opportunity to experiment and enjoy one of the best Indian food spots in the Windsor area. Gudavalli wants people who are new to Indian food to experience that richness in their exotic Indian food and spices. Once you try it, you’re hooked! According to Gudavalli, “Indian food is full of life. One who tries good Indian food will never go back. I have very loyal customers that I see on a daily basis, who talk of the food as being an explosion of flavour in their mouth, every time.” But dine-in and takeout are not the only B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

COVER STORY by Dave Hall

Windsorites Find Their Voice And Audience In Podcasting

From business, real estate and mental health matters to technology, legal advice, parenting tips, local politics and more, there’s a podcast waiting to be heard!

Sid Pandya, Creative Director and Co-owner Gabriella Fiorino-Daher of MediaWorks Studios pose in the main control room where every voice can be heard. Pandya states: “We have created an ecosystem where we help local businesses, under-represented groups and other Windsorites share their unique stories.” Photo by Rod Denis.

odcasts have changed the way experts, business owners, non-profit agencies, political junkies and news consumers connect with audiences across the region, Canada and even around the world. At a time when many on the planet are hunkered down and staying safe amid a world-wide health crisis, podcasts are an easy, accessible way to digest news and information on a wealth of topics. They’ve become a growing cottage-

industry with specialty websites, apps such as Apple and Spotify, and production companies such as Windsor’s MediaWorks Studios, feeding an insatiable appetite for news and opinion. “I can’t see podcasts falling out of favour anytime in the near or distant future,” says Veronique Mandal, Public Relations and Media Convergence Coordinator at St. Clair College’s MediaPlex. “Our students are required to develop their own podcasts B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

and once they’ve established their own brand and their own unique voice, I expect the vast majority will continue with those podcasts beyond graduation.” Podcasts provide opportunities for voices outside the mainstream media to be heard, without the natural biases found on both sides of many issues, including environment, health care, climate change, technology, mental health, law, real estate, business and politics. One of the main reasons for the proliferation of podcasts over the past decade, is their accessibility. They are available any time you desire, on a desktop computer or mobile device. “You can listen to podcasts while you’re driving, going for a walk, cooking, exercising and any number of other activities,” explains Mandal. “Many people are looking for news and information when they want it, not just when mainstream media wants to deliver it.” Mandal believes podcasts will continue growing in popularity, particularly because their producers can monetize them in ways the online mainstream media hasn’t found a way to do successfully. “There are people making a small fortune from podcasts and I don’t see that changing,” she adds. Yvonne Pilon, Chief Executive Officer and President with WEtech Alliance considers podcasts a way of providing opportunities for a different way of marketing and story-telling. “They’re relatively easy and inexpensive to produce and you know you are reaching an audience already interested in the subject matter,” she states. “You can bring in guests from all over the globe and, because online space is infinite, you can talk about as much or as little as you want.” Yet Pilon points out they are a lot of work. “You have to book guests, schedule recording time, develop questions, edit the podcast and provide marketing support, because if there’s no one listening, you will only end up talking to yourself,” she comments. Despite that caveat, podcasts are growing in leaps and bounds throughout the region and Biz X magazine has found a small slice of the podcast pie to highlight for our readers.

MediaWorks Studios

Gabriella Fiorino-Daher and husband Ted Daher, who also own Daher Developments, launched MediaWorks Studios in November 2020, when they decided to try and encourage a more positive spin on news and events across Windsor and Essex County. It took about two years to raise enough capital to purchase top-quality recording

equipment and find a place to set up their studio. “We wanted to find reputable people to come in to our studio and share positive news and views about our community,” explains Fiorino-Daher. “Social media can be so negative at times and we were more interested in positive news, and it seems to be working.” MediaWorks Studios now produces 10 podcasts on various subjects with more planned for a launch early in 2021. Topics include law, mental health and technology. Podcasts generally last anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour and it takes a further half an hour to edit the material and prepare it for broadcast on the host’s website or Facebook page, through Apple or Spotify. “We’re able to help our clients place ads on their podcast if they want to monetize them, but most people seem to want to share their views as part of a public service and money isn’t the driving factor,” FiorinoDaher declares. Rates depend upon the level of services requested by clients and whether they are interested in producing weekly or monthly podcasts. MediaWorks Studios are located in Windsor at 1030 Walker Road, Unit E. For more information, visit: MediaWorksStudios.com.

ever-changing and podcasts provide an opportunity to be more intimate, while bringing in guests from across the globe.” The “Tech In The City” podcast, launched a few years ago and produced initially from the WEtech office, focuses on local tech companies. It provides them with exposure to a wider audience across the region and beyond. Subjects include: women in industry, the cannabis business, female entrepreneurs, tech talent, tech in the community, digital main street, and tech acceleration. Pilon indicates the podcasts have been produced at MediaWorks Studios for the past year. There are currently almost 20 editions of the podcast available on their website at: WEtech-Alliance.com/podcasts. They are also available on Apple and Spotify apps via Podbean, which is a podcasting solution where one can easily launch, promote, monetize and live stream a podcast. Over 300K+ hosted podcasts can be found there.

“We pay $150 for an annual subscription to Podbean, a podcast hosting platform, and it’s money well spent,” adds Pilon. A second WEtech podcast, “Innovation Alchemy With The Adams,” with Adam Castle and Adam Frye, is currently on hiatus because of COVID-19 restrictions. “We’re constantly learning about what type of content does well and we’ll keep doing them as long as we have an audience,” says Pilon.

“Mom Is In Control”

“Tech In The City” And “Innovation Alchemy With The Adams”

WEtech Alliance Chief Executive Officer and President Yvonne Pilon, was inspired to launch the “Tech In The City” podcast by Kara Swisher, a popular podcast producer from California, who writes about the tech sector and is a contributing writer for the New York Times. “They’re relatively easy to produce either in-house or in a studio and they are incredibly accessible to just about anyone,” Pilon mentions. “The media landscape is

Here Pilon poses with one of her podcast guests, Gio Petrucci, Founder and Designer of GIOGRAFIK. Photo courtesy of MediaWorks Studios.

Hosted by WEtech Alliance’s Yvonne Pilon, “Tech In The City” is a podcast about tech, business and everything in between. An episode last year featured mortgage industry leader, Bekim Merdita (shown), VP of Sales and Business Development at Edison Financial, a new Windsor digital mortgage start-up.

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Heather Chauvin started her podcast, “Mom Is In Control,” five years ago, as a way to connect with her audience on a deeper level. “I found that I enjoy talking, rather than writing, so it was an easier way to connect with people,” Chauvin expresses. “I’ve been able to develop amazing relationships with people through my podcast.” In 2019, Chauvin achieved a personal target by posting a podcast every single day. She cut back in 2020 to once or three times a week, but plans to go daily again in 2021.

In her business as a Life Coach, Chauvin helps women thrive in their personal and professional lives and her podcast is an extension of that process. “I don’t run ads on my podcast, but I am able to monetize them indirectly because 99 percent of my clients are also listeners,” she explains. “It’s an amazing and beautiful creative medium and as I evolve as an individual so does my message.” In five years, she’s reached five million downloads with many more on the horizon. In 2021, Chauvin is releasing her first book — “Dying To Be A Good Mother” — about shedding the guilt associated with parenting and taking control of her life. To access her podcast, go online to: HeatherChauvin.com/podcast.

“Made It Happen”

Life Coach Heather Chauvin hosts a podcast called “Mom Is In Control” featuring advice to help women in their personal and professional lives. Photo courtesy of Rachel Soulliere/Lively Creative Co.

“I find producing content fairly easy,” she says. “I just sit in my car, for instance, and talk to myself for 20 minutes then I send it off to some colleagues who edit it and prepare it for posting. It’s a heavy workload, but it’s fun.”

Sarah Haefling launched her “Made It Happen” podcast back in May 2020, featuring female entrepreneurs across North America. She has since added a partnership with RISE Windsor-Essex, which gives female entrepreneurs in the region a chance to talk about their businesses. Haefling records the segments in her own home and makes them available on Zoom — Mondays for national segments and Thursdays for local entrepreneurs.

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Sarah Haefling, in partnership with RISE WindsorEssex, hosts a podcast featuring local female company founders and entrepreneurs, showcasing their businesses and achievements. Photo courtesy of Vicki Bartel Photography.

“We’re able to provide some exposure for these local businesses, as well as offer information and advice for anyone seeking to launch their own business,” Haefling describes. “We’ve tried to find entrepreneurs in different sectors including fitness, tech, marketing, photography and retail stores.” Haefling admits it can be time-consuming

to record and then edit the episodes, but the positive feedback makes it all worthwhile. “I love doing it because you are able to focus in on the demographic you are trying to reach more easily than with mass advertising and marketing,” she states. In January, Haefling plans to open her own podcast production business and offer her services to anyone interested in launching a podcast of their own. “It’s a growing segment of the media business and I think it’s just going to get bigger and more influential,” says Haefling. For further details, refer to these two websites: MadeItHappenPod.com or RiseWindsorEssex.com.

“The Nick & Joe Show”

Real Estate Broker Joe Montaleone began recording podcast episodes for “The Nick & Joe Show” in mid-October 2020 and broadcast the first episode via an RSS Feed in mid-December. Since then, a new weekly episode is produced from the Podcast Room of his Century 21 Showtime Realty Ltd., Brokerage office at 200-2055 Sandwich West Parkway in LaSalle. “It’s been fun and we hope it’s informative and helps bring the community together,” says Montaleone. “It’s not all about our business

“It’s Showtime!” Broker Joe Montaleone (right) and his son Nick (Sales Representative) produce a weekly podcast, “The Nick & Joe Show,” from a Podcast Room inside their Century 21Showtime Realty Ltd. office in LaSalle. Their podcast highlights unique and inspiring people, places and faces in our community. Photo by Rod Denis.

and we think that introducing topics including construction, health care and local politics will bring some good stories to light along the way.” The 30 to 40 minute podcasts are co-hosted by Joe and his son Nick Montaleone (a Sales Representative at Showtime) and feature a different guest each week. In addition, Charlie Hotham of Hotham Building Materials sits in from time to time as co-host. Focusing on people, places and faces across Windsor Essex, the podcasts run every Thursday on platforms such as Apple, Google, Spotify, Amazon Music and more. They are available afterwards in a video format on the company’s website: C21Showtime.ca and on their social media

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pages: Facebook.com/c21showtime and Instagram.com/c21showtime, plus on their YouTube channel “Century 21 Showtime Realty”. “Our goal is to give our guests opportunities to tell some good stories and engage our viewers and customers in some of the local highlights during what has been a very difficult time with the pandemic,” explains Montaleone. Montaleone decided to launch the podcasts after noticing real estate companies across North America reaching out to their clients in a different way. “We believe we are being communityminded and we hope to reach a large

portion of Windsor Essex residents with the podcasts,” he adds.

“Jurble Law Pod With Ryan And Christian”

Lawyers Ryan Solcz (Solcz Law) and Christian Janisse (Legal Focus LLP) launched their podcast, “Jurble Law Pod With Ryan And Christian,” in mid-November 2020. It is recorded at MediaWorks Studios and aims to reach out to millennials and small business owners looking for affordable legal advice. “Not everyone can afford our hourly rates, but they still need information to help them with their business interests,” declares Solcz. “We, currently, (at the time of writing in mid-December) have a little over two hours of content on a variety of topics.” Those topics include business set-up and incorporation, banking issues, partnerships, tax considerations and philanthropy. “We’re finding that younger business owners and professionals are often more socially-conscious than some of their predecessors in business, which is why we have included philanthropy among our topics,” he explains.

Lawyers Christian Janisse (left) and Ryan Solcz also began a new podcast in mid-November 2020, which discusses interesting tidbits about law, relevant to small business. Photo courtesy of Bianca Daher of MediaWorks Studios.

REAL ESTATE PERSONAL INJURY CONTRACT ESTATE TAX LAW CIVIL LITIGATION FAMILY LAW (226) 674-1120 1357 Ottawa St. Windsor

L E G A L FO C U S .C A

The podcasts — accessible at JurbleLawPod.podbean.com — run about 20 minutes in length. “We’ve been advised by the experts at MediaWorks that if they run longer than that, you run the risk of losing your audience, so we’ve deferred to their advice,” adds Solcz. At the beginning, Solcz considered ways to monetize the podcasts, but for the moment, the only revenue involved is indirectly generated. “It’s not always about the money,” says Solcz, a member of one of Windsor’s well-known philanthropic families. “We’re busy and it’s not designed to be a money maker. If we gain anything financially, it’s from people picking up the phone and calling for additional advice.”

“KC Keeping It Real” & “Keep Connected”

Kim Willis launched her “KC Keeping B I Z X M A G A Z IN E • J A N U A R Y 2 0 2 1

Kim Willis, Director of Communications and Mental Health Promotion for the local branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is involved with two podcasts, “KC Keeping It Real” and “Keep Connected”. Photo courtesy of Sid Pandya of MediaWorks Studios.

It Real” podcast in January of 2019 as a collaborative effort with her daughter, but it has since taken on a life of its own and she is now working alone on the project. Also recorded weekly at MediaWorks Studios, like many other podcasts profiled in this story, the broadcasts deal with a variety of issues, including pop culture, health and wellness and politics. “It’s a fun, safe space and allows me and others to connect with the greater community,” says Willis. “With the technology now available to anyone, you can interview and interact with anyone across the globe in an easy and safe manner.” Among her guests have been former politician Sandra Pupatello, “Windsor International Film Festival” Executive Director Vincent Georgie and journalist Doug Smith who has spent the past 20-plus years covering the Toronto Raptors for the Toronto Star. “I’m always surprised when people say yes,” laughs Willis. “It’s been an amazing year and I have learned so much from so many different people on a variety of issues and topics.” The “KC Keeping It Real” podcast is available online: Kwillis1578.podbean.com and then listening to it either on Spotify or Apple. It is also on her website: KcKeepingItReal.com. Willis, the organization’s Director of Communications and Mental Health Promotion, also coordinates a “Keep Connected” podcast for the Canadian Mental Health Association WindsorEssex County. “We focus on a range of topics including bereavement, addiction issues, mental health issues affecting our younger population, and providing information on the services available to potential clients,” Willis informs Biz X. She indicates that the “Keep Connected”

segments are produced at MediaWorks Studios by two of the association’s mental health educators and made available on their website at: WindsorEssex.CMHA.ca as well as on Spotify and Apple.

Leamington Mayor Hilda MacDonald, bottom left, was interviewed last year by Rose City Politics podcast panelists Jon Liedtke, top left, Doug Sartori, top right, and Pat Papadeas, bottom right. Collage courtesy of Rose City Politics.

“Rose City Politics”

With a revolving cast of panellists from all sides of the political spectrum, Rose City Politics is now in its 15th year and has been producing and broadcasting a podcast since 2017. The current line-up includes Doug Sartori, Sarah Morris, Jon Liedtke, Pat Papadeas and Don Merrifield. Past panellists include a trio of current City of Windsor Councillors — Rino Bortolin, Chris Holt and Kieran McKenzie. “We talk about anything and everything relating to local politics,” explains Sartori, a five year Rose City Politics veteran. “We touch on provincial and federal politics, but our connections are local, so that’s our primary focus.” With different voices and political ideologies on the panel, the discussions can be lively and entertaining, yet all have the intention of providing an insiders’ view of local issues. “We also engage in a fair bit of media criticism, which we believe is an important

part of any political dialogue,” adds Sartori. “We also try to bring in newsmakers to give us a different perspective on the news and issues affecting local residents.” In an hour-long show, broadcast every Wednesday, Sartori believes the format gives everyone on the panel an opportunity to have a detailed conversation about the issues and topics. Among recent topics have been discussions about the issues facing Windsor’s homeless population, and privacy concerns relating to the use of drones by Windsor Police Services. “It’s a great deal of fun and I really enjoy it,” Sartori expresses. “I think everyone feels the same way.” There are also plans to add more local panellists during the early part of 2021.

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Prior to the COVID-19 restrictions, the show was produced in Rose City’s own studios, but it’s now produced on Zoom. You can tune into this podcast via Apple and Spotify, through social media: Facebook.com/rosecitypolitics, and on: Spreaker.com/show/rose-city-politics.

Podcasts Are Here To Stay

It’s safe to say podcasts are a lively new part of the media landscape and will be with us for the foreseeable future especially while COVID-19 restrictions remain in place limiting everyone’s access to in-person contact. Take your pick of the podcasts that interest you and open your mind to learning more about the topics discussed and our region!

portfolio corner

2021 Portfolio Positioning By Steven Mayo This past November, Pfizer, Moderna and Oxford-Astra Zeneca made news on the progress of their COVID vaccines. As expected, the stock markets reacted positively. The next steps on vaccine distribution will take months, but there is now a developing course of action. In the meantime cases still remain high, governments continue to try to get us to “behave” and winter is here. The emotional rollercoaster continues. It will be vaccinations that save lives, not vaccine news. It will take time. Volatility in the stock market will continue, however, it appears that many sectors have started to get back on track and are in recovery mode. This is very important since sectors that are rebounding include good dividend paying companies. For those willing to take on some additional risk, consider utilities, financials (banks and insurance companies), and pipelines.

Most companies in these sectors have dividend yields in excess of 5%. The next portfolio step would be to look at other companies/sectors that were neutral, to improving, in 2020. These being agriculture, telecom and energy. With this broadening of sectors participating in the stock market recovery, it also means the big technology leaders of 2020 may get less attention. The big technology names do remain excellent earnings stories, but they continue to have very high expectations of their revenue growth and are volatile. It’s also important that Canadian investors diversify into the massive U.S. stock market to get exposure to world-class companies. For 2021, I expect to see an investment landscape where growth and value themes do well. The value themes benefit from the reopening of the economy.

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Also, keep in mind there are billions of dollars earning less in interest rate returns now needing to find a better home with more reward potential. With increased optimism on the vaccine front, the flow of money into the stock markets will likely increase. Of course there will be bumps along the way, such as politics, foreign affairs, and ongoing COVID-19 news, but it’s clear that many companies came out of 2020 very resilient with improving earnings. This resiliency has set the stage, in my opinion, for a very long and durable recovery in 2021 and 2022. As investors, we have to be ahead of these evolving trends. Strength begets strength. At this point, betting against an economic recovery is betting against medicine, science and human nature. In closing, I leave you with this quote from William J. Clinton, former President of the United States: “No problem of human making is too great to be overcome by human ingenuity, human energy, and the untiring hope of the human spirit.” Steven Mayo is a Vice President, Director, and Investment Advisor with RBC Dominion Securities Inc. (Member — Canadian Investor Protection Fund). This article is not intended as, nor does it constitute, investment advice. Readers should consult a qualified professional before taking any action based on information in this article.

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ask the experts

Resolve To Make A Safe Home In 2021 (NC) It’s essential to make sure home is a safe environment to protect the people and things that matter most. With many of us spending more time at home, that’s more crucial than ever. So, take advantage of the new year to reset your safety plan. Here are three simple ways to help you do just that . . . 1. Don’t pass on carbon monoxide detection. The number one cause of accidental poisoning death in Canada is carbon monoxide (CO). This odourless, invisible gas can be given off by the most common gas appliances in your home or even a car in an attached garage. Affordable and easy-to-install CO alarms help protect your family from this dangerous gas. Most products simply plug into the

wall and sound when gases are present at unhealthy levels. 2. New year, new batteries. Use the start of each new year as an annual reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and CO alarms. Replace the batteries at least twice a year and test alarms regularly to ensure the units are functioning properly. “Take battery replacement off your to-do list by upgrading to 10-year sealed battery alarms,” says Ashley Gocken, of First Alert, a leading fire safety brand. “Offering a decade of protection, these alarms eliminate late-night battery chirps and the risk of having an alarm deactivated due to battery removal.” Regardless of the type of alarms installed, all units must be regularly tested and replaced

every decade. Install smoke and CO alarms on every level and in every bedroom. 3. Plan and practice a safety drill. In case of an emergency, you and your family need to know the fastest escape routes. Identify two ways out of each room, including windows and doors, and, if necessary, equip second-floor rooms with escape ladders. Designate a meeting spot away from the house and ensure everyone understands to call 911 once outside and wait until fire officials clear your home for safe re-entry. Practice the emergency escape plan with your entire family, including pets, at least twice every year. Find more home fire safety tips at: FirstAlert.ca.

Five Simple Winter Home Safety Tips (NC) For some of us, winter might mean crisp walks through the newly fallen snow, skating, skiing, snowshoeing or tobogganing. It might also mean quieter times like curling up next to a roaring fire. But, for most of us, we are all spending more time indoors. Here are five tips to keep your home safe this winter . . . 1. Test your carbon monoxide alarm. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a gas that causes illness and can lead to death. It has no smell, taste or colour so an alarm is the only way to detect it. Replace batteries and the alarm itself, and test the alarm regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer. 2. Hire a professional to service your appliances.

Appliances such as furnaces, fireplaces, gas stoves, and water heaters need to be well maintained. Appliances that are not running in top condition may be a source of carbon monoxide. 3. Replace your furnace filter. Replace the filter as per the manufacturer’s instructions. 4. Look for damp spots. If you find mould, remove it yourself if it covers a surface area of less than one square metre. On smooth surfaces you can use soap and warm water. There is no need to use bleach. If mould cannot be removed from a surface easily, materials will need to be replaced. If the mould covers a bigger area, hire a professional to get rid of it.

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5. Test for radon. Radon is a dangerous radioactive gas. It is invisible, odourless and tasteless. Exposure to radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. No matter the age, type of construction or location of your home, the only way to be sure of the radon level in your home is to test. There are two options for this — purchase a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) radon test kit or hire a radon measurement professional. If you choose to purchase a DIY kit, be sure to closely follow the instructions. For more information on keeping your home healthy, please visit the website: Canada.ca/healthy-home. www.newscanada.com

HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE

Ottawa Street . . . A Windsor Beauty Hot Spot Story And Photo By Joe McParland

omen of Windsor (and yes, men too), let me introduce to you six businesses between Hall and Moy Avenues providing the absolute best in beauty care. The most recent business, Xtra Nail Bar, 1284 Ottawa Street, officially opened its doors on August 25, 2020 in the midst of our current, businessthreatening pandemic. Xtra Nail Bar is owned and operated by two besties, Trish Austin and Patrick Ciliberto, who first met while working as hosts at Caesars Windsor. Austin hails from Thunder Bay and has in her background: sports entertainment wrestling (yep, you are reading this right, she was a wrestler!), licensed trapper, hunter, and fisherman. Ciliberto is a native Windsorite and the son of Mike and Toni Ciliberto who are in their 42nd year as the owners of La Guardia Italian Cuisine, 59 Pitt Street East. He has worked in the family business, along with his brother Joe, who is being groomed to carry the torch once their parents retire. Furloughed from Caesars Windsor because of the pandemic, the two friends spent endless hours doing all the grunt work in renovating a non-descript commercial space into something reminiscent of salons along Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California. The interior décor is stunning. Austin has spent time in California and brings that experience to life on Ottawa Street. In the basement level, local crafts artists ply their talents and their finished products are showcased for sale near the front

entrance of the business. And Austin and Ciliberto are exploring the idea of possibly licensing the nail “bar” for more than just nails in the future. Austin explains: “After opening we quickly grew into being more than just the nail bar but a medi-spa offering medical services such as skin rejuvenation, micro needling, microdermabrasion, hydradermabrasion, skin therapy, laser, resurfacing, body contouring, assisted weight loss, teeth whitening, and many other services. We have an RPN on staff performing these medical grade services.” Scrolling through their extensive list of offerings (visit: XtraNailBar.com for all services) is like making your way through the 21 page/250 item menu at The Cheesecake Factory! Ciliberto saw this business venture as an opportunity to depart from the traditional business model of competing with others. He states, “With our location near complementary beauty service businesses, we see ourselves cooperating with each other, rather than competing.” To their left is Lash On, Wax Off (eyelash extensions and hair removal) and across the street is Glow & Co. (makeup artistry and tanning). Just a few buildings away in the next block is Salon-Brush with Ettore Salon & Aesthetics and POP Hair Gallery Ink, one block east. Both Ciliberto and Austin are grateful for the warm welcome and support they have received from their neighbours. They are all working together on cross promotions and group giveaways.

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Xtra Nail Bar owners Patrick Ciliberto and Trish Austin stand in their Ottawa Street business, which offers an unrivalled luxurious and trendy atmosphere. The two entrepreneurs are also proven community supporters, giving “extra” help fundraising monthly for local charities.

This is the 11th business Austin has been involved with and she proudly points out, “Every one of them has had a philanthropic component to it.” Xtra Nail Bar carries on that tradition. Once a month they hold a “Miracle Manicure Day” when children, 12 years of age and under, can receive a $10 manicure, with all proceeds donated to a monthly designated charity. Ciliberto believes this is a good networking opportunity with the wider community “who end up coming and visiting with us and with our neighbouring businesses.” They have raised approximately $670 for the Windsor Youth Centre and purchased warm items, hoodies, jackets, blankets, and hygiene products for at-risk youth. November 2020 was dedicated to Adopt A Vet to support our local war vets in the area. Through the “Miracle Manicure Day” and online donation endeavours, $1,160 was raised for this organization. Ciliberto smiles as he recalled the number of big, husky men who came out for manicures and pedicures: “One guy had his toenails painted pink and could hardly wait to get home to show his girlfriend!”

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In November and into December, a large bin was placed at the front of Xtra Nail Bar and filled with lightly used winter clothing and non-perishable food and canned goods as part of Operation Keep Windsor Warm. There was also a “Miracle Manicure Day” on December 13 as well with 100% of the proceeds to this cause. Four Operation Keep Windsor Warm bins, $364 and a full tote of food was collected! Into early 2021, designated charities for Xtra Nail Bar include: (January) Hiatus House with a combined initiative with job coaching, clothing, hair and personal care to prepare for interviews; (February) Iris House and (March) Windsor-Essex Pride Fest, along with two other LGBTQ+ organizations. Ettore Bonato has been the Chair of the board for five years of the Uptown Ottawa Street Business Improvement Association (to see a complete list of members refer to their website: UptownOttawaStreet.com). With over 80 businesses in this organization, he is thrilled to see Xtra Nail Bar set up shop on Ottawa Street. “They are a perfect addition to the beauty service industry in their area and are doing so much for the larger community with their charitable projects,” Bonato expresses. Reflecting on the growth of Ottawa Street in recent years, Bonato marvels at the mixture of the older businesses with the newer ones. And he notes that, “So many of the new business owners today are younger people who bring a real sense of adventure, excitement and exuberance to what they are doing.” While Xtra Nail Bar may bring a touch of Rodeo Drive to Ottawa Street, the entire Ottawa Street vibe reminds Bonato of “The Beaches” neighbourhood in Toronto. I, for one, do not disagree with him. In my opinion, both Austin and Ciliberto and their staff at Xtra Nail Bar have more than “nailed” it!

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TAKE THE LEAD

Eddy Mohamad Hammoud . . . Entrepreneur & Community Supporter By Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh

orn in Lebanon, Eddy Mohamad Hammoud came to Canada when he was just one year old. His family lived in a church and then above The Cook’s Shop restaurant, where his dad, Sam Hammoud was the head chef for 19 years. Hammoud attended Dougall Ave. Public School and Catholic Central High School and felt they focused on family, respect and working hard. “Both schools taught me to be a good role model no matter what I did,” Hammoud believes. After high school, he completed a dental hygiene program in Toronto and attended the University of Windsor to start pre-requisites for dentistry. “I thought I would be making people happy, improving their appearance and putting a smile on their faces,” Hammoud comments, but he soon realized, “People are scared of us and don’t enjoy dental office visits.” He grew up helping his dad in the restaurant and Lino Catroppa — the original owner of The Cook’s Shop — was like a father figure, always teaching him about the business world. While he was going to school, he worked two to three jobs in the food service industry and decided to pursue this path. In 2014, Hammoud opened up Eddy’s Mediterranean Bistro, 420 Tecumseh Road East, with his father. Eddy’s expanded after a year, adding a dining room with a liquor licence, and he built a name for himself by helping his community. In 2018 he was approached by Dr. David Mady to partner on a second location, Tabouli By Eddy’s, 1614 Lesperance Road in Tecumseh (EddysRestaurants.ca). Hammoud employs 18 at Tabouli and an additional five at Eddy’s, including four family members. And last year he helped his brother Younis Hammoud get a good start in business by purchasing a car/boat/RV detailing company, Convenient Perfection Mobile Detailing (ConvenientPerfection.ca) that he could operate. His mentors include his father, who always showed him the true meaning of hard work, adding “Lino Catroppa also taught me most of what I know about this industry, and Dr. Mady taught me to work smarter and not harder.” As a charitable leader in the community, Hammoud donates food for charity events; launched a campaign for “Adopt An Essential Worker” — feeding thousands of essential workers in 50 establishments — and has donated masks. He was also involved with the “Windsor Essex Helping Lebanon” fundraiser, which raised over $60,000 for victims affected by the deadly explosion in Beirut on August 4, 2020. The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Windsor & District Chapter is another local charity he has helped for the past five years and both restaurants have participated in Stigma Enigma events raising money and awareness for the Maryvale Adolescent Mental Health Treatment Centre. Like all of us, Hammoud must cope in a COVID-19 world and he shares how his businesses are surviving the pandemic. “First you have to respect what is going on,” he indicates. “Yes, you want to run your business, but you don’t want to put people at risk.” He continues by stating: “In the beginning we stumbled, but

Eddy Hammoud was thrilled to be a part of the Small Business Centre’s social media campaign in October during “Small Business Month”. The accompanying photo was used to promote the importance of small businesses, such as Hammoud’s restaurants, in our region. Photo courtesy of the Small Business Centre.

quickly adjusted to what’s going on with contactless delivery and curbside pickup. We also gave discounts and promotions, as people were struggling, like ‘Take-out Tuesday’ for essential workers. The COVID-19 pandemic helped me organize myself better as a business person and structure myself financially to be prepared for any situation.” They also improved their online marketing and free delivery service program. “You don’t know the future and the ground under you is never stable, so you need to make sure you are ready to react to any situation,” Hammoud advises. “You have to do what you enjoy and have a passion for. It’s not going to be easy and there will be a lot of hard days, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel and the closer you get — the harder you have to work.” As a relatively young entrepreneur, Hammoud is wise beyond his years, suggesting to all business owners: “You also can’t please everybody and when things go wrong, you must learn and grow from them as they will make you a better business person. It’s important to focus on yourself and what you’re doing and not on what other people are doing, or you will just be following and they will always be one step ahead. As they say — winners focus on winning and losers focus on winners.” As a former Catholic Central Principal, it has been great watching Eddy’s journey these past few years and knowing the impact our school had on him. He closes our interview with something Luigi (Lou) DeFazio, his religion teacher told him: “People will remember you for who you are and what you stand for.” Sherrilynn Colley-Vegh is an award-winning leadership consultant with over 30 years of experience; past Principal and Chief Communications Officer, author and business owner. She is the founder of Girls Rock Windsor, recipient of the prestigious “Athena Leadership Award” and is the Director of Public Relations at Music Player Magazine where she mentors interns worldwide.

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THE PARENTING BIZ

“Look For The Helpers”

fundraising & volunteering in the community FEATURE STORY By Matthew St. Amand

ometimes, young people can’t catch a break. Born into a world that is not of their making, learning the ropes from scratch, and, occasionally, fielding age-old complaints from elders. “The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise . . . They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers.” Socrates uttered that gem somewhere between 470 – 399 B.C. As with most generalities, it’s generally untrue. One can easily find young people in Windsor and Essex County who are shining examples of good citizenship. To better frame the following stories, a true expert in human nature and young people should be consulted. Mr. Rogers once said, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers — so many caring people in this world.” Indeed, with the dystopian year, 2020, in the rear view mirror, Biz X is pleased to share the

following stories of six stellar young people in our community whose hearts are in the right place and who work each day to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Bianca Georgescu, 12 Years Old

Bianca Georgescu is a seventh grader at École élémentaire catholique Monseigneur-Jean-Noel, who, in the past four years, has raised over $11,000 for various organizations in Essex County. “Everything began in April 2016,” she recalls, “volunteering with my parents and brother for Fulger Transport at The Downtown Mission of Windsor. My parents explained to us how important it was to help people in need, so I decided to help as much as I could.” True to her goal, Bianca expanded her efforts, to include other local organizations, such as Transition to Betterness (T2B) and The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County Inc. For instance, after growing her hair out for two years, Bianca raised $3,000 for the “Hair to Share” campaign and not only donated her hair to “Angel Hair For Kids,” a program of A Child’s Voice Foundation, but the funds collected were put to good use through T2B paediatric programs at Windsor Regional Hospital.

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T2B Youth Ambassador Bianca Georgescu is a superstar fundraiser! Her two year “Hair to Share” campaign wrapped up in July 2020 (she was 11 at the time) and netted $3,000 for the charity along with her hair donation to make wigs for kids. Photo courtesy of Zishan Ali.

The community spirit runs in the family. Bianca became a T2B Youth Ambassador after her brother, Alexandru, joined. “It sounded fancy,” states Bianca, “so I went with him and was fascinated by all the good kids could do in our city. I participated in many events T2B organized, such as: ‘BBQ to the Rescue’, ‘Halloween Spectacular’, ‘Lemonade Day’, car washes, and selling poinsettias during Christmas, as well as ‘Yoga 4 Hope’ and other events.” In 2018 and 2019, the fundraiser that she organized for Hospice brought in more than $900 each year. She also participated in a triathlon, where she raised an additional $1,800. In the same time frame, Bianca raised over $1,000 each year to buy presents for “Christmas for Kids” at two Romanian Orthodox churches in Windsor.

THE PARENTING BIZ Lindsey Bareich, 14 Years Old

Bianca is involved in many T2B events because it makes her “feel amazing, useful and very happy.” The accompanying photo was taken at The Bloomin’ Gardener in September 2019 during “Yoga 4 Hope”. Photo courtesy of Nicoleta Burlea.

“Every year I choose a program to dedicate the money,” Bianca explains. It’s not surprising that the COVID-19 global pandemic has affected Bianca’s efforts. “In the beginning of the year, I planned to raise at least $500, each month in 2020, for different causes,” she says. “I had a very busy agenda for the year, but this pandemic turned everything over . . . It has been a difficult year for fundraising.” Bianca, however, is not one to give up. She continues working with T2B saying, “The team set up an account with CanadaHelps for my ‘Hair to Share’ campaign and people have donated online,” she comments. In the meantime, Bianca continues her efforts, using social media.

Lindsey Bareich, a ninth grade student at Sandwich Secondary School, started “Carve 4 Cancer” when she was just 12 years old, for the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation (WCCF). “Ever since I was a little kid, my family got these giant pumpkins to carve for Halloween,” Lindsey explains. “Each weighed up to 80 pounds! So, when my dad challenged me to organize a charity event, we knew we had to use these giant pumpkins, which became the base for ‘Carve 4 Cancer’.” Businesses donate to the WCCF and in return, receive a giant pumpkin to carve, decorate, or paint. The pumpkins are then delivered to the foundation, where patients and staff vote on Facebook for the winner in their “Best Pumpkin” contest. Over the past three years, Lindsey has raised $30,180 for the WCCF. It’s worth noting that “Carve 4 Cancer” 2020 — despite the COVID-19 global pandemic — was Lindsey’s best year yet, raising an eye-popping $11,780. In December 2020, Lindsey received the “Outstanding Partnership Award” for the Erie St. Clair Regional Cancer Program (ESC RCP) “Summit Award”. This is an award presented annually “to recognize healthcare employees, volunteers, or groups who are working toward the objectives and actions

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At the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation Lindsey Bareich announces the grand total of $11,780 she raised through “Carve 4 Cancer” held in October 2020. She is pictured in front of the winner of the “Best Pumpkin Award” given to Vista Solutions, the company receiving the highest number of votes on the foundation’s Facebook page. Photo courtesy of Andrea Bareich.

outlined in the ESC RCP Strategic Plan, and are devoted to minimizing the impact of cancer and improving quality of life for the residents of Erie St. Clair.” How does Lindsey inspire other people her age to get involved with the community? “Age isn’t a restriction,” she declares. “Anyone can use their initiative and be the change they wish to see in the world.” Her parents are proud of her efforts, particularly because they have a relationship to the WCCF. Lindsey plans to continue the “Carve 4 Cancer” as an annual event.

THE PARENTING BIZ “Each year comes with its own challenges,” she says. “For example, in 2019, the pumpkin crop failed and instead of ‘Carve 4 Cancer’, I organized a similar event around the winter holiday called, ‘Wreaths 4 Wellness’ where businesses donated to the WCCF and decorated Christmas wreaths.” Lindsey has taken the events of 2020 in stride, adapting to the challenges presented by COVID-19. Some businesses that previously donated skipped last year, due to the economic downturn. Others declined the pumpkin aspect of the event because of social distancing restrictions, and simply donated, instead.

Jamal Sghaier, 15 Years Old

Jamal Sghaier, a 10th grader at Tecumseh Vista Academy, knows the importance of access to invaluable programs through Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex. Before he began raising money in support of these programs, he attended them, himself. It began when Jamal’s mother, Barbara enrolled him in a Windsor Parks and Rec summer day camp with the support of a Respite worker. “It was a win-win, regarding awareness and acceptance,” Barbara states.

Jamal went on to mark “World Autism Awareness Day”, each year in grades six, seven and eight, by selling cupcakes. “I made $300 from selling bracelets,” Jamal states, “and raised about $863 from selling cupcakes.” All the proceeds went to Family Respite Services. As any parent would be, Jamal’s mom and dad are proud of him and his involvement in the community. “Jamal is an amazing young man and I’m honoured to be his mom!” Barbara says. For anyone wondering if this is just a youthful phase, Jamal says he is committed to the path of community service. “I will continue to do this in my adulthood,” he indicates. “I may not have been able to do it much last year due to the pandemic, but once that is done, I probably will continue to donate money.” Family Respite Services is also grateful for his efforts. “Jamal Sghaier knows the importance of access to invaluable respite programs through Family Respite Services,” says Community Relations representative Alexandria Fischer. “We are grateful to Jamal and his friends at school as 1,200 families caring for children with disabilities across Windsor and Essex County need the support to access Respite programs, so that parents get a short break and children can have the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities.”

Danica DeSantis, 16 Years Old

Two years ago when Jamal Sghaier attended A.V. Graham School, he sold 300 cupcakes to raise $150 in support of “World Autism Awareness Day”. He is pictured with Scott Scantlebury, Public Relations Officer for the Greater Essex County District School Board. Jamal is an autistic child who aims to educate other children about this condition and is also shown reading a book about autism to younger students at the school. Photo collage courtesy of Barbara Sghaier.

Before long, Jamal sought to raise money and awareness so that others could experience the fun and memories he enjoyed at day camp. “I started in grade three,” Jamal says. “My class supported me by wearing blue.” In fourth grade, Jamal sold bracelets for “World Autism Awareness Day”. From there, he upped his game. With the help of his mother, Jamal approached his principal, at A.V. Graham Public School about selling cupcakes. After receiving the official stamp of approval,

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Danica DeSantis is in grade 11 at Cardinal Carter Secondary School in Leamington. She tells her story: “I started volunteering when I was around seven years old, helping my dad with events he organized to raise money for Community Living Essex County. I volunteer every year at events like the ‘Ruthven Apple Festival’, selling tickets in the donation tent, selling produce in the farmers’ market, and walking around the festival in the apple costume, greeting everyone. At the ‘Jingle Bell Run’, I work handing out water to the runners. Before the global pandemic, I also worked at the gift wrapping booth at Devonshire Mall, wrapping gifts for the shoppers around Christmas time.” Danica is inspired to volunteer at these events because she loves how they bring the community together for a good cause. “I am also good friends with many of the people the charity supports and I love to see them at the events,” she adds and continues with: “It became easier to be involved as I became older because I gained experience throughout the years and discovered more opportunities for volunteering. The tradition of volunteering at these events every year runs in my family. I volunteer alongside

THE PARENTING BIZ

As the saying goes “the apple does not fall far from the tree”! Even though her father, Tony DeSantis, is the Manager, Community Relations and Resource Development for Community Living Essex County, 16 year old Danica DeSantis has a sincere desire to pitch in and help wherever it is needed. Since a youngster (shown here in 2016 at age 13 with mascot, Ruthie Van Apple) she has volunteered at a variety of Community Living events, including the “Ruthven Apple Festival,” by selling raffle tickets and items at the Farmers’ Market, dressing up as the festival mascot and even picking up garbage! Photo courtesy of Tony DeSantis.

my parents, my aunts, uncles and cousins.” Every year, an average of $45,000 to $50,000 is raised at the “Ruthven Apple Festival,” alone. Last year, with the pandemic, events were cancelled or moved online. “I participated by standing in the apple costume during the Zoom meeting,” Danica explains. “I also helped with the pie drivethru pickup station at Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens. I really enjoy being a part of these events and will continue volunteering for a long time.”

Hayley Pyne, 17 Years Old

Hayley Pyne, is a grade 12 student at École secondaire catholique L’Essor, who has volunteered at events benefiting the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. (UHC). She has volunteered at UHC for annual events, periodically, over the past several years, in its food bank and assisting in the delivery of food hampers to vulnerable individuals in the community. Hayley also assisted with the development of online resources for the UHC’s website.

And this past summer she worked at the UHC, supporting the Counselling Unit and translated workshop materials into French for the Employment Skills Training Program. “I became involved with volunteering from a young age when I helped staff at UHC sort coats for the ‘Coats for Kids’ program,” she recounts. “Before the pandemic, I also volunteered for Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, assisting patients, as well as a Coffee Bar Attendant. I have assisted with various activities hosted by The Safety Village, too.” Hayley loves giving back to the community through volunteer work. The experiences have strengthened her communication, customer service and organizational skills. “I have been exposed to assisting others who are dealing with mental health challenges,” she continues, “which has allowed me to develop compassion, empathy and patience.” Hayley feels a deep sense of satisfaction helping in the community. “I feel like my contributions definitely make a difference in the lives of vulnerable citizens,” she expresses. “Without community organizations, such as the UHC, and volunteers like myself, many people in our community would suffer. We truly make a difference and I am proud to be a part of that.” She is quick to point out her volunteerism is more than just satisfying a need for “community hours” for high school (since 2000, secondary school students must complete 40 hours of community involvement activities to earn their diploma). It is about giving back to her community, learning new skills, opportunities, and personal growth. According to Hayley, it has allowed her “to mature and gain a sense of empathy towards others.” Due to the ongoing global pandemic, the hospital volunteer program is not currently running, but Hayley plans to return once it resumes. These days, she is assisting seniors with grocery shopping. June Muir, CEO of UHC is a believer: “Hayley Pyne is a dedicated, responsible,

Hayley Pyne is one teen on a mission to assist the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. by volunteering at its annual events, the food bank and delivering food hampers; as well as developing online resources for the UHC website and translating workshop materials into French for the Employment Skills Training Program. Photo courtesy of Brandy Pyne.

passionate, and organized student and volunteer at the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. I would hire Hayley if the opportunity every came about. Hayley would be an asset to have working with our team!”

Mackenzie Cassidy, 18 Years Old

Mackenzie Cassidy is in her first year at the University of Windsor, majoring in history, with the goal of studying law, afterwards. Caring about her community is something that comes naturally to her. She volunteers with the Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor Inc. (UHC) and the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation (WCCF). “I initially began raising money after a trip to Toronto with my dad when I was seven,” Mackenzie remembers. “After encountering so much homelessness on my weekend stay, I took it upon myself to canvas my dad’s work colleagues for money to take around to people on the street.” And her father’s colleagues responded. “That night,” Mackenzie continues, “I took my collections and gave some to every person I came across. The experience opened my eyes to how privileged I was, that I took my home for granted, and I told myself I wanted to make a difference anyway I could.” Over time, Mackenzie refined her approach, and it was within the last three years that her efforts have become an operation. “This is when I began my meal, clothes and blanket distribution on a much larger scale,” she says.

Full day child care 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Ages 3 months to 12 years Learning through hands-on experience Subsidy available Procedures in place to ensure your child’s health & safety 2 Amherstburg Locations

260 Murray St. & Stella Maris School

Let Little People Play!

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THE PARENTING BIZ

• The Downtown Mission of Windsor, (DowntownMission.com) • The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County, (TheHospice.ca) • Transition to Betterness (T2B.ca) • “Carve 4 Cancer”, (Instagram @CarveFourCancer) • Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex, (FamilyRespite.org) • Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, (HDGH.org) • The Safety Village, (TheSafetyVillage.com) • Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, (WindsorCancerFoundation.org) • Community Living Essex County, (CommunityLivingEssex.org) • Unemployment Help Centre of Windsor, (UHC.ca)

Mackenzie Cassidy (left) is photographed with Houida Kassem, Executive Director of the Windsor Cancer Centre Foundation, at the cheque presentation for $73,000 from “Stache 4 Cash”. Her fundraiser was hosted with her parents Dave and Jen Cassidy at Fury Training Grounds in Essex on November 28, 2020. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Glajch.

She partnered with her family’s gym — Fury Training Grounds, 26 Fairview Avenue West in Essex, run by her parents, Jennifer and Dave Cassidy — for the collection of goods and to coordinate outreach. Funds are used to buy food that is distributed among the homeless, along with apparel, such as gloves. In 2019, Mackenzie partnered with the UHC and provided 50 hot meals to the community. The WCCF is close to Mackenzie’s heart after losing friends and family members to cancer. Her first “Stache 4 Cash” fundraising event raised an amazing $73,000, in November 2020 — through direct sponsorship from local businesses and community members, as well as an online silent auction, a 50/50 draw and the “WOD-A-THON” (Work Out of the Day).

The response from the community has been uniformly positive. “There is something about helping in a way that directly impacts your community that makes the work so meaningful,” Mackenzie observes. “I am so humbled by our community, and their open hearts, and willingness to help inspires me as well.” As for inspiring other young people to take similar action, Mackenzie’s philosophy is simple: “Any little bit helps. Find something you want to help with that you are passionate about, and you can move mountains!”

Need Details On The Charities Profiled?

To learn more about the community organizations found in this feature, please visit their respective websites and social media pages listed in the next column. . .

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Now Is The Time To Give Back

Congratulations to these incredible young people, and their families, for all their good work. We hope to have inspired parents and their children to either donate to local charities, volunteer their time, or even help raise funds for the organization of your choice. The community needs you! It’s always worth remembering what Mr. Rogers said about helping others: “All of us, at some time or other, need help. Whether we’re giving or receiving help, each one of us has something valuable to bring to this world. That’s one of the things that connects us as neighbours — in our own way, each one of us is a giver and a receiver.”

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PROFILING LOCAL BUSINESS WOMEN Story And Photo By Julianna Bonnett

Jill Moysiuk W

An Entrepreneur With All Her Ducks In A Row

ith her poetry and hilariously engaging parenting content, writer and entrepreneur Jill Moysiuk’s goal is to relate to as many mothers as she can. As a graduate from the University of Windsor with an B.A. Honours degree in Psychology and Women’s Studies, Moysiuk worked as a Human Resources and Labour Relations professional for 10 years, in both the automotive and chemical industries. After finishing her 18 month maternity leave in September 2019, five days before her expected return date, she was advised that she no longer had a job to go back to. Following this unexpected job loss, she decided to take a totally different direction in her life. “I used my unfortunate circumstances as fuel to bridge me to the next chapter in my life, by trying out new things to find a new fit,” Moysiuk shares. “I realized my life was at a crossroads, I could go back to what I knew, or try something totally different and exciting.” Since she was not totally fulfilled in her previous career path, she could not help but wonder if losing her job was the universe telling her she was ready for a major change. “The problem was I had no other work experience or other interests, which meant I had some exploring to do,” Moysiuk states. “The next morning, I woke up to our toddler at my bedside, I pulled him in bed with us and started playing with his perfect little toes, as he fell back to sleep. While I massaged his feet I started making a rhyme in my head about his fingers and toes, and after a few minutes had written a whole poem about his little body.” After writing the whole poem out, she was confident in what she wrote and thought she could potentially make something out of it. Using motherhood as her common thread of writing, on May 10, 2020 (“Mother’s Day” appropriately) Moysiuk launched Mom Said Duck, an online poetry blog and podcast to the community (recorded at MediaWorks Studios). “Mom Said Duck is a series of poems about mom life,” she describes. “They are mostly spicy, sometimes sweet, but always a 100 percent honest take on the wild experience of being a mom.” Featuring a new poem weekly (“Fresh Poem Friday”), poetry posted daily and content that is relatable, for not only moms but all parents, Moysiuk mentions she is inspired by real life experience.

With multiple clicks of the mouse and, as her fingers hit the keyboard to create poetic words, it all comes together for Jill Moysiuk who aims to share relatable content for every parent on her website: MomSaidDuck.com.

“I like to write about the kind of stuff that happens in a day that seems mundane, but it’s actually quite funny or interesting in some way,” she comments. “Like being that parent who thinks they are doing a good deed by whipping up a nutritious and delicious trail mix to send in their kid’s lunch, only to be called by the school to be reminded that you can’t send peanuts to school, after getting over the embarrassment of missing something so obvious, you just laugh.” As a mother of two children — a six year old daughter and a two year old son — Moysiuk finds her kids and husband to be the biggest inspiration behind her work. “Mom Said Duck is also unique in that it is very much a family endeavour,” she expresses. “One of my favourite things about Mom Said Duck is that it feels like a part of our family with my daughter as my illustrator and both of my kids and husband, of course, as the inspiration.” According to Moysiuk, the short and long-term goal for her online content is “To continue to build an online presence where parents can feel, be seen and heard, about the everyday stressors we experience. For the future I am working on turning my material into a book.” To view a sampling of poems check out: MomSaidDuck.com and/or enter your email to receive a “delightful treat” in your inbox each week. You can also listen to her podcast on channels such as: MomSaidDuck.podbean.com, Apple and Spotify (with new podcasts released on Fridays).

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TECH BY TES

Fundraising During A Pandemic By Adam Castle

ow many conversations have you started or ended with the words “2020 certainly was a strange year . . .” From board rooms to living rooms, reality definitely hasn’t been anything that most of us would recognize. Yet everywhere we look, we see amazing examples of people and organizations that have found ingenious ways of moving forward and rolling with what has certainly been a nearly comical amount of punches. As the outgoing President of the Red Shoe Society of Windsor-Essex, in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario (RMHC), our role and mission has been to raise funds and awareness for RMHC in our community. Our board is made up of a diverse group of passionate professionals who believe above all else that family togetherness is what kids need most, and in supporting RMHC programming, we work to ensure children can be close to their families in times of medical emergency. As I rounded the corner on my last year as President, I quickly learned that every single plan we had made would be derailed, and even though the world seemed to be at a standstill, the families who needed RMHC services didn’t have that luxury. We needed to act. Last year, in June, we hosted our annual “Yoga in Unique Places” event and streamed it into the homes of participants for a full morning of self care. In August, we teamed up with a local entertainment business, Evermore Princess Parties, to bring a magical tea party to families all over our region. In November, we worked with Nancy John’s Gallery in Riverside to help support their anniversary celebration, with proceeds from each art sale going towards RMHC. In December, we launched “Home For The Holidays” a virtual concert that came with gift boxes loaded with goodies purchased from local businesses. According to a recent CPA Canada study looking at the spending habits of Canadians in 2020-2021, 82% of

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respondents said they planned to give the same as 2019, or more, towards charities over the next 12 months. Armed with this data, we as fundraisers know the generosity of our communities is unwavering; it’s in the way we engage those communities that continues to evolve and innovate. So, here are our top five findings on how to navigate the fundraising world in 2021 . . . 1. Even if everyone was vaccinated immediately, consumer habits have shifted, so continuing to plan for either a) small group events or b) virtual events is still going to be very much an important part of the strategy. 2. As many of our local small businesses struggle, traditional asks for donations or sponsorship support can make for cringe worthy optics. Instead, work on building positive partnerships that are a value add for the business, and ask their support to be in kind instead, by leveraging their networks and customer base. 3. Lean into technology — from Eventbrite online event integration, to the simplicity of a fresh new email campaign through Mailchimp. The job of technology is to help you take the effort of a few and deliver that with the effectiveness of a team of many. 4. Don’t underestimate the power of a good story. Impact might be harder to “see” when it isn’t in person, so take the time to carefully craft stories that demonstrate just how far every single donated dollar goes to delivering your program. 5. Practice self love! It is so easy to feel failure on a personal level when we don’t hit targets or our expectations fall through, so be kind to yourself and normalize celebrating every win, regardless of how big or small the scale. Adam Castle is the outgoing President of the Red Shoe Society of Windsor-Essex, in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario (RMHC). Learn more on: Facebook.com/ RedShoeWE and: RMHC-SWO.ca. “Tech Bytes” is powered by WEtech Alliance (WEtech-Alliance.com).

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Feel Empowered And On A Positive Path To Growth And Well-Being With Sage Therapeutic Consulting OF THE MONTH

By Jim Murphy

ocated at 1983 Westminster Boulevard in Windsor, Sage Therapeutic Consulting offers couples counselling and individual psychotherapy for complex trauma, PTSD, anxiety and fear. Shaun Ouellette, Owner of Sage Therapeutic Consulting, does much more than counselling. On top of public speaking events and motivational talks for businesses and organizations, he also practices a samurai sword art called Iaido and is a canfitpro Certified Personal Training Specialist. “I am a personal trainer who incorporates a lot of mind/body concepts into helping clients with their mental health struggles,” says Ouellette. “I have also been a lifelong martial arts and mindful meditation practitioner and I use this knowledge and practice in my work.” On top of that, Ouellette offers clients neurofeedback services along with a trauma treatment approach called “brainspotting”. “I’m a technology nerd and try to incorporate new ‘psych-tech’ devices and tools into my practice,” he describes. “I have various neurofeedback tools that measure things such as heart rate variability, brain waves and even transcranial magnetic stimulation — which alters brain wave frequency — to treat certain mental health concerns.” Despite his passion for helping clients with their mental health struggles, Ouellette didn’t plan on being a social worker or therapist. “My goal was to go out of town for school and become a dermatologist,” he remarks. “However, I was dating someone that I didn’t want to move away from, so I was a late admission to the University of Windsor with an undeclared major in the arts and social sciences.” Ouellette took several different courses in biology, computer science, philosophy, sociology, psychology, and social work. “Ultimately, I really liked psychology and decided to make that my major,” he tells

Shaun Ouellette, Owner of Sage Therapeutic Consulting, consults with our model Arnela Beckic at his home office. “I derive a lot of pleasure from helping others and find great value in seeing other people improve their lives and reach their goals,” he states. Photo by Rod Denis.

Biz X. “After graduating with an Honours B.A. in psychology, I enrolled in a new subprogram of the University of Windsor’s social work program called ‘Program Three,’ which allowed me to complete a Bachelor of Social Work degree in 12 months!” Ouellette worked in the field for a few years before going back and completing his Master of Social Work degree through a program at the university that allowed him to work while he was in school. “I started my work career in child protection,” he explains. “From there I went to Detroit to work at a residential substance abuse treatment centre as both a therapist and a manager.” Ouellette then continued his career in Windsor as a Manager of Social Work Services for a non-profit organization, followed by work in children’s mental health and as part of a mental health crisis team in local hospitals. “Then in 2014, with the support of my family, I made the decision to move to the Northwest Territories to live in Fort Simpson, a remote island of 1,200 people,” he says. “A couple of years later, I accepted a position as a clinical lead/manager in the Psychology Department for a hospital in Winnipeg.” Ultimately, his desire to be back home

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in Windsor/Essex County led him to take a position with a local family health team and open Sage Therapeutic Consulting in 2018. The name derives from Sage Commander in Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” and also from when he lived in the Northwest Territories and developed a great appreciation for the aboriginal process of smudging with sage. Today, Sage Therapeutic Consulting continues to operate during the pandemic by incorporating safety measures, such as screening questions, maintaining appropriate physical distance in the office, providing hand sanitizer, cleaning the office between appointments and wearing masks when appropriate. While he primarily offers individual psychotherapy and counselling, Ouellette is working on establishing more of an online presence in the near future. He also has aspirations to contract out more work to other therapists. “I plan on growing the neurofeedback part of my business, possibly opening up another location and leasing out space to other therapists,” he expresses. For more information visit: SageTherapy.ca or check out his social media page: Facebook.com/sagetherapywindsor.

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